10 exciting destinations in the US for an amazing off road 4x4 adventure

Off road adventuring might not be top of mind given the “icepocalyps” that has just made it’s frosty appearance here in the Pacific North West and much of the rest of the north US. ?And, with my much more tropical origins I am definitely not a cold weather adventurer – as in subzero with lots of white stuff. Crank the heat up 70 odd degrees however, and I’m there with bells on.

But then it’s never the wrong time to think about, and plan, the next off road adventure. So, with that in mind, let’s check out some possible destinations for the next adventure:

“All Who Wander Are Not Lost.”

Getting “out there” in your 4x4 is what you live for right? You work hard and you want to play just as hard, so when you take some time out to get off the beaten track, you want to have the best possible experience.

What do you need in an off road destination to make it an enjoyable experience? While it can be fun to see what your rig can do as in the more recreational activities such as rock-crawling, I’m thinking about more general adventuring. You can enjoy the journey, test your rigs capabilities, and also enjoy the camping, fishing, hiking and other outdoor pursuits out there off the beaten track.

Just remember that “One man’s meat is another man’s poison.” A trail and destination that gets a 5 star rating from Jack in his tricked out jeep, may only get a 1 or 2 star rating from Aaron in his Mercedes G-wagon. Or maybe not even a mention.

Here are 10 suggested destinations you may want to check out so that your next off road trip is an enjoyable and memorable one. This list includes basic details that are hopefully enough to awaken your curiosity. If something catches your attention, there is plenty more detailed information out there to plan your trip.

So, let’s take a look.

1.???? Rubicon Trail, California.

Not far from Sacramento, California, is the Rubicon trail and it has been described as legendary. It was originally used by Native Americans traveling between Sacramento valley and Lake Tahoe. It’s commercial tourist use goes back more than 100 years.

Length – 22 miles.

Type of road/track –

The western end of the trail starting at Georgetown and the eastern end running from the McKinney Rubicon Springs road to Lake Tahoe are maintained. The 12 mile stretch in the middle, from Loon Lake to McKinney Rubicon Springs road is not maintained.

Difficulty level –

Because of the unmaintained stretch of road this trail could be considered to be a rock-crawler trail. It is difficult and challenging and could take you up to 4 days to drive the full 22 miles of the trail.

The trail changes constantly. This is due to rockslides and fallen trees as well as erosion from rainfall. This is one of the best, most challenging trails in the world.

There are many resources out there online so do your research well in advance, equip your vehicle adequately and it is best not to travel alone.

2.???? Oregon Dunes National Recreation area

This is a 40 mile stretch along the Pacific coast north of the Coos river covering 31,500 acres. This is the place to be if you enjoy playing in the sand. Mostly sand and? dunes, some up to 500 feet high.

There are recreational areas with plenty of ATV action around the dunes, but also areas where the more traditional 4x4 crowd can enjoy the scenery and areas for camping.

No ATV? No worries, you can rent one there.

3.???? Lake Havasu, Arizona

Lake Havasu, Arizona boasts more than 20 trails in the areas surrounding the city. These include a wide range of activities from wide open desert to canyons and sand dunes.

There is something for everyone – into serious rock-crawling? Check. Like racing up sand dunes? Check. Like a more relaxed drive out in the desert, maybe see the wildflowers? Check. You get the picture.

In addition to all the above, there are other points of interest out there – old mines and abandoned mining towns. However, be warned, not all old mine shafts are marked, and they can be hazardous so be careful.

4.???? Bryce Canyon, Utah.

There are a whole bunch of trails around the Bryce Canyon in Utah. This area caters for the whole range of off road vehicles from the traditional ATV through the newer UTV and on up to what could be considered the “original” or standard good ol’ 4x4 truck.

Don’t let all that confuse you though, all that means is that some of the trails are more suited to the smaller, more “recreational” ATV type vehicle, while others will cater to the bigger 4x4’s.

This area and the trails in it, can handle a wide range of activities that will appeal to pretty much anyone inclined to off road activities.

To make it more interesting, there is also a healthy wildlife population. From elk, deer and prong horn on the upper end, all the way down to beaver and smaller rodents and many bird species. Cougar and bear also occur in the area but are not seen very often.

5.???? Moab, Utah.

Then, to ratchet things up a little, mention Moab, Utah and what comes to mind? Yes, that’s right, desert like vistas and those striking red rock formations. And yes, the arches. There also happens to be some outstanding 4x4 trails out there.

Some of their top trails go by quaint names such as – Fins & Things, Poison Spider Mesa, Steel Bender and Hell’s Revenge.

I mean, who could resist a drive on a trail with a name like that right? So, the obvious question is; how tough are these trails, really? Glad you asked, Steel Bender would be a good example.

Considered to be the toughest by far, it is recommended for the seasoned expert with the right vehicle. Lifted, locked and with those big tires would seem to be a basic requirement. Also, don’t be particular about body damage, there will be some.

OK, after those fun facts, not all the trails are that extreme so for the less risk tolerant soul, there are less scary trails that will be more to your liking.

6.???? Drummond Island, Michigan.

Then off we go back east a bit to the Great Lakes State. While there are many and varied trails throughout the state, we’ll take a look at Drummond Island.

You can be sure that you will find something to enjoy as there are around 60 miles of ATV trails and 40 miles of ORV trails. There is a broad range of trail conditions that includes activities for the novice as well as the veteran off roader.

One stand-out here are the magnificent hardwood forests. The Dark canopy which changes from dark green to spectacular fall colors is stunning. Then the wide open meadows strewn with colorful wildflowers provide a beautiful contrast.

This is just one area, do some research and you will find a vast selection of trails throughout the state.

7.???? Big Bend, Texas.

Then we head south. Near Terlingua and Big Bend National Park – named for the great bend in the Rio Grande river - there are more than 148 miles of trails.

Due to the area and length of trails, it is not very busy, and you will not likely encounter many other people out on the trail. Good to remember from a safety point of view.

The difficulty level of the trails is moderate with only one trail listed as a 2.0. So if you’re needing some easy driving through the wide open spaces down south, this destination you should try.

8.???? Ouray, Colorado.

With stunningly beautiful scenery and many miles of off road trails, Ouray is an ideal destination for the off road enthusiast. Not only the scenery, though, but many of the trails also follow old mining roads through abandoned ghost towns.

So if you’re an off road history buff, here’s your place.

To give you an idea of the caliber of these trails, 5 have been awarded Jeep’s Badge of Honor status. There’s something for everyone as the difficulty level ranges from 1 through 5.

Lots of mountain driving and the views are magnificent. If you’re also a photographer, you will take home some amazing shots to remember your trip by.

9.???? Ocala National Forest, Florida.

From the mountains of Colorado, we head on down to a more tropical Florida. Ocala National Forest covers 607 square miles and sports almost 81 miles of 4x4 trails. It has a Big Scrub ecosystem which has not only very large oak trees, but Cyprus wetlands.

Mostly sandy terrain and easy driving conditions, means it’s beginner friendly and makes for a laid back, relaxing adventure. It’s not possible to enjoy the whole area in a single day but no rush, there are campsites for you to comfortably extend your stay. You can also take some time out to do a little fishing.

For those so inclined, there is plenty of wildlife to see, including alligators. The trails and laid back charm, together with Florida’s mild climate make this a very popular destination.

10. Washington Backcountry Discovery Route, Washington State.

And all the way back over to the west coast, and as the saying goes – “Go big or go home.” In this case, it’s more like “Go big, then go home.” What’s with the big? Well, this trail runs a good 600 miles. All the way from Oregon to British Columbia, Canada.

The trail runs through spectacular scenery such as the Cascade mountains and foothills of eastern Washington. The road is paved in some places but mostly unpaved – dirt track with gravel and sand, some rocky terrain and in winter, lots of mud and snow.

Besides the stunning mountain views, you will also encounter dense forests. Of course, the Cascade mountains are part of the Pacific ocean’s Ring of Fire so expect to see a volcano or 2.

Then there is the wildlife. Lots to see along this trail, starting with the big stuff – elk, moose, mountain goats and deer. Then black bear and on down to beaver and the other smaller stuff.

The trail is classed as easy to moderate so no major tough stuff. However, be aware that there are some issues to pay attention to: There are no guard rails along the trail across steep mountain sides. It is advised to avoid driving the trail in winter as conditions can be dangerous.

An easy drive will take you 3 – 6 days and there are campgrounds along the route. And finally, if you intend to cross over into Canada, remember to take your passport.

Let’s wind this up. For the outdoor, off road enthusiast, there’s nothing quite as enjoyable as a trip off road. Out there away from the hustle and bustle of your normal working world.

It’s a great way to decompress, relax, unwind, and recharge before heading back to your work-a-day life.

Picking the right destination can be the difference between a fantastic adventure and a ho-hum trip, or worse – a disappointing and thoroughly unenjoyable trip.

So get yourself off to a good start, do your research well in advance and see that you have yourself a memorable adventure

Check out the 10 destinations above and have a fun and safe adventure on your next off road trip.

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About Bobby Duncan: I’m a full-time freelance copywriter in the Outdoor Recreation space. Originally from Zimbabwe, I now live near Portland, Oregon in the Pacific Northwest. Besides writing, I also enjoy reading and a wide range of outdoor activities. If you need a copywriter with a professional understanding of the industries writing needs, and keen understanding of all things outdoors to help with your writing challenges, I’d love to hear from you.

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