Milford Lake Trip

Well we went to Milford Lake in Kansas for the first time on May 23rd and it was a blast. Everything I had heard from others was right on the spot from the hills to the mud and the trail conditions. As well as the usage of the park itself by bikes and atv's alike. I do not think there was much surprise on my part as to what I would expect except maybe for the lake itself, wonderful views just wish I would have taken more pictures but it was a muddy day there and was afraid of hurting the cameras by flying mud missiles from the tires and passer by's. But did manage to get some good ones mostly from Vicki's camera and Linda on the Camcorder as myself Jimmie, Kayla and Justin where having just to much fun to stop for picture taking.

The day started with a worry, it was raining and I mean raining hard on the way to Milford which took about 3 hours of driving, not to bad. We encountered some heavy storms just outside of Kansas City along with windy conditions all the time I am thinking what a horrible day to ride. But as luck would prevail about a hour away from Milford we ran into clear weather, no rain and just beautiful out. The rolling plains of Kansas look so inviting just to pull over and ride them but hence we could not so onward we went.

Once we got there, oh by the way if you do go do not forget to get good directions to the area as it is a bit hard to find with numerous turns and few markers, we unloaded the atvs and begun the days events. First trail took I think was the north part hooking around the lake (this trail does dead end but is well worth going on) about a mile or so long. All of us except Justin (Gator is what he is called) had 4 wheel drive atvs, he was on a Polaris Outlaw 2 wheel drive. Right of the bat Gator got in a rut of mud and got himself stuck as well as covered in mud.

There where several times throughout the day he got himself in a little bit of a mess but all in all did very well on the Polaris in the mud. Main thing is no one got hurt and that is what counts the most. He was not the only one that got their atvs stuck in the thick. We had to get Jimmie out once as well as Vicki (that was funny seeing Vicki get her pretty white and pink new quad stuck). The park had got some rain during the night which made a mud runners paradise with all the holes of water and slick spots though it would have been nice if the hill trails would not have been so slick, think we would have done more of the hills if they would have been a bit on the dry side. That only makes for another trip to the place which will happen.

At one point we came across 3 Rhinos that where in a pit, 1 on its side where it tried to go up a hill I guess and flipped good thing they had a roll gage or it might of not been a pretty sight. We stayed around there for a bit watching them (they did not want help). Once righted the guy the was driving tried to go up another hill side to all of our amazement. He got about 15 or so feet up and began to weave side to side before he backed out of it and came down. They took off 2 going around the pit and one threw the middle, yep he got himself stuck. I moved over to help but again they wanted no help instead moving back and forth until eventually making his way out. Those Rhinos where worked hard that day by them as we passed them throughout the day, they did not slow down nor did they appear to learn the limits of their machines. These guys where the type you watch out for on a trail, high on power, low on brains.

Anyway the day went well, as said no one got hurt which again is the main goal of any trip to have the maximum amount of fun possible but not get hurt. More pictures and hopefully a short video clip will be and/or is posted in the pictures/video section of the site. We have not been to a ton of atv riding areas like others may have been so I will not rate the site but will say this, IF you are fairly close to Milford Lake atv area it is well worth the visit. They do not have a track nor a lot of jumps in the area but they do have some nice trails for the average atver. If your a Dirt bike fan then you have a numerous amount of good hill climbs a lot of which end up going 90 degrees at the top so be prepared for it. If you do not like muddy conditions then do not go after a rain or after rains as it is muddy in I would bet 70% of the park. But once dry it will be a whole different ride all together for bikes as well as atvs.

Helmets are required, no flags though and there is no cost to ride here. I was told you must have a State permit (one from your state will work, Kansas permit not required) so this means you must have a titled ride. But once there I was told it is not checked (your ticket not mine) There was a Park Ranger in the staging area so take your chances if you desire to. No beer or anything of that nature allowed in the park period. The rest room has no running water to clean yourself in once you are done though the lake is nearby to wash up a bit so bring some water. If you need fuel, food or anything like that get it before you get there as the nearest place is about 10 miles away which in our case was Junction City. No camping allowed in the site area itself but is allowed a bit away from it.

I guess the best way to sum up Milford is that IF you like pure trail riding and live fairly close by (we where 3 hours away) then this place is great. If you like to ride a bit then rest or what have you then it may not work for you as there is nothing close by to occupy ones time. Oh by the way no night riding as the gates close at 8pm to the riding area. Will we go back, you bet, well worth another visit but want a dry visit next time to be able to ride where we could not this visit due to slippery mud...

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