Destination Guides

Owning a dirt bike and living in New York City, Albany, Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse or Itacha? We’ve got some great news!

There are definitely some epic riding spots worth visiting. Whether you’re registered or not, you can get away from the screens and get behind the handlebars for the ultimate freedom!

Best New York State Dirt Bike Trails

Instead of sticking with the MX clubs, you can find open riding areas which are free or entry via nominal fee. In most cases, you’ll need to have a trailer otherwise you’ll find it exhausting riding home after a big day on the trails.

In fact, in some of these places, you can actually go camping so bring your gear fully loaded! It’s always fun spending the weekend away from home with a bunch of your best buddies in tow.

The very best dirt bike riding spots in New York State are:

1. Lewis Country

Head near Watertown and Lowville and you’ll find the Lewis County Area. You can ride here in the Spring, Summer and Fall. These are legal forest roads and some spots where you can take other offroad vehicles too. Keep an eye out for other vehicles which may share these trails such as 4×4 vehicles, hunters and hikers. Plenty of mud to keep you entertained!

2. Adirondack ATV Club

There are more than 200 acres of pristine riding areas that the Adirondack ATV Riders Club maintains and leaves open for unregistered vehicles. You’ll find their spot South-East of Watertown while being North-East of Harrisville. Entrance is for club members only and you’ll need to pay a nominal yearly fee which goes towards track maintenance.

3. Whispering Pines Dirt Bike Trails

Near Lyons and Syracuse is the Whispering Pines forest area. You’ll find a haven featuring 20 miles of epic ATV and dirt bike riding tracks which are open most of the year. From hill clubs to water crossings and rolling hills, this place has it all! More than 1,000 acres for you to get you and the bike nice and muddy!

4. Winoa State Forest

Head into Oswego County and you’ll find the Winona State Forest. For years this has been opened to dirt bikes and other offroad vehicles. Nearby you also have the Trout Brook State Forest, Chateaugay State Forest, Sandy Creek State Forest and Battle Hill State Forest which are interconnected. Combine a weekend with hunting at the Deer Creek Marsh Wildlife Management Area.

5. Chestnut Ridge Park

Go south from Buffalo and you’ll find Chestnut Ridge Park near Orchard Park. There isn’t much of riding here but at least it’s open in winter unlike many other tracks which are predominantly summer trails. Worth a trip if you’re in the area already and the camping here is magical.

6. Pendleton Trail System

Located near Lockport and the Niagara Falls International Airport is the Pendleton Trail System. Some dirt bike riders call this the Lockport Trails and it’s a family-friendly ATV riding spot. These areas are open most of the year and there are 15 miles worth of tracks to explore.

Getting Started

There you have it! Some really great spots where you can take your dirt bike for some genuine fun. Keep in mind that you’ll need to be registered and licenced for some of these tracks and some of them are closed in the winter months due to snow.

Also – bears are found in these areas so keep this in mind, especially if you’re camping. If you’re a dual-sport or adventure motorcycle rider, then these dirt bike trails will also serve you well and a great escape from New York City. While you’re there, make a trip across the border and continue the adventure!

Just remember that these tracks are also shared by mountain bike riders so allow them right of way and make space on the tracks.

Pennsylvania happens to have some pretty epic dirt bike tracks where you can ride for free or a reasonably low cost.

We’ve done the research so you don’t have to! Plus you can access this immediately. We found some other sites when we were looking for places where we could ride our dirt bikes in Pennsylvania but they required payment. That didn’t feel right with us.

Whether you’re living in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Harrisburg, Scranton or Allentown, there is nothing stopping you from getting into the trails and twisting that throttle hard. Dirt bikes are seriously fun to ride and it doesn’t matter if you’re racing that 2-stroke machine or casually cruising around on a 4-stroke, you’ll be well served.

Best Places in Pennsylvania to Ride Dirt Bikes

The State of Pennsylvania is generous and offers some pretty epic spots to visit most weekends. When the sun is shining, there is nothing better to do but to load up the trailer and find a great spot to really open the throttle wide.

Through our research, we’ve identified the key spots that riders typically visit that aren’t motocross racing clubs. These are open areas for dirt bikes though you may be sharing the trails with ATVs and other offroad vehicles. Now, be respectful and you’ll be more than welcome.

The best spots to ride a dirt bike in Pennsylvania State are:

1. Mines and Meadows ATV + Dirt Bike Resort

For the absolute best experience, the Mines and Meadows ATV Resort is an epic place to go riding. You can stay here overnight with a group of buddies and experience the whole place over a couple of days. With 80+ miles of offroad tracks to explore on your dirt bike, you’ll certainly need more than one day! The reviews for Mines and Meadows are pretty epic and you can camp here with or without electricity, bring the TV or get yourself a cabin or cottage.

2. Burnt Mills ATV Trail

Found near Scranton and Ports Lake is the Burnt Mills ATV Trail. Again – this is in Delaware State Forest which is clearly welcoming of those who enjoy riding their dirt bikes aggressively. This spot is also very popular with families and enduro riders looking to really have some fun.

3. Willow Creek Dirt Bike Tracks

If the Delaware State Forest isn’t your thing, then head over to the Allegheny National Forest. This is an almost 11-mile trail loop for dirt bikes and quads looking for a scenic place in which to let go of some aggression. All skill levels are welcome as there are open sections as well as challenging hill climbs and descents…and even some water crossings. You can camp overnight in the Willow Bay Campground and the area is closed in the winter months.

4. Bald Eagle Offroad Trails

The Bald Eagle State Forest is open to dirt bikes for most of the year and fortunately, there is a spot set aside for ATV’s and the 2-wheel variety. You’ll need to head north of Harrisburg and later go west from Lewisburg to get there. Once you do, you’ll have yet another scenic place in which to experience some epic trails.

5. Dixon Miller Recreational Area

The highly-rated Dixon Miller Recreational Area is in the Delaware State Forest has miles and miles of riding areas. They welcome ATVs as well as dirt bikes and adventure motorcycles. If you’ve got knobby tyres – then this is the place for you! It’s found near Albrightsville and Stroudsburg and there are numerous people that use these trails each weekend, so best to aim for a weekday trip if you can.

6. Rocky Gap Trail

Another great spot in the Allegheny National Forest is the Rocky Gap ATV Trail. This is more than 20 miles of a loop trail and designed exclusively for offroad enthusiasts. Bring your ATV or dirt bike and have an epic time! Not so beginner-friendly but still worth the visit.

7. Lost Trails ATV Park

Head over near Scranton and you’ll find the Lost Trails ATV Park with more than 2,000 acres of epic riding tracks. You’ll find boulders as well as loose open areas and everything in between, including some creek crossings. It’s an epic spot and certainly, we’ve left one of the best riding areas until last on this list!

Gettting Started

In addition to these tracks for dirt bikes to ride, you can also check out Clinton Country ATV Trail as well as Timberline and Marlenville. We’ve also heard great things about the Haneyville ATV Trail and the Michaux State Forest has some extensive dirt bike riding tracks worth visiting.

Should you not want to drive too far out of town, then you’ll find several MX tracks and clubs in each city. Philadelphia and Pittsburgh certainly have them if you’re into closed-circuit racing as opposed to free-flowing trails.

Yet we really enjoy our open country areas. What’s even more fun is bringing the kids and getting them into riding at an early age. Yep – some of these areas welcome children to ride without a licence or registration required.

You can go camping in most of these places but remember that bears inhibit these areas, so normal camping procedures apply. Most of these riding spots are closed in the winter months though some may remain open. It’s often best that you make a weekend adventure out of these areas instead of a day-trip as this way you can visit several spots in one trip!

If there is an epic spot that we’ve missed, then reach out and let Frontaer know!

Are you looking for an epic place to take your dirt bike for a ride near Las Vegas? We’ve done the research for you.

Best Dirt Bike Tracks in Vegas

This list has been compiled as we didn’t quite find a proper directory of great riding spots. Some other sites were making you pay for this type of information and that didn’t feel right to us. You deserve to get free access to the information you were looking for online.

Chances are that you’re really committed to taking your dirt bike out to a great place. You know – places where you can really open the throttle and not be looking over your shoulder for a state trooper to pull you up.

Because yep – these riding spots are legal. This is provided you have a licence and proper registration. That’s all you need.

Here are the best dirt bike tracks around Vegas that you should check out:

1. Moapa Valley

If you head North East from the strip and past Overton, then you’ll come across the Moapa Valley OHV Park. There you’ll find 25 miles of expansive dirt bike routes which are quite tricky. After all, they are mostly sandy tracks. You may want to swap your rear tyre for something that can better scoop up the sand.

2. Amargosa Big Dune

Another great riding spot near Vegas is the Amargosa Big Dune. Here you’ll find miles of riding areas for those who love the deep sand. You might actually find some great hard-packed terrain as well. Be warned that other users use this area including dune buggies and 4×4 enthusiasts so it’s great to have a spotter just in case.

3. Chief Mountain

Right – we’re going for something a little more hard-packed here. There are 2 dirt bike loops here and we recommend taking both! Unlike most of the Las Vegas motorbike tracks, this one is more hilly and you’ll even encounter some boulders too. If you’re sick of the sand, then this is the place to go.

4. Bitter Springs Backcountry Byway

If you’re a local then you’ve probably heard of this track before. It’s perfect for both dirt bike riding and adventure motorcycles looking for a place to really open the throttle. There are some technical sections but much of the track is open savannah land with some old abandoned mining sites along the way for some interesting photos.

5. Logandale Trail System

We’re finally on to the dirt and rocks here! We’ve certainly left one of the best spots anywhere in Las Vegas to ride a dirt bike until last. You can ride straight from town here and you’ll find yourself with more than 50 miles of trails which are opened to registered and licenced motorcycles, including dual-sports.

6. Motocross Tracks in Las Vegas

If you’re not into the challenging sand riding, then head along to one of the several motocross parks which run open days for riders who are unregistered. These include Boulder City Motocross Park, Sandy Valley Motocross Park and Mesquite Motocross Park. You generally join these MX clubs to hone in on your skills and race on weekends.

Getting Started

Being a typical Las Vegas-style, you pretty much don’t want to go riding at all in Summer as it’s stupidly hot. June, July and August are totally off the cards with Spring and Fall being marginally more comfortable but not totally.

If you’re out of state then it’s best to visit in the winter months. Don’t go too hard at night either as you’ll want to go hard during the day instead. Trust us – Las Vegas is a dirt bike riding haven…provided you love the loose sand!

Bring the big bore 4-stroke, lean back and power through that soft stuff! Any sore bones….well can be sorted at the bar tonight…

Did you know that you can go on a dirt bike tour in several places in New Zealand? Here are some options for both locals and travellers alike.

And we’re not talking about ATV/quad bike tours either! We’re talking the real thing on 2 wheels and a whole lotta fun. We’ll include both the North and South Islands here.

Best NZ Dirt Bike Tours

We’re total offroad motorcycle enthusiasts and as a brand, we do like to find who’s who in the world of offroad motorcycling. We did our research and read the reviews to see who’s bringing the fire to the table.

Here’s what we came up with.

1. Adventure Ride

One of the best places to go for an organized dirt bike tour is Adventure Trailrides. They have been operating on the South Island for years and provide you with one epic experience.

You can even do multi-day tours if you’re the adventure rider but missing the bike. They’ll supply camping equipment and you can experience everything this beautiful country has to offer without worrying about the logistics.

2. Ben Townsley’s NZ Dirt Bike Tours

For the individual who wants to not just see the tracks but also improve their skills, drop into Ben Townsley’s dirt bike tours which is in the North Island. In fact, he’s also offering rides fround around the world including single trail and open back country expeditions.

There are numerous packages on offer and it is geared more towards experienced riders. After all, you’ve got a world champion leading the pack and you wouldn’t want to waste such an opportunity!

3. Queenstown Dirt Bike Tours

Queenstown is one of the best places in New Zealand to ride a dirt bike. We should know! We’ve covered some of Queenstowns dirt bike tracks extensively so if you’re a local or a visiting adventure rider, you’ll have plenty of places to spin the back tyre.

But what if you don’t quite have the bike with you? Well – go for an organized tour where they supply the bikes. We’re not pin-pointing one specific company here as there are several available. Just check each tour company as some use dirt tractors such as Suzuki DRZ-400s (bleh) while others equp you with something more reasonable such as Yamaha, Honda or KTM.

You’re out there to have fun so it’s worth spending up to ensure you have a half-decent bike to explore the mountains with.

4. Pure Dirt Tours

Another great dirt bike tour company in the North Island is Pure Dirt Tours. They run Half-Day, Full-Day or even Multi-day rides. You won’t need a motorcycle licence such they choose to use offroad tracks and provide all the safety gear that you’ll need.

One of the best things is that kids are welcome on these dirt bike tours. This is rarity but yes, they have smaller bikes available and these suit women too who might want to go on a tour, but struggle to reach the ground. We have spotted some Yamaha 200’s in their mix.

Things to consider

Before you go and book a dirt bike adventure tour, consider a few things:

• Are you looking for an adventure bike tag-along tour with other ADV riders? These are different and there are organizers that bring together adventure bike riders who bring their own bike.
• What types of bikes are available to hire? You’ll want to be mindful that you aren’t getting a slow bike, nor a bike that’s too quick for your experience levels.
• Do they supply safety gear? You may want to bring your own but if you don’t have it yet, it’s good to know that it will be supplied.
• What are their reviews like? Some are great and others aren’t. Be mindful if they cancel or not during rainy weather too.
• Do they cater for beginners? Often people are choosing to do a dirt bike tours in NZ as a way to ease their way into offroad riding and to see if it’s really for them. If the expectation is that you already need experience yet you have none, then it would be wise to pass on that particular business.
• Consider the seat heights as some places aren’t catering so well to women riders which are increasing exponentially as a demographic who loves the dirt!
• Can you tag-along with your own dirt bike? Some places let you and might provide a discount as you’re bringing your own bike + gear + fuel for the trip.

Hopefully this has given you some foresight into what’s available when you’re reading to jump on the bike and twist the throttle with a bunch of likeminded folk!

A common question we’re asked as dirt bike enthusiasts is: “Can I ride on crown land?” because after all, it looks so tempting.

Now the laws do differ country to country, but generally speaking:

You can ride your dirt bike on crown land provided it’s registered and has insurance. Motocross bikes are generally banned from being ridden on crown land, though in some states, recreational registration is available which is discounted from the normal price of registering a motorcycle. To get registered to ride on crown land, you will need a licence plate, mirrors and headlight.

It’s always good to check with your local authority for clarification. Then again, there are exceptions that they don’t even know about.

Riding Dirt Bikes on Crown Land

Riding on government land is the best because it’s free! You don’t have to pay the expensive price for entry into a dirt bike property and have crowded tracks. Riding on crown land and away from others is the ultimate freedom.

Keep in mind that even if it is legal where you are, then there are some things to keep in mind:

• Always ride on formed tracks and never create your own
• Take off your mirrors but keep them with you on a backback or fender bag
• Look for signage that permits or restricts certain vehicles such as dirt bikes
• Be respectful of other users. You may find 4×4 enthusiasts on these tracks
• Given the remoteness of some places, you can expect wildlife in abundance
• Leave gates as you’ve found them. There are times that you’ll traverse private property
• Always lock your car and trailer at the trailhead as you never know who’s around.

While the government beaurocrats and officers won’t venture out to see what you’re up to, this doesn’t mean you should be pushing the limits. There have been some great riding tracks which have been shutdown over the years due to irresponsible behaviour.

Again, keep in mind that the laws do differ between Australia, New Zealand, England, Ireland, the United States and Canada. There are then different laws between states and council regions regarding dirt bikes being ridden on government property.

Alternatives to Riding on Government Property

While free riding on government property with your dirt bike sounds excellent, and it is indeed a lot of fun, there are some great alternatives to consider. These include:

1. Private property. You can approach local landowners if you can ride on their property.
2. Dirt bike parks. Some farmers have decided to open their property to other dirt bike riders who struggle to find a good place to ride.
3. MX tracks. There are plenty of MX tracks around, though they are small and aren’t suited to enduro riders.
4. Organized group rides. Generally, a few people get together and organize permits where you can ride an unregistered dirt bike on crown land quite legally. This doesn’t happen regularly but you can look out for your local enduro club who will organize this.
5. Consider getting registered. By having a registered dirt bike, it opens so much more potential to ride and explore most places quite legally. This could mean having to sell your current MX bike and buying an enduro bike, or see if you can convert your current ride to a road-registered dirt bike.
6. Go for an electric dirt bike or mountain bike. Because of the nature of dirt bikes (loud, fast and aggressive), it’s understandable that local councils don’t want you riding on crown land. A popular alternative is electric dirt bikes which may be illegal to ride in your area, but generally aren’t detected by local law enforcement.

With these alternatives, you can open up so many more riding spots without so much getting yourself in trouble.

In Summary

We hope we’ve answered this question very straight forward. It’s always best to consider a road-registered dirt bike as their performance is almost identical to MX bikes while they can also be ridden on the bitumen and at night time.

This will open up so many more riding spots than just the local private tracks and you won’t need to be looking over your shoulder.