Trucks, SUVs, and crossover vehicles are more popular in the United States today than ever before. And many people who buy a four-wheel-drive vehicle obviously want to get off the road once in a while. Unfortunately for many drivers, it can be a challenge to find places where it's actually legal to drive off the beaten path. Luckily, off-road parks provide a (somewhat) safe place to have fun in the dirt without getting in trouble with the cops. There are off-road parks pretty much everywhere in the United States, but some of the very best are in the American West. If you are interested in taking your truck, or even car (trust me, Subarus are quite impressive in the dirt), to an off-road park, here's what you need to know and a list of some of the most remarkable parks out there.
Why Can't I Drive Off-Road Anywhere?
Decades ago, you could jump in your four-wheel-drive truck or Jeep, head out of town, and find any number of awesome places to drive off-road. As environmental regulations and property rights laws expanded, the areas where people can legally drive off-road have significantly shrunk. Like many things in life, rules banning off-road activities don't stop everyone, and the environmental damage that is done by wheeling is undeniable. Off-road parks provide a place for drivers to enjoy off-roading in a less damaging environment.
What are the Rules for Driving at an Off-Road Park?
Every park has rules, and in some cases, those rules are extensive. Most off-road parks will require drivers to pay an entrance fee and sign a waiver that releases the park from responsibility if you get hurt or crash your vehicle. Rules require proper safety equipment like helmets for riders of ATVs and motorcycles, age requirements to prevent underage accidents, and bans on drunk-driving and the use of drugs. These rules ensure the park is fun for everyone and help to limit major accidents.
Drivers will have to follow the rules or face the consequences. This means you will have to drive a vehicle that is safely and adequately built, carry appropriate insurance, and meet safety standards. Rangers regularly inspect vehicles for safety violations. Vehicles found to be in violation won't be allowed in the park.
How Do I Find Off-Road Parks?
The best place to start looking for off-road parks near you is to search the State park database. Many state parks provide access to ORV-access areas. Every state has places to get your wheels dirty, so start with the parks system in your state. The National Parks System (NPS) and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) provide access to federal lands. Unfortunately, most National Parks have now banned off-road driving. Therefore, it is essential to verify you are allowed to off-road at a national park before setting off the path.
Sometimes, you can find excellent trails through lands the BLM operates. But, just as the NPS, make sure to check with BLM before heading out: some areas are not open to the public at certain times of the year.
What are Some of the Best Off-Road Parks?
Each driver has a type of terrain they really get into. Whether it's mud bogs, rock piles, sand dunes, or even just a meandering old logging trail through virgin forests, finding the best off-road park depends on the type of driving you want to do. Some of the most famous in the world are in the United States.
Rubicon
When your off-road park is such a challenge that generations of drivers flock to tackle the impossible obstacles, you know it's a great spot. In fact, the Rubicon trail in the mountains of California is so famous; Jeep even builds top-of-the-line trucks just to conquer the park. And even better, the park is continually evolving. As recently as 2012, numerous routes have been demolished or modified to reduce the difficulty, prevent accidents, and preserve the park for generations to come. This is the ideal place to climb boulders, ford streams, and crawl around in some of California's most breathtaking scenery.
Moab
Moab is a desert off-road park in Utah. The red rocks and blue sky are epic, and the off-road trails in Moab are unlike anything else on earth. In fact, many drivers liken it to driving on a foreign planet. The area was even used by NASA to test the Mars rover because the terrain is quite similar. The Moab desert draws a tremendous number of wheelers every year to tackle sheer, slippery rock walls, deep sand, and some of the most unforgiving terrain on the planet. Cliffs are so sheer in Moab, adventure seekers base jump from there regularly. However, you really want to make sure you know exactly where you are driving in Moab to prevent getting lost or rolling off a mountain.
Padre Island
If rock-crawling and desert trails aren't your cup of tea, head south to Corpus Christi, Texas. Padre Island is a well-known destination for spring-breakers, but the miles of beaches provide some of the best off-road driving on the coast you will find. Just be sure to mind the rules, seriously endangered sea turtles call this stretch of coast a nursery. If you are there at the right time of year, you might even get to watch the hatchlings waddle to the sea for their first swim.
Bonneville
Okay, so crawling, mud bogging, and dune-jumping isn't your thing. What you want is flat-out speed? Then, head to the salt flats of Bonneville, Utah. This park is the place to be if driving off-road at insane speed is what you are after. Catch Bonneville at the right season, and you will get to see million-dollar rocket cars pushing the speed envelope way too far. Bonneville provides drivers a truly unique experience, and it's one of the few places on earth where you can actually find out just how fast your truck will go.
Bring the Right Equipment
You need to make sure your rig is set up for the trail before heading out. It's important to realize that many of the photos of Jeeps doing crazy rock climbs, buggies launching off dunes, and trucks powering through the mud are not stock vehicles. These vehicles have modified suspensions, oversized tires, and numerous other alterations to make it possible to get out in the sticks. Not only do you need to build your rig correctly, but you also need to learn how to drive off-road. The only way to learn is to try, so look for paths that are less-challenging to get yourself up to speed on how to drive off-road properly and, most importantly, how to get out when stuck. Don't forget that, when off-roading in between canyons or in the middle of the desert, no tow truck will come to get you out. It's not uncommon to see abandoned cars that were just impossible to recuperate in these parks. For the same reason, it's always a good idea to have a second vehicle along and to wheel in teams. Wheeling with a buddy will often get you out of trouble.
How to Learn the Skills You Need
Some techniques useful to the off-road driver do not come naturally. It can take years to become an expert off-road driver, and even the very best drivers have accidents. The best way to learn the skills you need is to partner up with an experienced wheeler. You can make connections through social media platforms, online forums, and at your local 4x4 parts store. It's a great idea to spend some time watching videos online that illustrate how drivers approach different types of obstacles and how to conquer them.
Last Words
Finding a great spot to bring your four-wheel drive vehicle is more difficult today than it was years ago. Fortunately, off-road parks ensure easy access to some of the most challenging driving obstacles you will ever find. When you set off with your friends to tackle a tight spot, remember to preserve the trail for the next driver. Don't ruin the fun for everyone by ignoring rules, drinking and driving, and acting like a fool. Off-road driving can be exhilarating and allows you to find some of the most breathtaking scenery.
Have fun!