Maine’s ATV trail network is one of the most extensive in the eastern United States, with over 9,000 miles of authorized trails maintained by local ATV clubs through the Maine ATV Association. Aroostook County alone has thousands of miles of trails through potato fields, logging roads, and deep forest that see a fraction of the riders that similar trail systems in other states attract.
Maine ATV Registration & Rules
All ATVs operated on Maine trails must be registered. Maine residents register through the Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles. Non-residents operating on Maine trails must purchase a non-resident ATV registration. Helmets are required for all riders under 18. ATVs are restricted to trails designated for ATV use — riding on snowmobile-only trails or unauthorized roads is illegal and damages the trail access agreements that clubs have worked hard to establish.
Aroostook County
Aroostook County is Maine’s ATV riding capital — vast, sparsely populated, and crisscrossed with logging roads and purpose-built trails that connect communities across the entire county. The trail system around Presque Isle, Caribou, and Fort Fairfield covers hundreds of miles of varied terrain, from flat potato field roads to hilly forest trails with distant views into Canada. The Aroostook Valley Country Club area and the trails north of Caribou toward the border are particularly popular. Local ATV clubs publish trail maps available at chambers of commerce and sporting goods stores throughout the county.
Moosehead Lake & Jackman Region
The same network of logging roads that makes Moosehead and Jackman excellent snowmobile country also offers exceptional ATV riding in summer and fall. The Greenville area has marked ATV trails connecting to the surrounding logging road network — Plum Creek’s road system west of Moosehead Lake is particularly extensive. Always check with local clubs or the chamber about current access permissions on private logging roads, as these can change seasonally.
Western Maine
The Oxford Hills region around Bethel and Rumford has a well-developed ATV trail network. The trails around Grafton Notch State Park’s perimeter offer spectacular mountain scenery, and the connecting trails through the Sunday River watershed cover varied terrain suitable for all skill levels. The Rangeley region’s extensive logging road network is also popular with ATV riders, particularly in September and October when fall foliage adds to the experience.
Best Season for ATV Riding in Maine
The ATV season in Maine typically runs from May through October, with June through September being optimal. Spring riding can be excellent but mud season (typically April through mid-May) can make trails impassable and causes serious trail damage — most clubs ask riders to stay off trails during this period. Fall riding in September and October combines excellent trail conditions with the added bonus of fall foliage. Always carry a current trail map, a basic tool kit, and let someone know your planned route.