The challenges and excitement of off-highway operation can be found across the nation on thousands of miles of designated trails. The infamous Rubicon Trail is actually a designated county road, even the Camel Trophy competition and Baja races actually take place on designated roads. The BLM or Forest Service may temporarily or permanently close a designated road. The U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management can direct users to interesting, environmentally secure off-highway back roads. Avoid Wet Backroads.
Heavy vehicles can damage wet or soft backroads.
Huge ruts created by a careless 4x4 may make the road impassable, encouraging others to bypass the obstruction, thus creating ghost roads. Driving through deep mud isn't macho, it's mindless. Streams Are Not Roads. Don't drive in streams. All bodies of water contain extremely delicate ecosystems.