Off-Road Trails: Florida

Offering "Family Friendly Fun" for your entire clan, Florida Tracks and Trails is a premier place to ride in southern Florida. From the looks of it, it's a place that we all need to visit, too. No matter what you are in the mood for, you'll be able to do it at this location with a SXS track, 25+ miles of one directional trails, and overnight camping with, get this, 80+ acres of paintball and speedball. Fun for the whole family! With its location next to Punta Gorda, this place has nearby supplies just in case you run out or forget something for your adventure.

One of the largest off-road parks in all of Florida is Redneck Mud Park, which is located in southwestern portion of the state. Events are a mainstay at this off-road park, and visitors come here for those and the great riding on this old potato farm. A total of 880 acres are filled with an ATV course, several ponds, mud bogs, and some woods trails. Primitive camping is available at the park, and supplies are available at the nearby town of Punta Gorda.

How would you like to ride on the largest sand scrub pine forest in the world? At Big Scrub Recreation Area, you can do just that when you ride your ATV or UTV on the 47-mile long twisty loop. A 47-site campground is at the heart of this riding area, and the nearby town of Weirsdale has plenty of supplies should you forget anything at home.

With several staging areas and a 30-site, direct access campground for those who want to stay overnight, the Ocala North OHV Trail System is a great place to saddle up and enjoy your adventures side-by-side. This system offers 76 miles of open and "mixed-use" trails. Should you forget any supplies at the campground, the nearby town of Salt Springs is just a short adventure away.

For those living or venturing to the northern panhandle of Florida, Tate's Hell State Forest is a multi-recreational place that offers something for everyone, including families looking to ride their off-road vehicles. Numerous species of wildlife characterize this area, and drivers have about 150 miles of dirt roads to enjoy. Forest roads are the primary terrain in this area, but there are also some sandy sections that dot the area. A primitive campground is connected directly to the trail system, or there are several staging areas with parking and all the goodies.

Big Cypress makes this list simply because it is something you won’t find anywhere else. This is a federally preserved national forest, so there will be no fast riding, mudding, or anything else like that, but what you will find are miles and miles of traversing a flooded cypress grove. This is a low-impact area so usage is limited meaning you cannot veer off the paths, but you will encounter terrain unlike anything else you’ve ever driven through. Machines have to be permitted with a $100 fee, and permits have to be acquired before you come. For those craving a unique experience and a slower pace, this is a must-do ride.

Another Florida option is Clear Creek OHV, located in the Northwest part of the state. This area is open to ATVs and UTVs that do not exceed 65 inches in width. There are a few trails restricted to 50 inches, however. There are lots of trails consisting of sand and trees with some jumps that have formed along the way. This gives it an intermediate level for skills, as the jumps can be a lot of fun. This area has camping and is state operated, so all restrictions on exhaust and noise are in effect. Camping is limited, too, so it is best to make reservations. Usage fees are just $15 per rider.