If you’re looking for some outdoor adventure, an off-road trip may be one of the best things you can do. You can’t help but love the liberating feeling that comes with packing a bag and setting off to explore off-road trails. You will need some skills and travel gadgets to drive on the scenic trails off-road safely. But perhaps one of the most vital pieces of information required for a memorable off-road experience is knowledge of the perfect destinations.
So if you plan to wander off the roads on your next tour, here is a compilation of some of the best off-road destinations the U.S has to offer.
1. Death Valley
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Death Valley is an incredible off-road destination but indeed not as ominous as the name sounds. However, the summers can be pretty harsh. Usually, the heat is more bearable in the spring or winter. Hence, it’s advisable to visit the national park in these two seasons.
Now all your accessories can come in handy, provided you didn’t forget to pack all the essential accessories for your tracker ATV when planning for the trip. Though the park only allows you to explore 9% of its 3.4 million acres, the 1000 miles of untarred and paved roads provide a lot of room for exploration. The remaining 91% are under protection, completely inaccessible by road.
You can find dozens of canyons and several scenic sights here. One of the best trails in the Death Valley is Lookout City, located South of Panamint Springs Resort. You can also check out famous sites like the Charcoal Kilns and Modoc mine in Wildrose Canyon.
2. Calico, California
How does a ghost town sound as an off-road destination? Calico used to be a silver mine in its heydays of the 1880s, but it went completely dead after fortune seekers carved hundreds of miles into the mountains.
You’ll get to imagine the several saloons and houses that used to adorn the place in the good old days. Exploring Calico is like wandering into a quintessential Old West town due to its recreation. The area was bought in 1950 by Walter Knott, who successfully rebuilt it, leaving out five original buildings.
Today, Calico is a historical landmark waiting to unravel itself to explorers and tourists. Without it, the San Bernardino County Regina Parks system isn’t complete because it’s one of the area’s top destinations. The colors from which the town gets its name spread into the neighboring hillsides and canyons. For off-road adventurers, Calico needs to be on the list.
3. West Virginia
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If you’re looking for endless miles of driving space off-road, then you must visit West Virginia. The hundreds of miles you’ll find offer varying conditions from gravel, sand, rocky areas to hardened clay. The mountains are replete with lush vegetation and lively trees such as oaks, beech, hickories, and many more.
Perhaps one of the shadiest trails, they’re highly placed canopies that provide shade during hot summers. One such route to look out for is the Hatfield and McCoy Trail System, which has about 500 miles. This trail is open every month of the year and accessible with utility vehicles, ATVs, and bikes.
The trail also has a network of interconnected community trails that enable visitors to reach ATV-friendly southern West Virginia locations. Should its routes fail to get your adrenaline pumping, then knowing that you’re driving over what used to be a civil war battlefield should do the trick.
4. Upper Peninsula, Michigan
Every year, off-road destinations in the Lower Peninsula like the Silver Lake Sand Dunes attract many visitors. However, if you’re on a quest to get away, further north is where you need to visit. Once you’re past the Mackinac Bridge into the Upper Peninsula, you’ll find a forest canopy of cedar and pine offering endless miles of trial. This trail leads you across railroad tracks long forsaken, trestles, Lake Michigan, and Lake Huron’s abandoned beaches.
There are many breathtaking water bodies like rivers and lakes in this area. It’s no wonder the second largest waterfall east of the Mississippi, called Tahquamenon Fall, can also be found here. You need to try the Drummond Island trail situated at the eastern tip of Upper Michigan in Lake Huron. This route is perfect if you’re an ATV person.
5. Black Hills National Forest, South Dakota
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South Dakota boasts of one of the lushest and scenic trails in the Black Hills National Forest. Off-road enthusiasts will find over 600 miles of trails to indulge themselves. The landscape is a sight to behold, with beauties ranging from grassy plains, rocky sections to densely wooded trails.
Most of the Black Hills National Forest of South Dakota trails have about 500 miles of road connecting them. These roads are open to all vehicles and collectively offer a world of fun opportunities and activities.
The forest has about 13,000 acres of wilderness, streams that makeup 1,300 miles, and an old mine you can explore. This destination is also not lacking in campgrounds. Indeed, there are 30 different campgrounds where you can easily access trails and indulge in fun activities such as biking, wildlife watching, fishing, or horseback riding.
Conclusion
Before venturing out to explore these fantastic off-road destinations, remember to bring the right vehicle and travel gadgets. Ensure that all vehicle accessories, supplies, and equipment are ready and in perfect condition. Most people shouldn’t be alone, mostly if you’re wandering into remote areas or deep forests. After all, you’d agree it will be much more fun if you can share these incredible experiences with friends. But most importantly, remember to stay safe at all times.
References
https://www.michigan.org/property/tahquamenon-falls-state-park
