The Ridge Adv Offroad

The Ridge is a privately owned riding park on roughly 400 acres of hilly, wooded land northeast of Birmingham. It has been running since about 2004 and is aimed at riders of every age and ability. The park is also listed as The Ridge Adventure Offroad or The Ridge Riding Club, and the address is 8745 Pine Mountain Road.

For dirt bike riders the headline is the singletrack. The park says it has connected its motorcycle-only singletrack into one 15-mile loop it calls "the Beast," and every mile of it is marked difficult. Expect tight woods, rocks, and steep climbs. Beyond that there are more than 35 miles of one-way trails open to motorcycles, ATVs, and side-by-sides. They are marked by difficulty and cover open fields, fire lanes, creeks, rocky sections, hill climbs, and plenty of elevation change. A few mud holes, a beginner-only riding field, and a set of trials sections round out the terrain. Some trails were still being reopened after tornado damage when the park last updated its trail page.

There is also a one-mile-plus motocross track, a kids' track, a pee-wee track for beginners, and a second supercross and motocross track called Area 51. The park has hare scramble races and other events during the year.

Getting there

The Ridge is in Springville, Alabama, about 25 to 30 minutes northeast of Birmingham and about 35 minutes southwest of Gadsden. Riders come from all over the Southeast. The physical address is 8745 Pine Mountain Rd., Springville, AL 35146. Call ahead on 205-467-7433 if the weather has been wet, because the park may close after heavy rain.

Fees, permits, and rules

The park is a private club. Every rider pays a $5 yearly membership fee, then $20 per day to ride. Non-riders and passengers pay $5 per day, and riders 8 and under pay $5 per day. Everyone signs a release form and checks in to get an arm band. Anyone under 19 needs a parent or guardian signature (both guardians, per the park's price page) before they can ride, so print the forms and bring them. A helmet is required for all riders unless the vehicle has a roll cage and seat belts.

Camping is available on site with fire pits, running water, fishing ponds, and a bathhouse with hot showers. The park also has cabins, hotel rooms, and a grill. See the park's site for current lodging status.

When to ride

The park is open Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 9 AM to 6 PM, or 9 AM to 5 PM in winter. Weekday riding may be arranged in advance according to a third-party listing. It closes for some holidays and takes an extended summer break some years, so check the news posts on the park's website before you go.