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Top Spots For Off-Roading Near Philadelphia

It takes a special breed of adventurer to willingly leave the certainty of a paved road behind. Bounding about through nature's savage landscape as your tires frantically bite at the dirt and gravel while spitting out the muddy refuse of the conquered terrain is a thrill reserved for only the most swashbuckling recreationer. But Bambi's stomping grounds are not wholly available for such a virile, adrenaline-pumping diversion. In this age of conservancy, it is vital to keep such environmentally unsound pursuits to the properly designated areas. For the dashing off-road Errol Flynns who are seeking that exhilarating rush of four-wheeled fun, here are a few nearby locations you can go for a wild ride.

The Lost Trails ATV Adventures
1000 Dunham Drive
Dunmore, PA 18512-2666
(570) 730-8131
www.ridelosttrails.com

Open year round, The Lost Trails ATV Adventures park is located less than 30 minutes north of the Pocono Mountains. The facility offers trails suitable for ATV, UTV, and dirt bike owners, however, even if you don't have your own off-road vehicle, you can still enjoy a thrilling ride. The park provides Wildcat rental tours where even the novice can partake in the extreme fun of navigating challenging terrains such as "rugged meandering trails, steep switchback climbs, scenic ridges, rock beds, boulder crawls, mud runs, and creek crossings." Cost for the Wildcat program is $150 a day for the driver and just $15 for passengers, with both two and four seat vehicles are available. For riders with their own equipment, the cost is $37 per day for adult riders and $27 per day for individuals under 18 years of age. The Lost Trails park encourages ladies to give off-roading a shot, stating, "If you can drive a normal car, you can drive The Wildcat," it's the ultimate "girls' day out!"

Related: Top Outdoor Gear Stores In Philadelphia

Rausch Creek Off-Road Park
453 Molleystown Road
Pine Grove, PA
(570) 695-3900
www.rc4x4.org

Rausch Creek Off-Road Park is the first name that comes to mind when thinking about four-wheeling adventures in Pennsylvania. Encompassing nearly 3,000 acres of trails ranging from easy to difficult, the wooded region features a wide variety of terrains and challenges, such as rocks and bowls and hills. In 2008 and 2009, Rausch Creek became the only competition area on the East Coast that featured both man-made and natural obstacles. If you've never driven on an unpaved surface, but have a hankering to do so, this off-road park has a beginner's class that will walk you through exactly what you and your ride are capable of. In addition to the vehicular fun, a number of group camping sites are available for drivers wishing to indulge in an extended experience. The annual membership is just $15. Admission is an additional $35 per day for drivers and $7 per day for passengers.

Mount Pleasant State Off-Road Vehicle Park
2651 Petersburg Road
Woodbine, NJ 08270
(609) 292-6500
www.riderplanet-usa.com

The Mount Pleasant State Off-Road Vehicle Park is an absolute gem for novice riders. The 63-acre locale was formerly a sand mine, a private motocross track, and a paintball park. Now, the area serves as a state Off-Highway Vehicles (OHV) park. Currently, only 11 of the acres are being utilized for the off-road adventurer, but plans to incorporate the entire region are being considered. There is no cost for parking, admission, or riding, however, calling before attending is a must because there is no clearly defined operating season for this recreational vehicle playground.

The New Jersey Pine Barrens
609-561-0024
www.pineypower.com

The New Jersey Pine Barrens website boasts that the Wharton State Forest has "over 500 miles of unpaved roads in its hundred thousand-plus acres of forests." If that doesn't grease your gears and get your engine all revved up and ready to go, maybe off-roading isn't really your thing. Although, if the thought of a potentially dangerous wilderness excursion makes you grin with sheer delight, then there are a few things you need to know about the New Jersey Pine Barrens. The 1.1 million acres of Pinelands National Reserve are steeped in lore and legend (e.g., The Jersey Devil lives there). If you ride The Pines, your vehicle must be street legal, you must stay on the designated trails, you should ride with an official map (GPS and internet maps for this region of the state are not accurate), and cell service is unreliable at best. It is easy to get lost or stuck and the Forest Rangers' office specifically told CBS to make sure riders avoid any and all "sugar sand." If you get lost or stuck, and you are lucky enough to be in an area with cell service, the rescue team will come at your expense. For a full list of advisories, it is highly recommended to call before embarking on your journey. Be smart, be safe, have fun.

Related: Top Hiking Trails In Philadelphia

Allen Foster, a lifelong Greater Philadelphia resident, has been writing about all those wonderful things that make us feel so alive for over 20 years. He approaches each day as an adventure, eager to discover what new and vibrant surprises await just around life's corner. You can see his work on Examiner.com.

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