River Run ATV Park Jacksonville TX offers off-road enthusiasts over 2,000 private acres of bottomland timber along the Neches River. Riders bring quads, side-by-sides, dirt bikes, and custom mud trucks to tackle challenging gumbo clay bogs, sand flats, and wooded paths.
Key takeaways
- River Run ATV Park encompasses over 2,000 private acres in Cherokee County with 50+ miles of marked trails, operating 24 hours daily throughout the year.
- Single-day general admission costs $25 per rider Sunday through Thursday, while designated four-day mud event weekends carry a flat $70 fee covering the full visit.
- Overnight accommodations feature 156 RV sites with 30-amp and 50-amp electrical and water hookups at $30 per night, air-conditioned cabins starting at $75 per night, and free tent camping with general admission.
- Under Texas Parks and Wildlife Code Chapter 90, motorized vehicles are strictly barred from entering the waters of the Neches River to safeguard aquatic ecosystems.
- Operators and passengers under 18 must wear DOT-approved helmets under Texas state law and must provide a parent-notarized waiver if arriving without a legal guardian.
Where Is River Run ATV Park Located and What Are the Hours?
River Run ATV Park is situated at 2001 County Road 3315 in Jacksonville, Texas, approximately 10 miles west of downtown Jacksonville in Cherokee County. Reviewing River Run ATV Park hours shows the facility remains open 24 hours a day year-round, closing only for Thanksgiving Day and a late-December maintenance window.
For riders seeking authentic Jacksonville TX off-roading, the gate is reached easily from US Highway 175 by turning onto FM 347 and following county road signs toward the river. Municipal planning records from the City of Jacksonville Texas Official Municipal Portal highlight how outdoor recreation in western Cherokee County supports travelers arriving from Dallas, Houston, and Tyler.
Check-in takes place at the front gate office, where staff members verify identification, process liability waivers, and issue mandatory vehicle wristbands. Camping check-in begins at 12:00 PM noon, and departure check-out is set for 11:00 AM on your reservation end date.
- Physical Address: 2001 County Road 3315, Jacksonville, TX 75766
- Office Phone: 903-724-4100
- Operating Schedule: Open 24 hours daily, seven days a week (gate staff on duty during peak riding windows)
- Holiday Closures: Thanksgiving Day and late December (typically December 14 through December 30)
- Statewide Ranking: Ranked among the best ATV parks in Texas for mud trail mileage and riverfront camping
How Much Do River Run Passes, Events, and Camping Cost in 2026?
Admission to River Run ATV Park ranges from $25 for a weekday single-day pass to a flat $70 fee for major four-day event weekends. Standard RV sites with power and water cost $30 nightly on regular weekends, while furnished rental cabins start at $75 per night.
For overnight stays, River Run ATV Park camping options range from full-hookup recreational vehicle pads to rustic tent sites along the tree line. Tent camping is included with standard campground admission, providing access to central bathhouse facilities and hot showers.
Equipped with 30-amp and 50-amp pedestals, River Run RV hookups accommodate modern travel trailers and motorhomes across the Shady Pines, Sandlot, and Helipad loops. A convenient four-bay dump station is located near the exit to service holding tanks before highway travel.
Visitors seeking indoor lodging can book River Run cabin rentals equipped with heating, air conditioning, and full-sized refrigerators. Units sleep between four and eight guests and sit directly across from the modern community restrooms and shower building.
Children aged 10 and under receive free entry during all standard weekends and major events. Verified fee schedules and site reservation terms are maintained directly through the River Run ATV Park Pricing and Lodging Rates portal.
| Pass or Accommodation | Standard Non-Event Rate | Event Weekend Rate | Key Details & Restrictions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single-Day Riding Pass | $25 per person | Not Available | Valid Sunday through Thursday only |
| Non-Event Weekend Pass | Standard gate fee + $5 ORV surcharge | Not Available | Covers entire Friday through Sunday stay |
| Event Weekend Admission | Not Applicable | $70 flat per person | Includes $15 trail surcharge and all four event days |
| Children Entry (10 and Under) | Free | Free | Must be accompanied by a registered adult |
| RV Site (Electric & Water) | $30 per night | $150 full event flat rate | 156 total sites with 30-amp and 50-amp options |
| Rental Cabin | $75 per night (plus tax) | $300 to $650 per event weekend | Climate-controlled units sleeping 4 to 8 guests |
| Primitive RV Dry Camping | $15 per visit | $30 flat per spot | Generator permitted in designated areas |
| Tent Camping | Included with gate admission | Included with gate admission | Free hot shower access at central bathhouses |
Tip
Book RV hookups and cabins at least three months in advance if visiting during Mudd Jam or Muddin For A Cure. Unreserved primitive tent spaces rarely sell out, but powered RV loops reach capacity quickly.
What Trail Types and Mud Terrain Await Riders?
River Run ATV Park features over 50 miles of marked trails winding through sticky East Texas red clay, swamp bottoms, and shaded pine forest. The trail system accommodates all skill levels, offering marked bypass routes around deep bounty holes so casual riders can stay clean.
Navigating the diverse River Run ATV Park mud trails requires understanding how local weather alters track conditions. The perimeter Neches River ATV trails offer scenic water views, while low drainage paths quickly transform into heavy gumbo mud pits.
Unlike smaller East Texas ATV parks, this property balances technical mud ruts with hard-packed logging routes similar to the timber loops found at Sabine ATV Park. Riders can alternate between testing snorkel-equipped builds and enjoying scenic cruisers beneath pine canopies.
The Neches River Sandy Bottoms
Trails running parallel to the Neches River feature soft white sand flats that contrast with the sticky clay bogs found inland. These river trails provide expansive water views and wide sandbars where groups park their machines to rest between hard runs.
Riders must maintain steady throttle control through the riverbank sand. Loose sand can cause heavy utility machines to dig in if momentum drops. Motorized machines must remain strictly on the marked trail corridor above the riverbank gradient.
Extreme Mud Bogs and the Bounty Hole
The central lowlands house the park’s deepest mud bogs, including designated competition trenches and the signature Bounty Hole. These pits feature deep water channels, thick submerged ruts, and sticky clay designed for purpose-built mud machines.
Stock four-wheelers without lifted suspensions or aggressive lug tires will find these pits unforgiving. Spectators frequently gather along the elevated dry banks of the Bounty Hole to watch customized side-by-sides battle through chest-deep mud.
The Big Rock Scenic Waypoint
Big Rock stands as a prominent geological landmark and meeting spot located in the elevated timber section of the park. Off-roaders use this massive sandstone outcrop as a reliable navigation point when regrouping scattered trail parties.
The terrain surrounding Big Rock introduces moderate elevation climbs, exposed tree roots, and small rock shelves. It delivers technical trail variety that tests suspension travel without burying machines in deep muck.
Forest Hard-Pack and Beginner Routes
Beginners and family groups can navigate miles of shaded, hard-packed logging trails that avoid the deep water crossings entirely. These routes wind gently through towering pine and hardwood timber, offering a relaxed trail-riding pace.
Every major mud hole features a clearly marked dry bypass lane. This layout allows riders with stock suspension setups to ride together with heavily modified machines without getting stuck in impassable ruts.
What Major Mud Events Are Scheduled for 2026?
River Run ATV Park hosts six major organized off-road events in 2026, highlighted by Mardi Gras Ride in February, Mudd Jam in June, and Muddin For A Cure in October. Each event features organized mud bounty competitions, vendor alleys, and evening concerts at the park pavilion.
The complete schedule of River Run ATV Park events 2026 attracts off-road clubs from across Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, and Oklahoma. Spectators gather along the pit fences to watch high-horsepower mud buggies compete for cash purses, mirroring the competitive atmosphere seen at Xtreme Off Road Park and Beach near Houston.
Mardi Gras Ride
Mardi Gras Ride launches the spring off-roading calendar in February with festive bead giveaways, themed campsite decorations, and lively night rides. Early season rainfall keeps the swamp trails thoroughly soaked, creating prime riding conditions across the lowlands.
March Mudd Mayhem
March Mudd Mayhem coincides with Texas spring break schedules, attracting college groups and riding clubs for four days of non-stop trail action. Competition pits host bracketed drag races through shallow mud runs.
WTF Bounty Course Challenge
The WTF Bounty Course challenge in April tests machine endurance over a custom obstacle course constructed with telephone poles, steep dirt mounds, and deep slurry pits. Drivers compete against the clock for substantial cash prizes.
Mudd Jam
During Mudd Jam River Run in early June, thousands gather for the park’s largest summer festival, pairing daytime trail riding with evening live concerts at the pavilion stage. Afternoon heat allows riders to cool down along the river sandbars before heading to the lighted concert area.
Muddin For A Cure
The annual Muddin For A Cure Jacksonville TX event in October serves as the park’s signature charity gathering, raising funds for breast cancer research and patient care. Hundreds of pink-decorated machines join organized trail parades and fundraising auctions throughout the weekend.
Mudaholic Convention
The Mudaholic Convention closes out the competitive season in November before the holiday maintenance break. Cool autumn weather creates comfortable riding conditions for long cross-country trail runs through the timber.
How Should You Prepare Your ATV or UTV for East Texas Mud?
Preparing your ATV or side-by-side for River Run requires mechanical upgrades to protect key engine components from thick slurry and deep water. Installing a radiator relocation kit, raised snorkel lines, and an electric recovery winch prevents expensive trail breakdowns.
Stock machines can easily navigate the hard-packed perimeter roads, but conquering the interior swamp requires specialized protection. Riders traveling from North Texas who need machine rentals or gear inspections can consult an ATV rental Dallas TX outfitter before making the journey to Cherokee County.
Radiator Relocation Kits
Factory radiators mount low behind the front bumper, placing delicate cooling fins directly in line with flying mud and gritty river water. East Texas clay bakes into radiator fins when hot, completely blocking airflow and causing engines to enter limp mode within minutes.
Relocating the radiator to the top front rack on an ATV, or behind the roll cage on a UTV, keeps the cooling system above the mud line. This modification ensures continuous engine cooling during long periods of heavy throttle in deep mud bogs.
Raised Snorkel Systems
Snorkel systems raise the air intake for your engine and the cooling intake and exhaust for your CVT transmission belt. Factory intakes often sit beneath the seat, where entering standing water can result in hydro-locking the engine cylinders.
Quality snorkel kits route intake piping up to handlebar level on four-wheelers or roll-cage roof height on side-by-sides. Extended breather tubes should also be installed on differentials, transmissions, and fuel tanks to keep dirty water out of internal fluids.
Tire Selection and Recovery Winches
Trail riders should equip their machines with aggressive mud tires featuring minimum 1.5-inch to 2-inch tread lugs. Deep paddle-style lugs bite through slick topsoil to locate firmer ground beneath water crossings.
A waterproof electric winch rated for at least 3,500 to 4,500 pounds on ATVs, and 5,000 pounds on UTVs, is mandatory safety gear. Synthetic winch rope paired with a tree-saver strap allows you to perform self-recoveries from deep ruts without damaging pine timber.
What Are the Key Park Rules, Safety Laws, and Policies?
River Run ATV Park enforces strict safety policies to protect visitors, natural resources, and private property. Key regulations include mandatory check-in, minor helmet laws, a 25-mph trail speed limit, 11:00 PM quiet hours, and zero tolerance for operating vehicles while intoxicated.
Management requires all visitors to wear issued wristbands visibly throughout their stay. Review all updated campground policies directly on the River Run ATV Park Official Rules and Regulations page before loading your trailers.
Minor Waivers and Helmet Mandates
Texas state law requires operators and passengers under 18 years of age to wear a DOT-approved safety helmet while operating off-road vehicles. While adults on private property have personal helmet discretion, River Run strongly encourages safety gear for all riders.
Minors arriving without a parent or legal guardian must present an official liability waiver signed and notarized by their parent before entering. Anyone aged 18 and older must present a valid government-issued photo ID at the front office. Riders comparing these private property policies with public municipal regulations across North Texas can review our comprehensive guide to ATV riding in Dallas.
Texas SB 155 Riverbed Environmental Laws
Under Texas Parks and Wildlife Code Chapter 90 (enacted under Senate Bill 155), operating wheeled or tracked motor vehicles in protected freshwater riverbeds is strictly illegal. The Neches River is a statutory navigable waterway where driving machines through the riverbed carries state misdemeanor charges and fines up to $500.
Riders can review the exact statutory boundaries on the Texas Parks and Wildlife Riverbed Motor Vehicle Regulations resource. Machine tires must stay on the marked park property above the river gradient line at all times.
Speed Limits, Quiet Hours, and Alcohol Policies
Speed limits are strictly posted at 5 to 10 mph within camping loops, cabin lanes, and office areas, with a maximum limit of 25 mph on open trails. Spinning donuts and reckless driving through parking lots or campsites result in immediate expulsion without refund.
Campground quiet hours begin promptly at 11:00 PM to ensure families and overnight guests can rest. Alcohol consumption is permitted at private campsites, but operating any motorized vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs is illegal and strictly enforced by local law enforcement. Glass bottles are barred across the entire park.
Dedicated Vehicle Wash Bay Protocol
Riders are prohibited from washing mud-caked machines or trailers at RV campsites or water hookups. Mud runoff clogs campground drainage systems and damages gravel roadway surfaces.
The park provides a dedicated multi-bay Wash Bay equipped with high-pressure water hoses near the main entrance. Rinsing heavy mud at the wash station keeps campsites clean and prevents excess weight from loading down trailers during the drive home.
Neches River Activities and Nearby Jacksonville Attractions
Beyond motorsports trails, River Run borders miles of scenic Neches River frontage that offers fishing, swimming, and quiet outdoor relaxation. Visitors staying for long weekends can also explore Cherokee County landmarks, including public recreation at Lake Jacksonville and historic train excursions.
The river corridor provides a natural contrast to the roaring engines and churning mud pits found in the interior park. Packing a pair of water shoes and light fishing tackle allows riders to make the most of the East Texas pine country setting.
Fishing and Swimming in the Neches River
Anglers can catch channel catfish, blue catfish, and largemouth bass along the quiet brush piles and bends of the Neches River. Anglers aged 17 and older must carry a valid state fishing license purchased through the Texas Parks and Wildlife Freshwater Fishing Licenses portal.
During hot summer afternoons, shallow river sandbars serve as natural swimming spots for park visitors. Swimmers should enter only in calm, designated shallows and remain mindful that river depths and currents shift after upstream rainfall.
Lake Jacksonville and Cherokee County Destinations
Located just 10 miles east of the park, Lake Jacksonville offers 1,325 acres of clear water, concrete boat ramps, and public park amenities. Anglers and boaters looking for larger reservoir fishing across the region can also explore our Lake Palestine guide for boat ramp locations and seasonal bass tips.
Families can also visit Love’s Lookout on US Highway 69 North for panoramic views of the East Texas landscape, or drive south to Rusk to ride the vintage steam locomotives of the Texas State Railroad through the pine forest.
Frequently Asked Questions About River Run ATV Park
What are the standard operating hours for the park?
The park remains open 24 hours a day, seven days a week throughout the year. The facility only shuts down for Thanksgiving Day and a scheduled winter maintenance period in late December.
How much does a day pass cost for off-road riding?
Standard single-day use passes cost $25 per person and are valid Sunday through Thursday on non-event weeks. Major weekend events require a flat $70 multi-day admission pass covering the entire weekend.
Can you drive an ATV directly into the Neches River?
Motorized vehicles are strictly prohibited from driving into the Neches River under Texas state law Chapter 90. Guests may swim and fish along the banks on foot, but machines must stay on marked uplands.
Are helmets legally required for riders?
Texas state law mandates DOT-approved helmets for all operators and passengers under 18 years of age. While optional for adults on private land, wearing a protective helmet is strongly recommended across all trails.
Can visitors rent four-wheelers or side-by-sides on-site?
River Run does not rent off-road vehicles or trailers directly at the park gates. Visitors must bring their own machines or arrange machine rentals in advance through third-party regional powersports outfitters.
