ATV Trails Near Shamokin, Pennsylvania
- ATV enthusiasts are attracted to the Shamokin area.atv airborne image by MAXFX from Fotolia.com
Shamokin, Pennsylvania, in Northumberland County, sits on the edge of an anthracite coal area scarred by opencast mining and strip mine tailings. The landscape attracts ATV riders from all over Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Mindful of the dangers, including accidents and deaths, Northumberland officials have proposed a park on 6,500 acres of county coal land on the outskirts of Shamokin. As of autumn 2010, this was still just a proposal. Meanwhile, several trails on private land are within an hour of the town. - About seven miles from Shamokin, Irish Valley Park is a small, man-made park featuring regularly groomed and watered trails. The park operates a membership program but is open to non-members on selected weekends. Opening arrangements are seasonal from March to November.
Irish Valley's four miles of trails reach elevations of up to 900 feet and consist of mostly amateur terrain with some novice terrain and a limited amount of expert terrain. In addition to four tracks, the park has a four-mile hare scramble course. Adult quad bikes are not permitted. Facilities include showers, a spray wash area, restrooms and a concession. Primitive camping for members is free and, according to the Irish Valley website, "encouraged."
Irish Valley Motocross and ATV Park
2221 Irish Valley Road
Paxinos,PA 17860
570-648-7117
irishvalleymx.com - Formerly Tower City Trail Riders, Rausch Creek Trailriders is a membership organization that has a trail riding site about 18 miles from Shamokin in Valley View, Pennsylvania. Guests are permitted to use the club's ATV trail riding park only when accompanied by a member. Members can camp anywhere on the site but campfires are only permitted at specifically developed campsites.
The 13 square mile park has 40 trails, some of which reach elevations of 1,500 feet and wind through forest land. The site also includes open play areas, motocross tracks and abandoned coal mines. Most of the trails are suitable for amateurs, although there are some novice and some expert trails as well.
Rausch Creek Trailriders
183 Bear Valley Road
Valley View, PA 17893
570-682-1075
tctri.org - One of several trails that wind through Bald Eagle State Forest, East Kettle is about an hour from Shamokin. The a seven-mile, dedicated ATV track is a loop trail through high forests of pine, oak and hemlock, at an altitude of between 1,550 and 2,000 feet. Most of it is classed as amateur terrain but there is a good portion of novice terrain and some limited expert terrain as well.
All other motor vehicles are banned, but ATV riders need be alert for horses and hikers, who are allowed to use the trail. No permit is required, but ATVs must be registered and riders should carry proof of liability insurance.
East Kettle ATV Trail
Bald Eagle State Forest
18865 Old Turnpike Road
Millmont, PA 17845
570-922-3322
www.dcnr.state.pa.us
