We’re back with our fourth and final set of your favorite riding parks and trails in the US (and beyond). We’ve toured the mud bogs of the South, the dunes of the West, and the parks of the Midwest. This time we’re looking at the relatively small region known as the Northeast, and we’re even expanding our search over the border and into Canada!
Just because this region is smaller than others doesn’t mean there aren’t some incredible places to ride in this trail-heavy corner, so take a look! This article couldn’t possibly cover everything in this region, but it’s a great place to start if you’re looking for somewhere new to ride in the Northeast. Did your favorite riding spot make the cut?
Experience some of the best trail riding that Canada has to offer at the Renfrew County ATV Club in Ontario, Canada. This park is made up of three major trail systems bringing you a total of 600+ miles of riding. The trails are well taken care of and take you past pristine lakes and remarkable Ontario views.
The best parks are those that offer something for everyone, and Renfrew County ATV Club is no exception. The extensive trail systems are located in the Ottawa Valley and take you through muddy wetlands, shaded forests, majestic lookouts, and shimmering lakes. The off-road experience combined with some of Ontario’s most picturesque views make this park a definite must-see.
The ATV trails close down during the winter, but that doesn’t mean the fun has to end. Renfrew County ATV Club turns into a network of exciting, snow-covered snowmobile trails during the winter months. So plan your trip accordingly! If you’re hoping to put some miles on your ATV or side-by-side, make sure to go during the warmer months. But if you feel like trying out something new, a snowmobiling trip in December doesn’t sound half bad!
| SIZE: | Over 1,000 kilometers (roughly 620 miles) of trails |
| STYLE: | Most of the year, all trails are open to ATVs and 90% are accessible by side-by-sides as well. In the winter, the ATV trails are closed and the park turns into a snowmobiler’s paradise! |
| COST: | • One day = $20 CAD (approx. $15 USD) • Three days = $50 CAD (approx. $37 USD) • Annual pass = $150 CAD (approx. $112 USD) |
| EXPERIENCE LEVEL: | The trails are accessible for all experience and skill levels. Use their interactive trail map to determine which trails are right for you. • Easiest = paved or forest access roads • Intermediate = bush trails • Expert = rough bush trails • Most difficult = bush trails and/or swamps, less traveled and maintained |
| OPEN: | ATV trails are closed during the winter, so unless you’re planning on taking your snowmobile, you might want to plan your visit during the summertime. |
| ACCOMMODATIONS: | There are no on-site accommodations managed by RCATV. Check out their list of community partners to see what camping/lodging options are located nearby. |
| AMENITIES: | Nothing but the great outdoors. Make sure to pack everything you may need for the day! |
| GOOD EATS: | • Madameek: This family-owned Lebanese restaurant is a local favorite, and a great cultural and culinary addition to the Pembroke area. ○ Price = $ • The Nook Crêperie: It’s like your own little slice of Paris in downtown Pembroke. You’ll experience everything from sweet to savory with dishes prepared using European-imported cured meats, cheeses, and chocolates. ○ Price = $$ • Polka Spuds: This modest food stand serves delicious Polish and Canadian comfort food. Stick with a classic burger or try the more authentic perogie poutine! ○ Price = $ It’s difficult to recommend restaurants based on vicinity because Renfrew County ATV Club covers such a vast territory. If you like to plan ahead, you might want to do some extra digging and see which restaurants are closest to your trails of choice! |
| EVENTS: | Check out the Renfrew County ATV Club Eventbrite page for a list of upcoming events. |
| MORE INFO: | http://renfrewcountyatv.ca |
What makes Ride the Wilds so unique is that it’s actually a collection of seven trail systems—the largest group of interconnected trails in the Northeast, actually! The 1,100+ miles of trails across Coos County, NH, are cared for by eleven separate ATV clubs. There are no fees to ride at the recreation area (apart from your vehicle registration fees), so all funding comes from grants or fundraisers. The people you see maintaining and patrolling the trails are all volunteers. It’s truly an attraction developed for riders and by riders.
There’s no way you’ll be able to see it all in one trip, so you’ll want to keep coming back again and again. With more than a dozen starting and stopping points all across the county, you can do just that and still have a totally unique riding experience each time.
You’ll spend most of the year dominating the Ride the Wilds trails in your ATV, but in the wintertime, Ride the Wilds turns into a mecca for snowmobilers of all ages and experience levels. Coos County averages 119 inches of snow per year, vastly surpassing the US annual average of only 28 inches. It’s the perfect opportunity to try out a different type of off-road adventure if you’re in the area during those cold and snowy months!
| SIZE: | Made up of several trail systems with a collective 1,000+ miles of trails |
| STYLE: | Ride the Wilds offers gravel roads, wooded trails, wide sweeps of undeveloped land, and plenty of mud. The park is home to some extensive snowmobile trails in the winter months! |
| COST: | You can access the trails free of charge as long as your vehicle is registered with the NH Fish and Game Department. Click here to learn more about registration. |
| EXPERIENCE LEVEL: | Each set of trails offers a variety of terrain types suited for different experience levels. Check out this website for details and restrictions specific to each club’s trail system. NOTE: You must be at least 18 years of age and hold a current driver’s license, or be at least 12 years of age and show proof of completing a New Hampshire-approved OHRV course in order to operate a vehicle on the trails. |
| OPEN: | The trails are limited to snowmobiles only during the winter. Trail accessibility varies, depending on the weather and trail conditions. Each of the eleven managing ATV clubs determines when the trails can and cannot be accessed. Check this website or the Ride the Wilds Facebook page for the most up-to-date information. |
| ACCOMMODATIONS: | Ride the Wilds doesn’t manage any lodging options themselves, but there are several cabins, inns, lodges, and resorts along the trails. Click here to browse all of your options. |
| AMENITIES: | • Click here to learn more about ATV/UTV rentals and guided tours. • Click here for a full list of dining options located along the trails. • Click here for suggestions on what to do when you’re done riding. With over 1,000 miles of trails, there are too many nearby amenities to name. All of the towns within the Ride the Wilds trail system allow ATVs on town roads to access gas stations, restaurants, grocery stores, and shops. NOTE: This is true for town roads only. Be sure to check for “ATV Permitted” signs when driving on the highway. |
| GOOD EATS: | • Le Rendez Vous Bakery: The owners are certified bakers who immigrated from France to New Hampshire to open this warm, inviting, authentic French café. ○ Price = $ • Rainbow Grille & Tavern: Located in the Tall Timber Lodge, this restaurant serves everything from steak to pasta to freshly-caught seafood. You won’t want to miss out on their nightly specials, which usually feature bison, elk, or venison! ○ Price = $$$ • WaterWheel Breakfast and Gift House: What better way to kick off a day of riding than with the best home-cooked breakfast on the East Coast? Snag some lunch while you’re here too, as long as you make it before 2 PM.. ○ Price = $ All of these restaurants are located right along the trails of Ride the Wilds. |
| EVENTS: | There were no events posted at the time this article was published, but there is an event calendar on the Ride the Wilds website. Check it out when planning your trip to see if there will be anything special going on that week! |
| MORE INFO: | http://ridethewilds.nhgrand.com http://bearrockadventures.com/home |
Tall Pines ATV Park is located on a fully-functional farm in Andover, NY. Both the ride park and the farm, which specializes in Christmas trees, grains, pumpkins, and more, are family owned and operated. The owners’ focus is on putting family first and making each visitor feel like they’re right at home.
The 70+ miles of well-maintained trails in Tall Pines offer something for everyone. It doesn’t matter if you do your riding on a dirt bike or behind the wheel of a UTV—they’ve got the trails for you. Each trail, which is clearly labeled based on degree of difficulty, offers a unique and varied terrain type. And with so many on-site accommodations and amenities, like cabins for rent and a full-service kitchen open every weekend, you can easily extend your stay long enough to experience it all! Whether you’re into mud, hills, or something in between, you’ll never get bored when trail riding at Tall Pines.
The owners of this park pride themselves on having some of the best off-road trails on the East Coast. So what are you waiting for? Go check them out for yourself and see what keeps so many visitors coming back year after year!
| SIZE: | 70+ miles of well-maintained trails |
| STYLE: | Tall Pines has trails for all experience levels, from beginner to advanced. You’ll find a mixture of field roads and mud bogs, as well as an obstacle course and motocross track. They have ATV trails, single-track dirt bike trails, and lots of hills. All trails (with the exception of those labeled “Bikes Only”) are wide enough to accommodate both ATVs and side-by-sides. ATVs, UTVs, and dirt bikes are welcome. Jeeps, trucks, or Roxor-like machines are prohibited in the park. |
| COST: | • One day = $20 per person / $15 per passenger • Two days = $30 per person / $20 per passenger • Season passes available ○ One adult = $200 per year ○ Two people = $300 per year ○ Family pass (2 adults, 6 children max) = $400 per year ○ There is a $250 fee is you wish to keep your trailer or camper on the property throughout the season. Click here for more information on pricing. NOTE: Kids 10 and younger ride for free if purchasing a one- or two-day pass. |
| EXPERIENCE LEVEL: | All trails are clearly marked with the degree of difficulty: easy, intermediate, or difficult. Difficult trails feature rocks, roots, steep areas, stumps, and other obstacles that you cannot go around—you have to go over them! Those trails are recommended for riders 16 years and older. Easy and intermediate trails feature some of the same obstacles, but with paths to go around them if you wish. |
| OPEN: | • Trail hours: 7 days a week, 9 AM until dusk • Kitchen hours: Saturday 9-5 and Sunday 9-4 The park is generally open to ATV riding from May until hunting season. The trails reopen after hunting season until the snow gets too deep. Because operation dates are highly dependent upon the weather, make sure to call first before planning your trip. NOTE: Tall Pines recommends that you follow the directions on their website when accessing the park. If you use GPS, you may be pointed down two “seasonal use roads” which are not maintained (no plowing, sanding, salting, etc.). |
| ACCOMMODATIONS: | • Primitive camping ○ $10 per person, per night ○ Kids 10 and under stay free ○ No water or electric hook-ups • Thirteen small cabins (sleep 4-6 people, depending on the cabin) ○ Prices range from $65 to $109 per night ○ Bring your own linens or sleeping bags ○ Small cabins do not have bathrooms, but there are Porta Johns located nearby • Bear Hollow (large cabin that sleeps up to 10 people) ○ Prices range from $285 to $405 per night ○ Rental requires a two-night minimum • House on the Hill (large home that sleeps up to 14 people) ○ Prices range from $285 to $405 per night ○ Rental requires a two-night minimum Check their reservations page for more information on each cabin. NOTE: Please bring propane for cabin heaters if you are staying during cold weather! |
| AMENITIES: | • Shower facilities ○ Free for campers and cabin guests ○ Open 24 hours a day • Kate’s Kitchen (located on site) ○ Breakfast, lunch, and dinner served every Saturday and Sunday • Tall Pines Store ○ Located in the Registration Barn ○ Camping supplies (ice, firewood, etc.) ○ Machine repair supplies (belts, chains, oil, etc.) ○ Other miscellaneous items All town and village roads in Andover are open to ATVs, side-by-sides, and dirt bikes. As long as you keep your speed at 20 MPH or below and are respectful when riding in town, you can easily ride straight from the trails to the restaurants, shops, and hotels of Andover. |
| GOOD EATS: | • Collegiate Restaurant: Dubbed “The Jet” by the locals who have become regulars, this classic NY diner has been serving up the best of American cuisine since 1924. ○ Price = $ ○ Drive time = 15 minutes away • Modern Diner: This place looks the same today as it did 50+ years ago. Combine the cozy, vintage atmosphere with a menu of delicious burgers, fries, and homemade molasses cookies, and you’re left with one diner that you don’t want to miss. ○ Price = $ ○ Drive time = 15 minutes away • Texas Hot Restaurant: This restaurant has been in business for almost an entire century! When you taste their famous Texas Hot hot dog slathered in that secret chili sauce, you’ll see firsthand just why they’ve been so successful. ○ Price = $ ○ Drive time = 15 minutes away |
| EVENTS: | Tall Pines hosts several group rides and holiday-themed events throughout the year, along with other special events like the First Responders’ Ride in May and the Mud Prom in July. Check their event page for the complete calendar. |
| MORE INFO: | http://tallpinesatvpark.com |
Nestled between the Algonquin Highlands and Laurentian Mountains, and bordered by the Mattawa and Ottawa Rivers, you’ll find the Voyageur Multi-Use Trail System—otherwise known as VMUTS. Located in the tiny town of Mattawa, Ontario, Canada, VMUTS is home to 185 miles of diverse trails, all offering stunning views of the surrounding mountains and rivers.
Like most trail systems in the Northeast, VMUTS caters to riders of all types and experience levels. Most of the open riding area is made up of old, forest-covered logging roads and features obstacles of all shapes and sizes: rocks, trees, logs, sand, you name it. There are plenty of climbs and creek crossings, many via bridges or culverts. No matter where you end up, you’re guaranteed to be rewarded with a stunning, picturesque view. They say you would have to ride for over two weeks straight to experience VMUTS in its entirety… and we say, “Challenge accepted!”
While you’re there, make sure to check out the small and charming town of Mattawa! Home to only 2,000 residents, this welcoming community prides itself on accepting visitors with open arms and giving them a glimpse into their intimate small-town atmosphere.
| SIZE: | 300 kilometers (approximately 185 miles) of trails |
| STYLE: | VMUTS is known for offering a great deal of diversity, so you’re guaranteed to find almost every type of terrain here. The trails take you through forests, up challenging climbs, and over bridges. You’ll come across several stream crossings, many via bridges or culverts. |
| COST: | Passes are available for purchase in one-day, three-day, or seven-day increments. Annual permits are also available. Permit fees vary based on your machine type. ATVers must purchase ride passes from the Ontario Federation of ATV Clubs, and all other riders must purchase ride passes from the VMUTS website. |
| EXPERIENCE LEVEL: | The trails of VMUTS cater to riders of all experience levels. Each trail head is clearly labeled with the length and difficulty level (novice, intermediate, or advanced). |
| OPEN: | ATV trails are open through every season aside from winter. Certain sections stay open to 4x4s year-round, but only for members of the Ontario Federation of 4 Wheel Drive (OF4WD) club. For the most up-to-date information on operation dates and times, reach out using the contact form on the VMUTS website. |
| ACCOMMODATIONS: | There are no on-site accommodations at the park. You can find several cabins and inns close by, as well as larger hotels if you’re willing to drive a little bit out of town. Click here for a list of places to stay in and around Mattawa. |
| AMENITIES: | While there are a few shops located in the town of Mattawa, you won’t find any special amenities within the trail system itself. Make sure to pack everything you might need for a full day on the trails! |
| GOOD EATS: | • Le Voyageur Restaurant: Located inside the Le Voyageur Inn, this restaurant blends authentic Thai cuisine with a full Canadian menu. ○ Price = $$ • Myrt’s Family Restaurant: Stop in Myrts’s for a relaxing, home-cooked meal. Whether you’re fueling up or winding down after a day on the trails, their pizza, chicken, and burgers are sure to hit the spot. ○ Prices = $$ • Turcotte’s Chip Stand: This third-generation food stand is a local staple in Mattawa. Their delicious poutine, hot dogs, and mozz sticks are surpassed only by the friendly service you’ll receive. ○ Price = $ It’s difficult to recommend restaurants based on vicinity because VMUTS covers such a vast territory. If you like to plan ahead, you might want to do some extra digging and see which restaurants are closest to your trails of choice! |
| EVENTS: | Follow the VMUTS Facebook page to stay in the know about upcoming group rides, monthly volunteer meetings, and trail closures due to maintenance. |
| MORE INFO: | http://vmuts.ca |
All prices and information reflect what was posted as of 2/10/2020. For the most accurate and up-to-date information, be sure to check the park’s website when planning your visit.
Updated by Megan Huber on 2/10/2020.
