Since you're reading this magazine, chances are good that 'wheeling is a big part of your life. When you aren't wrenching on your rig, you're out on the trail. And when you aren't on the trail, you're just waiting for the next chance to air down the tires and shift the transfer case to low range. If going off-pavement takes a high priority in your life, it makes sense to live someplace where you can "scratch your itch" on a regular basis.
We compiled a list of dirt-friendly cities around the country (and beyond), complete with local trails, shops, and other important statistics. We tried to make this article as useful and realistic as possible, so we left off locations like the Los Angeles metro area (sorry, Hammers) in favor of places that you can actually afford to live without a trust fund. We've rated the locations based on factors such as cost of living, median income, year-round weather, convenience for accessing good 4x4 trails within two hours' time, and the quality and diversity of 'wheeling you'll find. While we don't claim to have located every shop and every trail in proximity to each town listed, this should give you a good idea of what to expect from these various locations.
Raush Creek in eastern Pennsylvania is a popular desitination for Philadelphia wheelers.
The City of Brotherly Love wouldn't have been on this list a few short years ago. However, private land that was once used for coal mining is now being converted to off-road parks at a number of locations. Philadelphia is the fifth-largest city in the country, so it will appeal to those who like to balance their four-wheeling with more cosmopolitan pursuits. Those include world-class restaurants, the Liberty Bell, and other historical monuments, as well as those famous cheesesteak sandwiches.
Population: 5,834,000
Elevation: 45 feet
High Temperature: 86 (July)
Low Temperature: 25 (January)
Annual Precipitation: 41 inches
Median Home Price: $112,000
Median Household Income: $31,000
Local Shops: Hoak's Four Wheel Drive, National Four Wheel Drive, Up and Over Innovations, Skid Row Automotive, Quadratec
Local Clubs: Blue Mountain Jeep Alliance, Jeeps "R" Us, Keystone Krawlers, PA Wheelers, Pipeline Four Wheelers, R.O.V.E.R.S. (Land Rover)
On The Web: www.offroaders.com
Trails Within Half An Hour: Unknown
Trails Within Two Hours: Clearfield, Martian's Creek, Rausch Creek, Shamokin.
Tellico OHV Park is the South's premier wheeling destination. With a variety of trails featuring rocks, mud, and water crossings, there is something for everyone. Tellico is 3 1/2 hours from Nashville, but it's well worth the drive.
Nashville is synonymous with country music, and music is indeed a huge industry there. Health care, transportation, and publishing are also big business in Nashville. In addition to the Grand Ole Opry, Vanderbilt University and the Tennessee state capital are also located here. There is a lot of good 'wheeling in the south, but not in the same concentration as the 'wheeling locations in the Western states due to the lack of public lands. For that reason we've included locations beyond a two-hour drive limit here.
Population: 1,311,000
Elevation: 597 feet
High Temperature: 89 (July)
Low Temperature: 28 (January)
Annual Precipitation: 48 inches
Median Home Price: $139,000
Median Household Income: $39,797
Local Shops: Bridges Performance Off Road, Tennessee Off Road
Local Clubs: Rock Solid Jeep Club, Southeast Toyota Land Cruiser Association (Toyota), Tennessee Rovers, Traxx in Motion, Xtreme 4x4 Columbia Offroad Club
On The Web: www.atomiccityfourwheelers.com
Trails Within Half An Hour: Unknown
Trails Within Five Hours: Coal Creek ORV Area, Gray Rock, Harlan, Jellico,Monteagle, Morris Mountain ORV Park, Uwharrie, Tellico, Wheeling In The Country, Windrock.
Tulsa boasts a vibrant economy that is home to oil, aerospace, and aviation. The Arkansas River passes through Tulsa and offers fishing, kayaking, and horseback riding, while its downtown enjoys a world-renowned music and art scene. The three major 'wheeling destinations in Oklahoma are Clayton, Poteau, and Disney. Clayton is a bit more than two hours from Tulsa, but it was worth including here. Oklahoma rigs typically feature 1-ton axles, huge tires, and loads of horsepower to climb the steep, loose hills.
Population: 833,000
Elevation: 740 feet
High Temperature: 94 (July)
Low Temperature: 26 (January)
Annual Precipitation: 41 inches
Median Home Price: $123,000
Median Household Income: $37,000
Local Shops: Chris Nikel's Off Road Center, Sam's Off Road
Local Clubs: Extreme 4Wheelin', Green Country Cruisers (Toyota), Tulsa Four Wheelers
On The Web: www.okoffroad.com
Trails Within Half An Hour: Unknown
Trails Within Two Hours: Busline, Cass, Crum Creek, Disney, Kiamichi Mountains, Lost Creek, Purple Headed Monster, Snake Pit, Survey Line, Three Stage, Timberline, Yanush Trail.