Bald Mountain Trail in Craig County has always been one of the quiet gems of western Virginia—dense woods, miles of remote forest road, dispersed campsites tucked into the tree line, and peaceful pull-offs overlooking ridges shaped by centuries of wind. It’s not the famous “Bald Mountain Jeep Trail” near Sherando; this is the lesser-known Craig County route that locals rely on for hunting access, camping, and solitude.
Image Courtsey: WJLA
But in 2024, a massive 4,000-acre wildfire swept through the region, devastating large sections of the surrounding forest. What was once thick canopy is now a patchwork of burn scars, downed trees, exposed soil, and weakened root systems. Many dispersed campsites were damaged or erased. Some of the trail’s muddy sections, already rutted from years of weather, were left even more unstable by fire-softened soil and fallen debris.
Wildfires like this—sparked by a mix of extreme drought conditions, wind, and human causes—can happen anywhere in our state. But when they strike, the impact goes far beyond charred trees. They alter drainage patterns. They weaken slopes. They cause deadfall hazards. And they threaten access to trails that thousands of Virginians enjoy responsibly every year.
This is where Virginia Off-Road (VAOR) steps in.
VAOR’s Commitment: Full-Scale Trail Restoration in March 2026
Virginia Off-Road is far more than just a Facebook group.
We are a statewide 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to education, conservation, and keeping Virginia’s trails open, safe, and sustainable. Our members donate their time, skills, and resources to support the U.S. Forest Service, encourage responsible off-roading, and protect access for future generations.
In March 2026, VAOR will lead a major restoration and stewardship event on Bald Mountain Trail—and we’re proud to announce that OnX Offroad will be providing Dollar-for-Dollar financial match and backing for this project.
For every dollar rasied, they will match a $1 for the project, up to $5,000.
Their partnership helps us expand what we can accomplish, and ensures that this isn’t just a cleanup… it’s a genuine restoration effort.
What the 2026 Bald Mountain Restoration Will Include
Our leadership team and Trail Guide Leaders have been evaluating what’s needed after a wildfire of this scale. Here is what VAOR plans to tackle during the March 2026 restoration event:
1. Trail Cleanup & Corridor Clearing
- Remove downed or partially fallen trees near the trail.
- Clear branches and debris that could fall, roll, or wash onto the route.
- Open up tight corridors that became overgrown or collapsed since the fire.
2. Dispersed Campsite Assessment
- Check all remote campsites along and near the trail.
- Remove trash, debris, and burned materials.
- Re-shape pads where fire damage or erosion has left them uneven.
- Identify hazardous trees (“snags”) near campsites and report them to the Forest Service.
3. Mud Hole & Runoff Stabilization
Fires destroy root systems, which means water no longer behaves the way it used to.
Our team will:
- Inspect all muddy sections for hidden debris or exposed roots.
- Remove large rocks, logs, and fire-damaged material that could gouge trails or damage vehicles.
- Document new drainage issues and provide the Forest Service with detailed notes and GPS points.
4. Trash Removal & Burn Debris Extraction
Even during a wildfire, trash doesn’t magically vanish—it melts, scatters, and sometimes becomes buried.
- Crews will hand-clean areas where burn debris rests in runoff paths.
- We’ll pull old metal, cans, glass, and unburned refuse from campsites and pull-offs.
5. Replanting (Pending USFS Approval)
If the Forest Service authorizes it, VAOR will:
- Plant pine saplings in targeted sections.
- Mulch or protect young trees in sensitive recovery zones.
- Provide a workforce of volunteers trained in basic reforestation techniques.
- We’ve reached out to them and we are waiting for approval on that piece of the project.
6. Environmental Monitoring & Reporting
- Document trail damage, erosion risks, and unstable slopes.
- Provide updates to the Forest Service with high-accuracy GPS data.
- Ensure long-term sustainability recommendations are delivered professionally, not casually.
Limiting the Crew: Why Only 20 Rigs
To avoid damaging the recovering soil and to keep work organized, the 2026 Bald Mountain cleanup will be capped at 20 rigs maximum.
This ensures:
- The trail isn’t overloaded with traffic.
- Crews can work safely and in organized sections.
- We maintain compliance with Forest Service guidelines.
Details on how to sign up will be released in the next month through our website and social channels.
Why VAOR Does This Work
Bald Mountain is just one of many trails across Virginia that rely on responsible users and organized stewardship. VAOR was created because Virginia needed a statewide organization focused on:
- Education: Teaching new off-roaders how to recreate responsibly.
- Sustainability: Helping the Forest Service keep trails safe and open.
- Conservation: Cleaning routes, removing trash, and doing the work that most groups never attempt.
- Community: Bringing off-roaders together to protect the places we love.
We aren’t here to gatekeep.
We’re here to preserve access, promote Leave No Trace principles, and ensure that off-road recreation in Virginia remains strong for the next generation of adventurers.
OnX Offroad: A Partner in Restoration
We are incredibly grateful to OnX Offroad, whose financial support and commitment to responsible outdoor access make this project possible. Their involvement elevates this effort beyond a simple volunteer cleanup—it becomes a coordinated, professional, and high-impact restoration mission.
A Trail Worth Saving
The fire may have taken thousands of acres, but it didn’t take Bald Mountain’s spirit.
With hard work, stewardship, and community support, we can help this trail recover—and ensure that it remains a place where families, hunters, overlanders, and off-roaders can experience the wild beauty of Craig County for decades to come.
VAOR is here for the long haul.
This is what we do.
And in March 2026, Bald Mountain Trail will feel that commitment firsthand.
More details coming soon!
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