Best Off Roading Trails in Illinois

Illinois doesn’t have very high mountains, which means OHV trails that might be challenging won’t have much in the way of hills on them. However, you could still see some challenging spots if you have to cross rivers or find off roading trails with rocks and waterfalls. Most of the off road trails are in parks. The parks give you plenty of options, including easy to intermediate trails, forest and prairie trails, camping, cabin rental and primitive camping. Some of the parks have trails for kids.

Most parks are open year-round, but some close on bad weather days. If you are ever in doubt, just visit the park’s website or call ahead.

Many of the towns, including Nebo, Atkinson and Marshall, are all small towns. You might find convenience stores, but if you need something more, you might have to travel some distance for a larger grocery store or department store. If you are not familiar with the area, we recommend bringing everything you need for the amount of time you are spending at the off road parks and trails.

All of the parks have an entrance fee. They also require you to have the proper Illinois sticker for your off road vehicles. You can face fines from the park and / or the state if you are caught riding without the proper permits, stickers, and passes. Some parks are monitored.

Hillbillie Ranch OHV Trail

Difficulty Level: Easy
Distance: 4.7 mi
Elevation: 183 ft
Seasonality: Year-round

Type of Trail and Unique Traits

This loop trail has light traffic and is located near Jerseyville. You’ll see scenic views on this off roading trail. Jerseyville doesn’t have much to offer as far as attractions, but it does have a fairground, golf course, civic center, public library, hospital and a historic district in the city’s downtown. If you plan on staying overnight in Jerseyville, there is a hotel on South State Street.

Starting and Ending Points

The trail starts on Otterville Road, just north of County Highway 12. It makes a loop through fields and woods.

Obstacles on the Trail

None.

Cliff’s Insane Terrain OHV Trail

Difficulty Level: Intermediate
Distance: 4.5 mi
Elevation: 334 ft
Seasonality: Year-round

Type of Trail and Unique Traits

One of the best off road trails in Illinois is Cliff’s Insane Terrain. This loop trail sees moderate traffic and scenic views. Many use the trail for bird watching, so bring your camera if you want to try to get a few wildlife shots in while you are riding. While visiting the trail, you can also visit The Middle East Conflicts Wall Memorial, Illini  State Park, Zip Chicago (zipline), and Snug Harbor Marina.

Starting and Ending Points

This loop trail starts and ends on E. Bluff Street (US 6).

Obstacles on the Trail

None listed.

Mill Creek Park

Difficulty Level: Easy to Difficult
Distance: 15 miles over three trails
Elevation: Unknown
Seasonality: Jan. 20 through Oct. 31

Type of Trail and Unique Traits

The three trails available in Mill Creek Park cover 15 miles. You must sign a waiver and a permit, plus pay a fee to enter the trails. The trails are maintained and are only open from sun up to sundown. You can camp in the park about 2.5 miles from the trails. However, you cannot access the trails from the park. You’ll have to trailer your ATVs to the trailhead. Officials randomly patrol the trails. If you do not have your pass and sticker, you could face a fine of $100 from the Park District. You must also have an Illinois OHV sticker or face DNR fines.

The intermediate trail has a picnic area and passes by the lake. Most of the easy and intermediate trails are through fields. The difficult trail has some woods.

Starting and Ending Points

The trail map shows the entrance to all three trails is on Clarksville Road, about 2.5 miles east of the Mills Creek Park entrance in Marshall, Illinois.

Obstacles

None listed.

Atkinson Motorsports Park

Difficulty Level: Easy to Intermediate
Distance: 216 acres
Elevation: Unkown
Seasonality: Weather-dependent. The website tells whether the park is open or closed.

Type of Trail and Unique Traits

Combine off roading in Illinois with camping. You can spend a weekend or a week at the campground with trails right on the property. These trails are located at the old Peabody Coal processing facility. One hundred acres go through hills, lakes and timber, while the other 116 acres have desert-like terrain with lakes. For those who prefer an easier relaxing ride, the perimeter road is 4 miles that has scenic views. A children’s track is also on the property.

The off-road park also features a campground with 28 sites with full hookups, a shower house and a dump station.

Starting and Ending Points

The entrance to the park is on US 6 (E. Henry Street) in Atkinson.

Obstacles on the Trail

Mud holes, swampy areas.

Lincoln Trail Motorsports

Difficulty Level: Various skill levels
Distance: Eight trails over 220 acres
Elevation: Unknown
Seasonality: Weather pending

Type of Trail and Unique Traits

These trails include eight different tracks available to dirt bikes and ATVs. It is one of the best places to go off roading in Illinois. It offers sanctioned events and open riding. However, the park does not allow open riding on event weekends.

The tracks include the Bomber MX Track, Classic MX Track, Aktiv MX Night Track, Sunoco Race Fuel Family Track, DoMor Equipment Arenacross Track, Wbros Powersports Supercross Track, Endurocross Track, 592 Memorial Pee Wee Track, LTM Sidewinder Turn Track, plus many miles of trails.

Primitive camping is available, as are coin-operated bike wash, bathrooms and showers. One of the trails leads to a creek where you can relax.

Starting and Ending Points

The park is located at 649 County Road 2150E, Casey, IL 62420.

Obstacles on the Trail

None listed. Videos show small hills on tracks for motocross jumping.

Heartland Lodge

Difficulty Level: Easy to Intermediate
Distance: 1,200 acres of trails
Elevation: Unknown
Seasonality: Year-round

Type of Trail and Unique Traits

Heartland Lodge has many trails on a 1,200-acre property. You’ll see whitetail deer, quail, turkey, and more. You also get to see some spectacular views of the Midwest. The trails go through prairies, forest areas, creeks, and more.

For those who want more of a challenge, choose the trails that go through the timber. And, for those who like mudholes, Heartland Lodge has a special mudhole trail. The trails are wide enough for UTVs. Area D is for UTVs only – no ATVs allowed. These are the most challenging trails. However, the park does not list whether obstacles or rock climbing are involved. Since this is in a forested area, you might have to go over fallen trees or large branches.

If you want to ride all or most of the trails, you can spend a few nights at the lodge. If time is tight, you can grab a day pass. Your riding group can even buy out the lodge if your group is large enough. Buy outs are becoming more popular, so be sure you plan far enough in advance for this.

Starting and Ending Points

The trails are at Heartland Lodge, 10236 393rd St., Nebo, IL.

Obstacles on the Trail

None listed.

Brushy Ridge Motorsports

Difficulty Level: Easy to Difficult
Distance: Various
Elevation: Unkown
Seasonality: Year-round

Type of Trail and Unique Traits

Brushy Ridge is a park with tracks and trails over 320 acres. The trails cover 20 miles and have lots of hills. Some are even difficult, though the park’s website does not list obstacles in the trails. Be prepared for – at the least – steeper hills and riding thorugh wooded areas. Brushy park has trails for new riders and veterans.

Brushy Ridge also features two tracks. One is a natural terrain track and the other is an SX/MX track. You’ll find sand, rock and mud. Camping is allowed at the park.

Starting and Ending Points

The park is located at 26200 Harris Branch Rd., Browning, IL.

Obstacles on the Trail

Some steeper hills.

Williams Hill Pass

Difficulty Level: Easy to Intermediate
Distance: Unknown
Elevation: Unknown
Seasonality: Year-round

Type of Trail and Unique Traits

This pet-friendly park is for ATVs and motorcycles. You can camp for a day, the weekend or a week. The park features 226 acres of trails that run through fields and forests. Enjoy easy, kid-friendly trails, a swamp run for those who like mudding, hiking trails, and more. The park also has cabin rentals and shower facilities for campers.

The park also allows bow and shotgun hunters during the appropriate seasons. The park is private and gated. They are closed to riders during shotgun season so you don’t scare the deer or get shot by accident. The park is close to the Shawnee National Forest, Garden of the Gods, Iron Furnace, Stone Face and more.

Starting and Ending Points

The park is located at 1935 Peak Road, Harrisburg, Illinois.

Obstacles on the Trail

None listed.