Get a little muddy at these Southeastern off-roading spots.
The Southeastern United States is a goldmine of ATVing opportunities. Between private South Carolina parks just miles from the beach and Florida forests primed for mudding, this region of the country is a paradise for those who love the off-roading lifestyle. Not only will you find miles of terrain to traverse, but the stunning scenery and amenities will make you want to stay the weekend. Here are a few of our favorite ATV destinations in the Southeast.
The Davenport Mountain OHV Trails are located in the Chattahoochee—Oconee National Forests, just west of Blairsville in northern Georgia. Although the trail system is less than six miles in length, it traverses a lot of steep and difficult, wooded terrain on and around Davenport Mountain, and on the shoreline of Nottley Lake. There is a less-challenging section of the trail for beginning or less-experienced riders, as well. Stay at the Copperhead Lodge, a nearby mountain resort that’s only a short distance from the trailhead.
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Within the Blackwater River State Forest, near Milton, on the Florida Panhandle, you will find the Sunshine State’s model for off-road trail systems at the Clear Creek OHV Riding Area. The design of the Clear Creek trail system is now the blueprint on which other OHV areas in Florida are based. Clear Creek features a staging area and more than 20 miles of trails that are open to ATVs (as well as seven miles dedicated solely to off-road motorcycles). There are varying levels of difficulty, including a training trail, so riders of all experience levels will find a trail to their liking. Camping is available at several sites within the Blackwater River State Forest, or Adventures Unlimited offers a variety of accommodation options, including cabins, on the edge of the forest and quite close to Clear Creek OHV Riding Area.
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Stony Lonesome OHV Park is situated outside the town of Bremen, not far from the Bankhead National Forest, in northern Alabama’s Cullman County. The county operates Stony Lonesome, and it is the first public OHV park of its kind in the state. Miles and miles of trails—for all levels of experience and ability—wind over and across more than 1,450 acres of wooded terrain in the park. Camping, camper cabins and bathhouses are all available within the park, so you can maximize your off-road time. On the other hand, if you prefer to get away at the end of the day, the Snowbird Retreat, on nearby Lake Smith, offers plenty of down-home hospitality.
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If you’re looking to combine your off-roading with a little beaching, Battery Park Offroad, near Nesmith is the place for you. Battery Park is located about half an hour west of both Myrtle Beach and Surfside Beach in South Carolina. The park features dozens of miles of trails through wooded bottomlands, and if you don’t want to haul your own ride, they also rent ATVs—and offer a safety course for first-timers and less experienced riders. Camping and RV hook-ups are available at Battery Park, but why not treat yourself and stay at the Surfside Oceanfront Hotel on the beach?
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For those seeking an off-road experience that doesn’t require your own ATV (perhaps in conjunction with a visit to Orlando), Revolution Offroad can set you up. Located in central Florida, near Lake Louisa State Park and just west of Disneyworld and Universal, Revolution Offroad will turn you loose on one of their ATVs so that you can explore their more than 230 acres of swamp, forest and mud terrain.
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