Everyone’s got their favorite ride spot, but who doesn’t like branching out once in awhile? If you’re like us, you never turn down a chance to explore some new ATV or UTV trails. After all, we’re always looking for different places to show off our machines and test our skills.
So it’s lucky for us that there’s no shortage of off-road destinations in the United States. Whether you want to dominate rocks, mud, sand, or all three, you don’t have to travel far to find the perfect trail. This list is proof of that!
From the East Coast down to Florida and all the way out west, here are some of the best UTV and ATV trail riding areas across the good ol’ USA.
NOTE: Park details and prices reflect what was current as of April 2021.
Some off-road trails exist because the land just lends itself to riding. Others pop up as a result of demand. The Arizona Peace Trail falls into the latter category. In 2014, the Peace Trail Committee was established. This group of individuals wanted to establish a trail loop using existing dirt roads and trails. After years of working with several state and federal government agencies, the Arizona Peace Trail was formed.
This OHV loop features nearly 750 miles of trails connecting three Arizona counties. Along the way, you’ll have the opportunity to check out ten different historic and scenic points of interest. And the Peace Trail Committee continues to work hard promoting off-roading and attracting new riders to the state. Their mission: “to develop, maintain, and promote one of the nation’s premiere OHV trail systems.”
Described as an “off-road paradise” by many riders on the East Coast, Aroostook is an extensive trail system in Northern Maine. The 1,000+ miles of marked trails make it easy to see much of Maine without ever leaving the seat of your ATV or side-by-side. The trail system is accessible from the end of April through late October every year, giving riders a more comfortable alternative to other hot summer destinations.
If you’ve never ridden through Maine, you’re missing out. There’s plenty of nature just waiting to be explored by riders of all experience levels. And keep your eyes peeled for wildlife! You never know what kind of creatures you’ll encounter when you’re riding through Aroostook.
Beasley Knob OHV Trail is a challenging system located in Georgia’s Chattahoochee National Forest. It can be accessed by two different trailheads and is made up of interconnecting dirt trails, gravel roads, and hill climbs. Beasley Knob is closed seasonally, so if you want to check it out, you’ll have to plan accordingly. Their typical open season is mid-March through December, but this can vary depending on the weather.
If you’re an experienced rider looking for a challenge, Beasley Knob is a great place to test those skills. With nearly 11 miles of rugged terrain and steep ascents, you won’t find much relaxing ATV riding here.
Wyoming’s Bighorn National Forest is home to several different ATV trails, each showcasing some of the best the West has to offer in terms of views and experiences. There’s so much room to ride at Bighorn, you’ll never feel crowded, even during peak ride seasons. That also makes it a great place for group rides, so you can bring the whole crew.
With roughly 1,200 miles of trails, you’ll never run out of fresh trails. Be prepared for mountain views, plenty of grasslands, and maybe even some wildlife encounters. There are multiple ATV/UTV-friendly resorts on site, so it’s easy to turn a day trip into a mini vacation. Who doesn’t want to ride straight from their room to the trails?
One of the most popular and widely-known ATV trails in the United States is Hatfield-McCoy Trails, or HMT. This spot is open to riders all year long and lets you experience the Appalachian Mountains in a whole new way. There are over 750 miles of trails broken up into 8 main trail systems, each offering a unique riding experience.
HMT has something for every rider, in terms of both terrain type and experience level. And you can’t beat those Appalachian views! This trail system covers a large portion of West Virginia already, and an expansion is in the work. Hatfield-McCoy is ever growing, giving you even more of a reason to keep coming back.
Michigan’s Little O Trail is open all year round. These smooth trails are perfect for beginners, but there are a few berms and tight turns. You’ll come across several bridge crossings along the way, each one giving you a unique view of the surrounding landscape.
Little O doesn’t offer many challenges for advanced riders. But that doesn’t mean this is a spot to overlook—these trails will take you on a nice journey through the Huron-Manistee National Forest, where there are plenty of must-see views. And Little O connects with hundreds of miles of other nearby trails, so you’re guaranteed to find something to match your skill level.
Mill Creek OHV Trails are made up of three interconnecting loops that take the rider through remote areas of the Ozark National Forest. There is a main trail that branches off into multiple inside loops, so your ride can be as brief or extensive as you want.
As far as ride style goes, there’s not much you won’t find at Mill Creek. These unique trails will lead you through forests and across streams. Throw in some hills, rocks, and a bit of sand, and you’ve got something for everyone. No matter what kind of riding you’re after, you’re guaranteed to catch some beautiful views. Be on the lookout for scenic waterfalls and plenty of unique rock formations!
Florida’s Ocala National Forest Trail System is made up of three main riding areas: Ocala Centennial OHV Trail, Ocala North OHV Trail, and the Wandering Winegrass Trail. Though close in proximity, these individual trails don’t connect, so you’re guaranteed a unique riding experience every time. Don’t plan on getting too wild, though—these side-by-side and four wheeler trails are intended for slow speeds, so riders can enjoy the view and help to conserve the land and wildlife.
Ocala Trails are mostly sandy and flat, but you’ll encounter some moderate climbs, twists, and turns along the way. Thanks to Florida’s climate, the trails are accessible all year long. And if it gets too hot, you’ve got plenty of places to cool off! The Ocala National Forest contains over 600 lakes, rivers, and springs. There’s no better way to see the Sunshine State up close and personal.
Utah’s Paiute ATV Trail System is an expansive loop with no beginning and no end. It was formed by connecting unused roads and takes riders through several different towns, with connecting trails along the way. Like the Arizona Peace Trail, Paiute was created to give off-roaders an unforgettable riding experience with a side of beautiful views.
The main Paiute trail is 275 miles long, but there are over 1,000 miles of marked side trails and an estimated 1,500+ miles of side forest roads. That’s what keeps riders coming back—you can ride for weeks and never see the same scenes twice. You’ll encounter a variety of terrain types, but nothing too strenuous. No matter which section of the trail you tackle, you’re guaranteed a ride like no other.
You didn’t think we were going to share some of the country’s hottest trails without including Moab, did you? Poison Spider Mesa is a must for any rider looking for a challenge in Utah. This 13.5-mile loop offers a combination of harrowing off-road obstacles and fantastic scenery. It’s open all year long, weather permitting.
Thirteen miles may not sound like much, but you still want to give yourself at least half a day (or more!) to cover all of Poison Spider Mesa. That’s partly because you’ll want to stop and take in all of the gorgeous scenery, but also because it’s on the challenging side. Awkward ledges, steep climbs, and tippy spots make this trail perfect for experienced riders with modified machines.
St. Joe State Park is one of the most popular ORV destinations in the Midwest. It’s home to almost 2,000 acres where you can put pedal to the metal. St. Joe has everything from wooded trails to sand flats, which were created by mining residue. There are plenty of hills for riders looking for a challenge, and a good amount of mud, too.
The park is open throughout most of the year, but they’re extra busy in the summer. In addition to the off-roading area, St. Joe offers beachfronts, horseback riding, mountain bike trails, stocked lakes for fishing, and plenty of picnic areas. It’s a destination for families who want to turn their riding trip into a week-long vacation.
No matter what part of the United States you’re in, you’re never far from some prime riding real estate. The trails on this list are some of the most popular, but they can’t even begin to scratch the surface when it comes to top trails and ride parks.
If you think we’ve left somewhere out, it’s probably because we’ve already covered it! Check out our overview of some of the best ride parks in the West, South, Midwest, and Northeast.
9 Comments
New places, New rides, let’s go!
😎
Ban alcohol and you’ll make great trails even better. I’ve seen too many people injured or put in danger because of drunk jackasses.
Amen brother!
Everyone lives in glass houses, including you.
Please list these offroad areas?
Some of the best eastern US offroad is in TN, KY, WV, VA.
TN Norris lakes 800+ miles of pristine water/ shoreline. Plenty of top Hotels / restaurants near these areas. I have ridden all HMT trailheads and the following areas are as nice. If not nicer…
Windrock Offroad Park
North Cumberland WMA
Brimstone
Royal Blue
Thanks for all you do to help the offroad community.
Jon
Hey Jon! We actually have a couple of these parks listed on other articles. Like we said, it’s impossible to mention everyone. But we do our best to feature all of the popular ones. Check out the links at the bottom of this article to see others we’ve featured. Thanks!
Michigan has overn 7300 miles of trails. I have been on most of them. The one listed here is mediocre compared to most in the northern lower peninsula. Most of Michigan’s upper peninsula trails all connect to one another and takes you to lodging and services on a regular basis, the multitudes of water falls and wildlife is hard to compete with. We have se of the best trails in the country just waiting to be discovered by the adventurous soul.
Hey Emil! Have you checked out our Michigan UTV trail article? https://www.superatv.com/offroad-atlas/the-top-9-atv-and-utv-trails-in-michigan/ If there’s some you think we’re missing out on here, we’d love to hear some of your favorites. Thanks for reading!