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Day Trip to Windrock Park

Windrock Park

While on our Cross Country Trip in 2021, we drove through Tennessee and made a stop at Windrock Park to ride for the day with friends.

Windrock Park near Oliver Springs, Tennessee is the largest privately owned off-road recreation area in the country with over 73,000 acres of off-road, hiking and mountain biking trails.  The trail system includes over 310 miles of maintained off-road vehicle trails for riders with all skill levels and is open to all types of vehicles including:  ATV’s, SxS’s, Jeeps / 4×4’s, buggies, dirt bikes and mountain bikes. 

At the park we met up with Tyler from Super ATV, Hubert Rowland and David Uptain.  Hubert had a full day planned for us off-roading with stops at an abandoned railroad car, spectacular overlooks and the Brushy Mountain State Penitentiary (now a museum, restaurant and gift store). 

Windrock Park

Windrock Park

After driving over one hundred miles we were treated to an amazing BBQ by Tyler from Super ATV.  Tyler BBQ’d ribeye steaks and a variety of organic vegetables for all to enjoy.  An amazing end to our day exploring Wind Rock – the South’s Largest Off-Road Park.

Brushy Mountain State Penitentiary

Brushy Mountain State Penitentiary

Brushy Mountain State Penitentiary was a maximum-security prison in Morgan County, Tennessee, operated by the Tennessee Department of Correction. It was established in 1896 and operated until 2009.

In 2018, Brushy Mountain was re-opened to the public for tours, private events, car shows, and concerts. Brushy also houses a distillery that produces moonshine, vodka, whiskey, and liqueurs. In addition, Brushy features the Warden’s Table Restaurant, which serves Southern and American staples such as barbecue and cheeseburgers in a cafeteria-like format.

Windrock Park Train

Windrock Park Train

Tennessee Railroad used the line for decades hauling timber and coal through the Cumberland Mountains before it was purchased by Southern Railway Company in 1973. Operations continued until 2004, when Southern Railway Company (now Norfolk Southern) abandoned the line. It was revived in 2006 when National Coal Company bought it for $2 million to move coal from its mining operations.

The abandoned train is idled on the Oneida line, a 41-mile spur of Norfolk Southern’s Cincinnati-Southern line weaving through some of the best scenery in Tennessee.

Windrock Park

Windrock Park

Windrock Park Map

Windrock Park Trail Map

Windrock Park in Oliver Springs, Tennessee, is the largest privately owned off-road park in the United States, boasting over 73,000 acres of diverse terrain perfect for outdoor adventure. With more than 300 miles of trails ranging from easy gravel paths to extreme rock crawls, Windrock caters to all types of off-road vehicles, including UTVs, ATVs, dirt bikes, Jeeps, and full-size trucks. The park’s expansive landscape features dense forests, scenic mountain views, and challenging mud pits, making it a top destination for off-road enthusiasts of all skill levels. Beyond off-roading, Windrock offers camping, hiking, mountain biking, and shooting ranges, creating a hub for outdoor recreation in the heart of East Tennessee.

More information about Windrock Park can be found on their website at: www.windrockpark.com

Jon and Teresa’s Epic Cross Country Adventure

 

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