Getting Oriented
The Peters Mill Run and Taskers Gap OHV Trail System sits on Massanutten Mountain, the long ridge that splits the Shenandoah Valley between Interstate 81 and the Fort Valley basin. It falls within the Lee Ranger District of the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests, and the U.S. Forest Service manages roughly 36 miles of designated motorized trail. The system takes its name from its two halves: Peters Mill Run runs north from the Edinburg Gap area, and Taskers Gap holds a cluster of stacked loops to the south. Forest Service and county tourism materials describe it as the largest OHV trail network on public land in Virginia. Most riders stage at Edinburg Gap, reached from the Edinburg exit off I-81.
Trail Overview
Peters Mill Run is a linear trail of about 12 miles, mostly hard-packed with rocky stretches, a few side spurs, and seasonal creek crossings. It is the only part of the system open to full-size vehicles, where registered 4x4s, Jeeps, and trucks share the tread with smaller machines. Taskers Gap, south of the staging area, is built as roughly a dozen marked loops and is limited to ATVs, UTVs, and dirt bikes measuring 50 inches or less in width. Open routes are blazed with the letter "V"; anything unmarked or gated is closed to motorized travel. Difficulty runs mostly intermediate, with a handful of steeper, rockier pitches on the loops that reward some experience.
Points of Interest
- Edinburg Gap staging area, the hub where most riders unload
- Peters Mill Run's creek crossings, which run higher in spring and after storms
- Ridge views across the Shenandoah Valley and toward Fort Valley
- Connections into the wider Massanutten trail network shown on National Geographic Trails Illustrated map #792
Where to Camp
The OHV trailheads have no developed campground. Dispersed camping is allowed across much of the surrounding national forest under standard Forest Service rules. Developed Lee Ranger District campgrounds, including sites in the Fort Valley area, sit within a short drive, and private campgrounds operate near Woodstock and Edinburg. There is no potable water at the trailheads, so carry supplies in.
Permits and Regulations
Every motorized user needs an OHV permit before riding. A daily permit costs $5.00 per person, a three-day permit $12.00 for consecutive days, and an annual permit $30.00 for the calendar year. Permits are not sold at the trailheads. Buy them in advance at local vendors such as the 7-Eleven and Cook's Exxon in Woodstock, Bo's Xpress in Edinburg, and the Fort Valley Country Store, or by mail from the Lee Ranger District office at 95 Railroad Avenue, Edinburg, VA 22824 (checks or money orders; no credit cards). Operators must hold a valid state driver's license or learner's permit. Motorcycle and ATV riders must wear helmets. Every vehicle needs a working muffler and spark arrester and must stay under 99 decibels at 20 feet; metal-studded tires are prohibited. The system is open seven days a week but closes each year from the third Monday in January to the third Monday in March to protect trails during freeze and thaw.
Tips for a Safe and Enjoyable Trip
- Buy the permit before you drive up, since nothing is sold at the gap.
- Call the Lee Ranger District at 540-984-4101 to check conditions, especially in early spring and after heavy rain.
- Match the vehicle to the trail: full-size rigs stay on Peters Mill Run, and the Taskers Gap loops cap width at 50 inches.
- Carry water, recovery gear, and a paper map, because cell service on the ridge is unreliable.
- Fall trips overlap hunting seasons, so wear blaze orange and expect other forest users.
- Trails run two-way and are shared by trucks, ATVs, and dirt bikes, so ride within your sight lines.
Fuel and Water
There is no potable water at any trailhead, so bring what the group needs for the day. Last reliable fuel and supplies are in Edinburg at the I-81 exit and in Woodstock a few miles north. Several permit vendors double as fuel and convenience stops, including Bo's Xpress in Edinburg and the 7-Eleven and Cook's Exxon in Woodstock. Fill the tank and top off water before heading up Edinburg Gap Road, because there are no services on the mountain.
Nearby
The trail system is part of the larger Massanutten Mountain recreation area in the George Washington National Forest. Nearby draws include the Woodstock Tower overlook, Elizabeth Furnace and the Fort Valley basin to the north, Signal Knob, and Seven Bends State Park along the North Fork of the Shenandoah River near Woodstock. The National Geographic Trails Illustrated map #792 covers the surrounding Massanutten trail network. Edinburg and Woodstock offer lodging, food, and permit vendors, and both sit directly on I-81.
