Discovering the most thrilling open ATV Trails can be challenging for beginners. Finding a suitable trail can be difficult even for seasoned riders who have already exhausted all their local ATV trails and are looking for lesser-known roads to ride their ATVs.
If you’ve found yourself asking questions like, “How to find ATV trails?” or “Where to get ATV trail maps?” then by the end of this article, you will have all the answers.
This article will share in-depth information on various resources for both beginners and pro-ATV riders looking for open ATV Trails.
How to Find Local ATV Trails
Before getting directly into the information, let’s share a few tips to help you find local ATV trails anywhere, anytime when you feel like hopping onto an ATV. ATV trails are broadly divided into two types: green circles and black diamonds. Green circle trails are preferred for ATV beginners or riders at the intermediate level. Black diamond trails are more adventurous and suitable for pro-ATV enthusiasts or experienced riders.
New ATV riders find it hard to find trails for multiple reasons. There are guides to help you learn about ATVs but fewer resources to help you find open trails. Sometimes, local ATV dealers also forget to inform customers about existing and new trails they can explore with their vehicles. With experienced riders, the situation is not much different. If they have been riding all the local trails for years and want to find new ones, they usually end up doing a lot of groundwork.
Asking other riders is what most ATV riders do to find new trails. However, what they don’t know is that there is a treasure trove of information on open trails across the U.S. These resources include the internet, maps, apps, and even magazines dedicated to helping you explore both popular and exotic trails across the country. All you have to do is to make a checklist of these resources and tools and use them the next time you want to ride new trails. This article can be your go-to checklist for ATV trails, offering you the most exhaustive list of resources for finding the best ones.
Online Resources on Local ATV Trails
Here is a list of some incredible websites trusted by both new and experienced ATV riders. These sites can simplify your search for ATV trails, and the information will be easily accessible on your tablet or smartphone.
1. TrailLink
TrailLink is one of the most reliable online guides that most ATV riders refer to. Whether you are a new rider looking for trails or an experienced adventure junkie looking for an unexplored trail, this website offers everything you need. Apart from detailed information on all sorts of trails in the Midwest and Northeast U.S., you will get added details like summaries of these trails along with attractions and amenities. You will also learn about the difficulty level of each trail and read reviews from fellow ATV riders who have already explored them.
Besides information on popular and less-explored trails, you can also create an account on TrailLink to connect with other quad riders, share pictures of your latest ride, write reviews, and more. You can search trails on maps or by entering your city code and adding your route to the account to create an e-record of your ATV experiences.
2. RiderPlanet USA
For those looking for a comprehensive ATV trail directory trusted by pro-ATV riders, look no further than RiderPlanet USA. The website offers updates related to the latest trails across the U.S., along with various tools and resources like a calendar, articles on ATVs, etc. You can use the calendar to get notifications on ATV riding events, the reopening of seasonal trails, and more. Riders can also use the support center on this website as a guide to information on anything ATV-related.
RiderPlanet USA has a state-wide exhaustive list of both popular and lesser-known trails that are a treasure for adventurous quad riders. You can also narrow down your search by using search options like state, skill level, specific adventure type, season, etc.
3. ATV Illustrated
If you want to dig for more exhaustive online research on ATV trails or love going through quad-biking magazines while sipping your morning coffee, then ATV Illustrated is the platform for you. It is a popular website among quad enthusiasts that also publishes a hard-copy magazine. ATV Illustrated reviews riding areas and ATVs and even informs the reader on upcoming quad events across the country. You can also read articles submitted by other experienced and new ATV riders and enhance your knowledge of utility riding, adventure sports, farming, etc.
4. TripAdvisor
This might look like an outsider in this list, but you should read before you judge. TripAdvisor is a globally renowned travel website full of valuable user-generated content. What could be a better guide for your next adventurous trip on your ATV than unbiased, authentic information from other like-minded ATV riders? Apart from details on countless trails around the world, you can check out the numerous reviews, amenities, and nearby attractions for any ATV trail on TripAdvisor.
The only glitch with TripAdvisor can be the search criteria. The website refreshes with every search, so you might have to spend a little more time finding the kind of trails you are looking for. However, if you use the appropriate keywords, you will narrow down your search time.
5. StepOutside.org
StepOutside.org is one of the most useful websites for any type of ATV rider looking for new trails within their city or across the country. This website offers easy search options where you can enter the city or zip code to find the best results. Apart from ATV trails, you can also boost your knowledge about outdoor activities, different types of outdoor sports, and nearby attractions.
6. Ride Command
This website was created by the famous ATV brand Polaris Industries for all the right reasons. Ride Command offers 75,000 miles of pre-loaded trails for endless adventures on your quad. This is the best platform for ATV ride planning as it has vast information on signed trails and legal routes on gravel roads in state and national forests across the U.S. You can explore public and private riding opportunities in any area with a link to its state website to explore more details.
ATV enthusiasts can also create an account on Ride Command and become members of the ATV riders’ community platform. This mutually supportive community helps all types of ATV riders with the necessary tips and tricks to make each ride a better experience.
7. Mudslinger
For all things ATV and off-road adventures, Mudslinger is the right website to explore. This website has unparalleled resources for both new and experienced ATV riders looking for the best trails for unique quad experiences. Mudslinger has a dedicated page with an exhaustive list of ATV riding trails all over the U.S. Mudslinger is the perfect place to begin your search for ATV trails as a new rider because it has in-depth information on local trails listed under each state.
8. ATV Trails
ATV Trails is a great online resource for any American looking to explore new trails on their ATV. The site has extensive information on everything related to ATVs as well as popular and lesser-known trails. You can find trail reviews from real riders to know if the trail would suit your skill level as a rider. You can also get a detailed list of trails in your local area or places near you, along with information on activities involved in each trail, like places to explore on the way, sports to participate in, etc.
9. U.S Forest Service
This is probably the most authentic source of information for any ATV rider wanting to explore trails across the national forests in the U.S. Blessed with adventurous and picturesque trails, the national forests are almost always on the hot lists of experienced ATV riders. With the U.S. Forest Service offering a functional website with all the details of their thrilling ATV trails, you need not go anywhere else online to explore quad trails in the woods.
The website also offers a go-to guide for off-road riders to help them avoid any problems while touring. This is useful for every ATV rider looking to explore adventurous trails within the national forests.
10. Google
This might sound obvious, but Google is the most popular search engine for a reason. If you are tired of exploring different resources and still not getting the kind of quad trails you want, then a simple search on Google could help. Type the name of your city followed by the keyword “ATV trails” to find endless options. Many states in the U.S. have their own websites that offer detailed resources on forest areas, adventure sports, and even ATV trails.
A few states in the U.S. also have dedicated departments to maintain ATV trail systems on public land. You can get direct links to such websites on Google. These search results often include rules and regulations related to specific trails, which can be immensely helpful to riders.
Where to Get ATV Trail Maps
If you are an ATV enthusiast who loves to explore trails with the map right in front of you, then here are a few ways to do it. All you need is an internet connection and a smartphone or tablet to learn everything about a specific trail while riding on it.
1. Ride Command App
We have already mentioned the Ride Command website above, but it also has a dedicated app with details on ATV trails across the country. The Ride Command app is used by more than half a million ATV enthusiasts. It offers all the information on the Ride Command website along with a map that shows not just the trail but also your GPS location on it.
The Ride Command app is available on the App Store, and you can easily sign up with your email address to gain access to all the information you need. You can track your trails, save your rides, and explore the nearest locations like fuel services, food stalls, garages, ATV dealers, etc. With the Ride Command app, you can also create a group ride and locate your fellow ATV riders on the same trail.
2. U.S. Forest Service Interactive Trail Map
With hundreds of national forests across the country offering breathtaking quad trails, the U.S. Forest Service has a dedicated app that guides ATV riders on new trails and any specific trails they are exploring. The interactive app shows a live map that displays forest roads that are open for off-road vehicles, designated or signed trail systems, the width of trails, etc.
You can use the map as a handy tool to track ATV routes and trails within forests, areas of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), mountainous terrains, dunes, and deserts. The map can also be used to learn about riding opportunities on any trail in any season.
3. Trail Link App
The “know it all” website on ATV trails also has a trail-finder app every ATV rider can benefit from. Available on Google Play and the App Store, the Trail Link app is the go-to guide for riders wanting to explore new trails through maps. Apart from tracking the trail’s location and other fun activities, you can also get full-length descriptions, unbiased reviews from other riders, photographs, and further details that are otherwise not available anywhere online.
Final Thoughts
With this, we can conclude this article on finding local ATV trails. We hope the above information has answered your question, “How to find ATV trails?” If you have more queries related to ATVs, like riding guides, accessories, safety gear, etc., check out the FAQ section of Grip PRO ATV Anchors, we offer a wide range of accessories for Polaris Ranger ATVs and Polaris RZR ATVs.