Four Wheeling – State and National Parks
We all like to get away once in a while and touch base with the great outdoors. National and state parks are a great way to unplug and let loose without breaking the bank. Unfortunately for auto enthusiasts, off-roading is not allowed or extremely limited in most of these locations. And while there are many unique off-road parks and recreation areas owned by private citizens nationwide, they often don’t offer the same kind of natural grandeur one finds in a federally-maintained and protected park. Luckily, there are still a few gems across the United States, at both the state and national level, that allow four-wheeling in addition to their other spectacular outdoor adventures. Here are some that should be on your radar.
Red Feather Lakes, Colorado
This Roaring Creek OHV trail just outside of Fort Collins, Colorado boasts over 100 miles of double-track ATV trails in the pristine Roosevelt National Forest.
There are also a few semi-technical single-track trails for hardcore four wheeling. According to AllTrails, the trail features quite a few twists and turns, mild ruts, smaller embedded rocks, and it’s steeper on the southern end.
The 612,000-acre forest is a popular spot for other outdoor activities, too, like whitewater rafting, hiking, kayaking, and fishing. And there are several RV parks and campgrounds in the area for those looking to make an extended stay. For the primitive camper, the top of the trail is flat and has dispersed camping spots.
The trail is open from June 15-Nov. 30. Riders are encouraged to call the Canyon Lakes Ranger station for conditions before heading out, since they can change rapidly at the high elevation. Note: cell service is generally spotty once inside the forest.
Jericho Mountain State Park, New Hampshire
Located in the White Mountains of New Hampshire, Jericho Mountain offers the first network of state-owned trails for off-road use in the whole state. There are ample opportunities for ATV and UTV riding, as well as a newly-added 4×4 Jeep/truck trail.
There is also a 20-site ride-in/ride-out public campground (main operating season is Memorial Day to Columbus Day) and hiking, boating, fishing, biking, horseback riding, skiing, and snowmobiling. In August, the park hosts its own ATV Jamboree, featuring live music, ATV demos, and even monster truck racing.
St. Joe State Park & Finger Lakes State Park, Missouri
Located roughly three hours apart, both St. Joe and Finger Lakes parks have coal mining roots. St. Joe offers a 2,000-mile riding area with wooded trails and sand flats that are open to all kinds of four wheeling, including ATVs, UTVs, and in certain areas, Jeeps and SUVs. The campground fills up fast, so make those reservations in advance!
Finger Lakes State Park doesn’t allow larger vehicles, but it does offer an impressive 70 miles of ATV and small 4×4 trails. The park also requires riders to purchase their ORV permit before arriving. Both parks provide many opportunities for fishing, swimming, boating, hiking, and biking.
Silver Lake State Park, Michigan
This park offers over 400 acres of sand dunes and stunning lake vistas. In fact, it’s the only place east of Utah where you can cruise over dunes in your private vehicle. ATVs, motorcycles, side by sides, SUVs, and Jeeps are all welcome, though it’s a good idea to check the park website since some areas are designated for only ATVs or Jeeps.
Silver Lake also offers hiking, camping, water activities, hunting, and metal detecting. South of the park is the Little Sable Point Light, a historic lighthouse dating back to 1874. The park is open from April 1-Oct. 31.
Chugach State Park, Alaska
The third-largest state park in America, Chugach offers breathtaking views of its stunning terrain and impressive wildlife. Off-road vehicles are allowed at certain access points throughout the park and on six miles of designated ATV forest trails. (Note: both ATV trails are closed to December 1-March 31.) No motorcycles allowed, and vehicles must be less than 64 inches wide.
Grizzly bears, timber wolves, moose, and caribou can all be spotted at Chugach, and with legal year-round gold panning, you can genuinely feel a part of the history of the rugged American wilderness.
Mount Blue State Park, Maine
This is Maine’s largest state park, offering 25 miles of ATV forest trails in addition to hiking, boating, horseback riding, and fishing. Four wheeling vehicles must be smaller than 60 inches in width to enjoy the forested trails. It’s an excellent park for riders who want more challenges from their ATV ride, since it boasts varied terrains on unimproved roads and rugged wooded sections.
Geological tours are offered of nearby Tumbledown Mountain that explain the layers of metamorphic rocks that make up the area. The best part, though? It’s open year-round!
Death Valley National Park, California/Nevada
Despite the gloomy name, Death Valley National Park provides an incredible array of wildlife, plants, and awe-inspiring topography. Death Valley offers more miles of four-wheeling potential than any other national park, with almost 1,000 miles of paved and dirt roads. It’s a fantastic choice for hardcore off-roaders and overlanding adventurists alike, but it’s not for the faint of heart.
This park has varied terrain, including sand dunes, snow peaks, badlands, and canyons. It also has a climate that manages to be both the driest and hottest in North America. These conditions mean drivers need to be extremely well prepared for a day in Death Valley. ATVs and motorbikes are prohibited, but properly outfitted Jeeps and SUVs are welcome.
The park is open year-round, even on major holidays like Christmas, New Year’s Day, and Labor Day. But being that it’s the desert, you’re better off avoiding the summer months unless you’re acclimated at dealing with extreme temperatures and conditions.
Sand Hollow State Park, Utah
Sand Hollow is Utah’s newest state park. It provides camping, fishing, boating, and an impressive recreational area of sand dunes for four-wheeling vehicles. All sizes of off-roaders are permitted to explore the combination of rocky, gravelly, and sandy terrain. Even better, all that dirt is set against a seemingly-painted backdrop of bright blue skies and red sandstone.
The park made some recent changes to its primitive camping sites, with half of its 60 sites reservable through the Utah State Parks online system. There are also plans to add more locations by the end of 2022. Like most parks listed here, park management recommends planning ahead because spots fill up quickly.
Big Bend National Park, Texas
With over 100 miles of both paved and dirt roads, this stunning Texas state park offers more “soft-roading” than off-roading opportunities. However, it still has plenty of four wheeling-capable primitive dirt roads to explore. High clearance and four-wheel-drive are a must-have at this park, and you’ll want to check your speed since the roadways can get somewhat narrow.
Big Bend is rich in both history and culture. It has beautiful mountain and desert vistas along the Rio Grande, impressive rock formations, and over 450 bird species to admire. The Big Bend Natural History Association also sells a mile-by-mile backcountry road guide of the park. At around $5, that book can come in handy if the GPS conks out or cell service drops.
Little Sahara State Park, Oklahoma
Named for its resemblance to the Sahara Desert, this park offers over 1,600 acres of sand dunes for off-road adventure. All sizes of 4x4s are allowed to take advantage of the steep hills and small jumps. RV and campsites are available inside the park (reservable online), and pets are welcome. There are also picnic spots, showers, and water hookups for travelers looking to spend a few days in the area.
Regardless of the adventure, it’s essential to always go prepared. That includes proper equipment by name brands like ARB, Smittybilt, WARN, Westin, Rugged Ridge, Hellwig, Factor 55, and Hi Lift. And remember, while many excellent state and national parks don’t allow off-roading, most have areas just outside of park boundaries that still offer some great trails.
