Eastern States Offer Huge Networks of ATV Trails
Whether you like riding single on an ATV or with friends on UTVs, there’s nothing like tearing up the trails during free time. The United States has an abundance of diverse terrain, accommodating parks, and regional trail systems that beckon us to list them for you.
In the eastern section of the U.S., there are a handful of trails that flow through the Appalachians that you may want to add to your bucket list.
Here are our trail picks from Maine, New Hampshire, Tennesse, Vermont, and West Virginia.
Maine: DACF Trails
Maine is said to be an ATV/UTV trailblazer’s heaven. In fact, with a network of more than 6,000 miles of legal UTV trails and county, it's impossible to narrow it to just one.
The network includes multi-use and multi-use rail trails through scenic recreation and wildlife areas.
The Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry (DACF) is Maine's support center for many land-based natural resource interests, including farms and forestry-related businesses, outdoor recreation, and public access to parks and public lands.
The DACF suggests using its Park Search Feature to find ATV trails on Maine State Parks and Public Lands, and to view its Policy Statement about motorized and non-motorized uses of Multi-use Rail Trails.
Many of the Public Reserved Lands road systems are open to ATV use. Signage is important, so heed these tips from the DACF:
- Shared use is marked with “shared use” signs on all available trails
- If there are designated ATV trail systems, they will have ATV trail signs on them
- If roads or trails don't have these signs, ATV use is prohibited
Further, these state-owned or leased abandoned rail beds are available for multiple-use, including three-season ATV use:
New Hampshire: Pisgah State Park
Much like Maine’s multiple ATV trail options available through the DACF, New Hampshire’s OHRV Trail System and the NH Bureau of Trails provide statewide options. Despite being the fifth smallest state by area, New Hampshire offers ATV and UTV riders an outstanding variety of beautiful countryside to explore the longest off-highway recreational vehicles trail system in the U.S.
Thousands of private land trails are maintained by local OHRV Clubs that have permission from the landowners to create and maintain trails on their property.
Off-road trails in these private lands are broken into these 6 regions by OHRV clubs:
- White Mountain
- North Country
- Dartmouth/Lake Sunapee
- Monadnock
- Merrimack Valley
- Seacoast
We recommend checking out Pisgah State Park’s ATV trails in the Monadnock region.
Located in Winchester, N.H., this rugged, forested park in the southwest corner of the state boasts the largest property in the state’s park system. Pisgah offers some of the best off-roading in New Hampshire, including the popular Reservoir, Broad Brook, Old Chesterfield, and Jon Hill roads.
The park spans more than 13,300 acres that envelopes the watershed north of the Ashuelot River, as well as its seven protected ponds.
More than 15 miles of Pisgah’s ATV and UTV riding trails will have you scrambling up ridge climbs and rocky terrain, as well as enjoying the mostly hard pack trails with some loose dirt, sand, and mud.
PDF of map: https://www.nhstateparks.org/getmedia/50cee882-7dcd-4f76-9d43-1dac37aa1b2b/ATV-Trail-Bike_Trails-Map.pdf
Tennessee: Royal Blue Trails
Tennessee has been blessed with beauty starting west in the hilly plains and rivers and bordered in the east by the Great Smoky Mountains. Its natural features make Tennessee one of the best states for an off-roading adventure.
Renowned for having some of the best ATV tracks in the country, the Royal Blue Resort in Pioneer, TN is home to 600 miles of trails featuring waterfalls and wildlife.
There is also a wide range of trail difficulty — from easy and leisurely to the most technically challenging.
Royal Blue boasts:
- 150 acres
- Hard-packed dirt, trees, water crossings
- Access for ATVs, UTVs, motorcycles, dirt bikes, jeeps, and dune buggies
There is a cost to enter Royal Blue: $37 for non-residents, $15 for residents
Vermont: Long State, Long List of Trails
From flat and smooth to steep and rocky and everything in between, Vermont is an ideal place to ride, say members of the Vermont ATV Sportman’s Association (VASA). With more than 800 miles of legal trail opportunities statewide, the Green Mountain State indeed has many great options for all levels.
The majority of Vermont trails are open May through October, but some do have longer seasons. Before heading out on your ride, check with the local club to verify that the trails are open.
With its gorgeous mountains and sceneries, the Readsboro ATV trail and Green Mountain National Forest are popular trails for OHV riders.
Killington Mountain is another popular location ATV enthusiasts gravitate toward not only for a thrilling ride but also scenic views. It is open all year round and caters to all levels of riders. The terrain contains steep hills, hard packs, rocks, loose dirt, sand, and dust. There are restrooms and parking spaces available.
Here are five more Vermont trails we recommend:
- The Hinesburg Town Forest features about 836 acres of woodland and a U-shaped ridge owned by the Hinesburg residents. Visitors can access this part of the forest through its multipurpose trails open for horses, bicycles, and ATVs.
- Mobbs Farm Valley Trail in northern Vermont offers alternating climbs, descents, small dips, and rises scattered along its wooded areas. ATV riders can enjoy scenic views from start to finish, with the trail system’s pastures, streams, and wooded trails.
- Stratton Mountain Resort trails are great for all types of riders. With family-friendly tours available, children are welcome to experience the winding paths up to Vermont’s highest peak.
- Utley Brook Trail North in Peru, Vermont, features terrains that are good for all skill levels. ATV riders and adventurers can best enjoy the forested trail from March until November.
- Molly Stark Trail has a trail system suitable for riders of all levels with spectacular views of rivers, mountains, and foliage. The terrain consists of loose dirt, rocks, hard pack, dust, sand, berms, steep hills, and trees. Molly Stark Trail is open all year round; it is a 48-mile trail system that also offers hiking, camping, and wildlife watching.
West Virginia: Hatfield-McCoy Trail System
The Hatfield-McCoy Trail System is one of the most famous riding trails in the country. Also known as Trails Heaven, it features more than 600 miles of professionally managed trails ranging from scenic mountain views to twisting turns in the woods. The trail system is open year-round.
The HMTS created specifically designed adventures to accommodate all riders, with a variety of scenery and challenges.
The trail system is made up of these individual trail systems across southern West Virginia:
- Bear Wallow
- Braveheart
- Buffalo Mountain
- Cabwaylingo State Forest
- Devil’s Anse
- Indian Ridge
- Ivy Branch
- Pinnacle Creek
- Pocahontas
- Rockhouse
- Warrior
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