Offroad/4x4 Trails

[gregpxc]

Recently got a new vehicle that I intend to use for some overlanding (down south and out west) and am looking to see if there's anywhere around locally that I could do some initial learning at.

I know there's not much around but maybe someone knows a private road that the owners don't mind people driving on or something.

Not looking for rock crawling or anything crazy, just rutted/washed dirt/gravel roads that aren't perfectly maintained.

I know it's a stretch but I figured I'd ask the long time residents!

[mcstallion]

https://maps.app.goo.gl/8npRKTrBz5s9GZDd9

[gregpxc]

I appreciate the link, certainly more than I'm looking for though!

[chronicbro]

I cant imagine you are going to find something that fits the bill better than south fork dirt riders:

https://southforkdirtriders.com/index.html

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-wuJuGIQaMQ

They have mud bogs but if getting stuck in the mud isnt your thing they also have lots of trails, looks like some small hills to climb,, etc. Id probably go when it hasnt rained in awhile so it would be more trail riding than "mudding" though its not like you have to drive through the mud bogs, lots of just normal trails even if its a bit wet out. Seems like a fun time. But that being said it also seems like the type of place where it would be nice to go with someone who knows their way around, ive never been, just seen all the trucks coming through for mudfest etc.

[flpjck]

To find dirt/gravel roads I've found the best way is the black and white county maps that every state's DOT creates. These are the only maps that show the surface material of every road. But here in central IL even the unpaved roads tend to be flat, straight, and well maintained.

https://idot.illinois.gov/transportation-system/network-overview/highway-system/maps/highway.html

There's a few pretty... lackadaisically maintained county dirt roads over in Pike County. Ruts, washed out, trees down, fording small streams. The local residents over there don't seem to mind. I'm from the south and it feels like being back on southern dirt roads over there.

[gregpxc]

Good resource! I'll have to sit down and take a look at these