Best Places to Ride Your ATV/Snowmobile Near Philadelphia and Bucks County
Snowmobiles and ATVs provide some exhilarating experiences. Riding them through beautiful locations can be both picturesque and exciting. Finding places to ride these amazing vehicles is sometimes incredibly difficult to do. Here’s a list of the best trails to take your ATV or snowmobile to near Bucks County and Philadelphia.
Here’s a list of the best ATV trails near Bucks County and Philadelphia.
John’s Auto Tags is not affiliated with any of the businesses, organizations, or locations below.
Marienville Trail
Location: Allegheny National Forest, near Marienville, PA
Trail Length: 14.2 miles (connects to 100+ miles of forest trails)
Difficulty: Moderate
Vehicle Types: ATV, OHV (permit required)
The Marienville ATV Trail serves as a primary access point to the larger Allegheny National Forest trail system, which spans over 100 miles. This trail is well-maintained and popular for riders looking to explore longer routes through forested terrain.
What to know before you ride:
- Part of the Allegheny National Forest OHV system
- Seasonal access and permit required
- Connects to multiple secondary trails
- Limited cell service, download maps in advance
Allegheny National Forest ATV Trails
Location: Northern Allegheny National Forest
Combined Trail Length: ~50 miles
Difficulty: Moderate to Difficult
Vehicle Types: ATV, OHV
The Rocky Gap and Willow Creek trail systems are among the most challenging ATV trails in the Allegheny National Forest. These trails feature rocky sections, elevation changes, and technical riding conditions, making them ideal for experienced riders.
Trail highlights:
- Rugged terrain and natural obstacles
- Less beginner-friendly
- Permit required
- Popular with advanced riders seeking longer, connected routes
Mountain Ridge ATV Park
Location: Eastern Somerset County, PA
Trail System: 16 marked trails
Difficulty Levels: Easy, Moderate, Difficult
Access: Fee required
Mountain Ridge ATV Park is a privately operated ATV park designed for riders of all skill levels. With clearly marked difficulty ratings, this park is ideal for families, groups with mixed experience, and riders looking for variety.
Trail breakdown:
- 6 easy trails
- 6 moderate trails
- 4 difficult trails
- On-site amenities and maintained facilities
- Day passes required
The Lost Trails ATV Adventure
Location: Dunmore, PA (near the Pocono Mountains)
Acreage: 2,000+ acres
Difficulty: Beginner to Advanced
Open: Year-round
Access: Membership or day pass required
The Lost Trails ATV Adventure is one of Pennsylvania’s largest and most well-known ATV parks. Located just 25 minutes from the Pocono Mountains, it offers diverse terrain, steep climbs, wooded trails, and scenic mountain views.
Why riders choose The Lost Trails:
- Year-round riding
- Large property with varied terrain
- Clear trail signage
- Ideal for ATVs, UTVs, and experienced riders
Mines Meadow ATV/RV Resort
Location: Southwestern Pennsylvania
Trail Length: 84 miles
Acreage: ~900 acres
Difficulty: Easy to Difficult
Access: Pass required
Mines & Meadows combines extensive ATV trails with unique historic mine landscapes. Riders experience wooded paths, open riding areas, and elevation changes that create a distinctive off-road experience.
Notable features:
- Trails built around historic mining areas
- Wide range of difficulty levels
- RV camping and amenities available
- Suitable for multi-day trips
Rock Run Recreational Center
Location: Northern Cambria, PA
Trail Length: 140+ miles
Difficulty: Clearly marked by trail
Access: Permit or day pass required
Rock Run Recreation Area offers one of the largest ATV trail networks in Pennsylvania. Each trail is clearly labeled by difficulty, making it accessible for beginners while still offering advanced routes with steep climbs and panoramic mountain views.
Trail experience includes:
- Elevation climbs into the Allegheny Mountains
- Scenic overlooks
- Well-mapped trail system
- Options for all rider skill levels
Darkwater OHV Trail
Location: Pottsville, PA
Trail Length: 30 miles
Elevation Gain: Over 3,000 feet
Difficulty: Moderate to Difficult
Vehicle Types: OHV, ATV
The Darkwater OHV Trail is known for its elevation changes and wooded landscape. Riders should be prepared for sustained climbs and physically demanding terrain.
Important considerations:
- Significant elevation gain
- Not ideal for beginners
- Check trail conditions before riding
- Best suited for experienced riders
Here’s a list of the best snowmobile trails near Bucks County and Philadelphia.
Loyalsock State Forest
Location: North-Central Pennsylvania
Trail Mileage: 16+ miles (weather permitting)
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Grooming: Limited
Vehicle Use: Shared with licensed motor vehicles on some routes
Loyalsock State Forest offers a smaller but scenic snowmobile experience when winter conditions allow. Snowmobiling is permitted only on designated roads and trails, which are clearly marked during the season.
Important rider notes:
- Trails are condition-dependent
- Some routes are shared with licensed vehicles
- Signage indicates snowmobile-legal roads
- Best suited for casual or intermediate riders
Forbes State Forest
(Laurel Highlands Snowmobile Trail System)
Location: Southwestern Pennsylvania
Trail Mileage: 115+ miles
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Grooming: Groomed routes available
Access: Public; registration required
Forbes State Forest is home to the Laurel Highlands Snowmobile Trail System, one of the most extensive groomed networks in Pennsylvania. The trail system features long-distance riding through mountainous terrain and forest roads.
Trail highlights:
- Well-established grooming program
- Clearly designated trail routes
- Downloadable trail maps available
- Ideal for longer day rides or weekend trips
Delaware State Forest
Location: Northeastern Pennsylvania
Trail Mileage: ~115 miles
Groomed Trails: ~70 miles
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Unique Feature: Pet-friendly trails
The Delaware State Forest maintains one of Pennsylvania’s most rider-friendly snowmobile systems. With a large portion of trails groomed and maintained, it’s a popular destination for consistent winter riding.
Snowmobiling requirements:
- Snowmobiles must be registered
- Liability insurance required
- Helmets mandatory for all riders
- Pets permitted on designated trails
Bald Eagles State Forest
Location: Central Pennsylvania
Trail Mileage: ~250 miles
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Access Points: 14 designated trailheads
Season: Post-antlerless deer season to April 1 (or earlier)
Bald Eagle State Forest offers one of the largest snowmobile trail networks in the state, with hundreds of miles of forest roads open seasonally to properly registered snowmobiles.
Key considerations:
- Seasonal access based on hunting closures
- Multiple trail access points
- Maps strongly recommended before riding
- Long-distance trail opportunities available
Rothrock State Forest
Location: Central Pennsylvania
Trail Mileage: ~200 miles
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Winter Access: Select trailheads plowed
Rothrock State Forest provides extensive snowmobile access across forest roads and trails, though not all routes are equally suitable. Several trailheads are maintained for winter access, making trip planning easier.
Plowed winter trailheads include:
- Colerain
- Stone Creek
- Alan Seeger
- Pine Hill
- Galbraith Gap
- Kepler Road
Allegheny National Forest
Location: Northwestern Pennsylvania
Trail Mileage: Extensive multi-use trail system
Difficulty: Easy to Advanced
Typical Season: Late December through late winter
Grooming: Available on designated routes
Allegheny National Forest is a premier snowmobiling destination in Pennsylvania, offering wide, scenic trails through forested and mountainous terrain. Trails typically open around December 20, depending on snowfall and conditions.
Why riders travel here:
- Large interconnected trail system
- Access to groomed snowmobile routes
- Nearby lodging in towns such as Marienville and Kane
- Ideal for multi-day snowmobile trips