10 Best 4×4 Off Road Trails Ohio

Ohio, the Buckeye State, is an excellent destination for muddy trails, hills, and lakes. As a location that’s mainly favored by 4×4 Jeep drivers, Ohio’s rural areas offer miles of trails to tackle in your Jeep or ATV.

Heading to Ohio, you’ll find a significant number of 4×4 off road trails and well-managed off road parks where you can practice your skills in a more contained environment. You’ll also be close to facilities if you’re looking to camp or stay overnight. While it’s mostly a mud running destination, there’s a little bit of everything to be found for off-roading enthusiasts in Ohio.

Where are the best spots to go off road in Ohio? From parks to trails, mudding, or staying dry, Ohio has many off-road destinations. They can be found in organized parks that offer supplies and camping facilities. Ohio can be a great holiday trip where the whole family can enjoy the outdoors, whether they’re riding off-road or not.

Here are some of the best off road trails in Ohio:

1. Phoenix Off-Road Park
2. Monday Creek Trail System
3. Hanging Rock Trail System
4. Superior Trail System
5. Pine Creek Trail System
6. Southington Offroad Park
7. Forbidden Zone Park
8. Tecumseh Trails
9. Heiney Farm
10. Powerline Park

If you’re looking to take your Jeep or ATV out for an adventure, there are many off road trails Ohio has to offer. Let’s look at the 10 best trails and parks for off roading in Ohio.

10 Best 4×4 Off Road Trails Ohio

1. Phoenix Off-Road Park

Phoenix Off-Road Park offers 70 miles of riding for all skill levels. They accommodate Jeeps, ATVs, and dirt bikes. Some weekends are reserved for the latter, so it’s good to check their calendar before you go over. They also have camping space available and a shop where you can stop for spare parts or tools if you need to.

2. Monday Creek Trail System

The Monday Creek OHV trail system in Wayne National Forest can be found just north of Nelsonville. This trail network covers 75 miles, which are suitable for ATVs, UTVs, and bikes. It’s also a popular spot for hikers. Several trailheads can be found from the USDA website.

You’ll need to have an OHV trail permit to ride through the Monday Creek trails, and they only open in the summer and fall (April 15 – December 15). There may not be any facilities for riders, but you get to enjoy the trails for no fee at all.

3. Hanging Rock Trail System

Another set of off road trails in Ohio, the Hanging Rock trails, are open to ATVs, UTVs, and bikes. The area was strip-mined in the 1960s and 1970s, leaving it with steep slopes and challenging riding conditions. It’s an exciting piece of history to consider while you ride. 

You can also treat yourself to fishing in one of the 51 ponds available (more actually, but 51 are stocked for fishing specifically).

This OHV riding area is also open April 15 to December 15 and requires a permit; otherwise, it’s free to access. Please note there is only one trailhead for this section of trails.

4. Superior Trail System

Wayne National Forest in Ohio offers exciting off road trails for you to explore, including the Superior OHV System. It is 16.5 miles long, with plenty of terrain to enjoy.

You can also connect to Pine Creek trails to keep riding longer. Note that the trail only allows vehicles under 50 inches wide. This includes ATVs, UTVs, and bikes.

Like the other trails in Wayne National Forest, you need to purchase a permit to ride the trails, and upon purchase, you will also receive a trail map to guide you around.

5. Pine Creek Trail System

The last set of popular riding trails in Wayne National Forest can be found in the Pine Creek Trail System, which features three trailheads and 20 miles of area to enjoy.

Make sure to get an OHV trail map, or get one when you purchase your trail permit.

6. Southington Offroad Park

Head to Garrettsville, OH, for over 1500 acres of organized Ohio Jeep trails, including obstacles for all skill levels. Set up to accommodate the whole family, Southington Offroad Park has a big campground with electric hookups, a modern bathhouse, and a large pavilion. They have playgrounds for kids, an onsite store, and even a sand volleyball court!

But, to stick to the mudding: there is lots of mud to ride through, followed by rocks, sand, and hills.

7. Forbidden Zone Park

The Forbidden Zone can be found in Hammondsville, OH. It is open all year and welcomes Jeeps, ATVs, trucks, and motorbikes.

You’ll discover hilly trails and smoother terrain, and some of the most scenic off road trails in Ohio. You can also rent the entire park for private parties and events – it’s worth doing for groups of 5 or more vehicles.

8. Tecumseh Trails

This excellent off road park is only open on weekends and can be found in Hemlock, OH. You’ll find over 1000 acres of hills and woods here, translating into 45 miles of trails with varying degrees of difficulty. Paths are marked, and you can also stop at the onsite food trailer for a snack during your ride.

There’s free primitive camping space on site so you can spend the whole weekend, and they allow campfires for cooking. Day passes cost only $15 per day per person.

9. Heiney Farm

This off road park is open to all vehicles from Jeeps to ATVs, motorbikes, and trucks. It’s a private property that can be booked out for a group of vehicles so you can have it all to yourselves.

Narrow ravines, mud pits, steep climbs, and 4×4 trails all await. You can also stay overnight, but there is only primitive camping available, so make sure you have your tent and cooking kit with you!

The Farm sometimes put on open-access events, but mostly keep themselves available for group rides only. Check out their website for an event schedule and more information.

10. Powerline Park

Set on 1000 acres of hills and bogs, Powerline Park is right outside St Clairsville. It’s an excellent destination for OHV trails in Ohio as it also offers all skill levels of riding, and it has showers and free camping onsite.

The park is usually open for Memorial Day and Labor Day events. Check online to make sure it will be available for riding.

Special Mention: Haspin Acres

While it’s not technically in Ohio, it’s close to Cincinnati, so it deserves a mention. Just over an hour from Cincinnati, Haspin Acres can be found in Laurel, IN.

There are 750 acres of wooded hills and trails and a motocross track and a 300-foot long loose dirt drag strip. There are so many trails to explore, including river crossings, hill climbs, and more.

The “Devil’s Backbone” trail is a challenging trail that is a must-do Jeep trail in the park. They also have a campground and two ponds that provide an idyllic backdrop for relaxing at the end of an adrenaline-filled day.

Haspin Acres organize lots of events and races, and they even do weddings!

What About Beginners?

Off-roading in Ohio can suit any skill levels, but we would recommend trying the parks first if you are a beginner, so you know there is something for any level. The off road parks in Ohio are excellent at providing advice and suggestions, and you can test yourself on purpose-built obstacles in relative safety (you’ll have an onsite store for repairs, at least!).

Another option for beginners is to get in touch with a Jeep organization to go on organized rides with. Great examples are the Mid-Ohio Jeepers Organization and Muddy Buddys.

Conclusion – Off Road Trails Ohio

So, what are the 10 best off road trails in Ohio? To summarize, here they are once again:

1. Phoenix Off-Road Park
2. Monday Creek Trail System
3. Hanging Rock Trail System
4. Superior Trail System
5. Pine Creek Trail System
6. Southington Offroad Park
7. Forbidden Zone Park
8. Tecumseh Trails
9. Heiney Farm
10. Powerline Park

There is something for everyone when off roading in Ohio. Whether you enjoy driving Jeeps down 4×4 trails or ATV-ing, motorbiking, or even just mountain biking, you can take advantage of the state’s multiple purpose-built and maintained parks. These offer excellent accommodation options, facilities such as stores, bathrooms, showers, and events for all audiences year-round.

Away from the off road parks, you can find lots of free-to-ride off road trails, dirt trails, and tracks across the state. Benefiting from the woods, creeks, and hills all around, places like the Wayne National Forest welcome riders with lots of different skill levels and appetite for adventure. So if you’re looking for some Jeep or ATV trails in Ohio, there are plenty to choose from.