Off-Road Trails: Illinois

Nestled in between the Mississippi and Illinois Rivers, the Heartland Lodge offers rolling hills and very scenic trails for all off-road enthusiasts. Trails wind through the trees and include a variety of terrain. Visitors can either stay at the lodge (there is dedicated trailer parking to unload and keep your vehicles safe while not riding) or you can stay in one of the primitive camping sites. Only a few electric hookups exist in the RV camping area, so be sure to make arrangements should you need this resource. Hunting is the most popular pastime here at the lodge, so the property is closed to OHV activity from mid-October through mid-December. If you forget something at home, there are very few stores around this area, so be sure you do everything you can to bring it all with you.

A park that specifically caters to SXS vehicles?! Are you serious?! Hillbillie Ranch is exactly that - a park that was built with these popular vehicles in mind. With 1,000 acres on tap, SXS drivers will enjoy mud drags, play pits, tree-lined trails, stream crossings, and rolling farmland. Several events take place throughout the year here, so be sure to check out the schedule on the Hillbillie Ranch facebook page. Camping is permitted on the grounds, so bring your friends, trailers, and everything else to make it a fun weekend away at the Hillbillie Ranch!

With a name like "Cliffs Insane Terrain", you better believe that this off-road park means business. And, frankly, it does mean business with mud bogs, creek crossings, rock crawls, water crossings, narrow 4x4-specific trails, and open fields all in one 300-acre off-road park. No camping is available on site, but there are several campgrounds within close proximity if you want to come back consecutive days. Enjoy the insane terrain!

Surrounded by the beautiful confines of the Shawnee National Forest, Williams HIll Pass is a gem of an off-road park. This not-for-profit outdoor recreation area sits on 220 acres of prime Illinois real estate, and 27 miles of trails wind their way through the land. The trails in this area are great for all ages and riding abilities. There is also a mud pit that riders can challenge themselves on. For those of us who like to camp overnight and enjoy several days at one location, Williams Hill has an on-site campground. RV sites feature electrical hookups and dump stations, and there is also a primitive camping area for tents and truck beds. The owners are extremely welcoming at this park, and it seems to us like you'll instantly feel like family when you're here. That, my friends, is how you know it's a great place to visit!

Located in the south central part of Illinois, Little Egypt is a privately owned off-road park with 900 acres of varied terrain and over 50 miles of maintained trails. The park is family friendly and has a motocross track as well as other fun obstacles to play with. Helmets are required for ATVs (as they should be everywhere) and there is a daily usage fee of $12. OHV stickers are required as well. There is camping available with electric and primitive sites, as well as shower access so you can get cleaned up after getting all dirty.