Every Jeep Jamboree has something that gives it a personality of its own. At Coal Mountain, that personality comes from the land itself. The trails wind through forests shaped by generations of coal mining, where rocky terrain, steep hills, and reminders of the region’s history are never far away.
The 15th Coal Mountain Jeep Jamboree was held at the Anthracite Outdoor Adventure Area in Coal Township, Pennsylvania. With approximately 6,000 acres to explore and trails ranging from mild to wild, AOAA offers something for nearly every Jeep and driver.
For this trip, I spent Friday on Coal Crackers and Saturday exploring the east side of the property on Mud Mining. The two rides were very different, giving me a chance to experience both the technical terrain and the history that make Coal Mountain such an interesting destination.
We also had spectacular weather all weekend—about as good as anyone could ask for when spending two full days on the trail.
Camping at Spyglass Ridge Winery
For the weekend, I camped at Spyglass Ridge Winery through Hipcamp. It turned out to be an excellent home base for the Jamboree and added another memorable element to the trip.
The views from my campsite were spectacular. After spending the day navigating the trails at Coal Mountain, it was nice to return to a quiet campsite, settle in, and enjoy the surrounding landscape.
My Jeep and Turtleback trailer made a comfortable setup for the weekend—and with a backdrop like this, I could not resist taking a few photographs of camp.
Camping at Spyglass Ridge Winery made the weekend feel like more than just two days on the trail. The campsite, scenery, and time outdoors became part of the adventure itself.
Friday – Coal Crackers
Friday began with the usual pre-ride meeting, followed by trail groups lining up and preparing to head into the woods.
My first trail of the weekend was Coal Crackers, a moderately challenging route rated 4–6. It was an excellent introduction to the rocky terrain for which Coal Mountain is known.
The ride began with a series of obstacles designed to get everyone back into off-road mode. From there, the trail moved through tight, winding sections of forest where drivers had to carefully work their way between trees and rocks. It was the kind of terrain that required constant attention without making the entire day feel like one long obstacle.
Coal Crackers eventually led us to Fern Ridge, one of AOAA’s official Jeep Badge of Honor trails. The Fern Ridge Challenge provided a nearly continuous collection of rocks before connecting with the original trail.
One of its best-known optional obstacles is the Fern Ridge Hole. The descent and climb out looked like a serious test for both driver and Jeep. I decided not to attempt it this time, but watching others consider their lines was still part of the experience. One of the benefits of a Jeep Jamboree is that drivers can choose the challenges that fit their experience and comfort level.
Later, we made our way through the Jersey Trench, where the trail becomes tight enough that the rocks feel uncomfortably close to the sides of the Jeep. Despite its intimidating appearance, the trench was a lot of fun and became one of my favorite parts of Friday’s ride.
Between the winding wooded sections, nonstop rocks, and more technical obstacles, Coal Crackers delivered exactly what I hoped for from my first day at Coal Mountain.
Saturday – East Side Mud Mining
Saturday brought a change of pace as I joined the Mud Mining ride on the east side of AOAA.
Rated 2–4, Mud Mining is less technical than Coal Crackers, but that does not mean it lacks variety. The route includes wooded trails, hill climbs and descents, rocks, off-camber sections, and—when the conditions cooperate—some mud.
What made this ride especially memorable, however, was the opportunity to learn more about the area.
Shamokin, Coal Township, and the surrounding communities have a long connection to Pennsylvania’s anthracite coal industry. As we traveled across the property, our guides shared some of that history and explained how mining helped shape both the landscape and the communities around it.
Hearing those stories while traveling through the terrain gave the ride a dimension beyond off-roading. The woods and trails were not simply obstacles to navigate; they were part of a landscape with a much larger story behind it.
That combination of scenery and history is what makes Mud Mining such an appropriate name. It provided an excellent overview of the east side of the property while showing that a memorable trail ride does not always need to be the most difficult one.
After Friday’s rocks and tight technical sections, Saturday was an enjoyable way to slow down, look around, and appreciate where we were.
Two Sides of Coal Mountain
The official Coal Mountain itinerary encourages participants to experience both sides of AOAA, and after this weekend, it is easy to understand why.
Coal Crackers showcased the technical side of the property. It demanded careful tire placement, patience, and a willingness to trust both the Jeep and the trail guides. Mud Mining offered something different: a broader look at the landscape, along with stories about the mining history that makes this part of Pennsylvania unique.
Together, the two trails provided a well-rounded weekend. Friday was about rocks, tight spaces, and technical challenges. Saturday was about exploration, scenery, and understanding more about the land beneath the tires.
As always, the trail guides deserve plenty of credit. Their knowledge of the terrain keeps the groups moving safely, but their knowledge of the region also helps turn a day of off-roading into a much richer experience.
Watch the Adventure
I recorded video throughout both days and will be putting together a YouTube video from the weekend.
The finished video will include footage from Friday’s Coal Crackers ride and Saturday’s Mud Mining adventure, providing a closer look at the rocks, wooded trails, obstacles, scenery, and atmosphere of the Coal Mountain Jeep Jamboree.
Full Photo Gallery
As always, I brought my camera along to document the weekend.
The complete photo collection includes images from both Coal Crackers and Mud Mining, capturing the Jeeps, rocky obstacles, wooded trails, and coal-country landscape we experienced along the way.
Browse the complete Coal Mountain Jeep Jamboree 2026 photo gallery.
Until Next Time…
Coal Mountain delivered two days of great trails, spectacular weather, and another opportunity to explore a part of Pennsylvania that most people never get to see.
Coal Crackers provided the rocks and technical terrain, while Mud Mining brought scenery, history, and a better appreciation for the region surrounding AOAA. The two trails could not have been more different, and that contrast was one of the best parts of the weekend.
By the time the Jamboree ended, the Jeep had spent two full days in Pennsylvania coal country, my camera was full of photographs, and I had plenty of video waiting to be edited.
That sounds like another successful Jeep Jamboree to me.
Until the next trail…
T.J. Powell 