Waldo MX & Event Grounds

Waldo MX & Event Grounds is the closest motocross park to Gainesville, Florida: 130 acres right on US-301 in Waldo, 18 minutes north of town, about 45 minutes from Ocala and under two hours from Jacksonville, Orlando and Tampa, with direct highway access for haulers. Three riding areas cover open practice: the newly renovated Florida clay main track with technical rhythm sections and big jumps for intermediate to expert riders, a dedicated pit bike track with scaled jumps and berms that is home to the Pit Master series, and a woods loop of natural Florida terrain under the trees with off-camber, technical trail riding. The BMX track and skate bowl are reserved for Swampfest.

Open practice runs most weekends from 10 AM to 4 PM, with weekday open days posted on the online calendar and closures on holiday and event weekends. The day rate is $45, or $35 with a $75 riding membership, and a $300 monthly membership covers regulars. Sign the waiver online before you arrive, bring full gear (there are no bike or gear rentals), and use the bike and gear wash stations before you load up.

Stay-and-ride is the point of the place. Waldo RV Park has more than 72 full-hookup sites with 30 and 50 amp power, water and sewer, steps from the track, plus restroom and shower buildings. Nightly rates are $75 for electric and water, $85 for full hookup and $20 for a car or tent dry site, with weekly and monthly rates for snowbirds and traveling families, RV and camper storage on the property, and a $100 Ride and Stay bundle that covers a ride pass and a night. Book on Campspot.

The race calendar mixes Florida Motocross Series rounds, the I4MX Triple Crown, the Summer Slam Series, the Sunshine State Vintage Series in February and the new Pit Master Pit Bike Series run under MiniMoto Nation rules, and the grounds also host the FL Free Ride Festival and Trey Jones' Swampfest BMX and skate festival with Monster Energy. The property is run by Megan Hooper and the RADDSports team, who also book it for camps, festivals and private events.