International Off-Road Day Date in the current year: October 4, 2025

Off-roading involves driving or riding in a vehicle on unpaved terrain, such as sand, gravel, dirt, mud, rocks, snow, or riverbeds. Off-road vehicles (ORVs) are capable of navigating unpaved roads and surfaces, or are specifically engineered for this purpose. These vehicles include cars, SUVs, trucks, buggies, quad bikes, and motorbikes.

Off-roading includes both recreational driving and competitive events that require vehicles with specific features, such as high ground clearance and four-wheel drive. Off-road racing is a form of motorsports that involves specially modified off-road vehicles.

There are several types of off-roading, depending on the terrain. These include dune bashing, mudding, green laning, desert racing, water fording, rock crawling, and snow wheeling. The names describe each type well. Dune bashing is performed on sand dunes, mudding involves off-roading in muddy areas, green laning means driving on rural or unpaved roads in the countryside, desert racing is similar to dune bashing but more competitive, water fording involves passing through shallow streams and rivers, rock crawling involves navigating rocky terrain, and snow wheeling means driving through thick snow.

People enjoy off-roading because it offers adventure and exploration of remote places, as well as the thrill of overcoming challenging terrain. Off-roading provides a sense of freedom and allows drivers to test their skills and their vehicles. It also provides opportunities to connect with nature. For many, it’s also a social activity shared with friends, clubs, or at organized events.

Off-roading offers many benefits that make it worth a try. It improves driving skills by requiring quick thinking and precise control of the vehicle over challenging terrain. It is an exciting way to explore new locations and gain a deeper appreciation of nature. As an outdoor activity, off-roading promotes physical fitness and exposure to fresh air. Additionally, it fosters camaraderie and shared experiences with friends because safety precautions require that you never go off-roading alone.

However, in some countries, off-roading is strictly regulated due to the environmental impact of off ORVs, including trail damage, land erosion, habitat destruction, and pollution. As a result, motocross tracks and designated off-road parks are often the only legal places to off-road.

International Off-Road Day was established in 2021 by Can-Am Off-Road and National Day Calendar. Initially celebrated on October 8, the holiday was moved to the first Saturday in October in 2024. This change was made at the request of off-road enthusiasts who felt the day would be better celebrated on a weekend. The best way to celebrate is to go out riding and share photos and videos of your off-road adventures on social media with the hashtag #InternationalOffRoadDay.