Are you looking for a family-friendly adventure? The folks at Mines and Meadows in western Pennsylvania offer the perfect activities: an underground ATV or a side-by-side tour of caverns in the dark! With two tour options, either a 1.5-hour or 4.5-hour ride, Mines and Meadows is ready to provide your next epic adventure! Let’s learn more!
What Is Mines and Meadows?
Mines and Meadows is an ATV, dirt bike, and side-by-side riding resort and campground. There are over 84 miles of recreational trails on 877 acres of land. However, the unique attraction at this location is the underground riding through abandoned limestone mines.
This adventure takes guests near underground lakes in total darkness for an epic journey. Visitors can also pay $5 for a separate mine tour, purchase a day pass for $25 to ride the trails in their vehicle, or stay for $25-55/night at the campground.
Where Is Mines and Meadows?
Resting in Wampum, Penn, Mines and Meadows is convenient to the western border of Pennsylvania and the eastern border of Ohio. It’s about a 20-minute drive south of New Castle, Penn, and approximately a 40-minute drive southeast of Youngstown, Ohio. Mines and Meadows is easily accessible from Interstate 76 (Pennsylvania Turnpike) and Highway 18.
Take a Below Ground ATV Tour at Mines and Meadows
If you don’t have an ATV or side-by-side vehicle, don’t worry. Mines and Meadows has rentals available. If you have an ATV or dirt bike, you can pay the day pass fee and enjoy the trails on your own. You must make reservations 24 hours in advance. There are no same-day rentals or walk-up rentals.
Take Guided Mine Tours
There are two tours available at Mines and Meadows. The shortest, at 1.5 hours, is the Afternoon Express Tour. This tour includes a 15-minute orientation, a loop around Trail 1, an underground mine tour, and a loop around Trail 2.
The more extended option is the Sunrise Day Tour at 4.5 hours. This tour includes a 30-minute orientation, two hours of riding, a lunch break, an underground mine tour, and a tour through some abandoned mining sites.
The coolest part of either tour is heading underground and winding through the caverns. The guide will stop and tell guests the history of the mine in complete darkness. Guests will see a three-acre underground lake before returning above ground. Inside, the mine stays around 55 degrees, so it’s crucial to dress appropriately.
Rent an ATV
Mines and Meadows uses 2022 Yamaha Kodiak EPS 700 ATVs. The Afternoon Express Tour of 1.5 hours costs $199, and the Sunrise Day Tour of 4.5 hours costs $325. These prices are per person per ATV. They do not allow passengers. They’ll include helmets, and you must sign waivers before renting. The renter must be 21 or older.
Guests can also rent side-by-side vehicles. Mines and Meadows uses 2022 Yamaha Wolverines and R-Spec Side x Sides. These two-seaters and four-seaters are perfect for parents who want to ride with their children.
The Afternoon Express Tour of 1.5 hours costs $259, and the Sunrise Day Tour of 4.5 hours costs $499 for the two-seater option. The four-seater option will cost $100 more for either tour. Mines and Meadows offers a 5% weekday discount on side-by-side rentals.
Camp
If you’d like to bring your RV and stay for a couple of nights, the campground offers electric sites and primitive camping sites.
The electric sites offer 20/30/50 amp service. The campground is dog-friendly, offers pull-thru sites, and has a playground and restrooms for campers. RVs of all sizes are welcome. The campground also invites guests to stay long-term with annual RV park leases and weekly, monthly, and seasonal rates.
Traveler’s Tip: While in Pennsylvania make sure to visit Linesville Spillway: An Unusual Attraction in PA.
How Old Do You Have to Be to Ride at Mines and Meadows?
To rent a vehicle or reserve a tour date, one person in the group has to be 21 or older. Mines and Meadows doesn’t want a group of teenagers showing up without adult supervision. Renters must provide a driver’s license and credit or debit card. There is a $1,000 authorization hold placed on the credit card to ensure you return the vehicles in good condition.
However, to ride as a passenger, all guests must be at least five years old. In addition, children under age 18 must have a minor consent liability waiver that their parent or legal guardian signs.
How Many Acres Is Mines and Meadows?
Mines and Meadows owns 877 acres of land. On that land, the company operates the campground, guided tours, and trail maintenance. The trails cover 84 miles. Owners who bring their dirt bikes have access to all 84 miles, the only vehicle they permit on 100% of the trails.
Owners who take side-by-side vehicles or ATVs don’t have to worry about bringing a too-large vehicle. Mines and Meadows has no restriction on the width. In addition, the acreage includes a Peewee Track designed just for younger riders with machines under 99cc.
Do You Need Insurance at Mines and Meadows?
If you’re renting an ATV or side-by-side at Mines and Meadows, you only have to sign the liability waivers. However, if you bring your vehicle, you must follow the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources policies on ATV riding in state forests.
According to the website, ATV riders must carry a certificate of registration and proof of liability insurance and affix a registration plate to the vehicle with expiration stickers. A valid safety certificate must be on the rider if they are 8-15.
Is ATVing at Mines and Meadows Worth It?
One satisfied customer wrote, “We had an amazing and memorable day at Mines and Meadows! It exceeded my expectations and was very fun! All of the staff worked hard to make sure your experience is great. The equipment was top notch, lunch was delicious, trails were fun and challenging, and the tour was interesting and unique. So glad we booked this adventure!”
If you’re looking for a unique adventure for the entire family, a guided tour through the underground mine and surrounding acreage of Mines and Meadows is an ideal option. The guide will take photos along the way to capture the memories, so you’ll have proof that you conquered the dark!
Does an ATV or side-by-side tour sound like fun for your family?
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