Redbird 3X

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4.3/5 (3 reviews)
Linton, Indiana (Sullivan County)
Last Updated: 06/24/2023

Trail Information

Highlights

Mud Category Icon Mud
ORV Park Category Icon ORV Park

Redbird 3X is an award winner. It was awarded the BF Goodrich Trail of the Year in 2007 and is also a Jeep Badge of Honor Trail. All of the X trails within Redbird State Recreation Area will challenge you, including this one. Chock-full of steep hill climbs and weaving between tight trees while off-camber will indeed challenge even the most experienced driver. It's a must-do if you want to up your challenge from the blue and green trails and add another badge to your BOH collection.

Trail Difficulty and Assessment

Trail Navigation

Route Finding and Path. Redbird #3X is one of the more extreme trails within the Park and is not well-signed to find the trailhead. Follow the track within the Trails Offroad App for easier navigation. The back loop starting at Waypoint 7 is entirely optional and proves to be the most challenging section of trail that includes extreme grades, off-camber, and required 90° turns.

Technical. The route is almost entirely dirt, with plenty of mud and hill climb obstacles that can be off-camber. When dry, the road will test your suspension flex, break-over angle, and gearing. A wet trail can quickly turn the route impassable. Keep your eyes open for notches in the trees directly at the level where the top of your vehicle would meet the tree, as slamming your top into a tree on the off-camber sections is a big point of concern.

Vehicle and Equipment Recommendations. The trail is suitable for well-built shorter wheelbase vehicles with 4 low. Longer wheelbase vehicles can complete the trail but will have more difficult sections than short wheelbases. Mud-terrain tires are recommended.

Map Colors. While the Park depicts this as a red trail, red is not the color used by Trails Offroad. Our 6-rated trails use the color red on our 10-point rating scale.

The Park describes its map colors as follows:

  • Green = Beginner Level, Easiest
  • Blue = Intermediate Level, More Difficult
  • Black = Advanced Level, Most Difficult
  • Red = Expert Level, Extremely DIfficult


Open Hours, Permits, Amenities. You can wheel from dawn to dusk, but the Park's fee station is open from 9 am - 7 pm April through September and 9 am to 5 pm October through March. When you arrive, a park office offers a drive-up window to pay for your pass. The pass must be displayed.

The Park has several large picnic/pavilion areas for grilling food and gathering. Vault toilets are towards the Park's north end on the main paved road. There is plenty of parking for trailers, airing down and airing up.



Trail Reviews

4.3/5 (3)
Open
Rated 5/5
Visited: 08/06/2023
Difficulty Accuracy: Spot On

Wow, way more than I expected! We broke the rule of wheeling alone and paid for it by being stuck on a hilltop for an hour. After we got out, the rest of the day was a blast. The badlands in Attica have nothing on red bird! I suggest going the extra hour south, paying less and having a much better time as well as safer time. Far fewer people. If you do easy trails, you’re good but other than that, don’t go alone or make sure you have a *****. Safe trails ..
Trail Review: Redbird 3X - Harold smith
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Official Crew
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122300
Open
Rated 4/5
Visited: 05/05/2023

This trail was incredibly hard to navigate through. Trails branch off in every direction in so many places, and the signage is terrible. I did enjoy the trail though. It's very tight, very technical, and the risk of body/top damage is very high between waypoints 7-11. You've been warned!
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Official Crew
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117100
Open
Rated 4/5
Visited: 05/05/2023

Probably my second favorite trail in the park. As you drive the trail for the first time, there are plenty of challenges that will make you think about avoiding body damage. Once you have driven it and understand how to take on each obstacle, it becomes a little less intense from a driving standpoint.
Trail Review: Redbird 3X - Todd
Trail Review: Redbird 3X - Todd
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