ATV Florida Forum

Hello All.
I trided calling the Ranger station but they keep some strange hours.
Are most of the trails near Big Scrub still open or did they close everthing when the new loop opened?
I plan on taking the grandkids out Thanksgiving weekend, three days of the same loop gets old.

Thanks

Update:
Finally got a call in:
 Most trails are still open. A few have been close but many have markers now to help identification.
Hope to see some of you there.

I went to Big Scrub last month and the only riding is on the loop so be careful if your not on the loop . I dont know who you talked to but you can't park anywhere but at the camp ground and trail heads. All the rangers ive talked to out there say you can only ride the loops.

novadave hit the nail on the head.  The new Centennial Trail and the Scrub jay Trail are the only ones you are allowed on.  With that said, that's over 40 miles of trail and the terrain varies quite a bit.  There are even a couple Forest Road's that you share with vehicles, so watch your speed, I have seen them patrolling the roads.

If you want tons of variety consider a little further north at the Delancy Trails.  There's over 150 miles of trails there with LOTS of varying terrain.

Keep in mind too the new rules that went into effect:

1.  No one under 16 may ride without ATV Safety Certification
2.  No passengers on any ATV that is manufactured for single riders.
3.  96db sound limits and spark arrestors are mandatory (although I have yet to see them looking).
 

I was kinda wondering what's up down at Scrub. Can you still camp in the campground and ride out from there? I went one time last year after going 15 times a year for a few years. I'd really like to start ridin again down there but I don't wanna hear no crap from a ranger. I got my green stickers and all that. Just need to get my daughter certified.

stacktester,

You will have to pay the ONF fee.  It's $10 for a 3 day pass, or you can get an annual pass for $75.  I have the annual, but we go sometimes 2 weekends a month.

You can camp at Big Scrub and depart on your ATV from there, but you are not allowed to ride on ANY unmarked trails.  You must stay on the 40+ mile loops that the Rangers have designated.  I have been there several times, with and without large groups, and we have never had Ranger problems.  Then again, we try to follow most of the rules most of the time.  Do we haul ass?  Occasionally.  Do we do stuff that a ranger might not like?  Not while they are anywhere near so far.  So there ya have it.  Get the girl certified and I hope to see you out there!

Can you pay for the passes on Saturdays at Big Scrub? I'm trying to avoid going up there durring the week
just to buy passes.

you buy the passes at the trail head. nobody is there, they just put their faith and trust into each individual rider to fill out the required info on the pass,put it into the attached envelope with the required fee, and shove it into an iron pipe. don't matter what day of the week it is.

so is it the general opinion that Delancy Trails are better then big scrub these days? I have been to delancy, it's nice but the pictures I had seen on this site of big scrub seemed much more open and free. Delancy trails are so tight, they seem dangerous.

All trails are dangerous if taken fast enough.

I like Delancy because there are MORE trails and a better variety.  But I live in Orlando, so many times the extra 45 minutes to get to Delancey is not worth it for a 1 day trip.  Often times we take our RV and stay over night.

You can't go wrong at either place if you obey the rules and ride responsibly.

We are in the process of planning a riding trip to Ocala over Thanksgiving. We are looking for a campground that we can ride directly to the trails. Where is the best place to stay?

If you want to ride the 140+ miles of trails called the Delancy Loops, you would camp at the Delancy Trailhead.

If you want to ride the new Centennial Trails that circle the PineCastle Bombing Range, you would camp at the Big Scrub campground.

Both of these campgrounds are somewhat primitive.  Neither one has electricity for public use.  Both are within 10 miles of civilization i.e. small grocery store, fuel, etc.

Depending on your riding style and speed, I would say Delancy offers more trails.  The Centennial Trail is newer, but it's basically just one big loop, with a much smaller loop on the southern end.  I have ridden the Centennial Loop in it's entirety in about 2-1/2 hours before, but that was hauling ass. 

Thanks. I live in NC and don't know a thing about FL. Can you tell me the nearest town/city so I can google directions to Delancey? Also how strict are they on kids? My 14 year old son has a rhino, but no certification.

The Delancy Trailhead is located very near to Salt Springs, FL.  Remember, there is a $6 parking fee per vehicle, and you will have to purchase a $10/3 day OHV permit for each driver of the ATV's.  Both of these are paid at the camp through an honor system.  I would not recommend avoiding these fees or the Rangers WILL NOT treat you kindly thereafter.

On your 14-year old.  FL State law requires him to take a certification course, but since he is not a Florida resident, and you would only be 'visiting' for the weekend, I believe they waive that restriction.  As long as you were with him all the time, and behaving responsibly, I don't think it would be an issue.  To be safe though, you may want to call the Ranger Station in Salt Springs.  I wouldn't give them your name at first, if you get my drift.

I would imagine the directions from NC would involve 95 South to the Palatka exit and then hook up with 19 South.  Delancy is just north of Salt Springs off of Hwy 19.

Here is a link I found, but it doesn't have phone numbers:

http://www.forestcamping.com/dow/southern/ocalcmp.htm#delancy%20west

Additionally, here is the information for the Salt Springs Visitor Center:

Salt Springs Visitor Center
14100 N. Highway 40
Salt Springs, Florida 32134
352-685-3070

There's a good chance that me and some others will be up there that weekend as well if you want to meet up and ride out.

Your best bet is Croom

You can also stay at Elite Resorts in Salt Springs at a cottage or with an RV. Then trailer your ATVs to the Delancy Loops trailhead off of highway 19. It's about 10 minutes north.

http://www.eliteresorts.com/saltsprings/index.html (http://www.eliteresorts.com/saltsprings/index.html)

Too late Eworm, Sulspen has already been here, rode the ONF, didn't have problems with Rangers or accidents and is now safely back in NC.  It was a good weekend right around Thanksgiving and great fun was had by all.

That is great! Glad you had a good time. And again, I hope it continues and that you or nobody you know ever is involved in head on collision....

Where is Big Scrub?  Thanks, Dawn

Here it is.. ;)

http://www.floridatrailriders.org/articles/ONF.htm

Thanks so much!  Dawn

We happened to drive by the Centennial Trail on 40.  I noticed in here it said you needed to park at Big Scrub (which we also found this weekend on our way to Wandering Wiregrass).  Is there parking available at a trail head off of 40?  Thanks so much!  Dawn

Yes you can park off of Hwy 40.

See Ocala Adventure Trail map:  http://www.fs.fed.us/r8/florida/ocala/recreation/ohv.overview.php?p=1.1.3.4#?p=1.1.6