River Run ATV Park: Jacksonville Texas (Guide and Review)

Looking for a great place to ride ATV trails, do some mudding, and experience Texan hospitality at its best? You’re bound to love River Run ATV Park in Jacksonville, TX.

Set in the ideal location for off-road enthusiasts looking to enjoy a ride in the mud, River Run ATV Park is one of the best ATV parks in Texas. It welcomes visitors of all levels looking to test their skills and have lots of fun.

Whether you’re new to mud and river running or are a veteran of riding in tough conditions, there’s a trail for you at this ATV park in Texas. Moreover, the quality of events and maintenance put on by the owners make it a premier destination for ATV enthusiasts around the country. In this review, we’ll look into what makes River Run ATV Park so special and how to get the most of your visit.

What is River Run ATV Park Like?

The park is set in a gorgeous setting around Neches River, west of Jacksonville and southeast of Frankston. It’s a great outdoor destination for the whole family, as the river gives you the opportunity to go swimming and fishing along with your riding. This geographic feature dominates the park and has made it famous for its muddy trail riding.

However, set in 2000 acres of private land, River Run ATV Park is also great for dry trail riding. Access is allowed for all types of off-road vehicles such as ATVs, UTVs, and 4×4 trucks, but you’ll also find horse-riders, bikers, and hikers here. It’s a very inclusive park.

The nearby mountain area of Big Rock offers beautiful views and the scenic backdrop of Neches River. Riding at River Run means you’ll have miles of trails on private land, crossing Neches River bottom and oil field roads. You’re not allowed to drive into Neches River, but there’s plenty of mud to find around it on the designated trails. A quick look at the park map will show you the endless possibilities when it comes to riding here.

What are the Facilities at River Run ATV Park?

Once you get to River Run, you can take full advantage of on-site facilities and lodging. There are campgrounds with 156 RV sites with power and water hook-ups, as well as lots of areas where you can pitch a tent or RV without connections.

The park also offers accommodation in 39 cabins, including a mix of single and double beds, kitchen facilities, and outdoor grills. There are also cabins with shower rooms, or if you’re in one without showers, you can use the shower houses and separate restrooms.

You also don’t need to stray far to re-stock on food and drinks, as there’s an on-site convenience store also offering ATV/UTV parts and branded merchandise for fans of River Run.

What are the Best Events at River Run?

One of the things that have made this off road park in Texas become a famous ATV riding destination is the events put on by the owners. River Run ATV Park events run on an annual basis and provide an excellent atmosphere for off-roading enthusiasts. They usually feature scavenger hunts, racing in ATVs and UTVs, merchandise sales, and live entertainment. The best events taking place every year are:

• New Year’s Ride – Every December 31st- January 3rd with camping available
• Mardi Gras Ride – Every Mid-February with RV and cabin rentals, primitive camping
• SuperATV MuddMayhem – Every March
• Mudd Jam – Every April
• Mudaholic Convention – Every November – Includes a treasure hunt, poker run, challenges, and live music
• Memorial Mudbug – Every May

You can find something special to do at River Run all year round, taking advantage that the park is open almost every day of the year. The only exceptions are Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day.

What is River Run Like for Newbies?

Looking at the list of mud-filled River Run ATV Park events, as well as the high skill level of most riders who post about the park on YouTube and Facebook, you might be intimidated if you’re only starting out riding ATVs. You don’t need to be – the park is staffed by friendly mud experts who’ll be ready to give you useful advice and tips on where to have the most fun riding within the park.

There is plenty of options in terms of the riding you’ll do at River Run, and you can easily go through most trails on a small ATV with some or no help from others. Note that this is a very popular off-roading destination, so there’ll be people around to help you out if you get stuck on swampy or sandy terrain, on rocks, or mud. However, follow the advice of park staff, and you will make the most of River Run.

What are the Prices for River Run ATV Park?

River Run considers themselves a campground for pricing purposes, which means they don’t charge for the ATV/UTV/Jeep you bring to the park. You’ll have to pay $20 for a day pass as an adult, with kids’ prices (ages 11-7) discounted to $15. There are bundled prices for weekend admissions and specific costs for cabin rentals, RV camping, etc., found on their website.

Please note that these same prices do not cover events. If you want to buy event tickets, these are advertised individually on River Run’s Facebook page. For example, in November, the Mudaholic Convention runs over a full weekend and is priced at $55 per person.

How Safe is River Run ATV Park?

Any off-road vehicle driver has to take responsibility for their safety and the safety of the ones around them, and that is no different here. You’ll have a waiver to sign when you enter the park, which you can access online. You need to be mindful of the park rules, which are laid out online and of which you’ll be reminded of when you come to the park.

Some key things to remember:

• Although alcoholic beverages are allowed in the park, you should under no circumstance be consuming them while driving.
• You should obey the speed limit of 5-10 mph on the main road and around the office, store, pavilion, cabins, and camping areas.
• You are not allowed to bring firearms or fireworks to the park.
• No fires are allowed away from your own campsite.
• You need to respect wildlife and not damage any trees. Moreover, Texas Penal Code SB 155 prevents anyone from riding an ATV or any other vehicle into Neches River.

Despite the utmost attention to safety, accidents do happen, and some unfortunate events are recorded here. While there’s been no River Run ATV Park death in 2020, one 21-year-old ATV driver lost his life in an accident at the park in 2016.

What Other ATV Trails Can I Ride in Texas?

Thanks to its great outdoor environment, there’s no shortage of ATV trails in Texas and off-road parks you can visit and enjoy. You can even combine all these with Rive Run to cover off a large part of the Lone Star State off-roading:

Hidden Falls Adventure Park

The largest ranch in the US awaits with miles of ATV, dirt bike, and Jeep trails for you to enjoy in 2000 acres of land in the Texas Hill Country. The riding here is top level, and you also have excellent camping facilities and great events dedicated to off-roading.

Xtreme Off Road Park and Beach

You can check out Xtreme Off Road Park and Beach near Houston for something slightly different from hills and mountains. Your four-wheelers can relish in the mud here, but you also have some great sandy trails to ride. You’ll also enjoy fishing and swimming and, of course, camping facilities abound.

General Sam’s Offroad Park

Just nine miles north of Huntsville, General Sam’s Offroad Park is in the top 3 best trails in Texas. There are miles of trails, sandpits, and mud bogs organized on-site, and their events are amazing. From the Mudsgiving Ride to Labor Day special events and a New Year’s bash, they definitely know how to keep riders entertained.

Conclusion – Get Muddy at River Run ATV Park

There are so many excellent trails to choose from at River Run ATV Park, one of the premier off-roading parks in Texas for ATV lovers as well as UTV, Jeep, and dirt bike enthusiasts. The park’s best features are its mud bogs, swampy area, and dirt trails, but you can also stay relatively dry if you wish to. River Neches ensures you’ll have some more fun activities in store, like fishing and canoeing, and you will be greeted with excellent amenities for camping on-site. It’s a top choice among off road parks in Texas!