I’m based up in Minnesota and run a construction company, so my work slows down by about 90-95% in the winter. This gives me a lot of free time to get out and travel! I recently bought a Sprinter van that I’m converting into a moto camper, and I’m planning some winter trips to escape the cold and ride some new terrain.
While I know there are plenty of moto tracks in Florida, Arizona, and SoCal, I’m more curious about great off-road and enduro spots where the weather is ideal for riding around December through February. I’d love to hit some motocross tracks as well, so any suggestions for tracks along the way would be awesome too!
Looking for recommendations on places with good trails, enduro-friendly areas, and moto tracks where I can take advantage of the milder winter weather. Any tips on specific parks, trails, or even general regions would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks in advance for any recommendations!
South Carolina has great winter riding. Furthest north you can go an reliably ride all winter is Missouri, but it still will be decently cold. If you're into racing the Hillbilly GPs are great in MO.
Arizona, southern Utah, SoCal
Southern Missouri and Arkansas have good trails.
Oklahoma and Kansas have riding areas that can be fun for a day or two.
West Virginia Hatfield McCoy trails are worth a trip! I went over Thanksgiving week and weather was great.
Barnwell Mountain in Texas has a nice single track trail and it's close to Tyler Texas which has a great mx track. There's private riding areas in the south central/West that are fun. I believe Texas off-road association that runs barnwell has a riding area out west now as well, I haven't been to it yet.
Utah has plenty of trails that are ridable 365 as long as it's not raining, watch for flash floods in the desert.
The stuff I've ridden in Colorado and New Mexico are really snow dependent, if it's a dry year a surprising amount is ridable. If it's a normal snow year most of it will be unrideable.
Baja California is worth a trip or 20!
Costa Rica has lots of trails if you're into the destination riding trip.
I am from MN as well, I don't know much about the trails but have been to Texas, Florida and North Carolina for winter riding trips. Heading to 3palms in January and then Florida in March to ride. Message me if you want any input on tracks to checkout!
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I searched winter riding this popped up. I woukd like Mo. in the summer high humidity but not in winter. 3 ft base with 4 winter storms in 24 hrs -12 & windy last winter . Florida or Tx. They hv a lot of racing in Winter . Cedar Lake indoor riding in Wi. Near Mn. Is supposed to be great too. I remember a member on here from Oh. That drove there he said it was a blast.
If you plan to go as far as California , there are some very good trails and huge hills if that interests you , in our high desert near Mojave. Guys on here will show you where the good stuff is. I’m retired , spend quite a bit of time out there and still go pretty good for an old dude. Would show you around for sure. If you get an itch to do some racing , our District 37 puts on quite a few races in that area ( Spangler Hills )
Missouri does not get 3 feet of snow.
Hit up Stu Baylors compound. The Shoals MX. A lot of the GNCC and IXCR guys here in indiana go there to train over the winter.
Florida, hands down
3 Palms near Houston usually has a lot of Snow Birds there in the Winter. Average high in January is 61, average low is 40. 4 tracks plus a kids track on the property.
The wife and I are doing the opposite and moving to East Gull Lake in the spring, so I will definitely be hitting you up for riding spots around the area.
Profesh in summer the trees are in full bloom and the bugs are out, You will be eating spiders that wind up in your helmet and can't see the trail. SW Missouri and NW Arkansas are awesome in the winter!
Tate's hell? Did Croom, kind of underwhelming.
This plan has the added benefit of being able to hit some of the early SX rounds if you want.
Last Winter they did for a few weeks and -12 with 35 mpg wind . Plus 3 storm s in 24 hrs a 4 snow missed us. March 4 70 mph blizzard KC to the north . My oldest sister called & I said speak up I,m in 60 mph wind . She said I don’t want to hear it then says dad is dead . I said what ? Haha millions of black birds flying in front of me going for cover . Just b4 she called . That’s when my dad died so that was weird. The 70 mph was coming & freezing rain turning to snow. Bunk heater puked I woke up it felt like my body was in 40% acid vinegar, it burnt everywhere. Then no heat for 10 weeks I swear I never recovered . 2 winters of trucks with no heat . I,m tired on winter . I,m in Az. Now I can’t stand the desert & dry air.
Florida, it's a wet heat
Buy a set of wheels and tires can come ride the ice with us in Iowa
Anybody ever ride at Tate's hell?
Pit Row
https://youtu.be/wjGhmnhAeAE
You mentioned enduro. If you’re talking hard enduro , I can hook you up with this guy if you make it to California. If the link doesn’t work, just search.Cyco Enduro. Dylan is a totally cool, humble kid. His videos are shot around the Mojave area. If you’re not talking hard enduro , I could show you some of his lines and we could take medium enduro routes. I’m not the best at it , but working on it at an old age 🤣
Trax North is near there. Great practice track. Follow on FB for updates.
Motocity Staples and Little Falls are near there as well for racing. motocityraceway.com
Sounds like you are in a great spot with work and life to be able to have a plan like this, that's awesome.
So you probably don't want to get hurt as you run a company but exactly what riding level are you at? Sounds like you want some "vet track" type moto and trail riding right?
What about Highland Park Off Road Resort or Off Road Adventures at Durhamtown both in Georgia? Great spots with riding variety and a place to park that moto van.
Do you ride there, I am kind of in the OPs position
I Love riding ice best way to get a feeling of a bike. The last yr tho was 01-02 winter on 01 RM125 . Duck creek real curvy stand on pegs 4-6th gear it flows into the Bay. Then do figure 8,s left & rt. Then turn tracks I wore cross country type long johns + another pair blue jeans with Seth Enslow baggy pants, layers on top , thin face mask , mx boots , x ski socks. I get soaking wet sweat . 91 cr250 was a Great balanced bike for ice . I m on the rd money isn’t so hot . So I problably wont be able to afford racing AX Jan, Feb. but would like to . In 40,30 there 4-st tracks would b smart to get a crf 250 we to make 300 a night . Hardly anyone races 10 rnds in 30+ so I would b National champion. Ha. Honestly I,m burnt out from last winter yet . Most brutal ever since 88 traveling . Set up camp at cedar grove indoor riding . Practice 2-3 during week & on the weekend let them hv it . Doing laundry in AL. Now I had no clean underwear. F ing dangerous out here now. Trk is a f ing pile I can’t even walk after a few hrs driving . Jackhammering is easier . 59 Nov 18 last chance I hv to convince myself some how that I need to train a tiny bit not to get tired. The fastest in the whoops is not enough.
What state has a lot of racing in the winter ? Florida has the winter ams but after that . Can you race every weekend ?
Hard to beat Southern CA in the winter. Great dirt if you want to ride off road, plus’s there is more riding than you will ever be able to do. Also great weather at Pala, Barona etc
Lots of fun riding off road in AZ, but you gota love rocks. And not much good moto.
Nowhere near Arizona-- as the bushes and plants all have thorns that want to stab you--not to mention you have to dodge the Rattlesnakes when you walk! 😲
Whatever the weather is, if you can find sand or a riverbed you'll be set.
Lota snakes!!! Fucking hate the danger noodles
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