[LuvMyCommander]

The only closest rideable trails I found are in Indiana but I was hoping to find something closer to the city for a spurt of the moment thing.

 

[robby]

Here in Il, being a resident, you should know our trails are called roads.
Depending on the size of the pothole(s) a difficulty rating can be applied.
Some of our roads(trails) do make good use of four wheel drive.
There are no formal off road areas I am aware of in N/E Illinois, the original' If it looks like fun, make a law against it' state.

Can you tell I'm a bit fed up after 60 years?

Rob

 

[brendon]

The Cliffs Insane Terrain Park is fun, but I did leave there with a bit of damage. It's mostly pretty tight stuff and muddy.

 

[Smitty1970]

Any interstate heading south.

 

[jcoulter]

The closest ones are The Cliffs in Marseilles and The Badlands in Attica.

The Badlands has something for everyone and you can make it through the Cliffs without damage but IMO you need to stay on the outer trail and go when it's dry. That place seems to get real muddy real fast.

 

[brendon]

...and you can make it through the Cliffs without damage but IMO you need to stay on the outer trail and go when it's dry. That place seems to get real muddy real fast.

I was there in August last year and it was pretty muddy. One of the guys I was with (driving a Wrangler) said it was the driest he'd ever seen it! I do agree, if you stick to the outer ring, it's pretty open.

 

[LuvMyCommander]

That's hilarious, why need trails when you have roads with potholes? That's unfortunately true.

I think the Badlands is probably my best bet. My Commander is still stock and I've read that they have trails for all levels including stock vehicles. I just purchased mine in February of this year so I'm dying to hit some trails.

When I eventually hit up the Badlands I'll post some pictures. Thanks for the suggestions!

 

[jcoulter]

I did the Cliffs with just the 2" lift installed. It still had the stock tires. With that said you have a good plan.
When you decide to go let us know you may get some of us from here to go with. They have a campground right outside the park and if you get there before the park closes you can purchase the next days admission and skip the line to get in the next morning.

Here's a link to the trip several of us made there last year. http://www.jeepcommander.com/forums/showthread.php?t=9433

 

[LuvMyCommander]

That sounds like a good idea, I would be all for planning a trip to Badlands.

 

[LuvMyCommander]

Hey there fellow Chicago neighbors- would anybody be interested in a trip to the Badlands in Attica, IN sometime in July, I have a couple of other members that are interested.

 

[jcoulter]

Late July or early August could work for me. It's been discussed in the Midwest Commanders social group as well.

 

[LuvMyCommander]

Late July or early August could work for me. It's been discussed in the Midwest Commanders social group as well.

Thanks! I joined in on the discussion. Let's make something happen in August as others had suggested.

 

[brendon]

Don't know how many form the midwest are going, but Camp Commander West is the 3rd full week of July.

The Badlands are certainly on my short list. I will make it htere sometime this year. The local Jeep club (MCJAG) is planning a trip there late summer or fall. When that gets firmed up I'll let everyone here know as well.

 

[LuvMyCommander]

Hey all! It's been a while since I've asked the question and unfortunately I still haven't found any nice wooded trails near Chicago other than Badlands and Insane Cliffs. Thought I'd ask the question again to see if any of the newer members might know of any nice trails in IL, WI, IN, or MI.

I always see some awesome trail pics on the Jeep Facebook page and every time I see them I wish I lived out west. I'd love to see something like this close to home: