Busco Beach & ATV Park
Goldsboro, North Carolina
Overview
Busco Beach & ATV Park is one of North Carolina’s most well-known off-road destinations, offering a massive private riding area built around sand, mud, and water crossings. Located near Goldsboro, Busco combines open riding zones with trail networks, making it a favorite for ATVs, side-by-sides, and off-roaders who enjoy mud-focused terrain in a controlled park setting.
The park’s character is different from mountain OHV systems—Busco is about wide-open sand, deep mud, and water-based obstacles. Conditions shift constantly depending on rainfall and traffic, meaning an easy day can quickly turn into a challenging one if the park is wet or heavily churned.
Busco is also known for its energetic, community-driven atmosphere. Riders often come for events, group weekends, and the unique “play area” style off-roading that you simply don’t get on public forest trails.
Who This Area Is / Isn’t For
This Area Is For:
- ATV and UTV riders looking for mud and sand terrain
- Off-roaders who enjoy water crossings and play areas
- Groups and clubs planning social ride weekends
- Riders who want a large, managed off-road park
- Drivers comfortable with changing conditions
This Area Isn’t For:
- Visitors expecting mountain trails or rock crawling
- Low-clearance passenger vehicles
- Riders unwilling to deal with mud and water
- Those who don’t have basic safety gear
- Drivers who aren’t prepared for recoveries
Overall Riding Difficulty
Rating: Advanced (5/10) — difficulty varies widely by area, with optional deep mud and water obstacles that can become very challenging depending on weather and traffic.
Vehicle Requirements
Busco is designed primarily for ATVs and UTVs, but it also accommodates other off-road vehicles depending on park policies. Vehicle needs depend heavily on how aggressively you plan to ride and which areas you choose to enter.
Commonly recommended equipment includes:
- ATV, UTV, or appropriate off-road vehicle
- Aggressive mud-capable tires
- Winch (especially for UTVs in wet conditions)
- Snatch strap / tow strap and recovery points
- Helmet and personal protective equipment
Riders who plan to run mud holes or water obstacles should also consider waterproofing key components and carrying spare parts.
Seasonality & Access
As a private off-road park, Busco Beach operates on its own schedule, with riding availability dependent on park hours, events, and weather conditions. Rain dramatically changes the character of the park, often increasing difficulty and recovery needs.
Weekends and event days can bring heavy traffic, which may increase churned mud and make some trails significantly rougher.
Before visiting Busco, it’s recommended to:
- Check current hours, entry fees, and riding policies
- Confirm vehicle requirements and safety rules
- Review weather forecasts and plan for mud conditions
Warnings & Hazards
Busco’s main hazards come from deep mud and water crossings. These obstacles can cause vehicle damage, flooding, or sudden immobilization—especially for riders without winches or recovery support.
Potential hazards include:
- Deep mud pits with hidden ruts
- Water crossings with soft bottoms
- High traffic during weekends and events
- Limited visibility in wooded trail sections
Ride within your limits, avoid unknown water obstacles when alone, and travel with a group when possible.
Interesting for Off-Roaders
Busco Beach offers a unique kind of North Carolina off-roading—one focused on sand, mud, and water-based challenges in a huge, purpose-built environment. It’s a destination where riders can choose their own level of intensity, from casual trail cruising to serious mud play.
For many off-roaders, Busco is as much about the community as the terrain: big weekends, group rides, and the shared experience of tackling conditions that change every time you visit.
This area appeals most to off-roaders who enjoy:
- Mud and water obstacle riding
- Large off-road parks with open play areas
- ATV/UTV-focused terrain variety
Busco Beach & ATV Park fits NC Offroad’s broader mission by offering an accessible, managed place to ride—where preparation, safety, and respect for others make the experience better for everyone.