Honda Hills MX

Honda Hills MX in Thornville is a Central Ohio motocross icon with one of the most interesting histories of any active U.S. motocross facility. Originally established in 1969, making it one of the older U.S. motocross properties in continuous original location, Honda Hills operated for over three decades before closing in 2005 amid a combination of insurance, zoning, and ownership issues that took similar tracks down across the country in the early 2000s.

For 16 years the property sat dormant, with only the legend of the place keeping the name alive in central Ohio motocross circles. In 2021, after a full restoration of the tracks, infrastructure, and operations, Honda Hills reopened, and rapidly re-established itself as one of the most respected facilities in Ohio. The grand reopening was a significant moment for central Ohio motocross. The track is set in the hills between Zanesville and Newark, in classic central Ohio rolling country.

The dirt is a natural-terrain mix that drinks Ohio rain (essential in a state where summer thunderstorms can shut down lesser tracks for days) and develops the kind of organic ruts and berms that come from real elevation rather than imported terrain. Multiple track types operate on the property. The motocross track is the headline layout. There's a flat track section for old-school short-course racing. Woods trails wind through the surrounding hills for cross-discipline riders.

An amphitheater on the property hosts events, demonstrations, and the kind of multi-purpose programming that keeps the operation diversified beyond just race weekends. The race calendar is built around AMA-sanctioned events including the Central Ohio Motocross Series, with the 2025 season opener running April 26-27 and rounds continuing through the fall. Honda Hills also runs amateur events, regional series rounds, and structured open-practice days.

Camping is available on-site, which is significant given the relatively remote location, most riders attending multi-day events stay at the track itself. Concessions operate during events; basic restrooms are on-site. Practice schedule rotates seasonally, verify availability at hondahills.com before driving in. The address is 10214 Honda Hills Road SE, Thornville, OH 43076, about 45 minutes east of downtown Columbus, an hour west of the Wheeling, WV area, and about two hours south of Cleveland.

The drive from Columbus takes you through some of the prettiest country in central Ohio, with rolling hills and small towns that make the arrival feel like reaching a real motocross destination. Newark is the closest larger town with full hotel infrastructure (about 25 minutes west). For Ohio motocross riders, Honda Hills is the place that came back. The 1969-2005-2021 timeline is uncommon in U.S. motocross, most closed tracks stay closed forever.

The fact that this one returned, fully restored and operating at AMA-sanctioned event level, is a real win for central Ohio. The Central Ohio Motocross Series venue, the historical credibility, and the natural-terrain Ohio dirt make Honda Hills MX a pilgrimage stop for anyone serious about Midwest motocross.