Destination Guides

While Connecticut doesn’t have a lot of dirt bike trails to explore, there are still some fairly decent forests to open up the throttle.

Places whereby you don’t need to haul for hours to actually ride, especially if you live in Bridgeport, New Haven, Hartford or Stamford. You can get to these 2-wheel friendly areas within an hour or so, provided the traffic isn’t too heavy.

Best Connecticut Dirt Bike Trails

You’d rather be out there than researching riding areas online, so Frontaer has stepped in to bring you this guide. We’ve looked at online resources such as the State of Connecticut website and forestry sites to see what’s actually open to offroad enthusiasts.

We’ve omitted MX clubs like Central Cycle Club and Milford Riders Club because, while closed-circuit racing is a lot of fun, the problem is that you’re probably looking for enduro trails, right? That single track which is hard to find, but you do have a couple of good options here.

From our experience, these are Connecticut’s best dirt bike tracks:

1. Pachaug State Forest

Pachaug State Forest is well known by local dirt bike riders as the go-to place to have some serious fun on a 4-stroke. There is a long loop that goes on for about 58 miles, so ensure your fuel tank is full to the top.

The trail isn’t too challenging and most beginners can get through it just fine. They are bi-directional and shared with other users, so keep this in mind to avoid accidents as these do happen. Unfortunately, Pachaug is only open to registered dirt bikes and the police do regular checks in the staging areas.

Ensure that you stick to the tracks with red arrows. Given that this is a multi-use area, mountain bikes and horse riders have their own section(s) to ride. The trail system is open all year long though it does close with heavy rainfalls as the trail effectively turns to mud. Fun for some…but not for the sane folk among us!

2. Thomaston Dam

Thomas Dam (part of the Naugatuck River System) isn’t as long or as big as Pachaug but definitely worth checking out. It’s a single track loop which only runs for about 12 miles, but it’s certainly better than nothing especially as there are some technical spots to test out your skills. Again, it’s tight forest tracks.

The weekends here are very busy with riders from all over Connecticut heading in early to tear up the tracks. Even some riders come in from New York State and if you rock up and see the carpark full, you know the track is full of riders.

These tracks are closed in winter in leui of snowmobiles and skiing. Also, if it does rain, then this place gets closed for a few days to preserve the track otherwise it gets ripped up pretty damn easily. It’s best to call ahead prior.

Finding Riding Groups and More Areas

One of the biggest challenges, apart from having two distinct areas in which to ride your dirt bike, is finding others who share the same passion. Fortunately, there are a couple of Facebook groups with Connecticut-based dirt bike riders. If you don’t get along with this crew, then there is a massive New York State group that organizes group rides on private property in the north-west corner of the state.

Our best recommendation is to actually plan a decent vacation with your dirt bike out of state. Heading north almost towards the border opens up so many excellent riding areas to explore on 2 wheels. Some people literally chart an itinerary of 2 weeks in which to hit up 10 to 15 epic riding spots while camping along the way. This is also advantageous if you have children who are getting into the MX scene as there isn’t much offered at all in the state for kids to develop their skills legally.

So essentially, there are way more riding areas out of state if you’re prepared to do a decent road trip with some buddies.

Syracuse is spoiled for choice when it comes to dirt bike trails, as locals don’t need to travel that far to find some great areas.

So get some riding buddies together and start exploring the outdoors! There is just so much epic spots worth seeing.

Best Syracuse Dirt Bike Trails

Frontaer has stepped in to do the research for you. Even if you’re not into MX riding and would prefer enduro trails for a day ride or an overnight trip from out of state, we’ve got you covered! This region is becoming so much more popular with adventure riders now.

Here are Syracuse’s best dirt bike riding trails:

1. MotoMasters Park

If you want a great sand motocross track, then MotoMasters is the place for you. It’s north of Syracuse past Oneida Lake and not too far from Maple View. They run regular racing here which is always a hit with the kids. Dirt bikes are welcome including ATV’s but no pit bikes.

2. Broome-Tioga MX Track

Fancy heading south? Then Broome-Tioga MX Track has two well groomed tracks open for the general public. One is a traditional motocross track which is used for races and the other is for grass racing and enduro.

3. Frozen Ocean Motocross

If you’re getting your kids into dirt bike racing, then the PeeWee track at Frozen Ocean is excellent. Adults will keep themselves happy with the motocross and supercross tracks which consist of several hills, jumps and a rich loam soil surface. This is a true motocross tracks at national standards.

4. Undilla MX Track Syracuse

While not the best, Unadilla is worth a visit once you get bored of the top 3 here. It’s just a 1-mile motocross track surrounded by lush greenery. It’s located down near New Berlin and you’ll head south-east from town.

5. High Voltage Hills

We’ve left the best until last! High Voltage Hills is pretty epic and people come from all over New York State to visit this spot. It only has a single MX track but the soil is sandy and has a soft feel with natural jumps that flow from section to section.

Starting Up Now

It’s time to throw that dirt bike of yours into gear and get going! There is no registration needed for any of these riding spots. You see – there are two types of dirt bike riders:

A) Those that own a shiny dirt bike and never actually ride it, and;

B) Those that own a dirt bike and ride it hard the way it’s meant to be.

We prefer the latter category. Society has become too soft. If you’re genuinely serious about riding your dirt bike around the city then there isn’t any reason why you can’t get out there!

You can’t ride dirt bikes in Lesser Wilderness State Forest, Chittenango Falls State Park or Morgan Hill State Forest, but this hopefully will change soon. State Forest riding is the best experience and you may have to haul south for now and make a week-long camping trip happen!

Some adventure riders choose these national forests and do some camping along the way. A great alternative that still lets you into these spots as long as you stick to formed access roads.

Virginia is blessed to have some incredible dirt bike riding tracks to explore, with some being close to Virginia Beach and Chesapeake.

So round up some buddies and head out on a weekend adventure. What most people do is leave Friday afternoon and return late on Sunday to avoid the traffic.

Best Dirt Bike Trails in Virginia

Not to be confused with West Virginia which we’ve created a seperate guide for, central Virginia has some great spots. These are ideal for both beginners and experienced riders of dirt bikes and dual-sport machines.

For registered OHV trails, you’ll need to get a permit here. Those out of state are also welcome to apply and you can do this online.

The best dirt bike tracks in Virginia are:

1. Ridgeview Trail System

With 75 miles of epic single and double track to explore, Ridgeview Trail System is popular with dirt bike riders around Virginia. This is one of the better loops and you’ll need to get this permit before entering. It’s not free but certainly worth it as this keeps the place maintained.

2. Coal Canyon

Coal Canyon is excellent with many trails which loop together and they’re rated as relatively easy. The terrain is hard packed and it isn’t really that mountainous. For overnight stays, we recommend Southern Gap Outdoor Adventures where you can get a permit for day riding. Coal Canyon ties into Ridgeview Trails above.

3. Big Boys Playground

For private property riding, head to Big Boys Playground. This place is very popular and offers well maintained tracks for 4×4’s and dirt bikes. There is even a motocross track! Big Boys is very popular on weekends so we recommend calling up ahead of time.

4. Moto Cove

Moto Cove is well known as one of the best off-road parks in all of Virginia for exploring through the forests. There are 4 trail loops and these are rated as intermediate and advanced, so not the best for the beginner. There is a full service campground with showers and a beach where you can swim.

5. Virginia Highlands Horse Trail

Virginia Highlands is one that you can do in a day if you get there early, though most people stay overnight in one of the surrounding campgrounds. This is within Jefferson National Forest and Mount Rogers National Recreation Area. It’s a seasonal trail (not open in summer to dirt bikes because it’s used by horses) which is reasonably easy to get through.

6. Elkhorn Lake and Campground

Elkhorn only has about 30 miles of enduro trails but it makes up for this with the boating and fishing opportunities. It’s certainly a popular spot so you’ll never get bored nor will you feel alone here. Some people even get a yearly membership! Many dirt bike riders of Virginia know about this one and it’s great for the first-time rider to get some experience in.

7. Charles City Dirt Riders

If you don’t want to drive too far, then become a member at Charles City Dirt Riders MX Club. There are 6 tracks as well as 6 miles of wooded tracks. You’ll need a membership to ride here and they offer coaching sessions which can make you a more confident rider. Kids are welcome here as are adults who are learning to ride.

8. Kairos Resort

Kairos Resort is perfect for camping on Friday and Saturday night. In addition to the resort, you’ll need a day pass to ride the tracks and you can buy ahead of time. Out of all the spots in the Appalachian Mountains to ride dirt bikes, Kairos Resort has one of the best. So much wilderness to take in so it’s definitely worth the trip here, even if you’re from out of state.

9. Slades Park

Slades Park has terrain for everyone and ideal for beginners. The sandy sections are great for developing sand riding skills without the full commitment of the sand dunes, while the wooded forest tracks are perfect for exploring. You can camp here and the place is open year-round.

10. Catfish ATV Trails

Catfish trails is for 4-wheelers but you can take your dirt bikes along here. Not only can you bring your bike but also drop a line in the pond as there is plenty of fish here. Camping is provided though there aren’t any genuine facilities. Great for a weekend though it can get busy so book ahead.

11. Stone Mountain

Stone Mountain is great for a day-trip and it’s at Pennington Gap, VA. This trail system only opened a few years ago and includes Spearhead Trails with the area being rugged and somewhat steep, so not one that we can recommend to beginners. Consider Ridgeview, Coal Canyon or Mountain View as an alternative. Pennington Gap has camping facilities though most dirt bike riders choose Leemon Field RV Park to stay overnight as it’s the closest to the trailhead.

12. South Pedlar Dirt Bike Trails

South Pedlar is another good spot for a day-trip for a few hours. Past this, there isn’t much and most riders don’t return a second time. It’s mostly forest track and uniquely, you need this recreation permit which needs to be done before you visit since they don’t do permits on the spot.

Get Started

There we go! Some great tracks that you need to get out and explore as soon as you can. Don’t waste another minute watching cool MX tricks on YouTube and instead be the dude out there behind the handlebars actually having fun. That’s where true livin’ is done!

New Mexico is spoiled as there are so many awesome places to ride dirt bikes across the state and many are near Albuquerque and Las Cruces.

Many of these spots are free or are low-cost. You can even camp overnight at many of these riding areas so it’s best to get some riding buddies together and make an awesome weekend of thrills and spills.

Editor’s Note: To ride dirt bikes on government land in New Mexico, you will need a New Mexico OHV Permit. These are available online.

Best Dirt Bike Trails New Mexico

We’ve done the research as we’d love to see you spend more time out there exploring the trails as opposed to hiding behind the screen. Who really wants to see another dude riding on YouTube?

That 4-stroke of yours is waiting there in the garage and is eager to take you on new trails with the humming engine with plenty of throttle on check. And when you’re ready, we can recommend these spots.

Instead of a list of MX clubs and tracks for the motocross enthusiast, we’ve aimed this guide towards the recreational rider and enduro enthusiast. It’s us casual weekend riders that are typically searching for new places to explore and do our research online.

The most popular dirt bike tracks in New Mexico are:

1. Aden Hills OHV Area

There are almost 9,000 acres of areas to explore here in Las Cruces, NM which means that you’re unlikely to take the same track twice. It’s mostly sand riding here through the scrub and with almost no trees or water, you’ll probably want to avoid the summer nights. This spot is open all year long as is the camping.

2. Cedro Peak

Head into Cibola National Forest and you’ll find numerous trail systems covering 80 miles which are rock yard or a little soft…plus everything in between. You’ll find pine forests which is a welcome change to the traditional sandy tracks that you’ll otherwise find in New Mexico. You can camp at Oak Flat and Cedro Group Campgrounds.

3. Wills and Hubbell Canyon

This spot gets its name from the railroad tracks that dominated this landscape early last century. Today it’s made up of epic dirt bike riding trails with a combination of single and double tracks. This is also known as Willie White Trails which overlooks Sacramento Mountains.

4. Old Cloudcroft Highway Trail

For loose rocky outcrop areas, we think Cloudcroft offers the best for the easy-going ride. Beginners are welcome to ride their dirt bikes here and there are some technical sections for the more experienced rider. THere are some campgrounds and Old Cloudcroft ties in with Toboggan Canyon Trail.

5. Farmington Dunes OHV Area

While Farmington isn’t the biggest area, the hill climbs up the sand dunes certainly make up for it. This place draws a crowd and is open year-round, though it can get quite hot in summer. Other names for this spot include Dunes Vehicle Recreation Area and Head Canyon OHV Area.

6. Rim Trail (New Mexico)

Rim Trail is a nice forest road with about 30 miles of mountain views to earn. We recommend riding through summer and into late Fall. Campgrounds are plentiful and you can unload the trailer at the Apple Tree Staging Area.

7. Mescalero Sand Dunes (aka Roswell)

You’ll feel as though you’re in the Sahara at Mescalero. The sand dunes are challenging and it’s best for the experienced rider. With more than 600 acres to explore and free camping galore, you’ll find this spot to be perfect for exploring. Just don’t go looking for the aliens…because there’s no such thing…right?

8. Glade Run Recreation Area

Glade Run is within Chokecherry Canyon and you can camp overnight at Brown Springs Campground. With miles and miles to explore year-round, you’ll definitely want go camp here with some buddies. This spot is popular with dual-sport and adventure riders too if you don’t feel like bring the trailer in.

9. Hackberry Lake OHV Area

With more than 100 miles of flat country and desert trails on offer, you’ll love Hackberry Lake. This is flat single track mixed in with some 4×4 trails to explore. If you fancy seeing the top end of your gearbox and triple digit speed records, then this spot is for you. Rocky tracks mixed with some soft sand.

10. Montessa OHV Park

Montessa is worth heading to for sheer open country. We recommend taking beginners here who are learning to ride as there isn’t much to crash into. Unfortunately there aint any camping here as this spot is for day use only but you’ll be pretty exhausted and ready to head home soon enough.

11. Little Apache Trail

While not the biggest spot, this place is worth the trip if you want to explore Lincoln National Forest with your dirt bike. You can camp at Silverwood Campground or the Saddle/Apache campgrounds though these later 2 don’t have direct trail access.

12. Gordy’s Hill OHV Area

As with the tradition with Frontaer, we’ve left the best until last. Gordy’s Hill over in Socorro Valley is epic and this area is very wide and open with miles of sandy tracks to explore. This place is so popular that they host the Annual Socorro Valley 100 every year.

Getting Started

If you’re search for some new friends then get yourself connected with the New Mexico Desert Racing Club. They have a Facebook group that welcomes new comers and beginners from all walks of life, even for casual rides or spectating of races.

Hawaii isn’t just about stunning beaches and mountain walks, especially as there are dirt bike trails worth exploring.

Whether you own your own bike or are seeking to hire one to tear up the tracks, Frontaer has done the research to see where others are riding right now.

Best Dirt Bike Tracks Hawaii

With year-round great weather, it’s no wonder that the dirt biking community in Honolulu, Kona, Maui and Hilo continues to expand. There is also a growing enduro community of riders who like to add some speed to the equation.

We’ve created this guide to help you pin-point the places where you’ll want to explore on 2 wheels. These dirt bike trails are certainly worth exploring:

1. Upper Waiakea Dirt Bike Park

You’re going to need the full day to explore Upper Waiakea ATV and Dirt Bike Park as there are more than 50 miles of single track and double track to explore. This riding area is immensely popular and well known among the local riding community.

All the trails here are marked and you can stay overnight at Namakanipaio Campground with plenty of space to lay out some tents. You can bring your quad bike here too.

2. Kahuku Motocross Park

If you’re on Oahu Island, then head for the Kahuku Motocross Track. You can also ride enduro trails here and they have a PeeWee track for the kids too. The views from this place are stunning as it overlooks the Pacific Ocean.

3. Maui Raceway Park

Over on the island of Maui is the Maui Raceway Park. This track is really for motocross riders and an MMA membership is required to ride or race. You can practice on weekends and some Wednesday too but this depends on the weather at the time.

4. Hilo MX Track

Hilo MX Track is open to members and you can practice here several days per week. It’s located on the Big Island and the 808MX/ATV Association manages this place. If you’re looking for some local riders to network with, then this is the place to do it.

Getting Started

While there aren’t that many places to ride, it’s certainly more worthwhile than nothing. Most riders prefer the onroad or adventure motorcycles in which to explore the bitumen as much as the dirt. Some prefer to head back to the States for a few months and buy a temporary dirt bike to explore open riding areas instead of owning one on the island. Likewise, some actually just buy some private land in which to let loose.

Some people also just hire a dirt bike and there are several hire locations around on the various islands.