Post edited 10:23 pm – July 19, 2011 by SchlingBlade

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I was on vacation from July 1 through the 18th, and got the Wrangler all wrapped up in time to hit the Badlands and Haspin Acres while I was in Indiana.  I am happy to report, the little blue and pink beastie made it home in one piece! 

 

Haspin Acres was an interesting trip.  I didn't do anything difficult since it was my first time, and was mainly there to hang out with some high school friends that I haven't seen in 15 years.  They go from time to time, and mainly do runs in the fall, winter, and spring because wheeling there in the heat SUCKS.

 

First off, every horrible thing you've ever heard about that park is 100% true.  You pay your money, get your wrist band, and once you are through that gate, you can do just about anything you want.  There are NO marked trails, only a few markers on the main road that makes a loop through the park.  2-way radios are an absolute must, and a GPS wouldn't hurt either.  Cell phone reception is poor at best.

 

The paths where you can ride are everywhere.  Sometimes feet apart, going up the same climb, sometimes intersecting other trails halfway up a climb.  It was bone dry when I was there, and super dusty.  Easy to climb up and over everything I tried as well.  If it was wet, it would be a whole different story, and 100x harder.

 

I got to the park around 5pm.  The posted signs indicate you can "ride" until 10pm, but in reality people are out all night.  You camp ANYWHERE in the park, which means people will ride through your site if you choose poorly.  There is a "campground" area, but I saw ATVs riding around even after I left at 11pm.

 

Drinking is allowed on the trails.  The trails are actually pretty dangerous even if you are sober.  The day I went some lady was airlifted out of the park after the vehicle she was in flipped, and she impaled her leg on something after she was thrown from the vehicle.  The group I rode around with had a K5 Blazer that flipped four times down a long climb about two hours into the trip!  No one was hurt, but the truck was pretty much mangled.  They did get it upright and running before I left, but the cab was destroyed.  I didn't see it happen, and even though I drove around the general area, couldn't find my way to the rollover, even with a local riding with me.  Folks who go to the park regularly couldn't even find them!

 

The possiblity of vehicle damage is very high, and the only thing that is groomed is the main road and the parking lot.  If you break down and have to leave the vehicle overnight, expect to have everything of value stolen at best, and the vehicle burnt to the ground as a worst case scenario.  Camping in the park has its own challenges, and I would recommend NOT camping there from what I've seen and was told by the locals.

 

I haven't been to a lot of offroad parks, but this was nothing like I've ever seen.  It's like living in a Mad Max movie.

 

edit:  I only shot this one video while I was in the park.  :-(  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v…..eamYFF2wfo

Hmmmmm wonder if this would be a "to go" place for one of the club trips.