Recently, our family sat down to make our four-wheeling vacation bucket list. Turns out, there are plenty of great spots that accommodate all our needs, including hardcore off-road terrain and nearby bars, restaurants, and activities.
After lots of searching (and LOTS of daydreaming about summer break!) we had it: six off-road vacation spots perfect for the whole family.
Home of the annual Easter Jeep Safari, Moab hosts Jeepers from all over each spring. It’s not unusual to see 5,000 Jeeps (among other off-road vehicles…) taking over this otherwise quiet town and its surrounding trails for the seven days ahead of Easter.
Photo courtesy of Red Rock Four Wheelers
With thousands of miles of off-road trails, you’ll easily find your favorite. Most are old, unmaintained roads left from mining and prospecting operations. Others exist courtesy of current mining and grazing activities. Some access roads are maintained by the county.
Aside from trails that range from sandy washes to slick-rock slabs, you won’t see much evidence of human activity. These are pristine lands with breathtaking scenery. Have a camera ready—you’ll want to capture it all!
Find trail maps online or at the visitor’s center. Our favorite guide is this one published by the Red Rock Four Wheelers, the local off-road organization with international membership. You’ll find half-day treks and dawn-til-dusk trails; trails you won’t even lock the hubs for, and others with serious pucker-factor!
There are many family-friendly RV parks and hotels with easy access to most trails, and Main Street Moab is full of fun eateries and interesting shops.
Summer weather in Moab is hot: high 90s and dry. Moab is more comfortably explored in fall or spring, which is perfect since Easter Jeep Safari is a blast.
Walker Valley ORV Area, WA
Tight woods and rugged trails make this a premier off-road destination in the PNW. Walker Valley ORV Area offers over 75 miles of off-road trails comprised of roots, rocks, and ruts to challenge any driver and this play pit that will keep you busy for hours. The terrain and wet weather mean that you may spend some time in the mud: be prepared to get dirty!
With its proximity to Seattle (1.5 hours south) and to charming Bellingham (about 45 minutes north) average summer temperatures hovering around 78 degrees, and a good chance of rain, Walker Valley is a great place for family four-wheeeling.
If you really want a challenge—I’m talking a hard-core test of equipment, skill, and resolve—Johnson Valley might be for you.
There are some beginner routes and many trails have by-passes, but that’s not why you haul your junk out to the middle of this California desert. You come here to defy limits; to conquer the ultimate rock challenge. This is, after all, where the famed toughest one-day off-road race in the world, the King of the Hammers, is run each February.
You’ll want to spend a few days here: the desert is vast and the trails are miles apart. Bring lots of water and firewood (even in summer, nights can be chilly).
It’s remote: the nearest convenience store is 20 miles out. But the excitement of Los Angeles and Hollywood, and the golden beaches of Santa Monica are just 2 hours away.
Summertime temps regularly bump into the low hundreds, so if possible, make this a spring or fall trip when temps are cooler.
Rubicon Trail, El Dorado National Forest, CA
I know; I’ve included two off-road areas in California. But the Rubicon Trail in the historic El Dorado National Forest, with its sheer beauty and demanding trails, is a MUST.
Hit the trailhead early, and you can be showered and at the casinos in Tahoe City by dinnertime.
Or, take it easy. Stop along the way, swim in Buck Island Lake, and camp at the Springs. Either way, you won’t be disappointed.
Whatever you do, definitely stop for breakfast, lunch, or post-trail cocktails at the Ice House Resort. You won’t find a friendlier bunch to share trail stories with. It’s also a great place to camp: close to the trailhead and offers last-chance fuel and a convenience store.
Don’t be fooled by the lofty elevations and tall trees; summers can be warm on the Rubicon. Check trail conditions at Rubicon Trail Foundation.
Rausch Creek Off Road Park, PA
Rausch Creek Off-Road Park consists of 3,000 acres with over 30 miles of trails for almost every four-wheel drive vehicle.
Lots of planning has gone into the development of Rausch Creek. Trails are built with off-road enthusiasts in mind. Many have a lower rating, but have multiple more difficult obstacles as a challenging option. This means competition rock crawlers navigate the the same trail as stock vehicles, where both can find a challenge.
There is camping close by, but while you’re here, check out quaint and historic Harrisburg, PA. This little city offers all you could want after a hard day wheeling.
Summertime temps: High 70s to mid 80s; chance of rain is good with average rain fall in July at almost 5 inches!
Rush Off-Road park boasts over 7,000 acres and more than 100 miles of trails, providing a fun, safe, and family-friendly off-roading experience accessible to all wheeling enthusiasts. The park offers smooth wide trails for the beginners, and challenging hill climbs to test drivers’ nerves and capabilities.
Rush Off-Road park hosts a handful of events from Spring through Thanksgiving, so if you want to participate or spectate, check out their event schedule.
The average temperature in Rush is 55.6°F, while summer temps rise up to an average of 72.5°F, not bad at all for year-round four-wheeling fun!
While you come to Rush Off-Road for days filled with the white-knuckle kind of entertainment, Ashland is where you might stay. It is a beautiful small town filled with lots of charm and great places to eat, shop, and relax.
The only remaining question: Which will you check off your off-road bucket list first?