Multi-Use Trails

All ATV trails on state land are now open. Most local club trails are open as well. Please respect any remaining mud season trail closures.

 

There are 310 miles of multi-use trail managed by the Department of Conservation Off Road Vehicle Division.

Aroostook Valley Trail

Bangor & Aroostook Trail

Down East Sunrise Trail

Four Seasons Adventure Trail

Kennebec Valley Trail

Lagrange to Medford Trail

Sherman to Patten Trail

Southern Bangor & Aroostook Trail

St. John Valley Heritage Trail

Whistle Stop Trail

Policy Statement

 

Multi-use Rail Trails Managed by the Department of Conservation

Off-road Vehicle Division

 

It is the intent of the Department of Conservation, Off-road Vehicle Division to clarify our policy regarding permitted use of the Multi-use Rail Trails as well as the timing of the various types of use over the course of the year.  Multi-use Rail Trails are open to both non-motorized and motorized use and must adhere to the following:  

 

• Non-motorized use includes but is not limited to: walking, hiking, horseback riding, bicycling, snowshoeing, dog sledding, and skiing. 

• All motorized vehicles permitted on Multi-use Rail Trails must be legally registered as either an ATV and/or snowmobile. 
• Vehicles registered or built for on-road use such as cars, trucks, jeeps and motorcycles are prohibited.  Other vehicles such as golf carts, scooters/mopeds or Dual Sport motorcycles must be registered as an ATV to be on state owned Multi-use Rail Trails.
• Multi-use Rail Trails are developed and maintained for snowmobiles and/or ATV’s up to 60” wide.
• The type of use of Multi-use Rail Trails during the winter season is dependent upon snow conditions.  If the Multi-use Rail Trail is snow covered ATVs and horseback riding are not allowed.  The following uses are permitted when the Multi-use Rail Trail is snow covered: snowmobiling, snowshoeing, dog sledding, skiing and hiking.  If the gravel trail surface is exposed and frozen (no snow) and conditions allow, ATV use is permitted as long as the trail has not been officially closed.
• If a section of a Multi-use Rail Trail is closed due to construction it will be identified as “CONSTRUCTION ZONE, NO TRESPASSING” and is closed to all public use.
• Trails closed during mud season will have signs stating “STOP TRAIL CLOSED DUE TO SATURATED SOILS”.  Pedestrian use is permitted during mud season and is defined as walking, jogging or hiking use only.

Organizations or business’ that would like to conduct a special event or activity are required to obtain a Special Use or Conditional Use Permit from the Department of Conservation, Off-road Vehicle Division at least 4 weeks prior to the start of the event.

 

All inquires should be directed to Charlie Corliss, Trail Coordinator, at 546-2730 / Charlie.Corliss@maine.gov for the Down East Sunrise Trail or Scott Ramsay, Director, 287-4956 /scott.ramsay@maine.gov regarding Multi-use Rail Trail Policy and/or Permitting.