More than the big city life, there are also adrenaline-pumping ATV trails in New York to explore. In this recreational ATV riding guide, we list down the best spots to satisfy your need for speed.
Areas like upstate New York and the Finger Lakes region have some of the best spots for trail riding. Since most of New York’s population resides in the greater New York City area, that leaves a lot of wide-open lands to explore on your ATV.
From the frigid shores of Lake Ontario to the Long Island Sound, New York state has some of the most diverse terrains in the nation.
Here are 9 Private ATV clubs and ATV trails in New York you will love exploring.
Can You Ride ATV on New York State Land?
Before you go ATV riding in New York, you may wonder what to expect.
Conditions will vary by season, but you can expect a lot of hardwood forests and rolling hills throughout the state.
Unless your ATV is covered by liability insurance, you may not drive it in New York State except on your own premises.
In any one incident, the minimum required coverage is $50,000 for death, $25,000 for injury, and $10,000 for property damage. Evidence of this insurance must be shown if an authority or someone claiming to have been injured or damaged by your use of the ATV asks you to do so.
Among other things, your ATV must be registered and in good operating condition with functioning brakes, lights, and muffler. Helmets are required at all times.
Private ATV Clubs vs Public Land in New York
There are very few public lands that are set aside for OHV use in New York. The majority of ATV trails in New York are on private land.
There are adventure parks, and many private ATV clubs have sprung up to meet the demand for ATV trails in New York.
If you live in New York, your best bet is to join a local club to discover the trails in the area.
If you are visiting, it’s still possible to find public trails, but you also might consider joining a club for the best insider info.
ATV Trails in New York
Just north of Syracuse, you’ll find the only public ATV trail system in the state.
The Lewis County ATV Trail System encompasses over 600 miles of open land. The trails cross both public and private land, so strict rules are in place to ensure ongoing cooperation from landowners.
The trails are maintained by local ATV clubs and are generally open from April 1 through mid-October, weather pending. A permit is required, and you can purchase a 3-day permit or annual permit.
Being quite extensive, the Lewis County Trail System is broken up into ten different areas. Several of these areas are maintained by local clubs, with additional trails open to club members only.
Check out the following local ATV clubs for more information on the Lewis County ATV Trails in New York.
- Black River Valley Four Wheelers Club, Brantingham, NY
- Black River Valley Riders, Carthage, NY
- Highmarket Wheelers ATV Club, Constableville, NY
- North Oneida County ATV Club, Boonville, NY
- Tug Hill Adirondack ATV Association, Copenhagen, NY
- Tug Hill Wheelers ATV Club Inc, Copenhagen, NY
If you are new to the sport and looking for rentals to use on the Lewis County trails, there are a few places in the area that rent out ATV’s.
- Flat Rock Inn, Lowville, NY
- West Winds Motel, Turin, NY
Lewis County is also full of quaint towns with lots of tourist services like restaurants, inns, cabins, and hotels. You’ll also find plenty of ATV service shops should anything go wrong during your trip.
Rentals Perfect for ATV Enthusiasts in Lewis County
South-Central New York is home to Tall Pines ATV Park, with some of the most popular ATV trails in New York!
There are over 70 miles of trails, from beginner-friendly to expert-level ATV trails.
It’s a great place to get muddy, with several mud bogs throughout the park.
While the trails are great, it’s the on-site amenities that set Tall Pines apart from other New York ATV parks. Hot showers are available 24/7, and Kate’s Kitchen serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner on weekends.
The Tall Pines store has everything you need for camping, plus loads of ATV supplies.
There are 14 cabins and homes for rent on-site, as well as dry camping for tents and RVs.
Demon Run Trails is about one hour from both Rochester and Buffalo, making it a premier destination for ATV trails in Western New York.
While the park is managed by club members, you can purchase a day pass or a month-to-month membership, making it accessible to those visiting the area.
At the park, you’ll find mud holes, hill climbs, and an ATV play area. There’s also a lakeside campground right next door to the ATV park.
For local services, the town of Bath is just 15 minutes away.
Between Lake George and the Vermont border in upstate New York, Mettowee Off-Road Extreme Park has 120 acres of ATV terrain that ranges from rock gardens to mud bogs.
They allow pretty much any type of OHV or 4×4, so be prepared to share the terrain with all kinds of vehicles. If are looking for muddy ATV trails in upstate New York, this is a great spot with a lot of variety.
The town of Whitehall, New York is just ten minutes away with a good range of services for travelers.
For additional options, Glens Falls is only 30 minutes away, and Saratoga Springs is under one hour from Mettowee Off-Road Extreme Park.
This private club is one of the few places to find ATV trails on Long Island. Located in Calverton, Moto 1 Long Island is only 90 minutes from Manhattan.
Club members enjoy miles of well-groomed trails through the Long Island Pine Barrens. The club has big plans for the future, including racetracks, rentals, repairs, and a state-of-the-art clubhouse.
The club procures a family-friendly environment, so you can enjoy the park as a family. After a day on the trails, you’ve got all of Long Island and even New York City at your fingertips.
If you are looking for ATV trails near Albany, New York, consider joining the Hilltown Riders OHV Club. This members-only club has 30 miles of OHV trails on 2,000 acres.
Trails range from easy to difficult, allowing everyone to participate regardless of experience. Membership fees are reasonable and can be mitigated with volunteer work on the property.
The town of Nassau is just five minutes away, while you can reach the state capital at Albany in 20 minutes.
This members-only ATV club in Saratoga County offers access to over 2,000 acres of ATV trails in upstate New York.
Members of the North Country ATV Association are part of the largest OHV organization in New York.
The trails have varying levels of difficulty, and the atmosphere is family-friendly and welcoming.
Members also host camping and fun events like picnics and club rides.
Members are also given the opportunity to hunt on association lands during hunting season.
Another great ATV club in upstate New York is the Oswego County ATV Club.
The club manages nearly 100 miles of family-friendly trails between the towns of Parrish, Pulaski, and Altmar.
The club has worked hard with local communities to ensure ATV riders are welcome and that they can ride surface streets connecting the trails.
A strict board of directors ensures the atmosphere remains safe and family-friendly at all times.
If you are looking for ATV tours in New York, check out Adirondack ATV Tours. Just 30 minutes from Lake George, this is the perfect spot to try off-roading for the first time.
Tours include 90 minutes of ride time, with an experienced guide to show you the ropes. You can take off on your own machine or double up in a side-by-side machine.
Not quite confident in your skills yet? You can even ride along with a guide and just enjoy the thrills. This ATV tour is the perfect adventure to cap off your Lake George family vacation.
If you are in western New York, be sure to check out Allegheny National Forest, home to some of the best ATV trails in Pennsylvania!
Fun ATV Riding Clothes
While protective gear is essential on the trail, it’s ok to look cute and share your wilder riding side with the world. I’m a big fan of ball caps and love this adorable “ATV hair, Don’t Care” hat from Sew Vivid Design on Etsy. Be sure to Check out all this cute ATV apparel.
Download Our FREE ATV Pre-Ride Inspection Checklist!
Recommended ATV Riding Resources
- Top ATV Trails Near Me in the Southeast
- Must-Have ATV Accessories
- ATV Riding Clothes– Everything you need to get started
- ATV Trails Near Me Facebook Group
More Recommended Resources
If you enjoyed ATV riding in New York, you should check out these best ski resorts in New York. Want to take beautiful photos on the trail? Here are photography ideas from Photojeepers that you might want to check out!
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