Riding Brimstone Over Memorial Day
A Memorial Day ride at Brimstone can turn into a frustrating start if you arrive without checking trail access, permits, weather, or where your group plans to stage. Holiday crowds and changing spring conditions make a little preparation worthwhile. This guide walks through how to plan a safer, smoother ATV or UTV weekend, from choosing a base to handling trail changes once you arrive.
Plan the Holiday Weekend Before You Tow
Check access, permits, and park updates
Start by confirming the details that can change your whole trip: which areas are open, where riders should enter, what permits each person needs, and whether there are any temporary closures or event-related changes. Don’t rely on an old screenshot, a previous visit, or a friend’s memory as your only source. Check Brimstone’s official information shortly before leaving, then check again on arrival if the park shares updates at the office or trailhead.
Brimstone is a large riding area, and a route that looks simple on a map may take longer than expected once you account for hills, stops, mud, or a slower rider in the group. Plan around your group’s comfort and experience, not just the distance you hope to cover. If you need a refresher on what to arrange before riding, [Brimstone's Land Use Permits] and [Why a Tennessee Park Permit Does Not Travel] explain why a permit for one location should not be assumed to cover another.
Memorial Day weekends can bring more vehicles to nearby roads, lodging, fuel stops, and staging areas. Build time into your arrival plan for unloading and getting everyone organized. If you are meeting friends, pick a specific meeting point and a backup plan in case your group’s phones lose service or someone arrives later than expected.
Choose a base that fits your group
Brimstone’s Baker Highway headquarters is a useful reference point when planning where to meet, but your best base depends on how your group is traveling. A rider staying nearby may have a different schedule from a family towing a machine, a group renting vehicles, or people splitting their stay between a campground and a cabin. Decide in advance where you will sleep, fuel, park trailers, and gather before the ride.
For a holiday weekend, lodging and trailer space deserve as much attention as the trail plan. Ask the property directly about trailer parking, machine storage, access roads, quiet hours, and whether the route to the property suits your tow vehicle. A place that looks close on a map may still involve a slow or narrow drive, especially with a trailer.
If you are not bringing your own ATV or UTV, confirm rental availability and pickup arrangements before building the rest of the weekend around it. Ask what the rental includes, where you may ride it, what safety equipment is provided, and whether a park permit is separate. [Renting Through an Outfitter at Brimstone] is a useful starting point for understanding the questions to ask before you book.
Pick a Route That Matches Your Riders
Match the ride to the least-experienced person
A holiday weekend is not the time to discover halfway up a difficult climb that one rider is uncomfortable with the terrain. Before setting out, talk honestly about experience, machine size, passenger needs, and what each person considers a fun day. A confident adult on a familiar ATV may be ready for a different ride than a first-time UTV driver or a passenger who has never been on uneven ground.
Choose an achievable first loop, especially if you are unfamiliar with the area. It gives the group a chance to see how everyone handles the surface, pace, and trail markings before committing to a longer outing. If conditions are worse than expected, turning around early is a sensible decision, not a failed ride.
Carry a current park map and use a navigation tool as a backup. onX Offroad can help riders review routes and keep track of their position, but an app should not replace current park maps, posted signs, or closure notices. Before relying on any digital route, make sure you understand how it will work when cellular service is weak or unavailable. [Reading a Tennessee Park Trail Map] offers a helpful reminder to treat map reading as part of the ride plan, not a last-minute task.
Plan for spring conditions and holiday traffic
Late spring can bring a mix of dry stretches, damp ground, and muddy sections, sometimes in the same ride. A route that was manageable during a dry visit may feel very different after rain. Check conditions before you leave, and be willing to choose a shorter or easier ride if the ground is slick or visibility is poor.
Expect a busier atmosphere around a holiday, even if the trails themselves feel spread out. Leave room between vehicles, avoid rushing to catch another group, and be especially cautious around blind corners, steep grades, and narrow sections. If you meet another vehicle where there is limited space, slow down and communicate rather than trying to squeeze past.
| Planning question | What to do before riding |
|---|---|
| Are the trails open? | Check current park information and posted notices |
| Does the route suit everyone? | Match difficulty and distance to the least-experienced rider |
| Could rain change the plan? | Prepare an easier option and a turnaround point |
| Will navigation work without service? | Carry an offline map or paper backup |
| Is the group easy to contact? | Choose meeting points and agree on a check-in plan |
onX Offroad can be useful for reviewing a route ahead of time and helping your group stay oriented, but don’t treat an app’s route line as permission to ride somewhere. Follow park signs and instructions, and stay on authorized routes. A saved track is a planning aid; it cannot tell you that a trail has closed since you downloaded it.
Pack for a Full Day on the Trail
Bring the essentials for riders and machines
A good packing plan prevents small problems from becoming an early end to the day. Bring helmets and any other protective gear appropriate for your machine and riding conditions, plus water, snacks, sunscreen, and a basic first-aid kit. If your group includes children or new riders, pack extra layers and plan frequent breaks rather than assuming everyone will be comfortable for a full day outside.
Check your ATV or UTV before leaving home. Look over tires, brakes, lights, fluid levels, and the condition of any straps or cargo. Carry basic items suited to your machine, such as a tire repair kit, tools, and recovery gear, and make sure someone in the group knows how to use them. A winch or tow strap is only helpful when the group understands safe recovery practices and has a reasonable plan for using it.
Think through fuel before the ride instead of waiting for a low-fuel warning on a remote stretch. Know the machine’s range under the kind of terrain you expect, and leave a reserve. Store fuel only in an appropriate container and secure it properly. If you are uncertain about fuel availability near your route, ask the park or a local business before you head out.
Make a communication and safety plan
Before starting, tell someone who is not riding where you expect to go and when you plan to return. Within the group, agree on what to do if you become separated, someone has a mechanical issue, or a rider wants to stop. Pick recognizable meeting locations and establish a simple rule: if the group gets split, wait at the agreed point rather than continuing farther down the trail.
Cell coverage can be inconsistent in hilly or remote areas, so don’t make a phone call your only emergency plan. Bring charged phones, consider a portable battery, and download maps or route information before you lose service. onX Offroad may help with offline navigation when the needed information has been saved in advance; test the setup before the trip instead of figuring it out at a trail junction.
Set a turnaround time that gets everyone back before they are tired, hungry, or caught out by changing weather. This matters even more if you are riding with children, a new driver, or a group that tends to stop often for photos. Agree that anyone can call for a break or a change in route without being pressured to keep up.
Ride Considerately and Adjust When Needed
Follow park rules and respect other users
Brimstone is a place to ride, but that does not mean every open-looking track is an authorized trail. Follow posted signs, stay within permitted riding areas, and respect closures and property boundaries. Avoid cutting around a gate or riding off the marked route to get around mud; doing so can create safety, access, and environmental problems for everyone.
Use a controlled pace and be ready for other riders, pedestrians, work vehicles, or unexpected obstacles. Slow down near trail intersections and give other users room. Keep noise and dust in mind around shared spaces, campsites, and nearby homes, and secure loose items so they do not fall from your machine.
If you are riding with passengers, make sure your vehicle is designed for them and that everyone knows how to ride safely. Discuss hand signals, how to hold on, and what to do if the machine stops. A passenger who is anxious or uncomfortable may need a shorter ride, even if the driver feels ready to continue.
Have a practical backup plan
A solid Memorial Day plan includes a version of the day that still works if the weather, trail conditions, or group energy changes. Keep a shorter route in mind, identify a place to take a break, and agree on what would make you turn around. If rain makes a steep section uncomfortable, choosing a different route is better than trying to prove the machine can get through it.
After the ride, check your machine before loading it. Look for damaged tires, loose fasteners, leaks, and mud packed into areas that need cleaning. Give your machine time to cool before maintenance, and secure it carefully for the drive home. If you used a rental, follow the return instructions and report any damage or mechanical issue promptly rather than leaving the next rider to find it.
A weekend at Brimstone is easier to enjoy when the group is prepared to adapt. Confirm the rules and access details, choose terrain for the riders you actually have, and leave enough time for rest and safe travel. Keep onX Offroad or another navigation aid in its proper role: useful support alongside the park’s current directions, maps, and signs.
Disclaimer
This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Laws, prices and regulations vary by location and change over time. Consult a qualified professional for guidance on your specific situation.
