George Washington National Forest
George Washington National Forest is a moderate 500+ miles off-road trail near Staunton, VA, best run April - November. The gear list marks All-terrain tires as required, and 4WD capability as recommended. A stock high-clearance 4x4 can run it; check the gear list before you go.
Trail Conditions
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Spanning over a million acres across the Appalachian ridges of Virginia and West Virginia, the George Washington National Forest offers one of the most extensive off-road networks in the eastern United States. Forest service roads climb from the fertile Shenandoah Valley floor through hardwood forests to Blue Ridge ridgeline overlooks, passing hidden waterfalls, Civil War-era wagon roads, and dispersed camping sites that see remarkably little traffic for their proximity to the D.C. metro area.
Fun Facts
George Washington National Forest is the largest national forest in the eastern U.S. at over 1 million acres.
The forest contains the headwaters of the James River, the Potomac River, and the Shenandoah River.
Civil War troops from both sides traversed these same mountain roads during the Valley Campaigns.
🛞 Tires
⚙️ Drivetrain
Closest campgrounds to George Washington National Forest:
- George Washington National Forest (Brandywine Lake Campground) · BRANDYWINE · 12 mi (straight-line)
- Loft Mountain Campground · Crozet · 26 mi (straight-line)
Straight-line distance. Check the map for drive time.
GPS Coordinates
Import into Gaia GPS, OnX Offroad, or Garmin
Map of Staunton, VA
5-Day Forecast
Nearby Trails
WHAT YOU'LL NEED
A mild lift, all-terrain tires, and correct gear ratio will get you through this trail confidently.
Tire Size Calculator
Convert tire sizes and compare diameter differences before you swap.
Size up correctly, 33s vs 35s matters on moderate terrain.
Gear Ratio Calculator
Find the right gear ratio after lifting or upsizing tires.
Re-gear after a tire upgrade to restore trail torque and MPG.
Wheel Fitment Calculator
Calculate backspacing and offset so wider wheels clear your suspension.
Extra wheel width = extra clearance on tight lines. Check offset before buying.
MPG Calculator
Estimate fuel economy after a tire upgrade, important for remote runs.
Bigger tires cut MPG. Plan your fuel stops for this trail.