Whether riding single on an ATV is your thing, or you enjoy riding with friends on UTVs, there’s nothing like tearing up the trails during free time. In the United States, there is an abundance of diverse terrain, accommodating parks, and regional trail systems that beckon us to list them for you.
The Western United States has a goldmine of trails just waiting for your quad. Vast, open spaces, canyons, and wilderness beckon in the great wide west.
Here are a few picks you may want to consider from the great states of Alaska, Oklahoma, Texas, Utah, and Washington.
Alaska: Knik River Public Use Area
The Knik River Public Use Area offers hundreds of miles of rugged trails for ATVs with a wealth of land features to see including the Knik Glacier, Knik River, Pioneer Peak, Jim Creek, Bodenburg Creek, Friday Creek, Metal Creek, and Hunter Creek.
The Chugach Mountains — which form the Knik River Valley—make a dramatic backdrop to the rugged and remote destination for off-road enthusiasts.
The area offers a wide range of trails and outdoor recreational pursuits, for all ages and interests.
The gateway to this trail system is the Jim Creek Recreation Area, or what locals call simply “Jim Creek” in Butte, Alaska. Just an hour outside of Anchorage, this rugged area will give you the Alaska adventure of a lifetime including creek crossings, open gravel bar riding, and views of the spectacular Knik Glacier.
The 39-mile Knik Glacier Trail starts at Jim Creek and is a moderately used out and back trail. The Knik Glacier Trail is an unmaintained trail that follows the Knik River across a glacial fed braided river.
You should use your own discernment in assessing the trails as water fluctuates hourly. More information on trail conditions, rentals, and maps can be found here .
Oklahoma: Cross Bar Ranch
There are many options for off-roading in Oklahoma across the state’s sandy dunes and rocky trails. Be aware of wind conditions, as Oklahoma sees a lot of tornadoes and heavy winds!
We recommend the Cross Bar Ranch Off-Road Park in the heart of the Arbuckle Mountains with its 6,500 acres and more than 200 miles of trails with some of the most diverse off-road terrain for every skill level.
From prairie land, dirt trails, hill climbing obstacles, rocky mountain sides, creek beds and spectacular views for miles, there’s plenty to discover on your quad. Riding is available day and night.
Here are the specs:
- Location: Davis, OK
- Size: 150 miles of trails
- Style: Rocks, trees, dirt
- Machines: ATVs, UTVs, motorcycles, dirt bikes, 4x4s, dune buggies
- Experience: Intermediate
- Cost: $20/person (16+), $10/person (10-15), free (9 and younger)
For more on this ATV wonderland, visit www.crossbarranch.net/
Texas: Barnwell Mountain Recreation Area
They say everything is bigger in Texas, and its selection of off-roading trails are no exception. With tens of thousands of acres of available routes, from muddy riverbeds, sand, hills, and everything in between, the Lonestar State has plenty of dirt to discover.
It’s hard to choose just one, but from this list we suggest the exciting Barnwell Mountain Recreational Area. This Texas Motorized Trails Coalition (TMTC) property offers dirt bikes, UTVs and OHVs 1,850 acres of trails to rip through.
Here are the specs:
- Location: Gilmer, TX
- Size: 1,850 acres
- Style: Trails
- Machines: ATVs, UTVs, dirt bikes, 4x4s
- Experience Level: All
- Cost: $15/day for members, $30/day for non-members
Barnwell Mountain has primitive camp sites throughout the park, as well. More information can be found at www.barnwellmountainra.com/ .
Utah: Moab & Between Arches and Canyonlands National Parks
Moab, Utah is a great place to ride. Hundreds of popular trails and thousands of miles of unpaved roads around Moab are perfect for ATV trail riding. Featuring diverse red rock trails, canyons, and Arches and Canyonlands National Park , Moab offers some great challenges, fun activities, and incredible views.
Riding within the parks is strictly prohibited, but the land surrounding the parks is permissible to ride. For more on riding requirements, maps, and visiting Moab, check out www.discovermoab.com/atv-riding/ .
Washington: Yacult Burn State Forest
The Evergreen State, Washington, is full of the best rugged and majestic scenery the Pacific Northwest has to offer you. Within its majestic mountain ranges, forested lands, rainforest, and ocean shoreline, the state has plenty to offer off-roaders.
We suggest the 90,000-acre Yacolt Burn State Forest, which includes the Bradley Trails ORV Area and Jones Creek ORV Trailhead. Yacult is situated near the southwest corner and the historic river town of Cathlamet.
- The Bradley ORV Area has eight very muddy miles of trails and is beginner-friendly
- The Jones Creek ORV Trailhead has 14 miles of trails with plenty of double-track all-terrain trails.
For more on the Yacult Burn State Forest and its strict Leave No Trace policies, visit www.dnr.wa.gov/Yacolt .
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