The Northumberland County Commissioners holds in trust 94 parcels, or 6,500 acres, of abandoned coal land, impacted by unregulated mining practices and contained coal spoils, open strip mine pits and abandoned coal mining operation structures. A project to turn this area into an outdoor recreation facility for off highway vehicles appealed to the Commissioners eight years ago. The Anthracite Outdoor Adventure Area officially opened for business on May 17, 2014, with over 10,000 users last year utilizing the trail system.

1. NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY
ANTHRACITE OUTDOOR ADVENTURE AREA
“FROM ABANDONED MINE LAND
TO AN OFF-ROAD VEHICLE FACILITY”

2. What is it?
•6,500 acres of under used and sometimes
abused coal lands owned in trust by
Northumberland County.
-Motorized Recreation
-Non-Motorized Recreation
•Stewards of the Land
-Conservation of sensitive resources
-Sustainable design of recreation improvements
•Good Neighbor
-Alleviate impact to community and community resources
• Preserve Region’s Coal Heritage
- Interpret coal heritage
- Continue coal extraction
• Economic Development
Opportunities
- Provide goods and services desired by visitors to
the adventure area
• Opportunities for All
- Beginners to experts
- Families to hardcore enthusiasts
Turning a Liability into “A WORLD CLASS” Off Highway Vehicle Area

5. OPEN PIT

6. AOAA TRAILHEAD AREA

7. RADIO TOWER REMNANTS

9. DUMPING GROUND

18. GROUNDBREAKING JUNE 2013

19. BAT CAGE

20. ACID MINE DISCHARGE RECLAMATION PROJECT

21. AMERICAN CHESTNUT TREE PLANTING SITE

29. Photo courtesy of Lance Schwartz

30. www.aoaatrails.com
Recreational Opportunities
Economic Development
Conservation of Natural Resources
Northumberland County, Pennsylvania