4 Must-Ride Off-Road Parks in the U.S.
A vast variety of off-road parks exist in the United States, stretching from coast to coast. From sand and desert terrain in the west to lush forests and rivers in the east. Off-road parks aren’t just for experienced riders – in fact, park courses and beginner-level trails may be the best way to continue developing your riding skills. It’s also a great family activity and introduces you to other families with similar interests.
U.S. riders are fortunate to have a spread of exciting parks to explore at any time of the year. All of the off-road parks on our list have camping option on-site or nearby, so that you can extend your trip over a few days. This gives you ample time to explore the park and get your fill of riding. Each destination listed here has excellent, vetted user reviews so you can ensure you’re choosing a well-run establishment. When adventure is calling, use this list of epic off-road parks to plan your next trip.
Bundy Hill Off-Road
9960 E. Chicago Road Jerome, Michigan
A trip to this refurbished mining operation will take you on a wild adventure! The park is spread across 350 acres in the town of Jerome, situated centrally between Lake Michigan and Lake Erie. A well laid-out trailway includes the typical mud and rock crawls, along with pea-gravel climbs, areas of deep water, and off-camber challenges to excite even the most experienced riders. Wooded trails wind through forests, hills, and gullies. The park welcomes families and is alcohol-free.
This place isn’t currently open in the dead of winter, but is open in all other seasons. The summer price is $20 per driver and $5-10 per passenger, or $30 for a 2-day pass. Camping is available at a cost of $20 for the first night and $10 a night after that. Check their online calendar for great events and their operating hours, which fluctuate. From the biggest to the smallest rigs: all are welcome here, including dirt bikes. This place even has an insane RC-truck course on the grounds!
The Cliffs Insane Terrain Park
2681 US-6 Marseilles, Illinois
This family-run park is open year-round, with occasional winter closures due to snow accumulation. A map provided to visitors indicates trail difficulty in three levels: easy, intermediate, and difficult, with well-planned by-pass areas. Jeeps and trucks are not allowed to ride the trails here, but all other off-road vehicles are welcome. There’s even a designated motocross track with an area of double-bank jumps. Plenty of ruts, mud or ice, and climbing opportunities exist here!
This park does not include camping on-site, but several campgrounds are located in the same town of Marseilles. The cost for riding is $25 for the day, plus $10 for a passenger. Note that this park requires 5’ flags for every off-road vehicle using the trail system (with the exception of dirt bikes). This park offers guided tours for new riders or those that haven’t purchased their own ATV yet. When you’re ready to make an off-road vehicle purchase, Q9 Powersports is headquartered in the same great state of Illinois.
Gulches ORV Park
6850 Indian Mound Road Laurens County, South Carolina
This place prides itself on being a real family-oriented park, with space for everyone. This includes marked “easy” trails that allow new-comers to the sport to avoid the more difficult terrain available to experienced riders. In fact, Gulches provides an excellent trail map to every driver which includes color-coded trails according to their difficulty. One of five levels is assigned to each trail: easy, intermediate, difficult, more difficult, and most difficult! A detailed trail description (located on the back of the map) further helps riders determine which route to take around the park.
This park has it all: steep hills, rocky ledges, lots of mud, narrow twists, sandy shores, and a “rock garden that eats rocker panels!” A primitive camping spot at Gulches’ no-frills campground is included with your entry fee, but advanced registration is required. There’s also a rental cabin on-site. The park is open every weekend year-round, but check their website for necessary closures related to weather. A driver/vehicle ticket is $25 per day or $50 for a weekend pass.
RAM Off-Road Park
12800 State Highway 94 Colorado Springs, CO
This popular park has obstacles for every driver: trucks, SUVs, quads, side-by-sides, dirt bikes of all kinds, and even RC-vehicles! There are some tracks or trails designed for specific uses. For example, the “Quad-cross” 1.5-mile trail has banked corners and is designed for faster-operating speeds than a normal motocross track. For those looking for more of a casual trail-ride experience, miles of trails for intermediate riders wind through the park, in and out of creek beds, with plenty of obstacles to try. Regular visitors spend lots of time at the SxS/UTV course, designed specifically for those off-road machines. The 1.5-mile off-road track is setup similar to a motocross track but specialized for UTVs, with wide banked corners, jumps with a more gradual incline, and a fast-paced layout.
A kid’s track is available here (conveniently located next to the main parking area). All trails here are two-directional unless posted otherwise. The park’s map notes trail difficulty and clearly states the approved uses. Recovery is available on-site should you find yourself stuck! The cost per driver starts at $15 but increases with the use of larger machines. Now offering a contactless payment option on their website.
This is just a small sampling of excellent off-road vehicle parks available within the U.S. Which park do you plan to visit? Before you head for the trails, don’t forget to check out Q9powesportsusa.com for all your riding needs - America’s most affordable national Powersports dealer.