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| Home > Ohio > Perry State Forest |
Perry State Forest
Monday, April 1, 2024
| Other Names | Buckeye Fork |
| Last Known Status | Open |
This area was once an active coal mining operation but is now a state forest that offers about 16 miles of rugged ATV trails, 8 miles of horseback trails and 24 miles of hiking trails. The terrain offers a nice variety of hard pack to rocky trails with various elevation changes and a few play areas.
The main staging area offers some basic amenities that consists of picnic tables and vault toilets but is only open for day use. Camping can be found at nearby Perry Backwoods Campground which offers electric and water hookups plus direct trail access. There is no fee to ride but machines must display a current Ohio APV Tag.
The forest is seasonal and offroad use is permitted between April through the end of November. Jeeps and other large vehicles are not permitted on the trails.
REGULATIONS
| Permit Required | Yes | Ohio APV Tag |
| Dates Open | April 1 - November 30 | |
| Other ATV Stickers Accepted | Unknown | |
| Spark Arrestor | Yes | A spark arresting exhaust silencer or end cap is required for all vehicles. |
| Noise Limit | Yes | |
| Whip Flags | Not Required | |
| Maximum Vehicle Width | Yes (62 inches) | has entrance gate or posts |
 Motorcycles & Dirt Bikes | Permitted | |
 ATVs | Permitted | |
 UTV & SXS | Permitted | (maximum width 62 inches) |
 SUVs & Jeeps (registered) | Prohibited | |
| Dune Buggy & Sand Rail 4x4 (unregistered) | Prohibited | |
| 2 Stroke Engines | No Restriction | |
| MX Helmet Required | Yes | |
 Camping | Prohibited | |
 Campfires | Prohibited | |
| Night Riding | No | riding permitted from sunrise to sunset |
| Trail Blazing | Prohibited | vehicles must stay on trail |
| Alcohol | Prohibited | |
| Rule Enforcement |
TERRAIN
| Approx Size | 4,706 acres (7 sq mi) | |
| Miles Of Trail | 16 | |
| Climate Type | Forest | |
| Elevation | 950 to 1100 ft. | |
| Trail Maintenance | Marked, Not Rated, Lightly Maintained | |
| Loose Dirt |  Little | |
| Hard Pack |  Mostly | |
| Sand | Little | |
| Mud |  Some | |
| Dust | Little | |
| Rocks | Some | |
| Trees |  Many | |
| Steep Hills | Some | |
| Water Crossings | Some | |
| Small Jumps | Some | |
| Berms | Some | |
| Sand/Gravel Pits |  Few | |
| Single Track | Some | |
| Hazards | Few | (hazards assumed marked but use caution) |
 Novice | Some | |
 Amateur | Mostly | |
 Expert | Little |
TYPE OF AREA
| Area | Motorized Trails |
| Land | State Forest |
KEY SERVICES
 Gasoline | 1-5 Miles (SE) | Kroger Gas Station (740) 342-3578 |
| Diesel | 1-5 Miles (SE) | Kroger Gas Station (740) 342-3578 |
 Water | 5-20 Miles (SE) | Burr Oak State Park Campground (740) 767-3570 |
 RV Hookup | On Site | Perry Backwoods Campground (330) 224-0759 |
 RV Disposal | 5-20 Miles (SE) | Burr Oak State Park Campground (740) 767-3570 |
| Campground | On Site | Perry Backwoods Campground (330) 224-0759 |
 Conv Store | 1-5 Miles (SE) | Kroger Grocery Store (740) 342-3578 |
FEES & PASSES
| Parking | (None) |
| Entry | (None) |
| Riding | (None) |
| Camping | (None) |
RATINGS
| Our Rating |  Very Good |
| Recommended Stay | 1-2 Days |
| Comments | (Scroll Down For Rider Reviews & Comments) |
DRIVING DIRECTIONS
| Nearest City | New Lexington, OH | ||
| Address | Township Hwy 154 NE, New Lexington, OH 43764 | ||
| From: New Lexington, OH
1) Take SR-345 North about 3 miles 2) Turn left on Township Hwy 154, continue about 1 mile 3) Staging area is on the left. |
OFFICIAL CONTACTS
| Contact Info | Perry State Forest 6665 Cutler Lake Road Blue Rock, OH 43720 (740) 385-4402 forestry.comments@dnr.state.oh.us ohiodnr.gov |
| Contact Info | Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles 1970 West Broad Street Columbus, OH 43223 (614) 752-7800 webmaster@dps.state.oh.us www.bmv.ohio.gov |
| Comment | ATV and Motorcycle Registration Info |
| Contact Info | Perry Backwoods Campground 6305 Twp Rd 154 Ne New Lexington, OH 43764 (330) 224-0759 brent@perrybackwoods.com |
Perry State Forest Trail Photo
Photo Submitted 11/9/2012 (Thanks!)
Perry State Forest Trail Photo
Photo Submitted 5/6/2013 (Thanks!)
Perry State Forest Trail Photo
Photo Submitted 11/1/2013 (Thanks!)
Perry State Forest Trail Photo
Photo Submitted 2/19/2014 (Thanks!)
RIDER COMMENTS & REVIEWS