developing Trails in Appalachia & the Deep South with onX Offroad

I’ve got a quiet milestone to share.

I’ve been accepted into the onX Offroad Trail Guide program.

No fireworks—just tires on dirt,and a chance to give something back to the places that have given me a lot over the years.

If you use onX, you already know the value isn’t just the map. It’s the local knowledge layered on top—the stuff that tells you what a trail actually looks like, how it behaves after rain, and when a route that looks easy on a screen turns into a long afternoon. That’s where Trail Guides come in.

What the Trail Guide Role Really Is

Trail Guides don’t just submit reports on trails that already exist in the system. A core part of the role is scouting, developing, and submitting new routes to the platform—routes that aren’t well documented, aren’t clearly defined, or haven’t been formally mapped at all.

That work starts on the ground. Trail Guides run routes end to end, verify access and continuity, document conditions, and determine how a trail actually behaves across seasons. Some routes are scenic connectors. Others are lightly used forest roads. Some look easy on paper but tell a different story once you factor in weather, surface, or elevation.

Once a route is verified, it’s built out for onX Offroad with guide-level detail—not just a track line:

Surface and terrain
Seasonal changes and weather sensitivity
Vehicle fit and realistic difficulty
Commitment points, turnarounds, and bailout options
Context you won’t find in raw map data

It’s slow, deliberate work. The goal isn’t volume—it’s accuracy. Done right, it turns unmapped or poorly understood routes into reliable trail intel that helps people plan smarter, travel responsibly, and avoid surprises they didn’t sign up for.

overlanding appalachia mountain overlook — Photo by John Verrone | GladiatorUp.com

Why Appalachia & the Deep South

This region doesn’t always advertise its difficulty.

Appalachia and the Deep South are full of trails that live in the middle ground—old forest roads, cut-throughs, and connectors that feel easy until weather, elevation, or time of year changes the rules. Clay gets slick. Leaves hide rocks. Water crossings move. Overgrowth closes lines you ran last season.

A lot of folks exploring here are weekend warriors with one dependable rig and limited daylight. Honest trail info matters more than bravado. That’s the gap I want to help close.

My Focus Going Forward

Here’s how I’ll approach my trail contributions:

Appalachia-first and Deep South-focused routes
Overland-friendly context for full-size vehicles
Clear notes on trailheads, staging, and bail-out options
Seasonal realities—mud, rain, leaf cover, hunting seasons
Conservative difficulty ratings that respect real-world conditions

The goal is simple: fewer surprises and better days on the trail.

Community, Stewardship, and Keeping Trails Open

This work isn’t just about maps—it’s about community.

Good information helps spread out use, reduces damage, and keeps people from pushing into places they shouldn’t be. I also plan to stay involved in trail cleanups and local stewardship efforts whenever possible, because access only survives if we take care of the places we enjoy.

Trails don’t stay open by accident.

How You Can Be Part of It

If you run trails in Appalachia or the Deep South, I’d love your input:

Join our brand new Facebook Group
Share routes that deserve better documentation
Share seasonal issues you’ve seen firsthand
Share areas that need cleanup days or extra care

This is community-driven work. I just get to help carry the clipboard.

What’s Next

I’ll share updates as my first trail submissions go live, along with occasional behind-the-scenes looks at how I document routes and plan trips through this part of the country.

Nothing flashy. Just good trails, good info, and taking care of the places that make this kind of travel possible.

Here’s to the road unpaved! – Doug

onX Offroad Trail Guide — Appalachia & the Deep South