Riding your ATV through technical terrain, blasting through mud patches, and feeling the wind on your face is incredible. And you’d be surprised at how many locations New Hampshire (NH) has to offer this! In fact, New Hampshire is home to the longest OHRV trail system in the United States, and ATV trails in NH have an astounding variety and abundance of riding options.
Where should you go for the best ATV trails in NH? From the North Country ATV Trails to Jericho Mountain State Park, down to the fantastic routes around Warren, Concord, and Durham, New Hampshire has some of the best ATV trails. Here we’ll look at some top options and some key info on NH ATV open dates and trail conditions.
Our top 10 NH ATV trails are as follows:
- Jericho Mountain State Park
- Great North Woods Riders ATV Trails
- Success Trail
- Metallak ATV Trails
- Kilkenny Trail Riders ATV Club Trails (Lancaster ATV Trails)
- Rockingham Recreational Trail
- Sugar River Recreation Trail
- Warren ATV Trail
- New Durham Valley ATV Trails
- Ammonoosuc Recreational Rail Trail
Riding ATVs is more popular than you would imagine in NH, and the many clubs in the area have put together comprehensive maps and guides for you to follow, depending on where you’re looking to ride. With over 1,000 miles of trails as part of the Ride the Wilds network, you’ll be spoilt for choice in the northern part of the state. Places like Gorham, Berlin, Pittsburg, and Lancaster are great trailheads for this network.
You also have fantastic options further south. And let’s not forget the annual Jericho ATV Festival bringing together the best in ATV-ing every August.
Top 10 ATV Trails in New Hampshire
1. Jericho Mountain State Park
Jericho Mountain State Park is a true mecca of ATV riding just near Berlin, NH. There are several miles of trails where ATVs are welcome alongside UTVs, trail bikes, and snowmobiles. Jericho Mountain State Park is a great all-around holiday destination offering you options for outdoor sports like swimming and canoeing on the lake and camping facilities.
Moreover, this is where the Jericho ATV Festival takes place annually. Berlin NH ATV trails have some excellent off-road trails, where over 6,000 ATV enthusiasts meet up to ride together, take part in Mud Pit races, and look at the latest and best ATVs on the market.
2. Great North Woods Riders ATV Trails
These Pittsburg NH ATV trails are maintained by the volunteers and landowners near Pittsburg, NH. There are 8,000 acres of wilderness covered by the trail system (over 120 miles of trails), which is also part of the Ride the Wilds network.
3. Success Trail
Located close to Berlin, NH, in the Success Pond area, these NH ATV trails are maintained by the Sunset Riders ATV Club and cover over 20 miles. Check out the Success Trail Map and find out more about Sunset Riders here.
Additionally, Sunset Riders also maintain trails around Milan, creating a network of 50 miles altogether.
4. Metallak ATV Trails
Between Stewartstown, Colebrook, Columbia, and Dixville, you’ll find over 120 miles of trails maintained by the Metallak ATV Club.
This is an exceptional riding territory with great views in Coleman State Park. The riding season is open for six months, and the club’s website has updated on temporary closures and ATV trail conditions. For more details, you can also purchase an area-specific NH ATV trails map at some of the local businesses in Colebrook.
5. Kilkenny Trail Riders ATV Club Trails (Lancaster ATV Trails)
Located at the southern end of Coos County, these trails are the southwestern end of the Ride the Wilds network. In Lancaster and Groveton, you’ll have access to local businesses and accommodation, before setting off on the trails maintained by the Kilkenny Trail Riders Club.
6. Rockingham Recreational Trail
Moving to the south of New Hampshire, this NH ATV trail is a 12-mile stretch south of Derry, NH. Nowhere near as expansive as the northern side of the state, this area is a pleasant forest trail system more suitable for beginners, with flat and hard-packed trails that will not challenge you as much as the exciting single tracks up north.
7. Sugar River Recreation Trail
This is another mellower trail, only about 9 miles long, located on a multi-use trail following an old railroad bed beside the Sugar River on the western side of New Hampshire. Also, on easy terrain, you’ll find yourself in forests throughout. It’s one of the few trails open all year, including during the so-called Mud Season. You will need to keep an eye out for hikers and mountain bikers here.
Unlike Rockingham, at Sugar River, you’ll be close to a few other ATV trail networks where you can extend your riding. Just north of Claremont, you have access to Sullivan County ATV Trails, while a few miles south-east, you can find Bound Tree ATV Trails, Contoocock ATV Trails, and the Hopkinton Everett Riding Area.
8. Warren ATV Trail
Warren, NH, is home to a well-known ATV trail, which is only about 4 miles long but connects directly to Mount Moosilauke ATV Club trails immediately to the south. This mostly easy trail starts just next to a 1970 NASA rocket! It’s multi-use and crosses Black Brook, with beautiful scenery. Check out this trail and other Warren NH ATV trails on the NH State Parks site.
9. New Durham Valley ATV Trails
You can’t ride all over New Hampshire without checking out the trails near Wakefield, just on Lake Winnipesaukee’s edge. There are 28 miles of scenic trails through woodland, with excellent views.
These trails are suitable to more experienced riders, featuring short steep climbs and quite a bit of chunky rock on the trail.
10. Ammonoosuc Recreational Rail Trail
A longer recreational trail running from Littleton to Woodsville, the Ammonoosuc trail is open all year on a multi-use trail. You’ll find scenic views over 19.2 miles along the beautiful river that it’s named after. There are a few other sights, such as the 345-foot covered bridge in Bath, dating from 1832, and the Lisbon Depot. From Woodsville, you can connect to the Blackmount Line and then carry on south to ride on Warren ATV trails not far away.
NH ATV Trails FAQ
Where Can I Ride My ATV in NH?
New Hampshire has thousands of miles of ATV trails. You can check them all out here on the ATV trail map, then look up individual parks and club areas for more information. However, note that you can only ride on designated trails – with some exceptions.
To accommodate the riders coming to use the Ride the Wilds network, ATVs are allowed on town roads within this trail system to get food and gas, arrive at the accommodation, or connect in-between trails. The relevant sections have ATV Permitted signs.
NH ATV Trails Open Date – When Do ATV Trails Open in New Hampshire?
Usually, NH ATV trails are open over the summer (May 23rd onwards), but opening statuses vary depending on the maintaining club and various conditions. Check out the guide on openings here and also head to the local clubs’ Facebook pages to confirm when NH ATV trails are open.
The Ammonoosuc, Sugar River, and Rockingham Recreational Trails are open all year.
Are ATVs Street Legal in New Hampshire?
No, you cannot ride an ATV down regular roads in New Hampshire, unless you’re in one of the areas where ATVs are allowed for essentials or to connect trails (such as the Ride the Wilds trail system flagship towns, where you’ll see an ATV Permitted sign on the roads you can use).
Otherwise, you will need to stick to the designated trails or private land.
How Can I Find Out About the Trail Conditions in New Hampshire?
The latest up-to-date information on which trails are open, and the trail conditions can be consulted on the NH State Parks website.
Where Can I Find a Good NH ATV Trail Map?
Have a look at this general map of all trails in New Hampshire to give you an idea of where to go first.
NH ATV Trails in New Hampshire – a Paradise to Explore!
So, what are the best NH ATV trails? To summarize, here’s the list once again:
- Jericho Mountain State Park
- Great North Woods Riders ATV Trails
- Success Trail
- Metallak ATV Trails
- Kilkenny Trail Riders ATV Club Trails (Lancaster ATV Trails)
- Rockingham Recreational Trail
- Sugar River Recreation Trail
- Warren ATV Trail
- New Durham Valley ATV Trails
- Ammonoosuc Recreational Rail Trail
We’ve covered the essential top 10 ATV trails in New Hampshire, but the true extent of this network needs to be explored to be believed. From the fantastic system you’ll find in the north, connecting towns, facilities, and amazing tracks with varying degrees of difficulty, to the smoother recreational trails favoring beginners in the south, there’s practically something for everyone.
Also, ATV riders are more than welcome, with a fantastic community of riders’ clubs and rider-friendly accommodation and businesses. Set some serious time aside to explore NH ATV trails during your next vacation, and you won’t be disappointed.
Kris is an avid off-roader and outdoor enthusiast who loves to brave the elements and take on challenging terrain. He also enjoys sharing his passion and knowledge with others so that they, too, can appreciate the ride.
About Kris