Ride the Badlands in Indiana
One of the great places for riders to go to test their skills is The Badlands Off-Road Park near Attica, Ind.
Privately owned, the Badlands consists of more than 800 acres of sand dunes, pea gravel hills, mud, off-camber woods trails and more for experienced, casual and beginning riders, including children. Plus, there is a full-size MX track–although it’s best to call about it first since sometimes it’s closed due to bad weather.
Riders can travel over a rolling sand hill and enjoy the view of the terrain, sunsets, or an occasional deer, fox, or coyote crossing the path. The trails are two-way, and the facility also offers large mud areas to be conquered.
You must sign a waiver of liability and a consent form for minors, plus other forms. The minor forms must be notarized for minors not accompanied by a parent or legal guardian, so it’s a good idea to have the forms faxed or mailed to you before you go.
Riders 12 and older pay $25 a day for an entrance fee. The cost is $45 for two days, $60 for three days and $70 for four or more days. Riders ages 6 to 11 pay $20 for a day, $35 for two days, $50 for three days and $60 for four or more days.
The Badlands offers food, showers, drinks and even clothes and gear.
“Once you’re here you can focus on what’s in front of you and not what you may have forgotten or need,” the park’s website says.
There is limited lodging nearby in Attica and Boswell, but there is plenty in the towns of Lafayette, Crawfordsville and Danville, about 35 miles away.
You’ll find gas and restaurants in Attica and surrounding areas.
To get there from Chicago, take U.S. Route 41 south to Attica. At the first stop light, turn right onto Perry Street. Go straight on Perry Street to a four-way stop sign. Go straight through the stop sign about a half mile to the Badlands entrance, which is on the right side of the road.
To get there from Indianapolis, take Interstate 74 west to Attica (Exit 15) and then go to U.S. Route 41 north. Enter the Attica city limits and turn left onto Sycamore Street (there’s a church on the left and golf course on the right). Go straight on sycamore Street to a four-way stop. Turn left at the stop sign, and then go about half a mile to the entrance on the right side of the road.
Contact: Badlands ORV Park, 3968 N. Xavier Rd., Attica, IN 47918. Phone (765) 762-2981. Website: www.badlandsoffroad.com
