Soon to be new to Florida

So my dad and I are more than likely going to be packing up and moving to Florida by December. Wanted to reach out and see what the hell there is to do down there as far as offroading ect.. I know he is looking at anywhere from Venice to Englewood. Is there anything good down there or am I going to be driving a parking lot princess?

 

Parking lots mostly but you can still sign up for the multiple citrus rides

 

That's a little upsetting

 

It's not so bad there are some good places to ride however, most you will have to travel too. Hey, at least there's no snow and you can boat almost year round!

 

I think I'm more excited for the no snow part, especially after last winter.
Was kind of hoping there would be something closer. I already have to travel now to get to places, all of which are "illegal if you get caught."

 

Lol yeah a lot of places are illegal here too. Most of the time you just get hit with a ticket.

 

Unless your this guy and can probably get out of it. ^^^^^^^^^^

 

Hmm wonder why I got the feeling he could

 

http://www.thefloridasportspark.com/events/swamp-buggy-races/

Time to change your motif?

 

Where are you trying to move down to?

nvm, i saw it.. unfortunantly, i don't know if there is a lot of places down there.

david down there goes around naples and fort myers, but sw florida kinda sucks for offroad

 

That definitely looks pretty cool

Yea when I looked at a map and didn't see much green that wasn't state owned that's what I figured. Was kind of hoping there might be something super awesome that I just didn't notice. Guess I'll just have to keep an eye out for meets and make a weekend trip out of them.

 

Many of the state lands are open or mildly restricted. You just have to spend time researching. Which is better done after you know where you will be living, so you can radius out in your research.

There are plenty of chances to test your off road skills. Ball bearing sand (cracker name), peat bogs, flooded trail roads, hardpan clay (like an oil slick when wet) etc.

There may not be mountains to climb, or rocks to crawl, but there will be plenty of places to high center your frame, use your winch and recovery skills. They're just different.

I worked as a cross country surveyor for a power company for a few years as a young man. I probably drove 30k a year in that job, with as much as 10k a year in 4WD. So yes, there can be a need for it.

The best fun is to have an objective, rather than 'just riding'. Something like spotting remote places to fish or camp, and use your vehicle to get to little pressured areas. A canoe is perfect for such ventures. Winter is the absolute best for outdoor ventures. Bug free, moderate temperatures (after a cold morning many times). Many areas have springs and thus spring fed creeks/rivers.

 

That is essentially all I'm looking for. I by no means have a "rock crawler." Just more so looking for somewhere I can put it in 4wd and enjoy. A kayak was on the summer purchase list, but lugging it down there would be too much of a pain

 

There always the red neck yatch club just outside Port Charlotte. It's a weekend deal but there are a lot of youngins acting crazy. Other than that just a bunch of cane, cattle and vegtable fields in the middle of the state and them good old boys will call the authority. Or you may be stareing down the barrel.

Welcome to Florida you may have to 4 wheel less and go catch some tarpon snook and redfish.

 

I have no interest in crazy youngins. Just want some quiet trails. And the fishing is a definite. Grew up around it my whole life so its a given.

 

Once you get down here check with the 4x4 shops. They should know something.

 

My family has a vacation house in englewood. Really nice area, pretty quiet and peaceful, I never really see any tacos there unfortunately, so if I see yours I'll know haha.

 

I agree with the fishing part. Can't stand redneck yacht club tho.

 

There is also a devils garden mud club and L-cross but I guess it's pretty much the same idea.