12 Best ATV Parks in Missouri: Off-Road Trails

When it comes to finding the best parks to off-road in Missouri, ATV enthusiasts have the choice of both state parks and some brilliant private run parks. This unique state has diverse landscapes, welcoming riders of all levels and interests, and the best ATV parks to practice and enjoy yourself while you’re at it.

What are the best ATV parks in Missouri, how can you make the most of a vacation riding in the state, and what are the must-know things about riding an ATV in Missouri?

Here are our top picks for Missouri ATV parks:

1. Finger Lakes State Park
2. St. Joe State Park
3. Moonlight Racing
4. Flat Nasty Offroad Park
5. Southern Missouri Off Road Ranch
6. Kasper OHV Park
7. Rush Springs Ranch
8. Brick’s Off Road Park
9. Cloud 9 Ranch
10. Chadwick Motorcycle and ATV Use Area
11. Potawatomi Off-Road Park
12. Vandyz Off Road Park

Read on for more information on each and some general FAQ answers about ATV riding trails in Missouri.

12 ATV Parks in Missouri You Shouldn’t Miss

Here are the top 12 parks we recommend you visit when you’re next looking to ride off-road in Missouri.

1. Finger Lakes State Park

The first of the Missouri ATV trails run by the state, Finger Lakes State Park, is located in a former mining area and covers around 3,000 acres in total. You will find exciting rugged trails, steep hills, and deep ravines here, challenging your skills and letting you have hours of fun on the trails. You can find information on the multi-use trails, additional facilities, and all you need to know about getting your ORV riding permit for the park here.

2. St. Joe State Park

The other jewel in Missouri’s off-road riding crown is St. Joe State Park, a former lead mining area and now home to trails winding their way through the woods and sand flats. You will get various terrain and landscapes, which make this park one of the top destinations for ORV riding in Missouri and the Midwest more broadly. To download trail maps and find out about ORV permits, visit the website here.

3. Moonlight Racing

Moving over to privately-owned ATV parks in Missouri, one of the top choices is the Moonlight Racing park off State Highway A near Sullivan, MO. They welcome ATVs and dirt bikes, and 4×4 vehicles on well-groomed trails with various degrees of difficulty. You’ll also find an on-site shop for any last-minute repair needs.

Moonlight also organizes lots of exciting events throughout the year. Follow them on Facebook to stay up to date.

4. Flat Nasty Offroad Park

Another very popular ATV park is Flat Nasty, which also organizes many events and welcomes ATVs and Jeeps, 4x4s, and dirt bikes alike. They have on-site cabins to rent for longer stays and a great range of trails for all abilities. With over 850 acres of property, there is something for everyone here, and you can enjoy camping and beautiful mountain views, too.

You can get all the info on upcoming events and how to get there on their Facebook page.

5. Southern Missouri Off Road Ranch

Capitalizing on the idea of a great rural ranch with welcoming staff and loads of open space, the Southern Missouri Off Road Ranch is aimed at family fun for all ages. The trails here wind their way through the Salem Highlands, allowing beginners to progress in skills or the most advanced riders to test their abilities. You can also enjoy unique views of the Ozark Mountains, and the park is ideal for wildlife viewing on peaceful days. Turkey and white-tailed deer are often spotted on the trails, and you could even come across a black bear and the odd armadillo.

6. Kasper OHV Park

Located on the Ozark Trail in Crocker, MO, Kasper OHV Park is an extremely friendly multi-vehicle off-roading park that focuses on big special events and a welcoming atmosphere for everyone. The park is always evolving, with new trails being added all the time and fun events happening throughout the year.

7. Rush Springs Ranch

With its great range of off-road trails and excellent camping amenities, Rush Springs Ranch is an ideal ATV park in Missouri to unwind after spending the day riding on its 75 miles of off-road tracks.

The park is open every day and welcomes any type of off-roading vehicle. They also organize a guided tour for beginners, which you can book an appointment for by calling them in advance.

8. Brick’s Off Road Park

A former family-owned farm, Brick’s Off Road Park is open to ATVs, Jeeps, dune buggies, and dirt bikes. They host exciting events every year, including unique ones like the Truck Mania Kids’ Fest, and offer free camping with every admission ticket for event days.

Riding here, you’ll find rolling hills and creeks as well as wavy fields, so there are different types of challenges as well as incredible scenery to admire from your ride.

9. Cloud 9 Ranch

You can find over 150 miles of trails at Cloud 9 Ranch, one of the top ATV parks in Missouri. Camping here is excellent too, with lots of space and the option of renting cabins with more modern amenities. There is a real focus on family entertainment here, so you’ll be able to not just ride off-road but also explore caves on-site, fish for trout, or enjoy some horseback riding.

10. Chadwick Motorcycle and ATV Use Area

There are around 80 miles of multi-use trails that ATVs can ride in the Chadwick Motorcycle and ATV Use Area, where you’ll find a great mix of trails through woodland. Head to the Mark Twain National Forest for the trailhead but, be careful; you will need to buy riding permits before you can hit the trails.

11. Potawatomi Off-Road Park

This ATV park in Missouri is located near Fulton and is open to motorcycles, ATVs, and 4x4s. Although there is no official website or Facebook account for the park anymore (after the previous owner passed away), the trails are still open and look really good. As one of the top parks in Missouri originally, we still recommend giving this one a try – you need to sign a clipboard and pay a daily use fee into the steel box by the entrance.

12. Vandyz Off Road Park

Located in Steedman, MO, this farm / offroad park is a family-orientated establishment that claims to offer Central Missouri’s best offroad experience. Vandyz is open at weekends throughout the year and accepts all types of offroad vehicles onto trails that cater to all skill levels.

On-site, they also offer a repair shop and primitive camping spots to spend several days enjoying the trails. Moreover, Vandyz has put in place a system whereby there are bypasses for all the obstacles you find while riding the ATV trails, allowing anyone to try their hand on any trail. They also allow night riding for an added bit of fun.

Missouri ATV Laws: Understanding What and Where You Can Ride

In Missouri, you need to remember that ATVs may be welcome in the parks and designated trails, but they’re not allowed to ride on highways. Only farmers can use them for agricultural work during the daytime and with a valid, specific permit.

As for riding on national forest trails, this is alright as long as you have a permit which you can usually obtain from the national park directly. Here is a helpful guide to riding on federal land to help you figure out how and where you can use your ATV.

There are no age restrictions around who can operate an ATV in Missouri, but persons under 16 years old should be with a parent or guardian when they’re riding. You should also be wearing a helmet and ensure your vehicle has the following equipment:

• A headlamp and tail lamp (which should be on if you’re on a street or highway at all times);
• A slow-moving equipment emblem if you’re going on a street or highway;
• A bicycle flag as well for street use;
• An adequate muffler system;
• A US Forest Service-qualified spark arrester; and
• A brake system in good operating condition.

Find out more here.

Where Can You Find ATV Dealers in Missouri?

If you’ve been renting your ATV and are looking to buy a new one while you’re in Missouri, the state has plenty of great dealers to choose from. If you’re visiting, don’t hesitate to ask the owners for recommendations and tips on picking a vehicle.

Here are a few top-rated ATV dealers in Missouri:

• Jim Trenary Motorsports in Union, MO
• Surdyke Motorsports in Festus, MO
• Marionville Powersports in Marionville, MO

Conclusion – 12 Best ATV Parks in Missouri

To review, here are our 12 picks for the best ATV parks in Missouri:

1. Finger Lakes State Park
2. St. Joe State Park
3. Moonlight Racing
4. Flat Nasty Offroad Park
5. Southern Missouri Off Road Ranch
6. Kasper OHV Park
7. Rush Springs Ranch
8. Brick’s Off Road Park
9. Cloud 9 Ranch
10. Chadwick Motorcycle and ATV Use Area
11. Potawatomi Off-Road Park
12. Vandyz Off Road Park

Hitting the Trails in Missouri

Whether you’re heading to one of the fantastic state parks to explore some of the centrally maintained ATV trails in Missouri or staying at some of the best privately-owned ATV parks in the country, Missouri has a lot of range and fun to offer for offroading enthusiasts. Add to that the multitude of family-friendly events organized throughout the state and the generally friendly atmosphere, and you’re sure to have a great time.