Ocala National Forest

Ocala National Forest is Florida's OHV destination, and the Forest Service splits the riding into named systems rather than one open forest. The Ocala North OHV Trail System carries about 125 miles of trail and includes the Delancy Loops, Hog Valley Trail, Longleaf Trail, the Motorcycle Loop, Pipeline Trail, and Tobacco Patch Trail. Separately, the Centennial OHV Trail runs 47 miles from its own trailhead. Which system you pick decides what you can legally drive. Ocala North includes roughly 76 miles of mixed-use trail shared with licensed vehicles, and that is where full-size 4x4s belong. Other sections are restricted to motorcycles, ATVs, and UTVs under 50 inches wide, so a truck has no business on them. The terrain is unlike anywhere else in the southeast: deep sugar sand, longleaf pine and scrub oak, and the occasional black-water crossing, with sand that gets soft and unforgiving in the heat of the day. Airing down matters more here than anywhere else on this list. A pass is required for every rider on the OHV system, sold in three-day, seven-day, and annual versions through Recreation.gov, and spark arrestors and safety gear are required for all vehicles. Trails are generally open 365 days a year, but the forest closes them for hurricane recovery and during extreme fire danger, both of which are routine in Florida. Check the forest alerts page before loading up. Best season runs October through April, when the humidity drops and the biting insects thin out. Summer riding means afternoon thunderstorms, heat index above 100, and soft sand at its worst. The springs scattered through the forest, including Juniper and Alexander, make excellent midday stops, and dispersed camping is available in designated areas near several of the trailheads.