Gettin’ Stuck DID NOT Suck at The 2016 Highlifter Mud Nationals

Aftermarket off road product manufacturer Highlifter Products has been throwing one hell of a party for over a decade.  In 2003, Highlifter gathered friends, family, customers and other avid off roaders for a weekend full of riding and to showcase new products. With much success, this tradition grew into what we know today as The Highlifter Mud Nationals.

Every year thousands of UTV and ATV enthusiasts from across the nation travel to the Piney Woods Region of East Texas to Mud Creek Off-Road Park in Jacksonville for the annual Highlifter Mud Nationals for a full-fledged five-day mud event.

Attendees piled in all week long from opening day Wednesday morning until Sunday for this epic event that offers nonstop fun. Daily activities were held, like the Arctic Cat Poker Run where teams traveled to five different stations throughout the park for the best and worst poker hands. Some of the baddest side x sides around could be found at the JPS Bad 2 Da Bone contest as well as the most outrageous and loudest sound systems at the Audio Formz Mud Jam Stereo Competition

There was plenty of racing action during the week too, the crowd lined up to see the Endurance Challenge and packed in around the Arctic Cat Mudda-Cross track for some of the most brutal head to head competitions of deep mud bogging. The UTV Short Track MX Race was definitely a crowd pleaser too, UTV racers went all out in a fast pace, high flying competition of head to head UTV action with a few exciting wrecks, fortunately no one was injured. The Mudda-Cross and UTV Short Track MX had multiple classes full of contenders competing for cash prizes.

No reason to go home empty handed, aside from freebies from vendors and OEMs, each day attendees would have several opportunities throughout the day to line up at the MB Quart Prize Wheel and give it a spin for a chance to win a prize from participating vendors.

Multiple vendor areas were lined with many booths; you could find companies like MSA Wheels and Demon Axle showcasing the latest aftermarket products in the industry. ITP Tire and Wheels showcased the new Tornado UTV wheel and Cryptid mud tire, they also had a wind tunnel set up where attendees could get inside with the objective to grab a certificate for a free prize. The crew from STI Tire and Wheel where busy mounting wheels and tires for customers and showcased their line of off road wheels as well as their all new 36’’ Out & Back Max mud tire.

Side By Side Guru was there promoting their new mobile app for the side by side community. Amongst staying up to date on current industry events, trends and having a nationwide database of UTV riding areas at your fingertips, the all new social platform features a way to receive direct notifications from events. By attending the Mud Nationals page within the app we were able to get notifications from Highlifter throughout the event.  The app also features a locator that allows users to find friends who are also using the app, this made it convenient to find our crew when scattered across the large park.

Attendees got the opportunity to visit with OEMs like Can-Am, Polaris, Arctic Cat, Yamaha and CFMOTO who were there giving test rides and showcasing the latest side by sides. For the first time, Can Am debuted the all new Defender Max, designed with the performance and strength you look for in a workhorse UTV, the new utility sxs offers comfortable seating for up to six adults. Aftermarket companies, Highlifter Products and Super ATV decked out a few machines with their parts as well, you could find them displayed along with the new machines at OEM tents.

Some great music was booked for the weekend, The Jarod Mourad Band and Josh Thompson provided the entertainment at the Polaris Extreme Outlaw Stage Friday night for a grooving good time and Saturday night the crowd really packed in for an excellent show by Blackwater Bride followed by hick hop hero Colt Ford headlining an amazing and memorable evening of entertainment.

Aside from event activities, Mud Creek Off-Road Park offers plenty to do. The 4100 acre park is made up of rolling hills, creek bottoms and wooded patches where you can find nice wide trails, deep mud holes and a ton of swampy areas to explore.  Riding opportunities throughout the park are endless, hardwood forests, marshes and river bottoms provide challenges for riders of all skill levels. The park has 115 RV sites available with water and electricity hook-ups, but during Mud Nats they fill out quickly. No need to worry, an abundant amount of primitive camping is available for tents, RVs and toy haulers to freely set up camp.

All in all, the 2016 Highlifter Mud Nationals was huge success. Mud Nats is the ultimate hangout event southeast of Dallas for a good time with friends and a great opportunity to meet new ones. If you and your crew love riding, racing, and downright getting muddy put the 2017 Highlifter Mud Nationals on your calendar!

For more information on the Highlifter Mud Nationals visit – https://www.atvmudnationals.com/