Top US Off-Road Destinations

This article originally appeared on the travelchannel.com website.  Click here for original article: http://www.travelchannel.com/interests/outdoors-and-adventure/photos/top-us-off-road-destinations

Don't get bogged down with all the details. See our recommendations for some of the best places in the US to go mudding or off-road driving with an ATV, 4x4 truck or tricked-out rig.

Hollister Hills SVRA (Hollister, California)
Hollister Hills SVRA (State Vehicular Recreation Area) has 24 miles of trails, including a man-made obstacle course that features a mud bog, which attracts big crowds on the weekends. Located in the mountains dividing the city of Hollister from the Salinas Valley, many of the routes at this off-road course are impassable when wet -- and always a challenge.

Moab, Utah
Moab in Southeastern Utah, is an iconic off-roading destination in the US. The terrain has been a battleground for off-roaders, mountain bikers, hikers and rafters -- so much so that some trails have been fully or partially closed to off-road vehicles. However, there’s plenty of space for 4x4 trucks and other modified off-road rigs. Guided trail tours and Jeep rentals are available in the area. State resident or non-resident Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) permits are required.

The Cliffs Insane Terrain Off-Road Park (Marseilles, Illinois)
Looking for muddy fun? Head to Marseilles, IL, where off-road enthusiasts converge on The Cliffs Insane Terrain Off-Road Park. This heavily wooded park features large fields, creeks and 1 treacherous mud hole -- you’ll have to ask park personnel where it is. Just a few words of wisdom: Watch out for deep holes disguised as easy mud puddles.

Whipsaw Trail (South-Central British Columbia)
Close to Coalmont, Princeton, in British Columbia, the Whipsaw Trail should be on your list to visit between July and August, when the rainfall is lowest. Winner of the BFGoodrich Outstanding Trails award, this trail is an active mining and logging road, so watch out for traffic! Some areas of the trail are challenging and may require a winch and tow strap if your 4x4 or rig gets stuck.

Redneck Yacht Club (Punta Gorda, Florida)
Welcome to the Redneck Yacht Club Mud Park in Punta Gorda, FL. This is the ultimate destination for mudding and off-roading enthusiasts. The 800-acre park has 3 mud holes, a mud track, drive-thru buggy/ATV wash, camping, food vendors and much more. The Redneck Yacht Club has 4 mud holes to choose from depending on your riding preferences, including Hog Waller and Gator Slough.

Shiloh Ridge (Alto, Texas)
It’s known as the first and original off-road park in Texas. Shiloh Ridge is home to the Texas Redneck Games, a 4-day event that includes mudding, camping, live entertainment, wet T-shirt contests and more! Located north of Alto, TX, this park -- open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week -- welcomes owners of ORV (off-road vehicles), ATVs and motorcycles.

Azusa Canyon (Azusa, California)
This is the only state-owned-and-operated mud mecca in Southern California. Fed by the San Gabriel River, the bogs here are deep with silt from the surrounding San Gabriel Mountains, making it a perfect spot for mudding. In order to get in, your rig should be legal to drive on the street.

The Mounds ORV Area (Mt. Morris, Michigan)
Located in Mt. Morris, MI (near Flint, MI), The Mounds is a large complex with soft, sandy soil and small- to medium-sized ponds scattered throughout the park. High horsepower isn’t recommended; rig with 33-inch mud tires and waterproofed electronics will suffice.

Truck Night at Yankee Lake (Brookfield, Ohio)
Prepare to go off-roading in some of the most challenging bogs in the US. In Brookfield, OH, Truck Night at Yankee Lake attracts huge crowds who want to watch high-horsepower trucks compete in gritty mud pits with fun activities like the rock crawl, log climb, car crush and tug o' war. Truck Night is on Friday nights from May through September. We recommend off-roading fans check out the season opener event, Trucks Gone Wild.

Hidden Falls Adventure Park (Dripping Springs, Texas)
This one was not included in the original article, but it's so good it deserves to be in this list.  This is a family friendly environment that involves miles of off road trails for trucks, ATVs and motorcycles.  Camping is available during the weekend (throughout the week for members).  Heavy on the rock crawling.  33s and lockers may be necessary.  Visit the website for more details; http://www.hiddenfallsadventurepark.com/