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OHRVing

Riding Off Highway Recreational Vehicles (OHRV) (ATV's, UTV's and trail bikes) is an increasingly popular trail use in New Hampshire.

Through the cooperative efforts of landowners, volunteer organizations, and the State, roughly 1200 miles of trails are open for summertime OHRV riding.

The trail system includes several multi-use Recreational Rail Trails throughout the state that are owned/managed by New Hampshire., many that are part of the local OHRV club network, and an integral piece of the overall OHRV Trail System within the state.

New Hampshire is also home to the largest interconnected trail network within the northeast, one of the largest in the country, Ride the Wilds. A national destination, this system affords riders access to restaurants, shops, gas, and other destinations, while allowing them to view the state’s breathtaking scenery.

Whether you ride your own OHRV or rent one, you are sure to enjoy the experience of riding in New Hampshire.

Club and Trail Information

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people riding off road recreational vehicles through a park people riding off road recreational vehicles through a park

Visit Jericho Mountain State Park!

Jericho Mountain State Park provides opportunities for miles of trail riding for ATV, UTV, trail bike, and snowmobile enthusiasts alike!
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OHRV Trail Information

OHRV Trail Signage

Purpose

OHRV trails must be adequately marked.

Why?
Who wants to be out on the trail lost? It’s not a good feeling when your gas is getting low and you don’t know where you are or how far away the pumps are. Or what if a rider experiences a medical emergency and needs to let help know their location? And riders should always be able to tell if they are still on an authorized trail system, or have taken an incorrect turn.

Guidelines

OHRV Club Trail Administrators need to keep in mind that trail users may not be familiar with the area and sign appropriately and adequately. The Bureau of Trails (BOT) has created Trail Signing Guidelines to assist clubs in knowing where and how to post trail signs. The BOT urges all clubs to follow these guidelines and to use the signs supplied by the Bureau so that trails are uniformly marked throughout the State.

Signs

OHRV signs have been established for the safety of riders, as well as the rest of the public. As a rider, it is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with the signs and follow direction of them while riding.

Remember to respect landowners and stay on designated trails! Without landowners' permission, there would be no trail system!
A great deal of time and money is spent on creating and erecting OHRV signage. It is illegal to remove, destroy, deface, or obstruct OHRV signage; such action is a violation of law, 215-A:33, and a misdemeanor.
 
Regulatory Signs Warning Signs Trail Marker Signs Information Signs 
 
STOP – 12”x12” octagon: instructs riders to bring their OHRV to a COMPLETE STOP. STOP AHEAD – 12”x12” diamond: informs riders they are approaching a STOP sign. TRAIL BLAZE – 5”x7” extended diamond: lets riders know they are on a designated trail.  TRAIL INFO – 8”x12” rectangle: informs riders of where they are, how far to gas, who maintains the trail, how far to parking, etc. 
ATVs and TRAILBIKES PROHIBITED – 12”x12” square: identifies areas where OHRV traffic is NOT allowed. SLOW – 12”X12” diamond: instructs riders to slow their vehicle. DIRECTIONAL MARKER – 9”x12” extended diamond: used to show trail direction in areas where riders could venture off designated trail.  PARKING TO LEFT – 12”X24” rectangle: informs riders that to reach the OHRV parking lot they should go to the left.
TRAIL BIKES PERMITTED – 9”X12” extended diamond: identifies trails where trail bikes ARE allowed.          OBJECT MARKER – 7”x7” square: identifies a fixed object at the side of the trail (used when fixed object (such as bridge railings) narrows the trail width). STAY ON TRAIL – 8”x12” rectangle: informs riders to only ride on the trail per landowners’ requests. PARKING TO RIGHT – 12”X24” rectangle: informs riders that to reach the OHRV parking lot they should go to the right.
TRAIL BIKES PROHIBITED – 12”X12” square: identifies trails where trail bikes are NOT allowed. CAUTION GATE AHEAD – 12”X12” diamond: informs riders to slow down as they are approaching a gate across the trail. DEAD END – 8”x12” rectangle: informs riders that there is no outlet on trail; trail ends. STAY DRY – 12”x24” rectangle: informs riders that it is ILLEGAL to drive in wetlands, streams and rivers.
 
OHRV ROAD USE BEGINS – 12”X12” square: identifies the beginning of a forest road section that OHRVs are allowed to ride on. CAUTION BRIDGE AHEAD – 12”X12” diamond: informs riders to slow down as they are approaching a bridge crossing.   TRAIL HEAD ¬– 9”x12” extended diamond: reminds riders that their registration fees pay for New Hampshire’s OHRV trail system.
 
OHRV ROAD USE ENDS – 12”X12” square: marks the end of OHRV road use; used in conjunction with above sign.  CAUTION LOGGING AHEAD – 12”X12” diamond: informs riders to slow down as they are approaching an area where logging operations are taking place and they could encounter heavy equipment and trucks.   LANDOWERS – 12”x12” square: reminds riders whose land they are on and to respect it.
     
  PLANTATION – 12"X12" diamond: informs riders they are entering a tree plantation and should stay on trail.    
     
  RIGHT or LEFT TURN -
12” X 12” Square
Informs riders that the trail ahead makes significant changes in direction.		    
 

OHRV Speed Limit Laws/Signs

Speed shall be reasonable and prudent for the existing conditions.
There are various speed limit signs a rider may encounter, depending on where they are riding. Riders should pay particular attention and abide by what is posted.
10 MPH Within 150 feet of a bob house or fishing hole.
On sidewalks that are open to OHRVs.
On bridges that are posted open to OHRVs.
At trail junctions, in parking lots, and when passing trail grading equipment.
20 MPH On approved roads open to OHRV use.
On plowed roads on Department of Natural and Cultural Resources property.
25 MPH When posted on trails owned or leased by Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.
35 MPH On all trail connectors.
On all trails where no speed limit is posted.

OHRV User Information

The NH Bureau of Trails was established under Chapter 215-A: Off Highway Recreational Vehicles and Trails. Its purpose is to work with NH Fish & Game, NH Department of Transportation, NH Forests & Lands, local clubs, municipalities, and landowners to develop and maintain safe, public OHRV and snowmobile trails within the State, while studying the environmental and economic impacts related to both recreational sports.

New Hampshire’s OHRV laws are enforced by NH Fish & Game and all other law enforcement agents in the state.




 

Wetlands Warning

Riding in wetlands is against the law! Violators can be fined up to $10,000 and may be required to restore damages that result from such action (RSAs 482-A and 485-A). Stay on the trail – do not ride off through wet areas.

Suspended Driver’s License Warning

It is unlawful to operate an OHRV or snowmobile while your driver’s license is under suspension or revocation in any state or Canadian province (RSAs 215-A:29, XIX(a) and 215-C:49, XXI(a). 

Registering Your OHRVAll OHRVs must be registered with the NH Fish & Game if operated off of the owner’s property. A registration is a privilege to ride off of your own property on approved trails or on another’s property with their written permission. There are no additional trail user fees in NH.


Individuals may register in person at any one of the Registration Agents located throughout the State, or at NH Fish & Game headquarters in Concord (in person, or through the mail).


Registration Fees

Your OHRV Registration Fees at Work
New Hampshire is nationally recognized for its wealth of wide, well-maintained trails.

The Bureau, local clubs, and NH Fish & Game all work together to encourage club membership, provide Safety Education, and enforce OHRV laws, all of which help to provide riders with a safe and enjoyable riding experience. All of this is done utilizing the fees from riders’ registrations.


Maintaining the Trails - Most registration fees are returned to local clubs to help pay for trail maintenance through the Grant-in-Aid program run by the N.H. Bureau of Trails. This program is used for summer construction, including supplies such as bridge materials and allows the Bureau of Trails to provide funding to maintain existing equipment and help replace worn-out equipment.


A Safer Ride - Registration fees also pay for OHRV Safety Education and Enforcement, coordinated by N.H. Fish and Game. Our safe trails help promote snowmobiling as a family friendly winter recreational opportunity. To find a class, visit the NH Fish and Game's OHRV and snowmobile information web page.
Have a question about registering your OHRV? Email 

Related Links

Recreational Off-Highway Vehicle Association
Treadlightly! ON LAND AND WATER

OHRV Regulations

View OHRV Regulations here.
 
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172 Pembroke Road Concord, NH 03301