Find the best ATV trails in Ontario

Northeastern Ontario

Voyageur Multi-Use Trails (VMUTS)

Distance: 300 kilometres
Rating: Novice to advanced
Pass/permit: OFATV or VMUTS

This trail system is nestled between two small mountain ranges, the Algonquin Highlands and the Laurentian Mountains, bordered by the Mattawa and Ottawa Rivers.

Riders will find a range of difficulty levels, from easy meandering trails through majestic pines and cool valleys with clear lakes and rivers to challenging rock climbs and wet, muddy areas. With the addition of VMUTS to the Ontario Federation of ATV Clubs, membership gets you access to the OFATV club's trail systems—that's thousands of kilometres of trails across Ontario.

Northeastern Ontario's Town of Mattawa and the surrounding townships have passed ATV-friendly by-laws, allowing riders passage on local roads from their accommodations to the trailhead.

Recommended accommodations: Mattawa Adventure Camp, Mattawa

Cochrane ATV Trails

Distance: 1,000 acres of private trail wilderness
Rating: Novice to moderate
Pass/permit: Bear Tracks ATV Tours, EOTA 

Northeastern Ontario's Bear Tracks ATV Tours provide guided ATV tours to remote and scenic locations throughout the Cochrane area. Mainly located on Crown Land, you can ride all day and never be on the same trail twice. Or ride the streets of Cochrane and visit the Polar Bear Habitat & Heritage Village. 

Recommended accommodations: Best Western Swan Castle Inn, Cochrane

West Nipissing ATV Club Trails

Pass/permit: OnePass (EOTA or Park to Park), West Nipissing ATV Club Membership

These trails are mainly situated between North Bay, Temagami and Chelmsford, with some stretching as far north and west as Shining Tree and Gogama.

Recommended accommodations: South River Resort, Nipissing

Algonquin, Muskoka and Parry Sound

Park to Park Trails

Distance: 230 kilometres
Pass/permit: OnePass (Park to Park or EOTA)

The main system in the Explorers' Edge/Parry Sound-Georgian Bay area is the Park-to-Park multi-use trail system. This exciting route from Killbear to Algonquin Park is set within a natural wilderness of lakes, forests, beaches and the 2.5 billion-year-old granite of the Canadian Shield.

Trails within the Park-to-Park trail system include:

Seguin Trail

Distance: 80 kilometres
Rating: Moderate
Pass/permit: OnePass (Park to Park or EOTA)

The best-known section of the Park to Park trail network is the Seguin Trail. Following the historic route of the Ottawa, Arnprior and Parry Sound Railway (later part of the Canada Atlantic Railway) built by J.R. Booth, this section stretches from just west of Highway 400 to the Wall's Junction, where the trail splits. This part is one of the more adventurous segments, with a rough, dirt surfacing and the occasional puddle.

The best spot for parking is at the Georgian Bay Travel Centre; there is a large, paved parking lot with lots of room for trailers and an off-road ramp that connects the PetroCan to the trail. Food and gas are accessible on the trail in Sprucedale.

Old Bethune Trail

Pass/permit: OnePass (Park to Park or EOTA), Algonquin West ATV Club

This section is a continuation of the Seguin Trail past the Walls Split. Passing under Highway 11 and through the town of Kearney to the Algonquin Park boundary, this section has diverse trail types, from retired rail bed to road and dirt track. The Old Bethune Trail is shared with Algonquin West ATV Club and is currently managed by the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources.

Settler's Trail

Pass/permit: OnePass (Park to Park or EOTA)

Settler's Trail provides incredible views of Highway 11 and access to Huntsville when heading south, first on a dirt road and then on an off-road trail. This is the end of the route for motorized users, as ATVs are currently not permitted on the roads in Muskoka.

Muskiig Trail

Distance: 15 kilometres
Pass/permit: OnePass (Park to Park or EOTA)

Maintained by Carling Township, this rolling single-track style trail follows the original Shawnaga Colonization Road between Carling Station and the Dillon Road. Trailheads include small parking lots that can accommodate vehicles with trailers.

Guncotton Trail

Distance: 5 kilometres
Rating: Novice
Pass/permit: OnePass (Park to Park or EOTA)

From the trailheads at Nobel School just south of Avro Aero Blvd or McDougall Township office, head west on this gravel motorized (ATV and snowmobile) trail. This section is owned and maintained by the Township of McDougall.

Rose Point Trail

Distance: 8 kilometres
Pass/permit: OnePass (Park to Park or EOTA)

This trail follows the final segment of J.R. Booth's railroad. The historic route connects Rose Point, where a bridge passes over to Wasauksing First Nation and Depot Harbour, the terminus for the railroad, to Forest Hill, adjacent to Oastler Provincial Park. The trail received a major overhaul several years ago and passes many wetlands, great for wildlife viewing. This section is owned by Seguin Township and managed by the Park to Park Trail Association. Cargill Road has a large parking area that will fit over 20 vehicles, including trailers. 

Explorers' Edge ATV Trails

Distance: 1,000 acres
Rating: Novice to moderate

Based in Seguin, Bear Claw Tours provide guided ATV tours to some remote, scenic locations throughout the area. Offering a rider course for first-time riders ages six and up, this is the ideal place to get some hands-on experience on an ATV in Ontario's north.

Here is a list of trails within Explorers' Edge:

Redline Outdoors Trails

Rating: Novice to advanced

This is the ideal place to get safety training on ATVs and UTVs. Make your way through thick forests of pine and outcrops of rock, mudholes and other natural wonders of the Muskoka area. Providing ATV rentals by the day, week or month, rider training and ATV/camping and ATV/fishing packages all within an hour's drive from Toronto.

Recommended accommodations: Bayview Wildwood Resort, Severn Bridge

Lake of Bays ATV Club Trails

Distance: 90 kilometres
Rating: Beginner to advanced
Pass/permit: LBATV, HATVA, KATVA, Quad Niagara

The Lake of Bays ATV Association now operates over 90 kilometres of trails south of Dorset and Baysville that connect with the Haliburton trail system. Lake of Bays Township allow ATVs, UTVs, ORVs and SxS on all district and township roads. From May 1 until December 31, from sunrise to sunset, all roads in Lake of Bays Township may be used by all-terrain vehicles, subject to the Ontario Highway Traffic Act.

Baysville is your headquarters for all things off-road, with staging areas, fuel, food, trail maps and rentals all available from this welcoming community.

Algonquin West ATV Club

Distance: 450 kilometres
Rating: Novice to advanced
Pass/Permit: AWATV, HATVA, KATVA, Quad Niagara

This club is responsible for trails on the west side of Algonquin Park, from the north end of Muskoka, north of Huntsville, to well north and east of South River. Roads are used to connect only when necessary and nearly all of those are dirt back roads. Over 80% of the trails are actual trails, deep in the bush, mainly on Crown Land. As AWATV is an associate club to both the Haliburton ATV Club and the Kawartha ATV Club, membership gets you access to both of the trail systems.

Recommended accommodations: Edgewater Park Lodge, Kearney

Haliburton Highlands to the Ottawa Valley

Haliburton ATV Association

Distance: 1,700 kilometres
Rating: Novice to advanced
Pass/permit: HATVA, KATVA or Quad Niagara 

HATVA Trails are located throughout the beautiful and historic Haliburton County. Haliburton Highlands is renowned for scenic and majestic landscapes with numerous waterways. The HATVA trails connect with neighbouring trail systems in Kawartha, Muskoka, Peterborough and Madawaska. It includes a portion of the Haliburton Rail Trail that runs from Kinmount north to Haliburton. Trail difficulty varies from rail trail to forest access roads to extreme deep woods paths that require winches as standard equipment. It is highly recommended that you tour with a club member that knows the trails or hire a local guide.

Trails within Haliburton include:

Haliburton Highlands Trail System

Distance: Over 500 kilometres
Rating: Intermediate to advanced

This intricate system throughout the Haliburton Highlands features trails ranging from intermediate to expert with Multiple staging areas and access points. It’s a vast array of trails and requires GPS navigation to explore without a guide.

Haliburton's core trails run from Minden north to Algonquin Park. This trail system links trails to the Madawaska Trail System, Muskoka Trail System, Five Points Trail System and Kawartha Trail System. It includes trails to Sherbourne Lake, Big Hawk Lake, Paul Lake, Tingey Lake, Shoe Lake, Livingstone Lake and Luck Lake. 

Five Points Trail System

Distance: Over 150 kilometres
Rating: Intermediate to expert

The Five Points System is north and east of Bobcaygeon with multiple staging areas and access points It was developed by the local snowmobile clubs Twin Mountains Snowmobile Club and Buckhorn District Snowmobile Club.

The Haliburton ATV Association, Kawartha ATV Association and the Ontario Federation of 4WD Recreationists are working hard with these organizations to help maintain a healthy trail system consisting of private landowners and Crown Land areas. Attempting these areas without proper mapping knowledge and orientation experience can be dangerous. Please refer to HATVA maps and use detailed GPS tracking for these trails.

Haliburton Rail Trail

Distance: 34 kilometres
Rating: Novice
Pass/permit: HATVA, KATVA, Quad Niagara

The Haliburton Rail Trail begins in Bethany and runs through the communities of Lindsay, Cameron, Fenelon Falls, Burnt River and Kinmount with multiple staging areas and access points.

The Haliburton Corridor of the Rail Trail links the communities of Kinmount and Haliburton and is maintained by the Haliburton ATV Club. The Kawartha ATV Club maintains the portion south of Kinmount.

Recommended accommodations: Kashaga Lodge, Haliburton and Edgewater Park Lodge, Kearney

Hastings Heritage Trail

Distance: 156 kilometres
Rating: Novice
Pass/permit: OnePass EOTA, OFATV or Park to Park

The Hastings Heritage Trail is an all-season, multi-use recreational trail that follows an old railway line linking Hastings County. There are several parking lots and access points along the route. Hastings County trails consist of a 156-kilometre ribbon of land stretching from Glen Ross to Lake St. Peter, connecting them to the waterways of the Trent Canal System in the south and the edge of Algonquin Park in the north. With points of interest like waterfalls, ghost towns and the historic Hogan's Hotel, this is a great trail for a leisurely ride or a family outing.

Ottawa Valley ATV Club Trails (OVATVC)

Distance: 690 kilometres
Pass/permit: OFATV

The OVATVC riding area is nestled in the beautiful Madawaska Highlands of Eastern Ontario. The trails cover a large area bordered by Calabogie to the northeast, Sharbot Lake to the south, Bancroft to the west and the Madawaska River to the north.

Renfrew Country ATV Club Trails

Distance: 700 kilometres
Rating: Novice to advanced
Pass/permit: OFATV

Located in the Ottawa Valley, this massive network of trails is built on a foundation of abandoned rail lines and forest access roads that meander through forests, by lake view vistas, across rural countryside to rural communities that provide riders with convenient access to a wide variety of supplies, services and accommodations.

Coe Hill Riders ATV Club

Pass/permit: OFATV

The Coe Hill Riders ATV Club is a member of the Ontario Federation of ATVs dedicated to supporting responsible recreational riding to North Hastings and North Kawartha.

Kawarthas and Northumberland

Kawartha ATV Association (KATVA)

Trail permits: KATVA, HATVA, Quad Niagara

The KATVA 600-kilometre trail system is approximately 1.5 hours from Toronto and has become a popular ATV hot spot. Members and day riders enjoy a multitude of dense forest tracts, natural vistas, historic stops, wildlife viewing and majestic outlooks. This trail system includes links to neighbouring Haliburton, Madawaska, Muskoka, Northumberland and Peterborough trail systems.

Recommended accommodations: Log Chateau Park, Fenelon Falls

The following is a list of trails within the Kawarthas:

Victoria Rail Trail Corridor (VRTC)

Distance: 84 kilometres
Rating: Novice

The Victoria Rail Trail Corridor is an 84-kilometre rail trail linking the communities of Bethany, Lindsay, Cameron, Fenelon Falls, Burnt River and Kinmount with multiple staging areas and access points. VRTC is owned and administered by the city of Kawartha Lakes and maintained by the Kawartha ATV Club. The Rail Trail extends north to Haliburton, but the Haliburton ATV Club maintains that section.

Somerville Forest Track

Distance: 33 kilometres
Rating: Novice to expert

This City of Kawartha Lakes municipal multi-use trail, Somerville Tract is also called The Pinery and comprises 3,420 hectares of mixed forest property, staging area and parking. There are three trail loops known as The Pinery (8 kilometres, great for beginners), the Millennium Trail (22 kilometres for intermediate riders) and the Marsh Trail (3 kilometres of expert trail), covering a variety of terrain, including pine plantations, wetlands, hardwoods and rock outcrops. This is a delicate area which requires the utmost respect from users. 

Five Point System

Distance: over 150 kilometres
Rating: Intermediate to expert

The Five Points System is north and east of Bobcaygeon with multiple staging areas and access points. It was developed by Twin Mountains Snowmobile Club and Buckhorn District Snowmobile Club. Make sure you have proper mapping KATVA knowledge and orientation experience with GPS tracking.

Ganaraska Forest

Distance: 300 kilometres
Rating: Novice
Pass/permit: Ganaraska Forest Membership or day pass

Just an hour's drive from Toronto, Southern Ontario's largest forest features hundreds of kilometres of trails and logging roads, easy parking and multiple entry points. ATVing is only permitted in the West Forest and East Forest. The Central section is a passive-use area.

Recommended accommodations: Sandaraska Park, Pontypool

Peterborough County Trails ATV Club (PTBO Trails)

Rating: Novice to advanced
Pass/permit: EOTA or PTBO Trails

Formerly the Havelock and District ATV Club, the PTBO welcomes riders of all skill levels—from brand new to experienced—on both ATVs and Side by Sides to experience the beautiful destinations in Peterborough County.

Sault Ste. Marie and Algoma

ATV Elliot Lake

Distance: 300+ kilometres
Rating: Novice to advanced
Pass/permit: OFATV

The Elliot Lake area in Algoma Country is home to Ontario’s largest insured ATV trail network. A series of trails carve through the extraordinary landscape of this unspoiled part of Northern Ontario, past wild and majestic terrain, including racing rivers, ancient rock escarpments and transition forests.

Well-planned trails are looped, so you're never far from the city's amenities. These trails are perfect for seasoned or novice riders looking for day trips, overnight stays or extended three—to five-day excursions.

For more information contact the Elliot Lake ATV Club.

The following is a list of trails within the Elliot Lake ATV Trails:

The Boardwalk Run

Distance: 41 kilometres
Rating: Easy/moderate
Pass/permit: OFATV

The club's first trail includes a variety of terrain with scenic views across Home Lake and Scenic Lake. Wrapping around the city, the main loop connects with the Boreal Forest Run and the Portage Run. Most of it is easy to moderate, with short and avoidable portions that require riders with more experience.

Boreal Forest Run

Distance: 47 kilometres
Rating: Easy to moderate
Pass/Permit: OFATV

Expansive views of this open powerline trail make it a favourite for ATVs and snowmobilers. The trail leads to old growth forest full of wildflowers in the summer and vivid yellows from birch trees in the fall, then connects to Portage Run or Boardwalk Run or back to the city.

May Lake Loop

Distance: 60 kilometres
Rating: Moderate
Pass/permit: OFATV

The first and possibly only trail in Ontario built by an ATV club for shared use with snowmobiles is incredibly scenic, with a backdrop of rock cliffs, bridges over remote lakes and great city views. The route travels along Stanrock Road, providing a glimpse of Elliot Lake's modern lakefront development project. The trail can also be extended to Whiskey Lake for a real adventure.

Portage Run

Distance: 49 kilometres
Rating: Advanced
Pass/permit: OFATV

This looped trail is renowned as a challenging ATV ride through rough, muddy and rocky sections and is recommended for advanced riders with four-wheel drive ATVs. Portions of the trail are open depending on the season, water and weather conditions.

The route, which is an extension of the Boreal Forest Run or the Boardwalk Run, provides a fantastic view of Lake Matinenda and passes through tight, muddy trails and along some great sections above Quimby Lake.

Horne Lake Trail

Distance: 6 kilometres
Rating: Novice
Pass/permit: OFATV

Just outside Elliot Lake, this multi-use trail offers more spectacular views.

Recommended accommodations: Wilderness Lodge, Elliot Lake

Bruce, Grey and Simcoe

Baxter/Severn ATV Trail Riders

Distance: 90 kilometres
Pass/permit: OFATV

These trails are just east of Georgian Bay and include a great loop from Baxter Lake alongside many lakes of the area south to Coldwater and back north to Port Severn. Expect mudholes, water and technical rocks around Barron's Lake.

Central Ontario ATV Club Trails

Distance: 157 kilometres
Rating: Novice to advanced
Pass/permit: OFATV

This club maintains four loops south and east of Georgian Bay. Take in amazing scenery along the bush trail located that varies from smooth and sandy to tricky and technical. Get the COATV Interactive Trail Map.

Recommended accommodations: Horseshoe Resort, Barrie

Dufferin Grey ATV Club Trails

Distance: 267 kilometres
Pass/permit: OFATV

Most of these trails are in Grey County, with some stretching down into Dufferin County near Shelburne.

Recommended accommodations: Blue Sky RV Resorts, Melancthon

Huron Shores ATV Club Trails

Distance: over 100 kilometres
Pass/permit: HSATV or OnePass (EOTA or Park to Park)

This network of trails is shared with hikers, horses and snowmobiles and connects to neighbouring clubs, including West Grey ATV Club and Dufferin Grey ATV Club. The speed limit is 50 kilometres per hour, so enjoy the sites along the rail trails and forest trails.

West Grey ATV Club Trail

Pass/permit: OFATV

This club represents trails around West Grey ATV Club, such as Dufferin Grey ATV Club, Huron Shores ATV Club and South Bruce Peninsula ATV Club.

South Bruce Peninsula ATV Club Trails

Distance: 160 kilometres
Rating: Novice to intermediate
Pass/permit: SBPATV or OnePass (Park to Park or EOTA)

This club operates over 160 kilometres of trail stretching from Highway 21 in the south to Wiarton in the north and Lake Huron in the west to Georgian Bay in the east. The trails are a healthy mix of off-road trails, multi-use rail trails, unmaintained and gravel roads and paved roadways connecting the network in a loop that takes approximately eight hours to complete.

Food and fuel are available along the trail in Sauble Beach, Wiarton and Shallow Lake and accommodations are available in Sauble Beach and Wiarton.

Recommended accommodation: Shenstone Motor Inn, Bruce Peninsula

Ottawa Region

ATV Club of Eastern Ontario Trails (ATVCEO)

Distance: 329 kilometres
Pass/permit: OFATV

ATVCEO has a series of trails in the countryside east of Ottawa, from just east of Casselman to Alexandria and north to the Ottawa River and is linked to the Nation Valley ATV Clubs.

Southeastern Ontario

Johnstown ATV Club Trails

Distance: 275 kilometres
Rating: Intermediate to advanced
Pass/permit: OFATV

View a map of the trails and locations to buy passes.

Nation Valley ATV Club Trails (NVATC)

Distance: 233 kilometres
Pass/permit: OFATV

NVATC maintains trails just south of Ottawa and further south near Winchester, Hallville and South Mountain and hosts events throughout the year. 

Napanee and District ATV Club Tails

Pass/permit: OnePass (EOTA or Park to Park), Napanee & District ATV Club

Located in the Lennox and Addington area, this club is a partner with access to the massive 2,000-kilometres of Eastern Ontario Trails Association trails.

Rideau Lakes ATV Club

Pass/permit: OFATV

Founded in 2015, the Rideau Lakes ATV Club is in Rideau Lakes Township, southwest of Smiths Falls. Recent developments connect the trails to the Thousand Islands ATV Club, opening up more trails to ride.

Thousand Islands ATV Club

Distance: 126 kilometres
Pass/permit: OFATV

Most of this trail system is designed for beginner to intermediate riders. However, there are a few challenging points with bypasses.

Glendaler's Winter Sports Club Trails

Distance: 200 kilometres
Rating: Novice to advanced
Pass/permit: Glendaler's Permit

Located in the Seaway Valley, these trails stretch from Cornwall to the Quebec border in the east and south from the shores of the St. Lawrence River up to Alexandria. Winter trails are open from mid-December to mid-March each year, while the Peanut Trail is open year-round. It runs on the former CP Rail bed, which is now owned by South Glengarry Township.

Huron, Perth, Waterloo and Wellington

Great Lakes ATV Club Trails

Pass/permit: OFATV
Rating: Beginner to intermediate

The Great Lakes ATV Club is home to two separate trails. You must trailer between the two systems as they are approximately 23 kilometres apart. Directions are posted at the parking areas.

Innerkip Trail

Distance: 10 kilometres
Rating: Moderate

This system consists of winding flat trails, some hilly areas and Blue Arrow trails with challenging muddy sections. It takes about 1.5 to 3 hours to run and is side-by-side friendly (up to 64" width). This system is generally open for winter riding. 

Hamilton, Halton and Brant

Great Lakes ATV Club Trails

Pass/permit: OFATV
Rating: Beginner to intermediate

The Great Lakes ATV Club is home to two separate trails. You must trailer between the two systems as they are approximately 23 kilometres apart. Directions are posted at the parking areas.

Cathcart Trail

This family-friendly 12-kilometre trail system with some blue arrow trails will take about 1.5 to 3 hours to run. Note for signs, as a few trails are one-way only. The trail is not side-by-side friendly. 

Recommended accommodations: Comfort Inn Brantford, Brantford

Niagara Region

Quad Niagara ATV Club Trails

Pass/permit: Quad Niagara, HATVA or KATVA

In the Niagara Region you can legally ride your ATV on your own property, private property with permission from the landowner, Crown Land and on the Quad Niagara trail system.

York, Durham and Headwaters

Dufferin Grey ATV Club Trails

Distance: 267 kilometres
Pass/permit: OFATV

Although most of these trails are in Grey County, some stretching down into Dufferin County near Shelburne.

Southwestern Ontario

Hawk's Nest Motorsport Park

Pass/permit: OFATV
Rating: Novice

Hawk's Nest is a family park with 76 acres of trail riding and mud bathing for your ATV. The trail systems provide riders with freedom and a chance to explore a majestic Carolinian Forest. 

Essex County ATV Club

Pass/permit: OFATV

This club maintains the Walker Trail and the Howard Trail.

Talbot Trail ATV Club Trails (TTATV)

Distance: 100 kilometres
Rating: Novice to advanced
Pass/permit: TTATV

The Talbot Trail ATV Club features several unconnected trails that offer beginners, intermediate and advanced riding. The three trails are located throughout St. Thomas, Port Stanley, Aylmer and the surrounding area. The TTATV Club is currently working with various landowners in developing other new sanctioned trails.