Developers: API and MCP Server
A free, read-only API for 240+ curated off-road trails, 7,400+ campgrounds, and the same 13 calculators the site runs. Built for AI agents as well as apps: point Claude, ChatGPT, or any MCP client at our server and it can plan a trip, size tires, or budget a build. Every response includes the canonical 4x4playground.com URL for the data, and we ask that you show it.
Get a free API key
Limits: 1,000 requests per key per day and 60 per minute. We log only the key prefix, endpoint, and response time. We never share your email.
Quick start
curl "https://yszawajuybghfvfngzyg.supabase.co/functions/v1/api/trails/search?state=UT&difficulty=Difficult&limit=3" \
-H "x-api-key: YOUR_KEY"
curl -X POST "https://yszawajuybghfvfngzyg.supabase.co/functions/v1/api/tools/gear-ratio" \
-H "x-api-key: YOUR_KEY" -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
-d '{"stock_tire_diameter":31,"new_tire_diameter":35,"current_gear_ratio":3.73}'Send your key as x-api-key or Authorization: Bearer. Every response has data, a source object with the canonical URL, and a disclaimer. Lists take limit (max 50) and offset and return total. Distances are in miles, weights in pounds, pressures in PSI.
Endpoints
GET /trails/searchSearch trails by keyword, state, difficulty, type, or coordinatesGET /trails/{slug}One trail with nearby trails and the three closest campgroundsGET /campgrounds/searchSearch campgrounds by keyword, state, amenities, or distanceGET /campgrounds/{state}/{slug}One campground with nearby trails and campgroundsPOST /tools/tire-sizeCompare two tire sizesPOST /tools/gear-ratioRecommend an axle ratio after a tire changePOST /tools/wheel-fitmentOffset to backspacing, poke, and rubbing riskPOST /tools/bolt-patternBolt pattern, hub bore, lug spec, torquePOST /tools/mpg-impactFuel economy loss from tires, lift, and racksPOST /tools/speedometerSpeedometer and odometer errorPOST /tools/build-budgetPhased build plan against a budgetPOST /tools/lift-costParts and labour cost for a liftPOST /tools/gear-loadoutOverlanding gear checklist with price tiersPOST /tools/payloadPayload and GVWR headroomPOST /tools/air-downTire pressure by terrain with contact patch gainPOST /tools/recovery-gearRope, winch, and recovery point ratingsPOST /tools/trail-matchScore trails against a specific rigFull schema: /openapi.json or the live spec.
MCP server
The MCP server speaks JSON-RPC 2.0 over streamable HTTP and exposes all 17 tools with the same key. Add it to any MCP client:
{
"mcpServers": {
"4x4-playground": {
"url": "https://yszawajuybghfvfngzyg.supabase.co/functions/v1/mcp-api",
"headers": { "x-api-key": "YOUR_KEY" }
}
}
}Tools: find_trails, get_trail, find_campgrounds, get_campground, calculate_tire_size, calculate_gear_ratio, calculate_wheel_fitment, lookup_bolt_pattern, estimate_mpg_impact, calculate_speedometer_error, plan_build_budget, estimate_lift_cost, build_gear_loadout, calculate_payload, calculate_air_down_psi, recommend_recovery_gear, match_trails_to_vehicle. Agent notes live at /connectors/muse.txt.
Fair use
The API is read-only and free. Cache what you can, cite the source URL in anything you publish or show to a user, and treat calculator output as a planning estimate rather than an engineering specification. Trail conditions and campground rules change, so always check with the land manager before a trip.