Coalmont OHV Park is a 1,700-acre off-road riding destination on the Cumberland Plateau, 19 minutes from The Getaway on Ranger Creek. It opened in 2023. That makes it the first city-owned OHV park in Tennessee and one of the few of its kind in the country. The trail system runs from beginner-friendly green routes to expert black, on land that once drove Coalmont’s coal mining economy. If you’re trailering in for a riding weekend, here’s what to expect, when to go, what to bring, and where to sleep when the day’s done.
The Trails at Coalmont OHV Park
The trail system at Coalmont OHV Park is marked and ranked by difficulty. Green trails offer a manageable introduction. Blue trails step up. Black trails get genuinely rugged with steep climbs, technical sections, and unforgiving terrain when the ground is wet. Most are numbered rather than named, but one spot regulars consistently point to is Flat Rock: a stretch of huge flat rock slabs surrounded by creek that requires a water crossing to reach. It’s also one of the best photo ops on the property.
ATVs, UTVs, side-by-sides, dirt bikes, and four-wheelers are all welcome. The terrain shifts through sandstone outcrops, creek drainages, old mining cave openings, and dense forest. After rain, the easier trails get interesting and the harder ones get serious. Trail maps are available at the park office, and difficulty markings are clear enough to plan your day before you head out.
When to Ride at Coalmont OHV Park
Fall is generally the best time. Cooler temperatures and lower humidity, with hardwoods coloring up across the plateau. Spring is a close second once trails dry out from winter.
Summer rides happen, but the combination of heat, humidity, and full canopy means you’ll be drinking water constantly and you’ll want to start early. Winter is open and rideable, but bring layers. The plateau holds cold air, and a 40-degree morning at the truck can feel like 20 once you’re moving at speed.
Rain is the variable that changes everything. A wet park rides differently than a dry one: easier trails become technical, technical trails become unforgivable. Check forecasts the week of your trip, and if it’s been pouring, plan for shorter days or skill down a difficulty tier.
What to Bring to Coalmont OHV Park
The park is on the plateau and cell service is spotty in places. Pack like you’re not getting bailed out quickly.
The basics:
- Helmet and gloves for everyone in the rig, every time
- Recovery gear: tow strap, D-ring shackles, and a winch if your rig has one
- Spare fuel for longer days
- Tire repair kit and a 12V air compressor
- First aid kit
- A way to communicate (radios for groups, a satellite messenger if you’re going off the marked system)
- Drinking water, more than you think
- Weather-appropriate layers (the plateau runs cooler than the valleys)
Optional but smart: a change of clothes for the drive home, a small dry bag for phone and wallet, and a tarp if you’re stopping for lunch.
From Coal Mines to Off-Road: The Park’s History
The land Coalmont OHV Park sits on used to feed the coal that built this town. B Mine Road, where the main trailhead is located, takes its name from one of the operations that once worked this stretch of the plateau. When the mines closed, the land sat largely unused for decades. The 2023 opening converted more than 1,700 acres of former mining ground into one of the largest public OHV systems in Tennessee.
That history still shows up in the terrain. Some of the cave openings you’ll pass on the trails are old mine entries. The sandstone exposures and the old cuts in the hillsides reflect what was done here a century ago. Riding at Coalmont means riding on a piece of working history.
How Coalmont OHV Park Compares to Other Tennessee Destinations
Tennessee has a small but serious OHV scene. Windrock Park in Oliver Springs is the biggest in the state by a wide margin, with more than 73,000 acres and a long-established reputation. Royal Blue, just north of Windrock, is part of the same trail network. Brimstone in Huntsville draws a steady crowd for its mix of forest trails and rock features.
Coalmont OHV Park sits at a smaller scale than any of those, and that’s part of what works about it. You can ride a full day without retracing the same trail, but the park isn’t so big that finding your way around becomes its own project. It’s a destination on its own merits, or a worthwhile addition to a Tennessee OHV road trip that hits two or three parks in a week.
Staying at The Getaway on Ranger Creek
The Getaway on Ranger Creek is 19 minutes from Coalmont OHV Park and has trailer parking for up to three truck and trailer combinations. After a day of riding, drop the trailer at the property, take the truck out for dinner or supplies, and come back to a real bed and a hot shower. The property has five units to choose from: the Geodesic Glamping Dome, the Scandinavian Cabin, the Glamping Tent with Deck, the Porch House Cabin, and the Nordic Spruce Cabin.
For groups traveling with multiple rigs, the cabins can be booked together to keep two or three rigs based at the same location. For solo riders or couples, the dome or the tent are practical setups: comfortable and low-fuss, with no need to pack up camp every morning. The full Coalmont cabin rentals page covers unit details, photos, and what each space sleeps.
When you’re not riding, there’s plenty more to do in the area, with drive times from the property listed in our FAQ.
Frequently Asked Questions About Coalmont OHV Park
Is Coalmont OHV Park open to the public?
Yes. The park is open daily and operated by the city of Coalmont. Day passes are sold on-site and at coalmontohvpark.com.
What vehicles are allowed at Coalmont OHV Park?
ATVs, UTVs, side-by-sides, dirt bikes, and four-wheelers. Full-size 4×4 trucks and Jeeps are typically allowed on appropriate trails. Confirm at the park office when you check in.
Where is Coalmont OHV Park located?
The park is in Coalmont, Tennessee, on the South Cumberland Plateau. The main trailhead is on B Mine Road. From The Getaway on Ranger Creek, it’s a 19-minute drive.
Is Coalmont OHV Park good for beginners?
Yes. The green trails offer a manageable introduction to the terrain, and the difficulty markings let beginners stay on routes that match their experience level. Stay off the black trails until you’ve put in time on green and blue.
Can you camp on-site at Coalmont OHV Park?
Primitive camping is permitted in designated areas. If you’d rather not pack up camp after a hard day’s ride, the cabins at The Getaway on Ranger Creek are 19 minutes away with hot showers, real beds, and on-site trailer parking.
How big is Coalmont OHV Park?
The park covers more than 1,700 acres of former coal mining land on the Cumberland Plateau.
When did Coalmont OHV Park open?
The park officially opened in 2023 as the first city-owned OHV park in Tennessee.
Book at thegetawayon.com or call 931-288-4567.