Riding an Old Coal Bench
Old coal benches can look like inviting, level ATV routes, but a flat track across a hillside is not automatically a legal trail. In Ohio, these old mining roads may cross private land, closed forest ground, or hazardous reclaimed terrain. This guide explains how to recognize a coal bench, check whether you can ride it, and prepare for the conditions without mistaking an old road for permission.
What an old coal bench is and why it can be difficult to ride
How mining created bench roads
A coal bench is a relatively level strip cut into a hillside during mining. It may have been used to move equipment or reach a working area. In southern Ohio, old mine features can include benches, spoil piles, haul roads, drainage channels, and steep slopes. After mining ends, some ground is reclaimed, but that does not necessarily mean every old track becomes a maintained or public riding route.
From a rider’s seat, a bench can seem almost purpose-built: it follows a contour, may be wide enough for a machine, and can offer a view across a valley. That appearance can be misleading. The surface might be a rough remnant rather than a maintained trail, and a track that looks continuous can stop at a washout, a steep drop, or a gate.
Think of a coal bench as a clue to the area’s past, not proof that it is open for recreation. A machine can physically travel along a track that is still private, closed, or outside an authorized riding route. Before planning a ride around old mine features, review [Ohio Rules for Riding a Reclaimed Mine] and check that the trail or land manager specifically allows ATV or UTV use.
Why the ground can change quickly
Coal-country terrain can be deceptive. A bench may be firm near its entrance but soft or rutted farther along. Rain can send water down the hillside and across the track, loosening soil or cutting a channel through the surface. Loose rock, exposed roots, and abrupt edges can also make a seemingly easy stretch more demanding than expected.
Water deserves special attention. Orange staining, unusual-colored pools, or water running from old mine areas may indicate drainage concerns. Don’t ride through or splash in unknown water simply because the track crosses it. Stay on the marked route, avoid disturbing drainage features, and keep away from unstable edges or abandoned mine openings.
It can also be hard to judge the side slope from the machine. A bench may be level from one side to the other in some places, then tilt toward the downhill edge or narrow around a cut. A loaded UTV or a machine with a passenger may feel different from a solo quad. Slow down when the surface changes, and turn around if the track narrows, becomes unstable, or no longer matches an authorized route.
Old mine tracks are not all the same
A broad, graded road may have been built for mining equipment, while a narrow bench could be little more than a cut into the hillside. Some tracks have been incorporated into managed riding systems; others remain on private property or are not maintained for public access. Even tracks that once served a mine can be blocked, reclaimed, or unsafe today.
This is why visual clues alone cannot settle the question. Tire marks, an open gate, or a track shown on a general map do not necessarily establish public access. A route might also cross multiple parcels, with permission applying to one section but not the next. When in doubt, use designated riding areas and confirm access before unloading.
How to check whether you can ride a coal bench in Ohio
Start with the land manager and official trail information
First identify who manages the land. A route might be on state forest property, national forest land, private property, or another type of managed ground. Each can have different access rules. For public riding areas, begin with the manager’s official maps, trail notices, and posted signs rather than relying on a trail line in a general navigation app.
Ohio’s established riding areas include managed trail systems where designated routes and access rules matter. A coal bench within or near a known riding area is not automatically part of that area. Check the actual open trail network for the specific location. [Ohio Trail Maps From ODNR] can help with orientation, while [Ohio's Four State Forest APV Areas] provides useful context when you are comparing established state forest riding options.
A tool such as onX Offroad can help you review terrain and organize a route before leaving home, but map coverage is not a substitute for permission or official closure information. Check the responsible land manager’s information as well, and treat gates, signs, and barriers as meaningful. If the map and the posted conditions disagree, follow the posted restriction and contact the manager for clarification.
Get permission when the land is private
Many old mine features are on private property. A track may look abandoned or unoccupied, but that doesn’t make it available for riding. Before taking a machine onto private land, get clear permission from the landowner and understand exactly where that permission applies. Ask whether the route is open to ATVs or UTVs, whether guests are allowed, and whether there are limits on dates, group size, or vehicle type.
Permission should cover the route you intend to use, not just the general property. A coal bench can cross a property line or connect to land controlled by a different owner. Don’t assume that permission to ride one field or access road covers a neighboring track. For a practical overview, read [Ohio Landowner Permission Requirements].
If you cannot establish who owns the land or get a clear answer about access, choose another ride. This may feel frustrating when the track is close and looks unused, but riding without permission can create legal trouble and damage relationships between landowners and the riding community. Do not bypass gates, ride around barriers, or follow another rider onto uncertain ground.
Confirm the route is open and your machine fits the rules
Access can change with weather, maintenance, seasonal conditions, or land-management decisions. Recheck closures shortly before your trip, especially after heavy rain. A route that was open on a previous visit may be closed now, and the condition of an old bench can change considerably after storms. [Ohio Trails After Heavy Rain] offers more context on how wet conditions can affect trail surfaces.
Confirm that the vehicle you plan to take is allowed on the specific route. State forest trails, for example, can have machine-size restrictions that may exclude some wide side-by-sides. Don’t infer eligibility from the fact that a machine can physically fit on a bench. Check the rules for that riding area, including any width limit, registration or plate requirements, and permit rules that apply.
| What to check | Why it matters | A safer way to confirm |
|---|---|---|
| Land ownership | A visible track may cross private property | Identify the land manager and get permission when required |
| Route status | Old tracks may be closed or outside the trail system | Check official maps, signs, and closure notices |
| Machine eligibility | Some routes restrict vehicle type or width | Confirm the rules for the exact riding area |
| Ground conditions | Rain, erosion, and loose soil can make a bench unstable | Review conditions and turn back if the route is deteriorating |
| Nearby hazards | Mine features, steep edges, and drainage can be dangerous | Stay on marked routes and avoid unfamiliar structures or water |
How to prepare for a ride near old coal workings
Plan around a verified route, not a tempting shortcut
Build your ride around a trail you know is open. If the authorized route passes near old mine terrain, treat the old bench as scenery unless it is clearly included in the managed trail system. This avoids the common mistake of improvising at a junction because a side track looks smoother or more interesting.
Before the trip, compare official trail information with your navigation plan. onX Offroad can be useful for keeping track of your planned route and understanding the surrounding terrain, but don’t use a mapped line as your only proof of access. Save or carry the land manager’s trail information, and tell someone where you expect to ride and when you plan to return.
Plan a turnaround point instead of assuming you can complete a loop. On an unfamiliar bench, a route may narrow, become blocked, or reach an unsafe slope. If turning around would be difficult for your machine or group, that is a sign to be more conservative about entering it. A short, authorized ride is better than pushing farther into uncertain terrain.
Pack for a remote and changing trail
Bring the essentials for the machine and the people riding it. Carry water, basic first-aid supplies, a charged phone, and any tools or recovery equipment appropriate for your vehicle and route. A tow strap or winch may help with ordinary trail problems, but it does not make an unstable slope or restricted route safe to enter.
Tell your group what to do if someone gets separated. Agree on a meeting point, keep riders within sight where practical, and avoid splitting up to explore different branches. In wooded or hilly areas, phone service may be unreliable, so don’t make a live connection the only part of your plan.
Wear suitable protective gear and adjust your pace to the conditions. Dust, mud, loose stone, and limited sightlines can all affect how much space you need to stop. On a narrow bench, leave enough room between machines that one rider’s sudden stop does not push the next rider toward an exposed edge.
Know when to turn around
Turn back if you reach a closure sign, locked gate, barrier, eroded section, unstable edge, or track that is no longer clearly part of the authorized route. Do not try to bypass a blockage by riding through brush or around the edge of a gate. A small detour can take you onto private ground or a slope that is difficult to assess.
Weather is another reason to change the plan. A bench that feels manageable when dry may become slick after rain, especially where clay or loose soil has been disturbed. If water is cutting across the trail, the hillside is slumping, or your tires are losing predictable grip, stop and reassess before continuing. [Ohio Rules for Riding Off a Marked Trail] explains why staying on authorized routes matters.
Use navigation as a support, not a dare. If your position appears to drift away from the official route, pause and check your map and surroundings. onX Offroad may help you understand where you are relative to mapped features, but a line on a screen can’t confirm that a track is open, safe, or permitted. When you can’t resolve the uncertainty, return the way you came if it is safe to do so.
Choosing a safer alternative for a coal-country ride
Use established riding areas for the main trip
If what appeals to you is the look and feel of reclaimed mining terrain, consider riding an authorized trail system in southern Ohio rather than searching for an unmarked bench. Established routes give you a clearer starting point for checking access, machine rules, and conditions. For example, [Monday Creek Near Nelsonville] is one Ohio riding-area topic worth exploring when planning a trip in the region.
Managed trails are not automatically easy or risk-free. Surface conditions, weather, closures, and machine restrictions still matter, and a route suitable for one rider may not suit another. Review the trail information before hauling your machine, and make sure the whole group understands where the permitted route begins and ends.
For a broader look at options, [Riding Ohio's Reclaimed Strip Mines] can help you think through the difference between managed recreation areas and old mining ground. Keep the distinction clear: a reclaimed mine site, an old haul road, and a designated public trail are not interchangeable terms.
Make the ride about the route, not the shortcut
It is easy to feel that a ride has to include the most dramatic ridge, the widest view, or the track that seems to lead deeper into the hills. In practice, a planned loop on an authorized trail often makes for a better day. You can focus on the ride instead of worrying whether the next bend crosses private land or ends at an unsafe drop.
Use a navigation app such as onX Offroad to help prepare and stay oriented, while cross-checking important access details with official trail information. Keep a conservative buffer in your plan for delays, weather, and slower sections. If someone in the group is new to riding, choose a route that allows everyone to stay comfortable without pressure to keep up.
Old coal benches are part of Ohio’s mining landscape, and their shape can tell a story about how the hills were worked. Enjoying that history does not require riding every visible track. Respecting closures, securing permission, and staying on marked routes protects riders, landowners, and the places people hope to ride again.
Disclaimer
This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Laws, prices and regulations vary by location and change over time. Consult a qualified professional for guidance on your specific situation.
