Trail Info
Rausch Creek is a private off-road park run by a non-profit organization and built on a 1,700 acre tract of land previously used by coal mining companies and now being re-purposed for off-roading. The trails are created and maintained by off-road enthusiasts and offer varied surfaces such as mud, rocks/boulders, steep climbs, and standing water. The trails are built wide with several skill levels in mind, and often you will see basically stock vehicles running side by side with extreme modified vehicles trying out a challenge on one side of the trail. We will only take trails that a stock syncro with proper tires can handle.
Last year's event was also held at Rausch Creek. The year before it was at Paragon AP, which closed for good after the 2006 season.
We have extensive photos and videos available in the archive section. We are always eager to receive media from previous years to build an archive. These videos can give you an idea of what to expect if you follow all the trails. You will not be obligated or pressured to go through the worst of it. All vehicles entering the park must have 4WD capability.
If you don't want to take the risk of beating up your van or your van is not equipped, you are also welcome to leave your van outside the park and ride along with other syncro drivers.
If you choose to join the group for off-roading at Rausch Creek, there are two different fees depending what you do. If you want to take your vehicle into the park, the fee will be $40 for the day. The fee is split into a $10 fee for a 1-year membership, and $30 for the day at the park (and every subsequent day you come back). All passengers are also required to become members, and it will be $10 for the first day.
All visitors to the park must sign a liability waiver. Children (non-members) age 15 and under are free, but they must have a parental waiver. Members under the age of 18 must also have a parental waiver.
Anyone entering the park MUST be at the front gate at Rausch Creek before 10:00 am on Saturday to check in, pay admission, and pick up a wristband and vehicle tag. The park office is only open from 8:00 am to 10:00 am. To save time, download the form below and have it filled out before arriving. We will have some extra copies of the forms available at the campground.
Membership Form
Parental Waiver
Some important points on equipping your vehicle for park use:
- All vehicles entering the park must have 4WD capability. Most of us have fairly stock syncro vans (with the exception of wheels and tires), many without even a locking diff.
- Tow straps are a useful aid on the trails. If you wish to bring one, it must have NO hooks attached, just the bare strap. The reason is that metal hooks can become a dangerous projectile should the attachment point fail under stress.
- Tires can be damaged while riding the trails. You MUST carry a usable spare and check that it has enough air pressure. Your tires should be an All Terrain type with reinforced sidewalls if you wish to run through the worst of the trails. The BFG All-Terrain T/A is highly recommended as it has proven itself to be a very capable tire in mud, and has a tough, reinforced sidewall that does well aired down.
- Out on the trails, the drivers keep in contact and decide on direction with 2-way radios. We will have a few extras but bring your own if you have them.
- Remember to arrive with a full tank of fuel!
The full set of guidelines is posted on their web site here:
Rausch Creek Rules
Directions to the Off-Road Park:
From PA Interstate 81 take Exit 107 (Tower City/Tremont). Make a right at the end of the exit ramp onto Route 209 South heading towards Tower City. In the village of Joliett, make a left onto Joliett Street. Make another left onto Main Street. Follow Main Street until you see our entrance on the right. If using Mapquest, enter Joliett, PA as your destination (when asked to choose, pick [1-33] Main Street, Tremont, PA 17981, USA.)
From PA Interstate 78, take the Bethel exit (Exit 13) and turn right onto PA-501 North. Travel approximately 8 miles into the town of Pine Grove. Turn left at the stop sign onto PA-895 West. Travel ½ mile to the next stop sign and turn right onto PA-443 East. At the traffic light continue straight on PA-125. Turn left for the Route 81 Interchange - Exxon station (Molleystown Road). From here you can get on 81 and travel North 3 miles and pick up the directions from Route 81 (Exit 107) above. Or you can continue on Molleystown Road and drive up through the village of Lorberry. At the fork in the road, go right towards Joliett. Once on top of the hill, our driveway is on the left just past the intersection with Lincoln Road.
Rausch Creek Off-Road Park is located off Main Street in Joliett, PA. More information can be found on their web site at http://www.rauschcreekoffroadpark.org .
The GPS coordinates for the park are: Latitude 40°36'24.77"N Longitude 76°26'36.33"W
Here is a Google Earth saved place, where the main entrance is marked:
Google Earth placemark for Rausch Creek Off-Road Park
Here is link to Google Maps where you can get directions:
Rausch Creek Off-Road Park, Tremont, PA
