Bear Creek Amphitheatre ATV & MX Park

Bear Creek Amphitheatre ATV & MX Park is a 180-acre off-road riding park on Downing Street in East Sparta, Ohio, a mile east of the Bear Creek Ranch KOA and about 15 minutes south of Canton. It is a trail park first, with 26 to 28 miles of marked woods trails, creek crossings and a 250-foot hill climb, and it keeps a motocross practice track for riders who want to spin laps between trail loops. Dirt bikes, quads and side-by-sides all ride the same day pass.

The park is open every weekend of the year: 8 AM to 5 PM from October through April, and 8 AM to 7 PM (holidays included) from May through September. Weekdays are by reservation only, booked a day ahead for groups of three or more riders at 330-484-3901. A day pass is $25 for adults and $10 for kids 6 to 10, spectators are $5. Helmets are required, nobody under 6 rides, riders must be 8 to operate their own machine, and minors are signed in by a parent or guardian who stays on the property.

There is no camping or riding inside the KOA campground, but the KOA next door rents RV sites, cabins and tent sites if you want to make a weekend of it. There is no race program; this is a ride-what-you-brought park. Spring thaw and high water can close sections of trail, so check the Bear Creek Facebook page before you load up.