2026 Off-Road Guide: Best UTV & ATV Trails in North Carolina

Key Takeaways

• North Carolina offers an incredible mix of riding environments, ranging from coastal sand dunes on the Outer Banks to intense mountain rock crawling in the Appalachian ranges.

• Because North Carolina has a dedicated framework for street-legal modified utility vehicles, registering your machine makes transitioning between your favorite trailhead, local campgrounds, and small-town supply runs seamless.

• Several of the state’s premier public OHV trail systems enforce strict maximum vehicle width restrictions (ranging from 50 to 72 inches). Always check your machine's track width before hauling.

• Public U.S. Forest Service trails typically require a cheap daily or annual pass, while private off-road parks charge per rider or per vehicle.

Top Places to Drop the Gate in North Carolina

If you want to test your suspension on vertical rock steps, spray some Appalachian mud, or simply cruise scenic gravel routes through dense timber, North Carolina has a trail system built for you! Here are the top off-road destinations across the state.

1. Badin Lake OHV Trail Complex (Uwharrie National Forest)

• Location: Troy, NC

• Track Length: 16 miles of loops

• Terrain Style: Heavy rocks, deep red clay mud, steep hill climbs, and dusty timber tracks.

• Rules & Limits: Open to full-size 4x4s, side-by-sides, ATVs, and dirt bikes.

Located deep inside the Uwharrie National Forest, Badin Lake is the undisputed crown jewel for rugged rock crawling in North Carolina. The complex features eight distinct trails that range from intermediate fire roads to the notorious Daniel Trail (TR 390), a brutal, washed-out rock face reserved strictly for experienced drivers with high-clearance machines and winches. If you want a tamer loop, trails like Wolf Den or Falls Dam offer incredible scenery without risking your body panels. The complex is heavily developed with campsites, public restrooms, and hot showers, making it an ideal weekend basecamp.

2. Brown Mountain OHV Trail System

• Location: Morganton, NC

• Track Length: 34 miles of designated trails

• Terrain Style: Tight mountain switchbacks, exposed roots, technical rocky steps, and hard-packed dirt.

• Rules & Limits: Mixed-use loops. Some trails are restricted tightly to dirt bikes or ATVs, while specific wider loops accommodate standard side-by-sides.

If you love navigating steep mountain elevation changes, Brown Mountain delivers. Tucked into the Pisgah National Forest, this system is exceptionally well-mapped and marked with clear signage. The terrain here leans heavily toward intermediate and advanced riders due to the narrow, off-camber shelves and loose rock sections. 

It’s a true deep-woods experience, though you’ll find basic amenities like picnic tables, fire rings, and primitive camping sites near the main trailheads.

3. Brushy Mountain Motor Sports Park

• Location: Taylorsville, NC

• Track Length: Over 100 miles of private trails

• Terrain Style: Deep woods, steep ridges, technical single-track, and wide-open clay trails.

• Rules & Limits: Private park. Vehicles must not exceed a 72-inch maximum width limit.

Brushy Mountain is a privately owned off-road paradise that offers scale you rarely find on public land. Because it is a closed park, the trails are strictly maintained and heavily segmented by difficulty level, allowing beginners to find their footing on wide, rolling gravel paths while experts can hunt out steep, ungroomed ridge climbs. It’s an incredibly organized facility with dedicated parking, staging areas, and a pro shop.

4. Busco Beach and ATV Park

• Location: Goldsboro, NC

• Track Length: Over 2,000 acres of open riding

• Terrain Style: Massive sand pits, deep mud bogs, drag strips, and technical woods trails.

• Rules & Limits: Open 24/7, 365 days a year. All machines welcome.

Busco Beach is completely different from the mountain trail complexes out west. Situated along the Neuse River, this massive park is a chaotic, high-energy sandbox. It features wide-open sand riding, custom-built jumps, massive mud holes designed to swallow machines on big tires, and miles of winding riverfront tracks. Because the park permits 24-hour riding, it is a massive hub for night rides, event weekends, and camping.

5. Wayehutta OHV Trail System

• Location: Cullowhee / Franklin, NC

• Track Length: 28 miles of trails

• Terrain Style: Winding mountain loops, old logging roads, shale rock, and water crossings.

• Rules & Limits: Public USFS land. Strict 62-inch maximum vehicle width limit enforced.

Located in the Nantahala National Forest, Wayehutta is built around an old, abandoned logging layout. The trails trace scenic mountain ridges, leading riders past hidden waterfalls and historic rock formations. Because of the strict 62-inch width limit, this system is a favorite for narrow, nimble trail side-by-sides and sport ATVs. It features a great mix of technical rock gardens and fast-flowing dirt sections.

Essential Gear to Pack Before You Send It

You don't want to let a mechanical failure or a missing piece of safety equipment cut your trail day short. Before hitting the dirt, ensure your machine is loaded with the essentials:

• DOT-Approved Helmets & Protective Eyewear

• Heavy-Duty Tow Straps & Tree Savers

• Tire Plug Kit & Portable 12V Air Compressor

• Hard-Copy Trail Maps / Downloaded GPS Offline Maps

• Small Tool Kit (Socket set, zip ties, electrical tape)

• First Aid Kit & Fire Extinguisher

• Hydration Pack & High-Calorie Snacks

Make sure your machine's rearward visibility is secure before tackling tight, multi-vehicle trail networks by installing a set of rugged, breakaway DOT-approved UTV mirrors to safely monitor the riders behind you.

Ready to drop the trailer and drive your rig right to the trailhead? Use our smart WD Electronics Product Selector to find the exact plug-and-play street-legal hardware built for your side-by-side.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do public trails in North Carolina require a specific riding permit? 

Yes. Public U.S. Forest Service OHV trail complexes (like Badin Lake and Brown Mountain) require you to purchase a daily trail pass or an annual pass before entering the trail networks. These can be purchased online or at local general stores surrounding the trailheads. Private parks set their own gate fees, which vary by location.

Can I drive my street-legal side-by-side directly to the trails in North Carolina? 

Absolutely. If your vehicle has passed its official safety inspection and carries a valid North Carolina registration and plate, you can drive it on any public road or highway with a posted speed limit of 55 mph or less (or 35 mph on roads with four or more lanes). This allows you to drive straight from your cabin or campground directly onto the access trails without a trailer.

Are there vehicle size limitations on North Carolina off-road trails? 

Yes, public systems enforce strict width caps to preserve the trails and prevent full-size vehicles from blocking tight paths. For example, the Wayehutta system has a strict 62-inch maximum vehicle width limit, while Black Swamp is restricted to machines 50 inches or narrower. Always verify your specific machine's track width before scheduling a trip.

Is eye protection or a windshield legally required on North Carolina trails? 

While on public forestry trails, wearing a helmet and proper safety gear is highly recommended for safety. However, if you plan to operate your side-by-side on public paved roads between trail loops, state law explicitly dictates that you must have either a full front windshield or every single occupant in the vehicle must wear a secured helmet and protective eyewear.

Research Sources:

1. https://www.fs.usda.gov/r08/northcarolina/recreation/opportunities/highway-vehicles-ohv

2. https://bmmspark.com/

3. https://www.reddit.com/r/ATV/comments/1bsqa1c/where_are_the_best_spots_to_ride_side_by_sides/