Do the Ride Thing — ATVs in PA

Rev up the engines and get out on Pennsylvania’s rugged terrain

You’re in the driver’s seat when you wind through waist-high mud holes, dense forest and over old logging roads on an ATV or off-roading adventure through Pennsylvania.

About 250 miles of ATV trails weave throughout state forests to accommodate trail enthusiasts, with another 100 miles of fun offered on the Allegheny National Forest.  

Popular spots include Lost Trails ATV Park near Scranton, for its steep hill climbs, mud pits and scenic views; Marienville & Timberline OHV Trails in the Allegheny National Forest for its mixture of novice trails and challenging one-way-only motorcycle trail; and Bloody Skillet ATV Trail in Centre County offers hard-packed trails, scenic vistas and a chance to see deer, black bear and wild turkey.

All recreational ATVs in Pennsylvania must be registered and titled with the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. A $20 fee every two years is required to ride your ATV anywhere off of your own property or property leased by you, such as designated state forest trails. To ride through the Allegheny National Forest, an annual $35 permit fee is required, and can be purchased online

State Forest ATV trail season on public lands runs from the Friday before Memorial Day through the last Sunday in September; winter season is from mid-December to April 1. These include:

  • Bald Eagle State Forest ATV Trails, Snyder and Union counties, south of Glen Iron
  • Bloody Skillet ATV Trail, Sproul State Forest, Centre and Clinton counties, off SR 144 north of the Snow Shoe Exit of US Route 80
  • Burnt Mills ATV Trail, Delaware State Forest, Pike County, off Route 402 south of Porters Lake
  • Dixon R. Miller Recreation Area, Delaware State Forest, Monroe County, off Route 115 south of I-80
  • Maple Run ATV Trail, Delaware State Forest, Pike County, off Route 402 north of the village of Pecks Pond
  • Martin Hill ATV Trail, Buchanan State Forest, Bedford County, south of Rainsburg.
  • Michaux State Forest ATV Trails, Adams and Cumberland counties, along Shippensburg Road north of its intersection with Route 233 
  • Sideling Hill ATV Trail, Buchanan State Forest, Fulton County, off Ray's Cove Road or Childers Ridge Road
  • Susquehannock ATV Trail, Susquehannock State Forest, Potter County, south of Denton Hill State Park
  • Tiadaghton State Forest ATV Trail, Lycoming County, along Route 44 south of Haneyville. 
  • Whiskey Springs ATV Trail, Sproul State Forest, Clinton County. Currently closed for the Huling Branch Reclamation Project

Private and other public trail opportunities

Many other ATV riding opportunities exist across the state on public lands and local municipalities. Contact the local Tourist Promotion Agency, ATV clubs, dealers or county governments to find out more about your region of interest.

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