TARLAC | Ripping through the Tarlac Recreational Park

Thursday, April 10, 2014

Tarlac Recreational Park ATV

My ATV rumbled through the arid dirt track of the Tarlac Recreational Park. I sped past a dune buggy, my hands shaking wildly as the ATV bounced through a rough patch of the road. The sun was gloriously shining above, the wind whipping through my whole body, my camera dangling just below my neck. The only thing missing was an AC/DC song blasting through as soundtrack and everything would’ve been rock n’ roll perfect.

Tarlac Recreational Park ATV
LAKAD PILIPINAS AT THE TARLAC RECREATIONAL PARK - PHOTO BY DANDI GALVEZ

The change from absolute calm to supreme mayhem couldn’t be more jarring.

Our group from Microtel Luisita’s Tara Quin Tarlac Tour has just visited the hilltop sanctuary of Monasterio de Tarlac before heading to the Tarlac Recreational Park. It is arguably the hub of sports activity this side of the province.

Tarlac Recreational Park Lunch
A QUICK PACKED LUNCH BEFORE TOURING THE PARK

Packed lunches were passed around as we were briefed on what to expect from the recreational park. Through spoonful of pancit and crispy fried chickens, my ears suddenly perked up as I heard that the park has dune buggies and ATV’s (all terrain vehicles) available to drive around.

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Tarlac Recreational Park Kayak
WE CAN GO KAYAKING!

The introduction went on, the 78-hectare Tarlac Recreational Park also has an Olympic-sized swimming pool, a lagoon for kayaking, an excellent biking trail, a zipline and an airsoft ground.

But all these are just flying through my head. I’m rarin’ to go board that ATV!

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Tarlac Recreational Park ATV
BUT I CHOSE TO DO THE ATV ROUTE

I’m a relative newcomer when it comes to riding an ATV, having only driven it once through Mayon Volcano’s Lava Trail the year before. But it was such an exciting and addictive ride that even though the dune buggy seemed the safer choice, I still jumped on the ATV first.

Tarlac Recreational Park ATV
EXPLORING THE DIRT TRAIL AT THE TARLAC RECREATIONAL PARK

Instructions were given and first-timers were briefed on how to handle the vehicles. Driving an ATV and a dune buggy is actually not that hard, it’s basically just a more advanced bump car. Advanced, being it has a gear for drive, neutral, and reverse. One just has to shift to drive, press the accelerator, brake if needed, and that’s it.

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Tarlac Recreational Park ATV
ATV OR DUNE BUGGY, YOU CHOOSE

Revving our engines up, we donned our helmets and roared after the lead guide towards the rough trails of the Tarlac Recreational Park. The road winding through the rocky outskirts of the park is dry and dusty; clouds of dirt flew through the air as we sped through the landscape.

Tarlac Recreational Park ATV
THIS IS FUN!

Good thing I was wearing a Headware for nose and mouth cover and an arm-warmer to protect myself from the elements. I just wish I bought a pair of shades the week before so I didn’t have to squint every time I pass through a dust cloud. It would’ve made for an easier, and not to mention safer, drive.

Tarlac Recreational Park ATV
SCENIC RIDE ACROSS THE ATV TRAIL

The trail wound up and down through the hilly parts of the complex. I lost track of time but I guess it took a good thirty minutes for us to loop around the tracks and return to our starting point. The trail was really scenic that I have to stop every now and then take photos of the landscape.

Tarlac Recreational Park ATV
TRYING OUT THE DUNE BUGGY AS A PASSENGER

But that wasn’t the end of it. Not by a long shot.

I totally forgot there were other things I can do at the Tarlac Recreational Park. I could’ve biked, I could’ve paddled a canoe through their lagoon, or perhaps ridden the zipline (which I’ve done numerous times before, but sort of felt it lacking in excitement).

What I did instead is ride the dune buggy through the same rough course—first as a passenger to take photos, then as a driver.

Tarlac Recreational Park ATV
A BUMPY AND DUSTY RIDE

I was so addicted with Tarlac Recreational Park’s rough trail that I spent the whole afternoon, doing nothing but revving and roaring across its dusty roads with AC/DC songs playing in my head. It was pure adrenaline-rush and I kept wishing I’d find a longer trail to get lost in.

Tarlac Recreational Park ATV
GOING OFF ROAD – PHOTO BY MYKIE IBARRA

After uncountable hours of ripping through Tarlac Recreational Park, I emerged from the dune buggy all dusty and thirsty. And you’d never guess, but there’s a brainfreezing-cold Razon’s Halo-Halo waiting for me at the end of the line. How perfect is that.

 

Activty Fee: Dune Buggy & ATV P500.00/hr | Kayak P50.00/hr | Biking P50.00/hr | Fishing Php100/day Camping P300.00/tent | Own Tent P100.00/head

 

Tarlac Recreational Park
Address: San Juan de Valdez, San Jose, Tarlac
Contact Number: (045) 493-2471 | (0999) 885-3981
Opening Hours: 9AM to 5PM, Closed Mondays
Entrance Fee: Free
GPS Map Coordinates: 15.5010257,120.500337



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13 comments

  1. May prefer this than go to Pinatubo! Thanks for sharing!

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  2. I may have missed it. But how do I get to the Recrational park commuting from the city proper?

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    1. From the Tarlac City terminal (McDonalds area), ride a jeepney bound for Villa Aglipay. Tell the driver to drop you in TRP entrance, which is about 700 meters away

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  3. is there any go kart in TRP?

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    Replies
    1. Hi, there are no go karts at the Tarlac Recreational Park, but there is one at Tarlac City :)

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  4. Hello..is tarlac recreational park open today?

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  5. hi! can I ask? what time do you suggest when going to recreational park? as a first timer tourist. thanks!

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    Replies
    1. Hi Dadaa, the best time to go would be during the mornings as it gets pretty hot during the afternoons.

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  6. hello may I ask how to book or reserve in the Recreational park?

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    1. Hi, you may book by contacting the Tarlac Recreational Park directly using the phone numbers I posted at the end of the article.

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