COMPLETED: Ocala Nat Forest, FL

[DirtyBacon04]

Well, I've been itchin to get into some kind of dirt/sand/mud since I left the desert. So I've been looking into Ocala Nat Forest which is only 60 miles from here. From what I've read from some of the local 4x4 clubs is that its mostly easy to moderate level. Anything tougher, they have to go to GA or AL. So this is what I'm stuck with for a while. Enough to scratch my itch. I was able to find a member of EXPO in tampa. And he had these posted from Ocala Nat Forest
Articulation Alley



I might have fun here, but until I try it my preference is still with the desert.

[The Roadie]

... until I try it my preference is still with the desert.

Hehe. Fewer places to get hydrolocked in the desert, although Coyote Creek used to be risky.

[Rob93]

Heard of Hard Rock? Its a off road park in Ocala, never personally been there but it looks and I have heard that it is pretty fun

[DirtyBacon04]

I haven't heard of it. My cousin's husband is pretty familiar with the hunting trails out there, so he'll be my first point of contact. But I'll ask him if he knows it. Usually "off road park" in FL means OHV only, though. I'll do some research on it.

[Rob93]

Definitely more of an offroad park. Plenty of people on the jeep forums go there. Some of which are non-registered trail rigs

[DirtyBacon04]

Here's a video of some Jeepers at the Hardrock ORV park in Ocala.
Seems like some good wheeling and low "stranded" risk. Please excuse the horrible selection of music and try to focus on the obstacles in the park.

[DirtyBacon04]

Well hell it took forever for me to actually get out there. Plus I know my presence on the forum has been low, and for that I apologize. My life has been pretty busy lately since I started the police academy in July. But that's a rant for another thread.
Upon further research not only is there designated 4x4 trails out there, but they were set up by Tread Lightly! and the Florida 4WD association. It's an 81 mile long group of trails, however I maybe encountered 1 spot where 4wd was required. So on that note I was a bit disappointed. It's certainly pretty though. And if you don't have them yet, this trail will definatley give you that "customized trail pinstriping" look. Very closed in parts where you can't help but hold your ears as the tree branches go squealing down the side of your rig.
This trail would be rated as a 2-3 (out of ten) on the difficulty scale. Stock friendly. Just watch out for hunters. Plus literally as soon as we turned off the highway on to a trail, I stopped to switch into 4hi, and a friggin black bear runs across the trail. Unfortunatley that was the only wildlife we saw.

The drive in


The board at the entrance


About to begin


Tight trails and all sugar sand


Oh yea, and I plasti-dipped my rims and mounted my highlift to the bumper.


Overall, it was nice to get out on a trail and be in nature, but the enjoyment of the trail itself wasn't there. I still miss it out west and can't wait to get back.

[Rob93]

Did you check out hard rock while you were there?

[DirtyBacon04]

Nah, I didn't feel like paying to enter.

[Rob93]

How much is it?

[DirtyBacon04]

$25, i think.

[Rob93]

$25, i think.

Once I get the tow rig ready its one of the first places I want to go

[mikekey]

I need to visit there sometime soon. Only 2 hours away.

[DirtyBacon04]

I need to visit there sometime soon. Only 2 hours away.

Eh... If you like non-challenging closed in sand trails where you just get a bunch of trail pinstriping. A more worth-while drive for you might be Richloam WMA. You can check out that trip thread of mine. http://forums.offroadtb.com/viewtopic.php?f=57&t=3824

[mikekey]

I need to visit there sometime soon. Only 2 hours away.

Eh... If you like non-challenging closed in sand trails where you just get a bunch of trail pinstriping. A more worth-while drive for you might be Richloam WMA. You can check out that trip thread of mine. http://forums.offroadtb.com/viewtopic.php?f=57&t=3824

After going out to Moab, I'm sure most of FL won't amaze me, but I'm even more bored in this concrete jungle, frak I have to drive 45 mins just to see some country!