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10 ATV Trails in Canada That’ll Up Your Adventure Antics!
When I was a kid, I’ve always wanted to go out and seek the most exciting outdoor adventures. Growing up, I was also into autosports, so what better way to collate my two love for outdoor shenanigans than ATV ventures?
You drive a dirt jeep on the road with extreme adrenaline, and you also get to feel nature’s grasp, what more can you ask? It’s the perfect hobby for folks like us who love that rush for excitement and luckily there are numerous ATV trails in Canada to appease our cravings!
To get you off the right track—or ATV trail—below is our list of only the best ones this country has ever had in store for dirt jeep enthusiasts! Let’s get this journey started!
Black Creek Outfitters
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Address: 9538F, ON-129, Thessalon, ON P0R 1L0
Contact Details: +17058412555
Opening Hours: 24/7
Cost: $$
The name Black Creek Outfitters sounds like something out of a clothing brand. However, it’s far from it.
In fact, Black Creek happens to be one of the more exciting ATV trails you can visit here in the country because of its twists and turns, rugged pathway for hardcore riders, and scenic views while you’re at it.
This site is found along the Mississagi Valley, and it’s just an hour drive by ATV somewhere around the Thessalon area. It’s also just about two hours east of Sault Ste. Marie.
Since Black Creek Outfitters is found at the intersection between Elliot Lake and Chapleu, ATV adventurers like ourselves can have several alternative routes and wide access to far lakes and falls.
Pro Tip:
There’s a unique advantage when exploring Black Creek because you can drive your ATV from and all the way through your cabin which means there are no parking hassles of leaving your car in different places within the area.
Wasi Lake Trails
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Address: Chisholm, ON P0H 1B0
Opening Hours: 24/7
Cost: $$
Wasi Lake Trails is just about 40 minutes by the North Bay which means if you’re close by, you can gather with loggers to have that wonderful ATV experience you’ve been eyeing for all year!
There are several cabins like the Booth Landing Camping & Cottages that would accommodate your stay too which is only located on the shores of Wasi Lake alongside Chisholm.
To get you started, this trail route begins at the royal lands all the way to the outskirts of Wasi Lake. You can also spot wildlife like bears, bald eagles, and deers which make the experience much more nature-centric.
Pro Tip:
Each year during ATV season, land proprietors of the cabins like Booth Landing curate a collective ride effort that starts early 10 AM which lasts around three to five hours. There’s a stop for lunch within the route limits and a full dinner with steak and barbeque too!
Park to Park Trail
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Address: Parry Sound, ON
Contact Details: (888) 587-3762
Opening Hours: 24/7
Cost: $$
One of the most straightforward names of an ATV trail we’ve probably ever heard, the Park-to-Park Trail in Senguin will take you a wonderful outdoor adventure which is only around two hours away from Toronto if you’re in Ontario already.
This was actually established to link Algonquin Provincial Parks and Killbear with different paths and routes for a different experience if you opt for multiple visits during the year or so.
Also, the trail covers 230 kilometers as well which 140 kilometers of that will be allocated to ATV use alone. Meaning, there’s more to this place than simply dirt riding—perhaps you’d also be interested in things like hiking or spelunking!
Pro Tip:
This ATV trail is near the Comfort Inn beside Parry Sound which is only 20 minutes away from the actual park. You can stay there for accommodations and the rooms come with a refrigerator and breakfast with several types of Canadian food like poutine—which we highly recommend. Do note that within the park’s trail, there are no amenities.
Thunder Bay
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Address: Thunder Bay District, ON
Opening Hours: 24/7
Cost: Free of charge
If you love hitting the trails on your ATV, Thunder Bay has endless options, and it can be hard to know where to begin.
Silver Mountain Station makes a perfect starting point for adventurers like you. What’s even more fascinating is you also have several options if you want to deviate from ATV riding since the area is quite versatile for multiple outdoor activities.
For instance, you can opt for snowmobiling, horseback riding, dirt biking, or skiing. And just nearby, the old Pee Dee line trail twists and turns through some of the most exciting ATV terrain in the area.
Pro Tip:
Thunder Bay has extensive ATV trails just outside the city, with some properties providing direct access within a kilometer. Seasonal RV sites are available at various campgrounds, such as Chippewa Park and Trowbridge Falls, with rates around $2,401 per season.
Haliburton ATV Association Trails
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Address: 1199 Madill Rd, Haliburton, ON K0M 1S0
Contact Details: +17053060125
Opening Hours: 24/7
Cost: Free of charge
The Haliburton ATV Association Trails is one of the largest trails for ATV rides in the country which spans around 1,700 kilometers of real estate just for dirt vehicles. These trails go through places like Muskoka, Peterborough, and Madawaska.
They also run from Haliburton (of course), Almaguin, and different locations in Ontario. These routes may be more difficult if you’re new to ATV, but there are trails that are beginner-friendly if you pass by the flat zones away from forestry marshes and dense woods.
If you’re looking for accommodations, the Comfort Hotel & Suites near Peterborough is the perfect spot, and it has a restaurant within the hotel for your convenience. They also have complimentary breakfast so you won’t have to stay hungry during those early rides.
Pro Tip:
Start your Haliburton ATV adventure by trailering closer to Haliburton or accessing the trail system from Peterborough. You can also reach out to the Haliburton ATV Association or Peterborough County Trails ATV Club to plan your ride with a detailed map of the area.
Voyageur Multi-Use Trail System
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Address: Forest Access Rd, Redbridge, ON P0H 2A0
Opening Hours: 24/7
Cost: $
Mattawa’s Ganaraska Forest has always been raved for its dense and lush greenery and diverse wildlife.
It’s also great for ATV rides since the dirt trail is conveniently located between the Laurentian Mountains and the Algonquin Highlands which have amazing views and a solid ATV pathway for that perfect adventure.
The trail system also covers 300 kilometers of driving routes that connect to an even larger network of 4,000 kilometers. This place is also where the May ATV Poker Run is held which is always a great option if you want variety for your dirt travels.
Basically, the May ATV Poker Run is a fundraising event where drivers ride their ATVS to checkpoints. As soon as they arrive at these said checkpoints, they draw a playing card at each of these locations making it one of the more active poker games you can ever hope for!
Pro Tip:
If you’re a seasoned ATV rider, we highly recommend trying out the 666 Mud Trail. That’s right, the name should scare you as it is the mark of the devil, which means you need to prepare yourself for a hellish ride!
Ganaraska Forest (Center)
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Address: 10585 Cold Springs Camp Rd, Campbellcroft, ON L0A 1B0
Contact Details: +19058858173
Opening Hours: 24/7
Cost: $
Aside from its reputation for having a great forest area, Ganaraska Forest also has a great ATV trail for extreme riders! If you don’t know, trails near forests are always more difficult to traverse making this trail ideal for more advanced ATV enthusiasts.
The forest has two wings: The East and West forests. These are open to both ATVs and hiking, with several miles of routes and over 6,000 acres of land to explore by foot or vehicle.
You can also get accommodations near a park just 25 minutes outside of the forest which is called the Comfort Inn in Bowmanville. You can park here too which is always convenient for ATV riders.
Pro Tip:
What’s great is there are also numerous parking spots you can eye for, and there’s also an ATV map that’s featured online or inside the Forest Center if you want a physical map yourself.
Algoma Country Trail Network (Address at the Association)
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Address: 334 Bay St, Sault Ste. Marie, ON P6A 1X1
Contact Details: +18002632546
Opening Hours: Monday to Friday 8:30 AM–4:30 PM
Cost: $
Algoma Country is located along the shores of Lake Huron and Superior which is an incredible site to explore with your ATV.
Just next to Sault Ste. Marie is the Michigan-Ontario border which is home to modest mountains, lush forests, and year-round outdoor adventure that routes you to a trail that’s perfect for ATV drives.
You also don’t want to miss Elliot Lake. This quaint retirement community, once a mining hamlet, has transformed into an ATV paradise.
It’s surrounded by over 1,300 stunning lakes, it’s the perfect place to base off-road ATV endeavors. You’ll even find more than 300 kilometers of looped trails here, weaving through rivers, granite cliffs, and breathtaking forests.
Pro Tip:
Don’t miss the challenging 6 km Horne Lake Path for stunning views in the area. If you’re staying closer to Sault Ste. Marie, explore staging spots that connect to incredible routes leading to destinations like Echo Bay, Searchmont, and Halfway Haven.
Explorer’s Edge
Address: 3-1 Taylor Rd, Bracebridge, ON P1L 1S6
Contact Details: +17056460490
Opening Hours: Daily 8 AM–8 PM
Cost: $$
Probably the most adventurous name for a hiking trail we’ve ever encountered, Explorer’s Edge certainly lives up to its name for having some of the more exciting ATV trails in Canada. It’s also often called Cottage County because it’s a cottager’s dream to be here.
It’s definitely a leisure’s paradise just north of Toronto county, and it’s also a place of refuge for those who like to go on dirt rides and find solace inside an ATV vehicle at full speed!
While you’re at it too, you can visit different towns and beautiful locations like Baysville (also called Lake of Bays) which also has a wide trail system.
Pro Tip:
If you’re heading to Muskoka with your truck or SUV and trailer, the Baysville trail system has convenient parking and staging areas to make your adventure smoother. Check out Back Country Tours for specific packages that let you explore the beauty of Muskoka your way.
Kukagami Trails
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Address: Ontario
Opening Hours: 24/7
Cost: Free of charge
If you’re the type who loves old roads with sentiments for history, then you need to check out Sportsman’s Lodge Wilderness Resort on Kukagami Lake which is only northeast of Sudbury.
This trail is a hub of the Kukagami Trail system, which is built on a network of old logging roads and trails shaped by the area’s mining and forestry history—which explains why we recommend this if you love some Canadian history while ATV driving.
Thanks to the dedication of owner George Robbins, who works tirelessly to expand and maintain the trails, you’ll have plenty of routes to explore here.
For instance, you can ride along the 400-kilometer Auld Reekie Lodge in Gowganda which routes you back to the trail system for a round trip.
Pro Tip:
Explore the loop options surrounded by stunning lakes and forests. If you’re a serious rider, you should also take a look and consider the Goat Trail—it’s a challenging route guaranteed to test your skills!
Cochrane
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Address: Alberta
Opening Hours: 24/7
Cost: $
Cochrane is among many cultural and historically significant places in Canada that you ought to visit just for the sheer travel purpose of it. Regardless, it’s a great location to add to your itinerary, but even more so when you’re ATV driving.
During the winter, this haven becomes an incredible place for snowmobiling. This means that during the summer or spring it’s a popular destination for ATV dirt riding.
As for the terrains, they have quite the selection from dirt, mud, and grovel—and not to mention some amazing views of Northern Ontario while you’re at it!
Pro Tip:
They have an in-location ATV tour called Bear Tracks that has parking spaces and a staging area for you to check out—so try to visit it if you can!
