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By: Robert Janis
Sunshine State Made
For ATVers
Known as the Sunshine State, Florida is
loaded with all sorts of attractions from Disney
World and Universal Studios in Orlando to the
Kennedy Space Center at Cape Canaveral. It is
also blessed with many natural areas of interest
including the Everglades and national forests
like the Apalachicola, Osceola, and Ocala.
Thanks to ATV Off-Road Adventure Tours, Ocala
National Forest can be enjoyed on ATVs. The
tours began in October, 2008 when the Ocala
National Forest had finished its first phase of
forest trails for off- road vehicles, explained
Terri Day, manager of the enterprise. According
to Day, this first phase allowed access for ATVs
to backwoods areas. The Ocala National Forestry
Department has since opened more than 280 miles
of trails accessible to off-road vehicles every
single day.
Day volunteered that the adventure tour is the
first and only licensed outfitter in Florida to
take clients on guided tours of the Ocala
National Forest. “We decided to open our
business to allow visitors the experience of
riding an ATV and viewing the sights of the
woods without having to hike on foot,” he said.
“The trails were developed as clean, wide
roadways which allow riders to cruise through
the National Forest and encounter Florida as the
first settlers saw it. Our company was designed
to take out a majority of the population that do
not own a vehicle to get on the trails and enjoy
the opportunity to ride and sight-see areas not
accessible except for the few that hike at a
slow pace.”
Day noted that there are five trailheads from
which ATVers can gain access to the trails. ATV
Off-Road Adventure Tours is a mobile business so
personnel meet riders at a trailhead off of
CR316 which is close to Ft. McCoy, Florida. The
riders first gather to sign paperwork; suit up
in helmets, goggles, and gloves, which are
provided, and pick out snacks and water for the
ride. “Everything is provided. The only
requirement is that everyone wears long pants
and closed-toe shoes,” said Day.
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Each tour takes about three to five hours and
includes a guide for every five riders. Riders
are given instructions on how to operate the
ATV, and they are given time to practice before
getting onto the trail. The company offers one
and two seat ATVs so people who do not wish to
actually drive a machine can accompany a person
who does. Each ATV features an automatic
transmission and is easy to steer and brake. The
guides provide information about the terrain as
well as the animals encountered on the tour.
These include bears, turkey, endangered
woodpeckers, turtles, white tail deer, raccoons,
foxes, armadillos, and various species of birds
such as eagles and osprey. The terrain includes
low lands, hill ridges, flat and hardwoods, and
sandy and clay trails. The tour also includes a
stop at the Lake Delancy Campground West where
riders can relax at a picnic area, use the
facilities and check out the many attractions on
the site. The tour also includes wetlands that
have a lake that attracts wildlife.
Day noted that the Ocala National Forest offers
other outdoor activities including canoe
rentals, horseback tours, and boat and airboat
rentals. In addition, there are springs, camping
sites, and fishing; and there are even car race
tracks nearby. Day volunteered that the Daytona
International Speedway is not far from Ocala.
The Ocala National Forest is located in North
Central Florida between the Ocklawaha and St.
Johns Rivers. It comprises about 383,000 acres
and is the southernmost forest in the
continental United States. Moreover, it features
high, dry, central scrub ridges, more than 600
lakes, rivers, and four major natural springs
which each have recreation areas. These are the
Juniper Springs, Salt Springs, Alexander
Springs, and Silver Glen Springs.
The price of the tour is $59 and up depending on
the amount of people in a party and the length
of the tour.
For more information visit the company’s
website:
www.atvoffroadadventuretours.com or
call (561) 333-8687 or (561) 512-6579.
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