New York is the 27th largest state and the fourth most populous state in the United States. It is home to many natural attractions like Times Square, the Statue of Liberty, the Empire State Building, and Central Park. Several parks, recreation areas, and OHV trails are in this state where you can enjoy ATV riding.
New York ATV laws include: no one should operate an ATV within the state unless the ATV has been registered and the registration number is displayed in a visible area on the ATV. You can ride your ATV in Demon Run ATV Trails, Mettowee Off Road Extreme Park, Tar Hallow, and Tall Pines ATV Park.
If you are looking for new recreational activities to engage in during the break, you should consider ATV riding. It is one of the best and most thrilling activities you can engage in. Although, you need to be very cautious throughout the operation.
New York ATV Laws
New York State classifies an ATV as any self-propelled vehicle manufactured and designed to be operated primarily on off-highway trails and incidentally on public highways as long as it does not exceed 70 inches in width and 1000 pounds in weight.
The operation of ATVs in New York state is very popular among youth and adults. Below are the ATV laws in New York State.
- Before operating an ATV in New York state, you must register the ATV and make sure it is numbered; also, you must display the registration number of the ATV on the body part.
- Every ATV must be equipped with a muffler, brakes, and spark arrestor before they can be operated anywhere in New York.
- All ATV operators must always have the certificate of registration for their ATV when riding and should provide it when requested by any magistrate, peace officer, or police officer.
- You must not operate an ATV on a highway except when making a direct crossing that should be done at approximately an angle of 90 degrees.
- It is illegal to operate an ATV on an interstate highway or a controlled-access highway.
- Before crossing a highway with an ATV, you must first come to a complete stop and yield to the right of way of other drivers. The crossing should take place only at an intersection of the highway.'
- When crossing a highway with an ATV within the period between 30 minutes before sunrise or 30 minutes after sunset, your ATV must have its front light and rear light illuminated during that period.
- You can ride an ATV on a public highway if the highway is posted or designated as open to ATV travel.
- Before operating an ATV on private property, you must gain the consent and approval of the property owner.
- Children below the age of 16 are not permitted to ride an ATV on public land unless supervised by an adult with an ATV safety certificate.
Where Can You Ride An ATV In New York?
New York has one of the best terrains for off-road riding and adventure. Open grasslands, beautiful trails, wooded scenery, farms, well-maintained dirt roads, and canals are available.
Some of these trails in New York state provide an amazing view of the state; you can still enjoy your off-road riding on other trails. Let us explore some of the places you can ride an ATV in New York state.
Demon Run ATV Trails
Demon Run ATV Trails has about 20 miles of wooded trails, play pits, grassy meadows, and lovely forest scenery. The trail is open all year round, daily from dawn till dusk, but is usually closed during the hunting season. All vehicles entering this trail are required to have proof of liability insurance and must be registered.
The terrain at this trail is mostly hard packed and consists of mud, steep hills, berms, loose dirt, dust, rocks, trees, and water crossings. The trail ranges from flat and smooth to twisty and narrow with some elevation changes. All vehicles at this park must have a spark arrestor exhaust silencer or an end cap attached.
The vehicles permitted at Demon Run ATV Trails are ATVs, Dirt bikes, SXSs, UTVs, and Motorcycles. Others like dune buggies, SUVs, Sand rail 4x4s, and Jeeps are prohibited. The noise limit at this trail is 96 decibels, and the maximum vehicle width is 60 inches. All riders are required to wear a helmet and proper riding gear when riding. Night riding is prohibited.
Tall Pines ATV Park
Tall Pines ATV Park offers about 70 miles of wooded trails and mud bog; it is open to SXSs, ATVs, Dune buggies, UTVs, Dirt bikes, Sand rail 4x4s, Go-karts, and Motorcycles. Jeeps and SUVs are prohibited from this park. It is open all year round from dawn till dusk but usually closes during the hunting season; night riding is not allowed at this park.
All riders and passengers at this park must wear a DOT-approved helmet when riding. The terrain at this park is usually muddy but also contains loose dirt, hard pack, rocks, trees, steep hills, water crossings, small jumps, and berms. There are some intersections and a few hazards at the trails. Riders of all levels can ride in this area.
Entry and parking are free; however, you will have to pay $20 to ride an ATV and $15 as a passenger. Camping is allowed in all areas at Tall Pines ATV Park; a tent and an RV cost $10. All vehicles at this park must have a spark arrestor and not exceed the noise limit of 100 decibels.
Mettowee Off Road Extreme Park
Mettowee Off Road Extreme Park offers a 10-mile trail open during the weekends from 9 am to 5 pm. The terrain at this park is full of loose dirt and trees, but there are also hardpack, mud, dust, rocks, and steep hills. Entry into this park costs $10 per person, while riding costs $25 per rider. Vehicles at this park are required to have a spark arrestor.
Camping is prohibited in this park. Vehicles allowed at this park are motorcycles, dirt bikes, ATVs, UTVs, SXSs, SUVs, Jeeps, dune buggies, and sand rail 4x4s. All riders at this park are required to wear a helmet when riding. Campfires are allowed in certain areas in this park as long as a fire ring is used.
Night riding is allowed at Mettowee Off Road Extreme Park. You will find amateur riders at this park, but there are also some expert riders, mainly because this park is suitable for newbies. This off-road park offers activities like steep rock crawling and trail exploration.
Where Can’t You Ride An ATV In New York?
In New York, there are places where you are not allowed to ride your ATV because the law forbids it; other off-road areas do not allow the operation of ATVs. You cannot ride your ATV on any public highway, road, or street. It is illegal to ride an ATV in the right of way of a functioning railroad or on ice or public water.
You cannot ride your ATV in 10th Street MX, Cato MX, Claverack Motocross, Diamondback Motocross, Hogback Hill Motocross, Jackson Motocross Track, Orange County Fair Speedway, and Pavilion MX. The above areas do not provide entry for ATVs.
Final Thoughts
As an ATV rider in New York, you must always ensure you obey the ATV laws and always ride in designated areas only. By doing so, you are protecting yourself from any penalty or consequences that come with violating an ATV law. Next time you want to go ATV riding in New York, you can visit any designated area mentioned in this article.
Keep Reading:
- Delaware ATV Laws: How To Ride Your ATV Legally
- Washington ATV Laws: How To Ride Your ATV Legally
- Arizona ATV Laws: How To Ride Your ATV Legally
- Kansas ATV Laws: How To Ride Your ATV Legally
Shawn Manaher loves to play with new toys and dive into new hobbies. As a serial entrepreneur, work definitely comes first but there is always room for hobbies.