Has this ever happened to you? You’re hanging out with your friends and one of them says let’s go mudding this weekend. Soon, everyone is talking about how excited they are to get out there and rip rooster tails through the muddiest trails. You want to join the conversation. You want to be part of the fun. You want to fit in.
But you don’t know the first thing about mudding. Otherwise you wouldn’t be reading this article.
So let’s help you out. Starting with the basics:
What is Mudding?
For the uninitiated: mudding is driving an ATV and SXS through off-road areas—specifically those that are, you guessed it, muddy. It can include woods, streams, fields, bogs or any other muddy terrain. And yes, there are terrain parks and mud parks specifically designed for you to mud in.
Is Mudding Safe?
Yes—assuming you follow some basic safety best practices and have some idea what you’re doing.
If you’re thinking about going mudding for the first time and you want to stay safe, we recommend you:
- Go with a friend or someone else who’s an experienced mudder.
- Brush up on local laws and regulations related to mudding.
- Avoid trespassing on any lands where you shouldn’t be mudding—which includes federal lands.
- Ensure you have all the necessary gear (more on this below.)
So yes, it’s safe, assuming you prepare properly.
Popular four-wheelers for Mudding—and which is the best?
If you’re new to mudding, you are probably trying to decide which vehicle is best for it. You might already own one or it could be a new purchase for you. And you might be wondering whether what you’ve got is good for it.
There are three main considerations in determining if your ATV is right for mudding:
- Power: Mudding is not for wimps—and it’s not for wimpy vehicles, either. You’re going to need some serious torque if you want to successfully mud.
- Tires: Mud tires. Look ‘em up. Get some before you try this.
- Clearance: This one’s simple. If you’re too close to the ground, it’s not going to go well.
You’re going to want to have all three when you really want to send it — or you’re going to want to invest in a winch! Getting stuck and staying stuck are two different things; starting with the right ATV base model to build off of makes all the difference.
Now, what’s the best ATV to ride—or buy—for mudding?
If you’ve caught the bug after a couple days out on the trails, we recommend you choose one of the following six models:
#1: Polaris Sportsman XP 1000 High Lifter Edition:
Starting at $12,199, Polaris bills this one as “the ultimate mud ride”. And for your purposes, it might be. Includes shielded clutch and engine intake ducting, rack-mounted radiator, and inverted dual fans, ensuring it’s safe from the elements you’ll be taking it through.
- Power: 952cc engine
- Tires: 29.5″ High Lifter Outlaw 2 Tires
- Clearance: Stiff springs; 13.5” ground clearance
#2: Polaris RZR XP 1000 EPS High Lifter Edition
While this is a UTV rather than an ATV, Polaris will tell you this one is for “ultimate mud performance.” But coming in at $25,889, it’s nearly twice the price of the Sportsman.
- Power: 999cc engine
- Tires: 29.5” High Lifter Outlaw 3 Mud Tires
- Clearance: 15″ ground clearance (1.5” above the Sportsman)
#3: Can-Am Renegade X MR 1000R
The Renegade starts at $10,599, making this more affordable than the previous two options—but the X MR 1000R option, which you’re going to want if you’re taking it mudding, clocks in at $16,799.
Here’s what’s included in the X MR 1000R model:
- Power: 976 cc engine, liquid cooled
- Tires: 30” ITP Cryptid tires
- Clearance: 12.5” ground clearance
- Bonus: Factory-installed snorkel kit for mudding
If you’re doing the math, you’re right that the clearance isn’t the same as the Sportsman—but the engine is more powerful. Luckily, there are thousands of Can-Am owners that get over their issues with clearance by adding a little lift to their ride. See what kits are available for your Can-Am today!
#4: Can-Am Outlander X MR 1000R
The Outlander starts at $10,399—but if you want the X MR 1000, the one “made with mud in mind,” then you’ll be dropping $15,499 (which is still over a thousand bucks less than the Renegade X MR 1000R.)
- Power: 91HP, Rotax 976 cc V-twin, snorkeled, liquid cooled with relocated radiator
- Tires: ITP Cryptid 30 x 9 x 14 inches
- Clearance: 13 inches (half an inch above the Renegade.)
So what’s the key difference between these two? Well, chances are that, if you know much about ATVs, you already have an opinion. If you aren’t initiated, you’ll stay cleaner on the Outlander while the Renegade is lighter and, if you will, sportier.
#5: Arctic Cat Alterra Mudpro 600 LTD
You might know these as Textrons, but these days they’re officially Arctic Cat Alterra ATVs. One of these starts at $11,599, making it more affordable than the rest of the vehicles on this list.
- Power: 600cc EFI engine
- Tires: 28’’ mud tires.
- Clearance: 12.8” ground clearance
And while it might not have the same power as the others on the list, this one comes with snorkels installed to keep that engine safe.
#6: YAMAHA GRIZZLY EPS
Here’s the good news: one of these suckers starts at $11,399, making it the most affordable on this list.
- Power: 686 cc SOHC 4-stroke engine, liquid cooled
- Tires: 26” Maxxis MU05Y tires
- Clearance: 11.3” ground clearance
What you gain in price, you arguably sacrifice in performance. But hey, if you’re reading this because you’re an aspiring mudder and not a muddin’ pro, then this could be exactly what you need.
ATV Mud Riding Gear
Okay, you got the right quad picked out? Bookmark this page in case you haven’t decided yet. Meanwhile, let’s move on to the gear you’re gonna need for mudding.
What to wear ATV mudding
Let’s start here. You have two ways to play this: wear your grubbiest clothes that you don’t mind seeing get destroyed OR gear up in some stuff that’ll keep you (relatively) fresh and clean.
If you’re going with the first option, not much for us to tell you. Wear a flannel and jeans and let it rip. But if you are seeking comfort and a modicum of cleanliness, here are some options for gear to wear:
- Waders from Gator Waders: The Uninsulated Swamp Wader from Gator Waders is a legendary piece of attire. Sure, they cost over two hundred bucks, but no one has ever said “gee, I wish I hadn’t worn my waders today.” Worth the investment.
- Riding gloves: Do you need riding gloves? No, but do you want them? Probably.
- ADV1 Dry Backpack: This might be even more important than what you’re wearing. You’re gonna want some dry clothes to change into, right?
- A bandana: They’re the cheapest thing we sell. Get a handful!
- A helmet: Safety first, folks. High Lifter always recommends checking with your local legislature or park rules when riding; you should always have the right protection for offroading.
What ATV or UTV gear you should get for mudding
Ultimately, the accessories you add to your ATV or UTV for mudding will be a mix between what you think you need, what you know you need, and what you broke last time.
- Snorkels: Nothing says “I’m a serious mudder” like realizing you need a snorkel. Do you need one for your first ride? Depends on where you’re going. Will you eventually need one? Almost certainly, unless you decide mudding isn’t for you. You can keep that engine breathin’ while you go through some serious mud and water, as long as you’ve got a snorkel.
- Lift Kits: Depending on the clearance you’ve already got, you might decide you need even more. Some are standard, some are signature, some are just big. And lucky you, we offer hundreds of varieties of lift kids ready to get the job done for whatever vehicle you ride.
- Axles: Two situations are going to lead to you buying an axle. Either you broke one or you realized what you have is not enough. Either way, there’s a solution for you.
- Radiator Relocation Kits: This is how you know you’ve graduated to real ATV aftermarket ownership. You gotta relocate the radiator because it’s overheating from additional demands. The good news is there are ways to stop that thing from continuing to clog if you invest in an ATV relocation kit.
Oh, but you might also want something in case you get stuck out there…
How to get unstuck from mudding
First of all, you’re going to need a winch. And you’re going to need to use it by anchoring it to your buddy’s ATV UTV or the largest tree around to pull you out. If you are traveling solo, the best winches have a free spool option that allows you to hook up and pull yourself out.
Beyond that, we recommend tow straps and, if you don’t have either of those things and you’re reading this article right now with an ATV stuck in the mud, we recommend either making an anchor with the supplies you have on hand, digging it out with a shovel (if you brought one), or doing the classic rock-back-and-forth trick you’ve probably done with your car before. Good luck, and we hope you’re not in the mud right now, because if you are, you might need a friend to drone-ship you one of our winches.
Where can you go mudding?
Here’s the deal: like we said above, if you go mudding on public or federal lands, that could land you in a heap of trouble. We’re talking trespassing charges, fines, maybe even jail time. Don’t be that person.
Which gives you two viable options: either a friend or family member has some land you can mud on, OR you can find a mudding park near you.
So yeah, let’s talk about mudding parks.
How to find a mud park near you
Here’s the deal. You might need to drive a bit to get to one of these, but it’s worth the trouble to ride one of these great mud parks. (Do a quick “mud parks near me” in Google Maps for the best one near you, although it might not be on the level of the ones listed here.)
#1: Sabine ATV Park
- Where: Burkeville, Texas
- Hosting: Mud Nationals 2023
- Size: 3000+ acres
- Admission Cost: You can get a Non Event weekend pass for $40 per person, a Saturday pass for $30, or a Sunday pass for $20.
- Annual Membership: NA
- Season: Year-round, but only open on the weekends (and closed around the December holiday)
- The Goods: Lots of terrain with, yes, plenty of mud
- Does It Host Big Events?: Monthly events every month except December
- Alcohol Allowed?: Yes, but no glass containers.
#2: Muddy Bottoms ATV Park
- Where: Sarepta, Louisiana
- Size: 5000+ acres
- Admission Cost: $65 for an event weekend; $75 at the gate. Pricing varies depending on the weekend and event.
- Annual Membership: Not available.
- Season: Only open on special events.
- The Goods: You’ll see lots of stuff at Muddy Bottoms that you won’t see anywhere else, including a bathhouse, pro shop, amphitheater, cabins, and RV hookups. Oh, and a ton of trails, bogs, tracks, and bounty holes.
- Does It Host Big Events?: Oh yeah. Especially Can-Am’s Cajun Muddy Gras every February.
- Alcohol Allowed?: Yes, but no glass.
#3: Busco Beach
- Where: Wayne Country, North Carolina
- Size: 2000 acres
- Admission Cost: $10 per person, plus $10 per machine
- Annual Membership: Not available
- Season: Not only is this place open year-round, it’s open 24/7
- The Goods: Unlike most other options, you can rent ATVs at Busco Beach. Plus there’s a beach, as the name implies. Lakes for swimming and fishing, occasional live bands and DJs. A lot happens at Busco Beach. One of the few parks where you can mud and jet ski in the same day.
- Does It Host Big Events?: Huge events, with the biggest ones being Mud Bash Week every May and October. Plus cookouts and beach parties throughout the year.
- Alcohol Allowed?: Yes, but as the Busco Beach website states, “if you have had too much to drink, you should not be operating a machine.” Good rule for everyone TBH.
#4: Badlands Off-Road Park
- Where: Attica, Indiana (That’s right, not ALL mudding tracks are in the south)
- Size: 1400+ acres
- Admission Cost: $25 per day per person, with deals for multiple days and add-on drivers
- Annual Membership: Tiered annual memberships, ranging from $179 to $899
- Season: Open spring, summer, fall
- The Goods: More than just mudding, Badlands includes plenty of sandy terrain and wooded trails—but yes, there’s plenty of mud. Plus, it’s the only muddin’ spot on this list that makes an effort to market itself as being family friendly.
- Does It Host Big Events?: Yes, beginning with endurance events in April and ending with a Sasquatch hunt in November
- Alcohol Allowed?: Yes, but there’s an emphasis on no drinking and driving. This is one of the most family-friendly options.
#6: Hog Waller
- Where: Putnam Country, Florida
- Size: 1100 acres
- Admission Cost: $20 per day per person; cash only at the gate
- Annual Membership: NA
- Season: Year-round, with plenty of weekends offering 24/7 riding
- Does It Host Big Events?: Lots of races and 24-hour weekends throughout the year
- The Goods: The only ATV park named after “ a monstrous hog who tormented the farmers and loggers in the community.” There’s also a huge mud pit that’s 6 acres in size and 10 feet below ground level.
- Alcohol Allowed?: Yes, with no glass bottles and, as the website notes: “ Poor decisions usually lead to consequences for the offender.”
Not seeing anything in your area? Don’t fret. It might not be as big as these options, but there are plenty of spots for mudding and offroading across the country.
Let’s get muddy!
Are you feeling ready? A little overwhelmed? You got this. Get prepared with High Lifter and go mud it up.
