Wheeling/Offroad in NY/CT

[Spearmin]

You guys don't know how fortunate you are. Here in NY/CT you cannot take tour vehicle off-road (no matter how inviting that powerline trail may look). I have owned 2 JLs over the past 3 yrs, and not once have I ever taken them off road. Where in this area can I go wheeling with minimal risk of being accosted by the Popo? I remember reading an article posted here, where the author reviewed the JL, and stated he lives in NYC and went about 1hr North to test the Jeep on some trails. I really want to know where those trails are. It seems like every other post is about someone here going wheeling, and clearly having a ball. You guys should really cherish the ability to to do that.

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[RubiSc0tt]

My answer from this thread still applies. I know ADKJ is currently planning their 2022 schedule.

Yes, Join a legit club. Yes, you'll probably have to pay some dues, but there are multiple beneifts: Clubs usually have regularly scheduled events, people with a knowledge base and tools who are willing to help when you need it, and a knowledge base of land use issues, where to go legally and where to stay away, and some clubs even have agreements with local land owners that will get you access to private property via monthly rides. Off the top of my head, for your area of NY, the Clubs i know are:

Hudson Valley 4 Wheelers (https://www.hv4w.org/)
Long Island Off Road (http://www.liorclub.org/)
Adirondack Jeeps (http://www.adirondackjeeps.com)
Eastern 4 Wheelers (mostly New England http://www.eastern4wheelers.org/site/)

These clubs are all active and members of Northeast Offroad Vehicle Alliance(NOVA), or North East Association of 4WD Clubs (NEA4WD, or "NEA" for short), or both (as far as I know, unless there has been recent changes), and have connections and access to private land through those organizations, as well as trail data and info for trails in other areas via member clubs who share info. I've been with my club since 2005ish, and I've wheeled with members of the other orgs on and off at various region events. Several guys from Hv4W helped me with a trail repair on a ride. They're all good orgs with good people, worth the membership price (again, as far as i know, and if there haven't been any major changes). It's worth reaching out to them or going to a meeting to see if it's for you.

Additionally, there are some off road parks popping up here and there in NY: Mettowee Off Road Extreme Park (Granville NY),
BHM Off road facility (http://www.bhmoffroadtestfacility.com/)
and of course, in PA: Rausch Creek and AOAA.

It's not like out west, where there is open land everywhere, but it's what we have to work with.

Ultimately, it's something you have to consider what is right and how much it means to you: Do you want to keep going off roading for years to come, and possibly share it with future generations? if you answer yes, then it's worth it. These clubs will get you in, get you "trained" so you won't damage your rig or the trails, and help you get started off on the right foot. If the answer is "No", maybe it's best you just stay home. No disrespect, Wheeling illegally gets public AND private land shut down, and ruins it for everyone who actually does care. I speak from experience. We've lost access to a handful of public (Forest roads) and private land, due to abuse by local renegade wheelers since I started doing this- and that's not counting the trails we lost when I was growing up, riding ATV's, or the trails we simply lost to housing/ apartment complexes going up where there used to be a patch of land. Being organized is more important for 4x4 users now more than ever. I'll end my rant and step off of my soap box there.

Hopefully this helps.

 

[R4D4R]

Where in CT are you? There are tons of trails/Class 4 roads up in VT and similar in NH. Farther north to ME, you could go days on dirt.
Look into the BDR routes as well. The north east route starts in NY and goes up to Maine

 

[Spearmin]

I'm in North Salem/Pound Ridge area.. would you happen to have GPS coordinates or name of the town on the NY side of the trail?

 

[19 JLUR Bright Whit3]

FYI. I believe people are hesitant to divulge their wheeling spots, because the average person doesn't tread lightly and those that belong to clubs don't want others to ruin areas that they frequented as a club under expressed or implied agreements with the land owners. With that being said, you can always go to the clubs website and check out their schedule or pics and videos. They'll have a location and you can research from there. I went out with a club in NY in the early 2000s. They were all over. Upstate, MA and CT. Just my .02

 

[americonium]

Vermont roads map can be found here.
https://vermontroads.net/map
Never go alone. If a land owner says you're trespassing, be courteous, apologize, and continue on down the road. If you encounter a gate, turn around. There are plenty of roads. Stay safe.

Also, try to wait until May, snow and mud will hinder your travel.

Good luck.

 

[americonium]

Here's a list of off roading trails in new Hampshire.

Sorry, I linked to an ATV site. New Hampshire isn't as forthcoming with their maps.

 

[Headbarcode]

I'm in North Salem/Pound Ridge area.. would you happen to have GPS coordinates or name of the town on the NY side of the trail?

This is the 1st I'm hearing of a bdr trail in the northeast. Sounded interesting, so I looked it up. Unfortunately, it looks like it is only for adventure motorcyclists.

Apparently, about 90% of new York state is privately owned. The only options for us full size vehicles to roam this state is to either roll the dice with law enforcement or to join a group that has land use permission from private owners. The downside of the legal option is that it's only for group gatherings, not ones last minute urge to venture out.

 

[MEHillwalker80]

Here's a list of off roading trails in new Hampshire.

https://www.alltrails.com/us/new-hampshire/off-road-driving

ATV/UTV no 4X4s

 

[RubiSc0tt]

This is the 1st I'm hearing of a bdr trail in the northeast. Sounded interesting, so I looked it up. Unfortunately, it looks like it is only for adventure motorcyclists.

Apparently, about 90% of new York state is privately owned. The only options for us full size vehicles to roam this state is to either roll the dice with law enforcement or to join a group that has land use permission from private owners. The downside of the legal option is that it's only for group gatherings, not ones last minute urge to venture out.

This is why it's critical to join a legitimate group. Not some FB group of 30k yahoos who don't know a legal trail from their ass and just go stomp around in the same (illegal) mud holes.
Legit, organized 4wd and OHV groups help show our numbers to people whenever the proposals for "multiuse trails" come up. It shows land owners that we are willing to be partners for land stewardship, that we respect the land and are willing to put in the time (and money) to help them maintain their land if we are allowed to partner with them to use it. This is how you work toward Managed access solutions. There are groups doing this already with moderate success in MA and VT.

And please, for the love of the Jeep gods- Do not roll the dice with law enforcement- You'll be fucking it up for everyone else who is doing the right thing. This is how you fuck up managed access solutions for everyone else already working hard to do the right thing. Don't be this guy.

I've been into OHV's since 1986. I've been into Jeeps since 2003. I can count on one hand the trails that were open when I started wheeling Jeeps that are still open today- And still have fingers left over. I realize this isn't convenient, or what people want to hear- but if off roading matters to you- this is part of the game, especially in NYS.

 

[Ct_Formula]

If you want to have all the fun and still be good check these guys out. Quite the set up and I've heard good things about them. I have no affiliation with them or even know them. Just passing along info.

https://www.508intl.com/

 

[Headbarcode]

This is why it's critical to join a legitimate group. Not some FB group of 30k yahoos who don't know a legal trail from their ass and just go stomp around in the same (illegal) mud holes.
Legit, organized 4wd and OHV groups help show our numbers to people whenever the proposals for "multiuse trails" come up. It shows land owners that we are willing to be partners for land stewardship, that we respect the land and are willing to put in the time (and money) to help them maintain their land if we are allowed to partner with them to use it. This is how you work toward Managed access solutions. There are groups doing this already with moderate success in MA and VT.

And please, for the love of the Jeep gods- Do not roll the dice with law enforcement- You'll be fucking it up for everyone else who is doing the right thing. This is how you fuck up managed access solutions for everyone else already working hard to do the right thing. Don't be this guy.

I've been into OHV's since 1986. I've been into Jeeps since 2003. I can count on one hand the trails that were open when I started wheeling Jeeps that are still open today- And still have fingers left over. I realize this isn't convenient, or what people want to hear- but if off roading matters to you- this is part of the game, especially in NYS.

Well said, Scott! And I couldn't agree more on all points! I hear about little hidey hole spots that are definitely being accessed illegally, but I don't want to have anything to do with that.

It's only been about 4 years since I got bit by the offroad bug, and this past January 12th was my 3 year anniversary of being a proud Jeep owner. I may be a greenhorn, but I do know that offroading is supposed to be about personal therapy and relaxation, while also getting to see and enjoy nature. Worrying and looking over my shoulder for police is not what I call relaxing, and neither is knowing that I'd be nothing more than part of the problem. Am I dying to finally get my Jeep into a real offroad environment? Certainly! But not without respect and permission.

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