Heading to Ohio for an off-roading adventure and looking for guaranteed fun and excellent facilities? You’ll find a warm welcome at Southington Off-Road Park in Garrettsville. Situated on over 1500 acres, the park has numerous trails, brilliant obstacles, and a great staff that’s enthusiastic and helpful.
What is Southington Off-Road Park like, and what can you expect when you visit? This review will cover the basics, what the off-roading trails are like, and how to make the most of your visit at Southington Off-Road Park in Garrettsville, OH.
The Essentials
You’ll find Southington Off-Road Park just outside Garrettsville, on Silica Sand Road, going towards Phalanx.
Southington is a park dedicated to OHVs but will not admit ATVs, dirt bikes, or SXS, so consider that before planning a visit. You can ride your Jeep, 4×4, or any other truck on a one-day pass costing $25 per vehicle & driver ($5 extra per passenger), or you can get weekend passes.
The park also has camping available without a need to reserve in advance (but on a first-come, first-serve basis). You can stay over for $10 per person per day in primitive camping arrangements or pay an additional $10 for an electric site. It’s worth noting that there are only 16 electric hook-ups, so be prepared to have to camp on a primitive site.
Opening Times
Southington Off-Road Park is only open on the first full weekend of every month when you can ride according to the website’s schedule. Currently, registration begins on Fridays at 5 pm, and you can then ride on Saturdays from 9 am until dusk and on Sundays from 9 am until 4.30 pm.
Southington Off-Road Park Trails
The park has a range of trails, including the milder ones for those just starting out. There are trail leaders on hand to help guide you once you arrive, but they don’t have printed trail maps. Instead, you can check out a map of all the trails online here. You have the choice among a pretty broad array of riding: sand dunes, wooded runs, mud, dust, rocks… and anything else you could wish for!
The park’s Facebook page has lots of photos to give you an idea of what to expect. You’ll be able to ride at various levels and challenge yourself while honing your skills in a well-maintained environment. Don’t forget to also take advantage of some great views, taking in the lake and the fishing ponds on-site, too.
General Review
Overall, Southington offers an excellent place for Jeep drivers to go off-roading at the weekend, with various trails and a welcoming atmosphere. Facilities are also excellent, including a small convenience store where you can also stock up on some memorabilia and get your lunch.
Outside the trails, they’ve also thought of the rest of the family by featuring a playground for kids and a sand volleyball court. You won’t run out of things to do once you’ve stopped riding if you choose to stay overnight.
If you’re more of a beginner in off-roading, Southington is an ideal destination to ride because the staff and visitors are all amiable and helpful. There are countless accounts of people getting helped out of being stuck somewhere or supported through repairs on their trucks.
Southington Off-Road Park’s only downside seems to be the fact that it’s only open one weekend a month!
Other Off-Road Parks Nearby
You don’t need to stay around Garrettsville for great off-roading in Ohio and around. Here are a few other destinations for off-road driving not far from Southington Off Road Park:
Chaos Off Road Park
Located in Capon Bridge, WV, Chaos Off Road Park offers 400 acres of trails for 4x4s. Scenic trails await in a family-friendly environment, including some obstacle courses, rocky and muddy terrain, and many more surprises. Chaos Off Road Park is a 4-hour drive from Southington.
Phoenix Offroad Park
This park in Mingo Junction, OH, is a newer park that has been established on 1020 acres and is for all sorts of off-roading vehicles, from ATV/UTV to Jeeps. They organize events and special rides on 70 miles of trails. Primitive camping is possible on-site, and they’re not far from several lodging and restaurant options they’ve even advertised on their website. Great hosts!
Bayview OHV Area
200 acres of ATV trails await on the western shores of Shenango River Lake. This isn’t a private park, so you don’t need to pay for admission, and there isn’t a lot of official information, but you can use this map to give you an idea of where you should be and what to expect when you get there. You’ll find Bayview in Sharpsville, PA, only 45 minutes away from Southington.
Bear Creek Ranch KOA
This ranch has a bit of everything: horseback riding, fishing, swimming, and some great ATV trails. Near Canton, OH, these trails are specifically for ATVs and bikes and are open all year round and extend over 26 miles.
The great thing about Bear Creek is the variety of activities on-site, allowing for bigger family vacations there. And they’re only 1 hour and 20 minutes away from Southington Park.
Conclusion: Southington Off-Road Park, Garrettsville OH
Whether you’re a beginner looking to branch out on new trails or a skilled off-road driver looking for some fun, you can find it all at Southington Off-Road Park in Ohio. You won’t be far from some other destinations to tick off your off-roading bucket list either, so once the weekend is done, you can continue to explore.
Kris is an avid off-roader and outdoor enthusiast who loves to brave the elements and take on challenging terrain. He also enjoys sharing his passion and knowledge with others so that they, too, can appreciate the ride.
About Kris