Florida’s Ocala National Forest ATV Trails & Off-Road Adventure Ride
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Information on the tour appears on its website (htttp://www.atvoffroadadventuretours.com). People who are interested in participating in the tour have visited the website to gather information. The actual booking takes place by phone. The website includes information about the tour as well as attractions that are in the area.

The tour begins with riders gathering at the trailhead off County Road 316. There Briggs distributes the ATVs, which are owned by the tour. There are 10 ATVs. The stable includes Can Am 400 two seaters and Yamaha and Honda one seaters. “We can accommodate up to 11 people -- eight as single riders and three passengers,” said Briggs. “The ATVs are fully automatic and very easy to operate. We’ve had people up to 76 years old on them. You have to be over the age of 18 to participate as a driver and passenger.”

The Ocala National Forest ATV Tour welcomes both beginners & intermediate riders. They also offer Two-Up Utility ATVs like the Can-Am Outlander if you want to share an ATV along the trial

After the riders gather and are given their ATV, all participants are required to read and sign an agreement and assumption of risk waiver. The guides will provide some instruction on using the ATVs and riders will have to participate in a practice session. Once everyone feels comfortable, then the group heads for the trails. The tour includes a guide and a rear chaser. The rear chaser determines the travel pace based on his evaluation of riders and the cooperation in riding together as a group.

During the trip, the guide will discuss the foliage, the animals that inhabit the forest, and the history of the forest.” For example, during World War II sand pines were cut from the forest and used as plywood. The area was also inhabited by Native American tribes including the Seminoles and Timucua. The forest rangers perform a lot of control burns to keep the forest healthy,” said Briggs.

During the rainy season there are many water crossings that can prove to be challenging & fun!

Both tours will pass through many types of terrain making the ride interesting and ever changing in riding conditions. Tours include water features like a swamp or lake view. Water features for riding into are only present during the rainy season, but there is plenty of dust and dirt on every tour all year long. The 41-mile trip travels to the 11,000 acre Lake Oklawaha.

The tour package includes the ATV, helmet, goggles, gloves, water and snacks. For the Pipeline tour, the cost is $79 plus tax per person. The Lake Oklawaha Tour costs $145 plus tax per person. That is when the group includes two people or more. If only one person does the ride, then the Pipeline Tour is $109 plus tax and the Lake Oklawaha Tour is $195 plus tax. Passengers who go on the Pipeline Tour pay $35 and passengers on the Oklawaha Tour pay $45.

The ATV Off-Road Adventure Tours does not provide room and board. However, Briggs does tell tour participants what is available. “The Holiday Inn, Hilton and other brand name hotels are in Silver Springs and Ocala,” said Briggs. “For people who want to stay in Salt Springs, which is only seven minutes away from the trailhead where we meet, I usually recommend the Bass Champions Restaurant and Lodge.” (http://www.saltspringsfl.com. Click on “Businesses” then click on “Bass Champions Restaurant and Lodge").