Trails and Off-Road parks that make the cut

Tucked away in the mountains of Troy, NC the Uwharrie National Forest offers great opportunities for various types of outdoor adventures. It has miles of OHV trails for full-sized rigs, dirtbikes, and ATV/UTV's. There are also dedicated horse and hiking trails. Lots of camping areas and Badin Lake offers great fishing. Center of operations is the Eldorado Outpost on highway 109. http://www.eldoradooutpost.com/

Windrock is by far my favorite place to go. It's the largest privately owned off-road park in the entire United States with 73000 acres and over 300 miles of trails. Aside from the OHV trails, they also have a downhill mountain bike trail that is absolutely nuts and the coolest scale RC crawler course I've ever seen. Windrock is located in Oliver Springs, TN. There's plenty of lodging in the area as well as camping and cabins at Windrock. This is the one place you must visit at least once.  https://windrockpark.com/

This is a privately owned OHV park located in Laurens, SC. This is one of the smaller places on the list, but it packs a big punch with some saucy obstacles. Gulches is open to all off-road vehicles, though dirtbikes might have a tough time in some areas. Gulches gets slick when it rains, and if it gets enough water it closes down. So make sure you watch the weather and call ahead.  https://www.gulchesorvpark.com/

Beasley Knob OHV is a trail system that is part of the Chattahoochee National Forest in Union County, GA. There are roughly 14 miles of trails ranging from intermediate to double black. This trails system also closes when it gets too much rain, so make sure you call before you haul. https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/conf/recreation/recarea/?recid=10533&actid=93

Brown Mountain offers approximately 34 miles of OHV trails. Most of them are for UTV/ATV or dirtbikes, but there are a couple trails (1 and 8) suitable for full-size 4x4 vehicles (definitely worth the trip). Pisgah National Forest is close by which also offers some amazing hiking opportunities. https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/nfsnc/recarea/?recid=49004 

For those that want to drive out on the beach, this is a great place to do it. This is also a really cool place to bring remote control buggies or a fishing pole. Make sure you air down and have 4x4 or you'll get your feelings hurt quick. Some of the sand is deeper than it looks. https://www.ncparks.gov/fort-fisher-state-recreation-area/home

Rausch Creek Off-Road Park is located in Pine Grove, PA. Despite not being as big as some of the parks down south, Rausch Creek makes up for it with wicked technical obstacles and literal fields of boulders to beat your doors off with. I remember one trail was the length of a wide creek. Coolest trail I've ever been on. Well worth the drive yawl. https://www.rc4x4.or

These national forests share borders around the area of Natural Bridge, VA. Lodging is close by in either Lynchburg or Roanoke. The surrounding area has a good number of scenic trails with overlooks, waterfalls, and streams. There are also tons of hiking opportunities which we took advantage of during our trip. If you're looking for hardcore wheeling, this isn't your trip. If you want to explore caves, remote fire roads, and hike to amazing waterfalls, check this area out. https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/natural-bridge

  This trail is only accessible from the west bound lane of Interstate 40  shortly after mile marker 8. It runs

 from I 40 to Max Patch. There are lots of creek crossings, ruts and rocks on this trail.  Most 4 wheel drive vehicles should be able to traverse this trail providing weather cooperates This is great trail running along beautiful winding  creek that you cross several times. Stay on the trail, as there are quite a few sections of private property and wildlife lands. Some are posted and some are not.   Most of the trail is easy, but some of the obstacles are more moderate, and require some ground clearance to make it through. Some of the lower creek crossings are a foot deep. However a good rain can change that. There is a good-sized ledge on a steep climb, and a rutted section that diffs might drag. There are a few rock sections that are off camber. Shortly after an abandoned  bus you get to a T intersection. Left to the North is the trail to Max patch. I can't speak of that trail. We turned south on a trail I can only guess is called Wesley Creek rd. It come out somewhere near Fines Creek. This trail is not for the faint of heart. It has a few deep ruts and some off camber situations very close to the edge of  drop off. The trail is narrow, Once you begin it your committed.  so your only choices are proceed forward or back down off the trail. THERE IS NO WHERE TO TURN AROUND. If you plan on camping, there are few campsites.  One about a quarter of the way up on the right, and another about half to 3 quarters of the way up just past a water crossing near the abandoned bus. 

https://www.onxmaps.com/offroad/trails/us/north-carolina/hurricane-creek

  Buzzard's Roost consist of  a rustic, unofficial, and unmaintained scenic overlook  and a gravel road (FSR 288 Harmon Den rd) that is about 12 miles long. It is a moderately maintained road that is fairly narrow, with steep drop-offs on the side. Off road vehicles will be fine, as will most other vehicles. Vehicles with lower ground clearance will want to be very careful or possibly pass on this destination. From NC exit 7 off I-40, the trailhead to the overlook is located  4.8 miles up FR288.  It is not marked, and is very easy to miss.   There is a small pullover  just past the trailhead.  There is also some purple graffiti on  tree next to the trailhead. The trail down to Buzzard's Roost is very short, but very steep.  This is not a trail I would recommend for everyone, and only those comfortable with walking up and down a steep and worn path, that requires hanging onto small trees and branches as you go down and up. Off of FR288 is FR289, also called “The Goat path.” It’s a mild dirt trail that depending on conditions, may require 4 wheel drive.  It has a few shallow ruts and mild rocks.  It also  has a wide but shallow water crossing at the bottom that may be impassable  in rainy conditions. I’d suggest  going down FR288 then turn right (north/west} on Mt Sterling rd. Then make a right (North east) on FR289 then joining 288 and reach I 40 the same way you came in. The whole ride should take about 2 to 3 hours to complete. There are a few camp spots along the trail/road but not as many as I’d like. With the best one being at the water crossing on “The Goat trail” FSR289.  https://blueridgemountainlife.com/buzzards-roost-north-carolina/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EtxmDn0snp8&t=24s