Redbird State Riding Area
Redbird State Riding Area
Redbird State Riding Area, located near Dugger, is the first state-regulated off-road facility in Indiana. The land was originally used for mining coal. The Friar Tuck mine opened in Greene County in 1943 and closed in 1952. In 1945 the Redbird Coal Company began mining on the west side of Friar Tuck in Sullivan County. This mine was closed in 1950.
In the 1970s, the area became popular with people who liked riding vehicles off-road. It was also used to test machinery and driving skills. However, the activities were unregulated and safety was a big issue. People referred to the area as Redbird after the mining operation that was once located there.
In 1972 the Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR), which owned the property, adopted a policy prohibiting off road vehicles from being on the property. After interest in the area resurfaced in the 1990s, the DNR officially opened the Redbird site in September 4, 2003. Nearly one hundred riders tested the riding area. The entry fee is $10, and Redbird is open from April 1 to December 1, weather permitting.
The facility provides miles of trails for two- and four-wheel off-road vehicles. The trails range from easy to very challenging and are marked according to the level of difficulty. The original trails covered just over 200 acres, but 650 acres of hills, trees, and lakes are available for development.
One of the most important things that the state of Indiana wanted to do before it opened Redbird was to ensure the safety of the riders. People coming to Redbird must sign in and out for accountability reasons. The riders must also sign a damage waiver.
All vehicles must be registered for off-road use, have an off-road highway vehicle ID number, or licensed for road use. For certain vehicles, the driver must be at least 18 years of age and have a valid driver’s license. Those vehicles are SUV, Jeeps, pick-ups, Hummers, Dune buggies, and other BMV-licensed or street legal vehicles. Seat belts are required.
This information was used with permission from the Linton-Stockton School Corporation.
