***Disclaimer***This should only be used as a guide to help plan your trip. This information is my personal experience and is in no way meant to be an end all guide to WindRock / Coal Creek.
First and foremost:
This is my favorite park to date. WindRock is also known as Coal Creek ORV area. They have recently adopted the name WindRock while trying to change their image and attract more wheelers. WindRock is located in Oliver Springs Tennessee, which just happens to be one of the poorer looking towns in the area. The park is very HUGE (72,000 acres actually) so be aware that it will take you like an hour and half to run about 2” of trail on the map.
The other thing you need to be aware of is that all persons (drivers and riders) pay one set amount. So be prepared (they do take Visa/Mastercard)!
Most of the services roads (gravel roads) are very steep switch backs and narrow. Right off of one side is always a drop off. Be sure to watch your speed and drive carefully. On the sides of these roads are many crosses serving as a reminder to be CAREFUL.
Careful towing!
In this area they have many single pass dirt trails that are considered "roads". Most are switch backs up and down the mountain and you will not be able to travel more then 10mph through these areas. You will also see that the hillbillies in this area like to park in the middle of the road, so be on the lookout for some rusty Dodge road blocks.
Lodging:
Oliver Springs is about 7 miles from Oak Ridge Tn. In Oak Ridge, there are many parts stores and a normally looking town (including Chick-fil-a). With the exception of two hotels, (they are over $120 per night) they all have dirt ass online ratings. Most of them are very nasty hotels (I stayed in a Days Inn one night, its true!)
***Important, must read***Avoid Helton RV Campground like the Black Plague. You have been warned! (Read as, this place has “hillbillie Condos” available, but they are nasty trailers that they have not cleaned in 17 years!!!)
Proof of Nastiness! ***note in picture, Daryl pulled the silverware drawer out and it fell on the floor***ROFLOL Also note, it is April no where near Christmas.
![Image]()
So you basically have 3 options:
1.) Primitive camping or bunk house rentals at the new WindRock Campground.
2.) Stay at the two more pricey hotels in Oak Ridge (Sheridan or Double Tree).
3.) WindRock Bed and Breakfast.
Windrock Campground:
They are about 10 minutes down the road from the main park entrance. Don’t come into the campground from the West if your pulling a big trailer as there is a very very very narrow bridge. This place was brand new in April of 08’, so it looks be nice.
WindRock Campground
Oak Ridge Hotels:
Continental breakfast and room services…mmmmm. Remember stay away from anything under $120 per night, your better off camping or sleeping in your truck!
WindRock Bed and Breakfast:
You can rent the entire house (we fit 12 dudes comfortably) or you can rent just individual rooms. Don’t be a mamby pamby and give them your best offer (William Shatner will be proud). We negotiated with Sandy to rent the whole house with no breakfast and saved some loot! One thing, this is a really nice joint. One of the nicer places to stay in any of the parks I have been to. Be sure to take care of the place and DON’T WRECK IT! Also keep your eyes peeled for Red Dog cans, those are from Nuzzy!
WindRock Bed and Breakfast
Note about the Trails:
This park is HUGE! Don’t expect to see the whole park in just two days. We have 3 days at this park so far and only have seen maybe 15 miles of trails. Many of the trails are somewhat un-maintained. You might have to winch some down tress out of the way. If it has been raining, be aware of some of the higher altitude trails on the mountain, unless you want to slide off the side! And one last note, Trail 16 is EVERWHERE and could possibly be 90% of the trail system (exaggeration, but it is ridiculously long!)
Must see:
WindRock WindMills. We have not seen them in two trips there, but I hear they are awesome lol. Make it a goal to run up and look at them before starting to wheel, as you will not just “run into that area”.
![Image]()
RattleRock. This trail has to be the hardest trail in the eastern United States. It is a tough MoFo! Don’t be discouraged if you can’t finish it, but leave yourself at least 6 hours to try! If your group is larger, this trail could take 10+ hours with breakage and hang ups. Even if you don’t run this trail, you MUST drive to and look / walk it. It is an incredible trail!
![Image]()
![Image]()
The Red Door on RattleRock. This door has been on this trail for several years. Be sure to stop and get a good picture with it!
![Image]()
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Rail Trail. This is trail number 39 (or near 39 and 3 intersection, not positive which). However it is rivaled only be RattleRock as far as hard trails go. We have yet to make it there, but be ready to spend a full day running it.
Scenic Overlooks. There are many scenic overlooks along the main gravel roads. They are worth stopping and gandering into the hills.
![Image]()
Waterfall. In on of the first Crawl Magazines, you can recall AlumCJ’s buggy climbing a waterfall, well that is from Windrock. It is on Trail 16 (told you it is everywhere!!) and even though we spent 8 hours on trail 16, we managed to just miss it!
Links:
http://www.coalcreekohv.com/
http://www.windrockbedandbreakfast.com/
Somewhat dated trail map http://www.tommyrhea.com/images/Coal Creek North and South.pdf
Pictures:
http://www.jcrpics.com/trips/Windrock 11-08/
http://www.jcrpics.com/trips/Windrock UP/Trifecta - Windrock 08'/index.html
First and foremost:
This is my favorite park to date. WindRock is also known as Coal Creek ORV area. They have recently adopted the name WindRock while trying to change their image and attract more wheelers. WindRock is located in Oliver Springs Tennessee, which just happens to be one of the poorer looking towns in the area. The park is very HUGE (72,000 acres actually) so be aware that it will take you like an hour and half to run about 2” of trail on the map.
The other thing you need to be aware of is that all persons (drivers and riders) pay one set amount. So be prepared (they do take Visa/Mastercard)!
Most of the services roads (gravel roads) are very steep switch backs and narrow. Right off of one side is always a drop off. Be sure to watch your speed and drive carefully. On the sides of these roads are many crosses serving as a reminder to be CAREFUL.
Careful towing!
In this area they have many single pass dirt trails that are considered "roads". Most are switch backs up and down the mountain and you will not be able to travel more then 10mph through these areas. You will also see that the hillbillies in this area like to park in the middle of the road, so be on the lookout for some rusty Dodge road blocks.
Lodging:
Oliver Springs is about 7 miles from Oak Ridge Tn. In Oak Ridge, there are many parts stores and a normally looking town (including Chick-fil-a). With the exception of two hotels, (they are over $120 per night) they all have dirt ass online ratings. Most of them are very nasty hotels (I stayed in a Days Inn one night, its true!)
***Important, must read***Avoid Helton RV Campground like the Black Plague. You have been warned! (Read as, this place has “hillbillie Condos” available, but they are nasty trailers that they have not cleaned in 17 years!!!)
Proof of Nastiness! ***note in picture, Daryl pulled the silverware drawer out and it fell on the floor***ROFLOL Also note, it is April no where near Christmas.
So you basically have 3 options:
1.) Primitive camping or bunk house rentals at the new WindRock Campground.
2.) Stay at the two more pricey hotels in Oak Ridge (Sheridan or Double Tree).
3.) WindRock Bed and Breakfast.
Windrock Campground:
They are about 10 minutes down the road from the main park entrance. Don’t come into the campground from the West if your pulling a big trailer as there is a very very very narrow bridge. This place was brand new in April of 08’, so it looks be nice.
WindRock Campground
Oak Ridge Hotels:
Continental breakfast and room services…mmmmm. Remember stay away from anything under $120 per night, your better off camping or sleeping in your truck!
WindRock Bed and Breakfast:
You can rent the entire house (we fit 12 dudes comfortably) or you can rent just individual rooms. Don’t be a mamby pamby and give them your best offer (William Shatner will be proud). We negotiated with Sandy to rent the whole house with no breakfast and saved some loot! One thing, this is a really nice joint. One of the nicer places to stay in any of the parks I have been to. Be sure to take care of the place and DON’T WRECK IT! Also keep your eyes peeled for Red Dog cans, those are from Nuzzy!
WindRock Bed and Breakfast
Note about the Trails:
This park is HUGE! Don’t expect to see the whole park in just two days. We have 3 days at this park so far and only have seen maybe 15 miles of trails. Many of the trails are somewhat un-maintained. You might have to winch some down tress out of the way. If it has been raining, be aware of some of the higher altitude trails on the mountain, unless you want to slide off the side! And one last note, Trail 16 is EVERWHERE and could possibly be 90% of the trail system (exaggeration, but it is ridiculously long!)
Must see:
WindRock WindMills. We have not seen them in two trips there, but I hear they are awesome lol. Make it a goal to run up and look at them before starting to wheel, as you will not just “run into that area”.
RattleRock. This trail has to be the hardest trail in the eastern United States. It is a tough MoFo! Don’t be discouraged if you can’t finish it, but leave yourself at least 6 hours to try! If your group is larger, this trail could take 10+ hours with breakage and hang ups. Even if you don’t run this trail, you MUST drive to and look / walk it. It is an incredible trail!
The Red Door on RattleRock. This door has been on this trail for several years. Be sure to stop and get a good picture with it!
Rail Trail. This is trail number 39 (or near 39 and 3 intersection, not positive which). However it is rivaled only be RattleRock as far as hard trails go. We have yet to make it there, but be ready to spend a full day running it.
Scenic Overlooks. There are many scenic overlooks along the main gravel roads. They are worth stopping and gandering into the hills.
Waterfall. In on of the first Crawl Magazines, you can recall AlumCJ’s buggy climbing a waterfall, well that is from Windrock. It is on Trail 16 (told you it is everywhere!!) and even though we spent 8 hours on trail 16, we managed to just miss it!
Links:
http://www.coalcreekohv.com/
http://www.windrockbedandbreakfast.com/
Somewhat dated trail map http://www.tommyrhea.com/images/Coal Creek North and South.pdf
Pictures:
http://www.jcrpics.com/trips/Windrock 11-08/
http://www.jcrpics.com/trips/Windrock UP/Trifecta - Windrock 08'/index.html
