If you typed “Jeep Wrangler for Sale Near Me” into the search engine, you’re on the brink of a life-changing decision. This vehicle is more than just a daily commuter—it’s an all-terrain-capable beast. But whether you’re buying your Jeep for off-roading or you just like the lifestyle it entails, it’d be a shame to just strut those mud tires on paved freeways and tree-lined avenues.
Take advantage of your Wrangler’s adventure capabilities with some off-roading fun. The continent is thick with trails begging for a Jeep Wrangler to visit them, and we’ve got four worth mentioning—for every driver type, from beginning to expert and all those between. These trails are worth checking out if you want an unforgettable off-roading experience.
4) Black Mountain Off-Road Adventure Area | Kentucky
Nothing screams “outdoor adventure” like a good old-fashioned Kentucky trail. There are many cool off-roading parks across Kentucky—Rush Off-Road and Hollerwood Offroad Park, to name a few—but Black Mountain Off-Road Adventure Area offers more than just the trails, and that’s what makes it so much fun. Visitors can zipline up to 400 ft across the ground at upwards of 60 mph during the two-hour ziplining canopy tour, “Black Mountain Thunder.” There are also two separate RV parks and plenty of lodging areas nearby. It’s the perfect place to take your Wrangler and fit in with the rest of the crew. But we didn’t just pick this listing for its fun recreational perks; let’s take a closer look at the trails.
In addition to family-friendly fun, this one also made our list because it’s fun for every driver, no matter what Wrangler trim or model year you’ve got. It’s also beginner- and expert-friendly and offers options for folks who feel like they’re somewhere in the middle. All the trails are marked “green” through “red,” or “beginner” through “extreme off-road experience and equipment required.” Class 2 through 5 trails are available, and even the lowest Class 2 trail is a thrill despite not requiring advanced skill. Keep in mind there are also ATV-only trails here, which is great because it lightens the traffic on those SUV-friendly trails, but you’ll want to pay close attention to the sign labels. If it’s “truck classified,” you’re good to go.
The Class 5 trails here are absolutely maddening and are well worth it if you’re an experienced, extreme off-roader. They’re so intense that a winch is required, so these are probably best meant for modded Wrangler Rubicons. It’ll be a lot of winching yourself across rough terrain with giant rocks, which is not for the faint of heart. If you’re just looking for some fun with your pals or a nice, relaxing family outing, maybe stick to the Class 3 trails at the most.
3) Rausch Creek Off-Road Park | Pennsylvania
In Pine Grove, Pennsylvania, lies Rausch Creek Off-Road Park, a year-round “wheel til dusk” off-roading park that’s Jeep, Truck, and SUV-friendly. (The fact that “Jeep” counts as its own vehicle category says a lot about why you’re making the right decision.) There are 3,000 acres of all trail types—easy, intermediate, and hard. Part of what makes this trail so much fun is its primitive camping, which is included in your admission, but just make sure you specify before arrival that you intend to camp. You can also stay at local inns or motels at a discounted rate if preferred.
The best part about this trail is it’s a Jeep/Truck/SUV-only show. No annoying little dirt bikes, ATVs, or UTVs to get in your way. The few cons to this park are that it’s membership only, so this is a park that’s most appealing if you live nearby or at least within a reasonable driving distance. The good news is that kids aged 15 and under get in for free, and the park even lets you collect firewood and kindling off the trails at no charge. Guides are available, and the park uses something called “Maprika” to help you navigate each individual trail if needed.
While Maprika is certainly handy, if you have a newer Wrangler, be sure to keep an eye on your Uconnect’s “Off-Road Pages” feature while you traverse these grounds. It’ll keep you up-to-date on important trail stats like pitch and roll, suspension, and dynamics. It also details which Selec-Terrain mode you’re in, which may need to change periodically across trails—especially if you plan on venturing across Rausch Creek’s intermediate trails.
2) The Trans New Jersey Trail | New Jersey
This one’s a bit different from our other listings. It’s not a park or a set of trails but rather a 450-mile backroad. On average, the Trans New Jersey Trail is said to be about a three-day road trip covering everything from rough rocks and washed-out, rutted roads to campsites, hiking spots, and—by the end—even sand. The Wrangler’s water-fording ability will come in handy during this adventure, thanks to some pretty deep mud holes, but the cool thing about this trail is that it’s generally passable for most trucks and SUVs—particularly those with AWD or 4WD.
While you certainly don’t need a tricked-out Rubicon to tackle this adventure, a FWD ride isn’t going to cut it. The good news is that any Wrangler will do, but the more off-road-friendly your ride is, the more opportunity there is for fun. You can make it about the scenery or dive deeper into each sightseeing spot to really get the most out of the trip. No matter how good your trailing skills are, this is a nice one if you’re (quite literally) fond of the scenic route. It’s not just a day’s worth of trailing unless you plan to ride up the road and back, given how the Trans New Jersey Trail is a long-term commitment. You’ll want to plan out more than just a day or weekend trip to get the full experience. In short? Don’t forget your Jeep Wrangler‘s attached tent and a bag of extra clothes.
1) Northeast Off-Road Adventures | New York
It’s easy to equate New York with the Big Apple and forget just how nature-filled the full state really is. If you want to get the best of New York’s nature—aside from Niagara Falls—then Northeast Off-Road Adventures is a must-visit. This trail covers a 75-acre mountaintop with trails for all driver levels and is only 90 minutes outside of New York City. When you support a park like Northeast Off-Road Adventures, you’re also supporting the community. This is an education-oriented park offering courses and training to help educate people on off-road driving, environmental preservation, recovery equipment, and much more.
What also makes this park so unique is that its SOAR program allows it to be adaptive or disability-friendly. This includes an entire program that offers several activities, including an “Introduction to Off-Road Driving (with adaptive controls)” obstacle course and lesson. Since the Wrangler is already an adaptive-friendly vehicle, it pairs quite well with this park’s inclusive features. All this, plus a number of impressive trails, makes this park our number-one choice. It is so worth the trip that it is a repeat winner of TripAdvisor’s “Traveler’s Choice” award. Whether you plan on rocking that new Rubicon 20th Anniversary Level II Upfit by AEV, or you’re trekking along in a retired 2005 Wrangler Sport, Northeast Off-Road Adventures awaits you.
