We all know that off-roading takes a couple of things:
- Drivers need a maxed-out, amped up truck. I’m talking about 30+ inch tires with huge sidewalls that can rip through the mud or be deflated for rock crawling. I’m talking about jacked up, sky-high suspension to help drivers handle wasteland terrains. Yes, an upgraded truck is a must!
- Drivers need a pure gear-head mentality. They need to be reckless and under control at the same time. Most people can’t handle that kind of mental flux, but who the hell said this stuff was easy?
- Now, sometimes, this can be the hardest to find… Drivers need a good and WILD off-roading location!
Across the country, it is becoming harder and harder to find great off-roading locations. In fact, many states have made it illegal to off-road, unless it’s on private property.
So, it is VERY important to find a good, designated location to satisfy the off-roading demons. Luckily, we have come up with a list of some of our favorites…
Red Neck Yacht Club (Punta Gorda, Florida)
Located in the back, back, backwoods of Punta Gorda, Florida, this park has been a hot spot for off-roaders for years. It is an 800 acre park that has 3 major mud holes, a mud track, drive-thru buggy ATV wash, camping, and food vendors (hot dog please!).
Throughout the year, the park hosts a slew of events including the wildly exciting Mud Mayhem and the spring break event, Trucks Gone Wild. Former Yacht Club worker, Nathan Dull, says, “During the day, everybody hangs around the tracks and the mud hole. At night, though, the place turns into a mini Mardi Gras. Everyone hangs out by the stages, and there’s loud stereos, truck exhausts, spooling of turbo diesels, beads, beer, yelling and titties.”
Don’t believe him? Just Google image search Red Neck Yacht Club!
Shiloh Ridge (Alto, Texas)
Shiloh Ridge is the original Texas off-road park. It features miles of red soiled ATV trails engulfed in thick forestry. Along the trails, there are tons of mud puddles, hill climbs, and deep-water crossings. On top of that, there are even motocross and mud bog tracks.
Each year, Shiloh Ridge is home to the unbelievably filthy Redneck Games. The Games are a four day event that bring together lovers of mudding, camping, live entertainment, and wet t-shirt contests. Damn, count me in!!
Truck Night at Yankee Lake (Brookfield, Ohio)
Truck Night at Yankee Lake was recently rated the number 1 4x4 park in America by Mud Life Magazine. That’s because the park offers some of the most challenging bogs in the entire United States. Because of this, huge crowds (4,500 every week for Truck Night!!) gather to salivate over the high-horsepower trucks that compete in events like the rock crawl, log climb, car crush, and tug o’ war.
The venue has gotten so big that cameras always seem to be rolling in an attempt to capture the madness. Actually, they even have live tapings of their Trucks Gone Wild event, as well as the weddings in the Git-R-Done chapel. The fun doesn’t stop there, though. Behind the wscenes, there is mechanical bull riding, rock climbing, bungee jumping, and live celebrity broadcasts from the regional radio show. It’s a must see event!