So you’ve got yourself an SUV or a 4 wheel drive. Now what? We know what you’re itching to do. Mudding.
irst, let’s answer a basic question: What is mudding, a favorite activity for road enthusiasts? Simple. It’s when you get down and dirty with your SUV and take it off-road for some adrenaline rush driving. Large fields, streams, lake beds, rough terrain, and anywhere you’re sure to get messy. That’s mudding.
Some of the best off-road vehicles to go mudding with include:
There are many more models to choose from.
We’ve got you covered if you need some inspiration. We rounded up some of the best places to go mudding in the U.S. for some 4×4 extreme off-road action.
Hollister Hills SVRA (State Vehicular Recreation Area) in California is a mudder’s dream. It boasts 24 miles of trails, including a manufactured obstacle course with a mud bog that draws large crowds on weekends.
Many of the routes of this off-road course are impassable when rainy and are constantly challenging trails to navigate. Can I get a heck yeah? It is situated in the mountains separating the city of Hollister from the Salinas Valley.
Here’s one for all the Midwest folks. Visit Marseilles, Illinois, where The Cliffs Insane Terrain Off-Road Park attracts off-road fanatics.
Large fields, creeks, and a dangerous mudhole can be found in this highly forested park. However, you’ll need to ask the park staff where the mudhole is. A note of caution: Beware of deep holes that appear to be simple mud puddles.
Another well-known off-roading location is Moab, located in Southeast Utah. Off-roaders and mountain bikers have loved the landscape for quite some time. But things can get so rough that some trails are either entirely or partially off-limits to off-road vehicles.
However, 4×4 trucks and SUVs have plenty of room to roam on these road trails. There are Jeep rentals and guided trail tours nearby. NOTE: Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) permits for residents and non-residents of the state are necessary.
Looking for a place to go off-road mudding on the East Coast? Check out the Redneck Mud Park in Punta Gorda, Florida a massive recreation area. This is a fantastic destination for off-roaders.
It’s an 800-acre park that offers mudholes, a mud track, a buggy/ATV wash, food vendors, camping sites and much more. Depending on how daring you are, the park has four mudholes, including Gator Slough and Hog Waller.
Let’s return to the Midwest for a quick trip and visit The Mounds ORV Area in Mt. Morris, Michigan. It is a sizable complex with ponds scattered across the park with soft, sandy soil. This terrain is perfect for SUVs with 33-inch mud tires to get out there and drive it like it was stolen, especially on the soft, sandy soil.
More than 600 miles of trails for off-road vehicles wind through the stunning Black Hills of western South Dakota. With scenery ranging from grassy plains to forested trails and complex rock climbing challenges. There are over 500 miles of roads open to all vehicles that connect many of the courses. This area is perfect for anyone looking to off-road at different levels of difficulty.
Bring the family and make it a fun trip for all. You can catch Mount Rushmore National Memorial in the area for a historical look at some of the greatest presidents in U.S. history, carved into a mountain. It’s truly stunning!
The Grand Canyon, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, is undoubtedly one of America’s must-visit destinations. It should be no surprise that it is also one of the most beloved locations for off-road mudding inside our National Parks System.
Off-roading is permitted on a large portion of the nearby parkland, which the Bureau of Land Management manages. This is the perfect location for those who can’t bring their own vehicle or want to try off-roading for the first time.
If you decide to bring your SUV, several trails are waiting for you. Some of the canyon’s pathways will take you to guest ranches where you can spend the night. It’s a beautiful place to explore and get dirty.
For advice on some of the most aggressive tires for off-roading, we’ve got a related post titled Top 5 Mud Terrain Tires.
For a little more background on what mud tires are, and how they differ from all-terrain tires, see: “Mud Terrain Tires: What Are The Best?“