While Alexandria, Virginia, offers plenty of exciting things to see and do, sometimes you just want to get away for a while. That’s when you should consider checking out some of the off-road trails in the area. When you’re interested in spending some time in nature, make plans to head to one of these top off-roading destinations near Alexandria.
Lee Ranger District
The Lee Ranger District in the George Washington & Jefferson National Forests has several off-road trails worth exploring. One of the most popular is the Peters Mill Run and Taskers Gap Off-Highway Vehicle System, which is also the largest in the state. Here you’ll find close to 40 miles of rugged off-road trails that offer plenty of twists and turns for excitement. Keep in mind that the trails are open to all users, so you’ll have to watch out for hikers, mountain bikers, and horseback riders.
Budds Creek Motocross Park
Located in Mechanicsville, Maryland, Budds Creek Motocross Park is a natural-terrain motocross track that offers the perfect combination of jumps, hills, corners, and soil with a deep and tacky consistency. In addition to hosting several professional races throughout the year, you can also stop by the track to check out the amateur races. On days the track doesn’t have a race or other special event, be sure to visit for practice hours and put your own skills to the test.
Tuscarora Trail
The Tuscarora Trail stretches for 250 miles through Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania. The trail was originally created as an alternative route for the Appalachian Trail when it was feared that the development would force the closure of the main trail. However, when the National Scenic Trails Act of 1968 passed, the Appalachian Trail was preserved and the Tuscarora Trail became an excellent option for off-road excursions. You can choose to complete the entire trail, or you can pick different sections to explore.
Savage River State Forest
Travel to Grantsville, Maryland, for a chance to explore the scenic Savage River State Forest. The area has several trails open to off-road vehicles, including the newest option: St. John’s Rock ORV Trail and Campground. This is the first-ever trail system on Maryland Department of Natural Resources land specifically designed for off-road vehicle enthusiasts. The trail system features a full-size rock crawl area for four-wheel-drive vehicles, technical trails for all-terrain vehicles, and single-track trails for motorcycles. When you want to enjoy multiple days of fun, you can stay at one of the sites at the campground.
Assateague Island National Seashore
Assateague Island National Seashore is a barrier island on the Atlantic Ocean coast. While the island is famous for its herds of wild ponies, it’s also an excellent place to go off-roading. The island is open year-round for off-road beach recreation. Just remember that it has a limit of 145 vehicles, so you might want to call ahead to ensure it’s open.
Whether you want to cruise down the sandy beach or check out some forested trails, these unique off-roading spots near Alexandria offer a great way to get out and enjoy nature. And there is no better way to get to your next adventure than in one of our latest Jeep models at Ourisman CDJR of Alexandria.
Image via Flickr by Doug the trail builder/Under use by CC BY-SA 2.0
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