The Best Off-Road Trails in North Carolina For ATVs and Jeeps

Head in pretty much any direction in North Carolina, and we have no doubt that you will be greeted with epic off-road trails. It is an ATV and Jeep-lovers paradise. If you love heading off-road, then try it sometime. You will have a ton of fun.

Of course, it won’t be long before you start to discover your favorite off-road trails. Ones that you want to come back to repeatedly. We have our own favorites in the state, and we want to tell you about them now. Let’s introduce you to the best off-road trails in North Carolina for ATVs and Jeeps.

Table of Contents

• Brown Mountain OHV Trail System
• Daniel TR 390
• Musterground Road Trail
• Wash Creek Road
• Black Swamp OHV Trail Head
• Bent Creek Road
• Jocassee Gorges
• Final Thoughts 

Brown Mountain OHV Trail System

Located in Pisgah National Forest, the Brown Mountain OHV Trail System is run by the USDA.

This is the perfect beginner’s off-roading location. There are 34 miles of trails to explore, but everything is neatly sign-posted. So, if you aren’t quite up to scratch on your off-road navigational abilities, then Brown Mountain is where you want to be.

The bulk of the trails have been designed for those that are bringing ATVs or off-road bikes, but you have a couple of options available if you have a Jeep (or other 4WD) in tow.

The Brown Mountain trails range in complexity, with some suitable for a family jaunt, and others reserved purely for the most experienced of off-roaders.

A trip here will have you navigating through stunning forests and open landscapes. There is something to see everywhere you look. You are never going to be too far from civilization, though. There is camping and picnic areas nearby.

Daniel TR 390

Ask any off-roader in North Carolina what their dream trail is, and most of them will tell you that they want to tackle Daniel TR 390. Even in dry weather, this is regarded as one of the most difficult off-road trails in NC. Throw in a bit of wet weather, and Daniel TR 390 is only going to be tackled by the most battle-hardened of off-roaders.

Daniel TR 390 is a 2.1-mile long trail found in the Badin Lake OHV Trail Complex. So, if you aren’t quite up for tackling Danier TR 390 (and there is no shame in that!), you still have plenty of other trails to explore.

Remember, even at a slow speed, the rocky Daniel TR 390 isn’t for the faint of heart. As you go through the mud-laden forested trail, you really are going to feel like you are living life on the edge.

Want a bit of an extra challenge? Well, the trail is open 24 hours a day. You could even tackle it at night!

Musterground Road Trail

If you are in the direction of Sapphire, then you need to take a trip to Musterground Road Trail. This long, winding path (17 miles long), is perfect for beginners, but on occasion gives even experienced off-roaders a run for their money.

There is plenty to see along the route too, with fantastic waterfalls, and a good chunk of the trip heading past fast-flowing rivers. 

The great part is that if you head to Musterground Road Trail outside of the hunting season, there is barely anybody there. This means that you can really let loose with your Jeep or ATV (within the rules of the trail, of course)

Wash Creek Road

This can be found near Mills River North near Arden.

This is a gravel/mud trail, which is fantastic for newbies. At 11 miles long, it should provide a good few hours of fun, and after you see the stunning scenery that Wash Creek Road has to offer, you will probably come back to it a lot.

In true North Carolina style, trees and flowing rivers line the route, with the view occasionally being broken up with some rocky outcrop or an old, wooden bridge.

If you have yet to take your ATV or Jeep out on an off-road trail, then we reckon that Wash Creek Road is going to be a great place for you to start. It is a firm favorite among even the most experienced of off-roaders for a reason.

Black Swamp OHV Trail Head

Sadly, Jeep lovers are going to have to give this one a skip. It is the sole domain of ATVs and trail bikes. However, we had to include it on the list. We love Black Swamp. It can be found close to Dogwood Farm Airport.

As a swamp, Black Swamp has a variety of different lakes surrounding it, and some rather boggy locations that you will need to drive through. It is a unique experience, and one that we feel will provide a challenge to most off-roaders over the 8-miles of trails.

Black Swamp is actually part of the Brown Mountain complex of trails (remember that from earlier?), so you could be getting yourself a good few days of off-road fun around the area. Although, as we said, if you have a Jeep in tow, this isn’t going to be the trail for you.

Bent Creek Road

Sometimes, you can’t afford to be out on the road for hours and hours at a time. You want a short, snappy route that can be completed in just a couple of hours. That is what the gravel Bent Creek Road provides. At just 4-miles long, and a relatively easy ride, it is great for getting used to your ATV or your Jeep. It can be found near Candler, and it takes around 2-hours to complete.

It isn’t the most scenic route in the world. It is mainly just trees and that gravel road. However, that is why we love Bent Creek Road so much. We just love the whole idea of us feeling at one with the vehicle. No distractions. Just really seeing what our vehicles can do in even the toughest of conditions.

Bent Creek Road won’t be a trail that you will be visiting often, but it will be one that you will quickly develop fond memories of.

Jocassee Gorges

This trail can be found in both North Carolina and South Carolina (with the bulk of the trail being in the latter).  It is in the Jones Gap State Park.

As the name suggests, this is a pretty rocky trail, and it is very unpredictable. If you head here when it is raining, then you are going to be in for the challenge of your life.

We love Jocassee Gorges just because it is so fun to drive. It also offers a wealth of different sights. You have a lake. Beautiful trails. Lush forests, and those gorges. It is a real adventure.

Final Thoughts

Remember, this is just a small smattering of the off-road trails there are to explore throughout North Carolina. There are routes just about everywhere, so why not head out there and explore? Chances are, you may even end up with your own favorite trails that we have included on this list. If you do, we love to hear about them! We love ATVs and Jeeps as much as you do, and we are always looking for some great places to put our vehicles and our driving skills through their paces.