Riding during the Pandemic: Avoiding Crowded Trails

The covid-19 pandemic has caused a lot of changes to our daily lives. One thing that is safe to do in these crazy times is to get outdoors and ride. It’s a fabulous way to be safe and enjoy yourself. But one thing you’ll want to keep in mind is that outdoor recreation is really popular right now. Everything is pretty crowded. Even without health concerns related to COVID-19, overcrowding can make your trip less enjoyable. Not to mention the impact big crowds can have on a trail system. We’re finding it difficult to visit our usual trails and riding spots without facing huge crowds.

Is there a way to continue to enjoy our trails and get away from the crowds? Perhaps you can go at an off time, like during the middle of the week rather than on a weekend. Or head out really early in the morning, before the rush hits. We’ve found that even going at these times things are much more crowded than normal though

You can also try hitting new trails and riding areas. Trails that are more remote or less popular are a good choice right now. But how do you find them? Here are some resources available on finding the best riding trails.

Ride Command /Ride Command App –

Polaris has preloaded thousands of rides in areas all over the country to Ride Command. It provides over 750,000 miles of trail data. You can download maps for offline use as well. Ride Command is available as a display console on some RZR and General models, or you can download the app on your phone.

Yamaha Adventure Pro –

Adventure Pro by Yamaha is preloaded with more than 115,000 trails. You can also map and save your own trail. This tablet offers GPS mapping and navigation, online trip planning and storage and social sharing. Maps can be saved for offline use.

RiderPlanet USA –

This website gives you a state by state list of riding destinations. Most of the listings include trail summaries, difficulty levels, details on how to get there and rules and regulations.

TrailLink –

The TrailLink app helps you find trails near your location. It gives you detailed information on trails throughout the US. It also allows you to download trail maps before you go, so you can access them offline.

U.S. Forest Service Interactive Trail Maps –

Many forest service roads are open to off-highway vehicles. Some forests have designated trail systems as well. The interactive map is an online tool that gives you detailed information on service roads, trails, recreation sites and wilderness areas.

Local Government Websites –

Local Natural Resource or Fish and Game Departments may be responsible for trail systems in your area. You may find some great riding opportunities here. States vary widely in their trail systems, rules and regulations, so do your research before you go.

When finding a new riding spot be sure to check your destination to make sure it is open for riding. Due to the coronavirus outbreak, locations for outdoor recreating may be closed. Make sure you follow local guidelines for each place you ride in, and do your research before heading out.

How do you fight the crowds? Let us know in the comments below.