Top 10 Driving Trails for the Jeep Cherokee

If you’re not off-roading with your Jeep Cherokee, you’re not doing it right.

One of the greatest joys of owning a Jeep Cherokee is taking it off-road through trails and tough terrain, giving you the opportunity to put this versatile machine to the test. For auto consumers who purchase a new 2014 Jeep Cherokee from a Butler Jeep dealership, there’s no limit to the off-road adventures they can find in the continental U.S.

Imogene Pass, Colorado

Reaching 13,114 feet, Imogene Pass is the second highest vehicle-accessible mountain pass in Colorado. This popular off-road trail may be a little daunting, but even novice off-roaders can make the drive. Most drivers start their trek in Telluride and there are plenty of great places to stop on the way for a picnic or rest. If you plan to hit this trail, be sure your Jeep is equipped with 4-wheel drive and skid plates.

Moab, Utah

If rocks and sand are closer to your idea of an off-roading experience, check out Moab, Utah. The area has some beautiful rock formations and gorgeous landscapes along some very challenging trails. Moab’s terrain can be treacherous, so be sure that you’ve got some experience under your belt before trying this off-road adventure out.  If you go, you’ll need a special in-state or out-of-state permit for off-roading.

Hollister Hills, California

Hollister Hills State Recreational Vehicle Park offers a variety of fun adventures for off-roaders who enjoy a good romp through the mud. The park has about 24 miles of trails. The park also features a huge mud bog that’s an ever-popular favorite among visitors. The park is located in the mountains near Salinas Valley and is a challenging pick for off-road enthusiasts.

Marseilles, Illinois

For more fun in the mud, take a visit to The Cliffs Insane Terrain Off-Road Park in Marseilles, IL. Located in a densely wooded park, visitors can wind their way through fields, woods, creeks, and a mud hole with a reputation for bogging down off-roaders.

Rubicon Trail, California

Located in North California, the Rubicon Trail offers a challenging rocky climb for off-roading enthusiasts. The challenge is worthwhile, as off-roaders who persevere can see some beautiful California scenery. The trail is so well known among off-roaders, particularly those in the Jeep community, that it is the sight of an annual Jeep Jamboree in late summer. If you’d like more privacy on your adventure, try coming earlier or later in the year.

Whipsaw Trail, South-Central British Columbia

If you’re taking a Canadian vacation and want to do a little off-roading, Whipsaw Trail in British Columbia offers a challenging off-road trek through logging country. The trail is rocky and stony and it typically takes about 10 hours to complete a trek along its 50-mile expanse. The trail is also known for The Ditch, a muddy area that’s proven tough for many off-roaders to traverse.

Cinder Hills, Arizona

Cinder Hills in Arizona offers trails and open zones to off-roading enthusiasts. The park is just 20 miles outside of Flagstaff and has a unique volcanic ash terrain. The park offers about 50-square miles of unrestricted off-road adventuring and there are plenty of hills for your Jeep Cherokee to climb.

Crystal Ridge, Washington

Washington offers lots of natural beauty, and Crystal Ridge Park is no exception. This trail offers a variety of terrain along its nine miles and is a challenging ride, so be prepared. Off-roaders should approach this trail with caution, as it is prone to causing rollovers. However, it does offer some great natural scenery and the challenge is exhilarating.

Silver Lake Dunes, Michigan

Silver Lake Dunes offers a sandy experience for visitors to the Midwest. One of the few great dunes trails outside the West, the area gives off-roaders a fun experience in cresting the many high sand dunes in the area. Silver Lake Dunes is located on the western shore of Lake Michigan and offers some very nice views of the water. Visitors will need a dune flag to enter.

Pine Barrens, NJ

New Jersey residents don’t have to travel far for some quality off-roading. Pine Barrens has some gritty unpaved roads and trails for off-road enthusiasts to enjoy. For off-roaders just getting started, it’s an ideal place not far from home to get some experience before hitting the road for more challenging trails.

Getting the Right Jeep

If you plan on enjoying off-road adventures, you’ll need to purchase a Jeep with the right features. Four-wheel drive is a must, and other features like skid plates and air-lift suspension also help. If off-roading is something you’re interested in, be sure to discuss it with your dealer to ensure you get the right Jeep product for the trail. Dealers at your local Butler Jeep dealership can help get you in a new Cherokee and on the road to popular off-roading sites.