Many recreational ATV users will tell you that it’s an addictive sport. Recreational ATV use has been on the rise ever since the iconic Honda Three Wheeler hit the scene in the early 1980s.
Since those heady days, the machines have evolved and morphed into the high-end magic carpets we see on the trails today. Four wheels have replaced the three-wheel design as the inherent tippyness of the three-wheeled models gave way to more crashes and more injuries.
Today, All Terrain Vehicles rule the arena with every state offering dedicated places for off-road fun. Here are five of the best places around the country to ride.
5 Places to Get Off Road on an ATV
-
The Hatfied-McCoy Trail System
Located in West Virginia, the Hatfield-McCoy Trail System – named after the famous feuding families -- was created by the state legislature to generate economic growth in impoverished communities. The trail system offers over 700 miles of rideable terrain split between eight trail systems. Trails range in difficulty from beginner to downright gnarly. When completely finished, there will be an estimated 2,000 miles of trails on the whole trail system.
Photo credit: Flickr CC
-
Brimstone Recreation Area
Located on more than 19,000 acres, the Brimstone Recreation Area in northeastern Tennessee offers more than 300 miles of OHV trails. With numerous options chocked full of raging riverside views, scenic overlooks and mountain passes with significant elevation change, Brimstone affords visitors an opportunity to submerse themselves in nature.
Photo credit: Flickr CC
-
Paiute Trail System
The Paiute Trail System is huge. The total number of miles is more than 2,800, passing through multiple towns and offering riders an experience like no other. Riders on Paiute enjoy 11,000 foot ridges, beautiful Aspen groves, canyon trails through slick-rock and the ability to navigate into “ATV friendly” towns.
Photo credit: Flickr CC
-
Moab, Utah
ATV enthusiasts can use all of the popular Moab four-wheel-drive Trails or explore the backcountry trails that surround the Moab area itself. With thousands of miles of unpaved roads, including several infamous trails like Chicken Corners Trail, Gemini Bridges Trail, Poison Spider Mesa Trail, and Moab Rim Trail, there is plenty of exploration to do. Most of the public land surrounding both the Arches and Canyonlands National Parks is permissible to ride.
Photo credit: Flickr CC
-
Bar 10 Ranch, Nevada
Located on the north rim of the Grand Canyon National Park in northern Arizona, the Bar 10 Ranch is an excellent destination ride from neighboring Mesquite, NV. With nearly a million acres of National Park without a paved road in site, this day-long ride traversing approximately ninety miles of roads and trails provides breathtaking views. Most of the surrounding park land operated by the Bureau of Land Management is open to ATV and UTV exploration. This area is incredibly isolated, so riders must be prepared to be self-sufficient with enough fuel, food, and especially water to complete the journey safely.
Photo credit: Flickr CC
