Feel the Thrill of Dirt Bike Tracks Near Marion, IL

October 27th, 2022 by

As a small city in southern Illinois, Marion is probably best known for its cozy charm and friendly residents, though not so much for its culture of motor sports. But established dirt bike riders may know that there are a few high-quality tracks in distant cities and towns. So whether you’re looking to get into dirt bikes or you’re just seeking out new tracks to ride, consider the following recommendations for dirt bike tracks in and around Marion, Illinois.

Little Egypt Off Road

A biker circles a dirt bike track in Marion, Illinois

Dust by Linus Åkesson is licensed with Unsplash License

You don’t have to go far to find an excellent track. Little Egypt Off Road is a local establishment just east of Marion. The property that would become Little Egypt Off Road began in 1999 with 400 acres acquired via the Illinois Off-Highway Vehicle grant program. Since then, with the help of additional grants, the park has expanded to 900 acres.

At Little Egypt, you’ll find a family-friendly off-road park that accommodates a variety of vehicles — dirt bikes, ATVs, and side-by-sides. It features a diverse range of terrain, including a motocross track, open trails, and tracks specifically for dirt bikes. There’s even a track for kids, as well as campsites and a shower house.

Fees at Little Egypt vary by age and entry type. The cost for riders aged 13 and up is $12, while riders aged 6 to 12 pay $5. For passengers and non-riders, the price is $6 and $3, respectively. For additional charges, refer to the fees page on the Little Egypt website.

Address: 20439 Ranch Lane, Crab Orchard, IL 62959

Hours of Operation: Little Egypt Off Road is open on Saturdays and Sundays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The cutoff for entry on Sundays is 3 p.m.

Contact: The number for the Little Egypt Off Road office is 618-982-2992. You can also send a message online through the establishment’s contact page.

Williams Hill Pass OHV

About 22 miles east of Marion is Harrisburg, Illinois, where you’ll find Williams Hill Pass OHV. The trails here are extensive, running across 230 acres through a hardwood forest. Though primarily advertised as an ATV trail, Williams Hill Pass OHV allows various types of motorized vehicles on its trails, including dirt bikes.

Williams Hill makes it easy to plan a weekend of dirt biking with its cabin rentals. Small, medium and large cabins are available for riders at a discounted price, as are electrical hookups for RVs. For the most economical option, you could use primitive camping, pitching a few tents alongside your bikes and sleeping under the stars. Whichever option you choose, rest assured that the onsite amenities are fairly extensive, as they include picnic tables, fire rings, and hot shower areas. For small fees, you can even get firewood, acquire certain toiletry items, and wash your vehicle.

An added benefit of biking at Williams Hill is that Shawnee National Forest surrounds it. If you’re so inclined, you can take advantage of the proximity by exploring some of the scenic forest’s 289,000 acres.

The entry fee at Williams Hill Pass OHV varies depending on the entrant type. Riders pay $15 per person, while non-riders pay $5. Veterans enjoy a discounted fee of $10 per person. Children under the age of 5 may enter for free.

Address: 1935 Peak Road, Harrisburg, IL 62946

Hours of Operation: Williams Hill Pass OHV is open daily, save for three days in November and four days in December for shotgun deer season. Per its social media page, the hours of operation are from 8 a.m. to dusk, though nighttime riding may be permissible.

Contact: To get in touch with Williams Hill Pass OHV, call 618-252-6978, email [email protected], or send a direct message via social media.

Archview MX Park

Archview MX Park is a bit of a ride away but not prohibitively far. Located in Washington Park, Illinois, you can pack up some friends and some bikes and have yourselves a thrilling weekend getaway near the Illinois–Missouri line.

Archview MX Park has a 1.5-mile track composed of a loam-and-sand mixture. It features jumps of varying difficulty levels, though none so difficult as to exclude beginner riders. Its design is intentional, as the park’s operators wanted a track to accommodate and challenge all kinds of riders without flagrantly jeopardizing their safety.

Archview hosts races as well as classes and open practice days. Practice days follow a specific protocol that involves race-prepping the track, positioning safety flaggers, and grouping riders by skill level and bike size. The cost of entry on practice days is $30 per rider. An additional gate fee may apply on practice days held on the same day as a race event.

Address: 5100 St. Clair Ave., Washington Park, IL 62203

Hours of Operation: Per the park operators, the track is open only on scheduled event days. Refer to the establishment’s event page for more information so that you can plan your visit.

Contact: You can contact Archview MX Park by calling 618-719-3438 or emailing [email protected]. Alternatively, use the contact form available on the establishment’s website.

At Volkswagen of Marion, we may not sell dirt bikes, but we certainly have a tremendous variety of high-quality vehicles you can use to transport your bikes to the track. Browse our inventory of new Volkswagens and used cars online to get a sense of what we offer.

Find something you like? Let us know by dropping an inquiry through our contact page. Just give us your name, contact information, and message and a member of our team will reach out to you as soon as possible. Alternatively, call us at 618-249-3841 if you’d prefer to speak directly with an associate. When you’re ready to get behind the wheel of your next vehicle, come down to our dealership at 4403 W. DeYoung St. in Marion, Illinois, for a test drive. We’re open Monday through Saturday and are always excited to meet new customers.

Posted in Exploring Marion