ATV/OHV

This feature now available on our Backroad GPS Maps!

ATV or Off-Highway Vehicle riding in Canada has certainly grown in popularity in recent years. Here at Backroad Mapbooks, we have listened to the wishes of our readers and added a section for Canadian motorized off road enthusiasts to find places to ride. We have even gone as far as to add both a duo sport (ATV and snowmobile) and a separate ATV line style for our maps. These areas are on top of the countless number of multi-use trails open to the sport found in each book.

Despite the growth in popularity of the sport, all terrain and off-highway vehicle (ATV/OHV) operators are on the defensive. As time goes on, more and more areas that were once open to ATV/OHV use are closing. From private land to parkland, it seems it is becoming harder and harder to find places to ride, even in areas that have historically been a haven for riders. With this in mind we ask that you join your local club and association and share your riding areas with others. Only by promoting these areas will it be possible to keep these areas open to off-road riding.

What to look for

Line Style/Symbol on the maps

Look for this line style in our book to find ATV trails on the map.

Symbol in the writing

Look for this symbol in our refernece section to see where else you can ATV/OHV.

Write-up in Reference

Look for the ATV/OHV section in our books for the most popular ATV/OHV routes.

Kootenay Rockies BC: Arrow Lakes Riding Area (Map 9, 17, 25)
Roads leading along the western side of Upper Arrow Lake are ideal for ATV riders to explore. It is possible to ride all the way from Shelter Bay (Map 23/G3) to Needles (Map 9/E1). Popular destinations include the Pingston Valley and Paint Lake (both described below) as well as Catherine and Cameron Lakes, the Fosthall Canyon, Mosquito Lake and Whatshan Lake. There are endless logging and deactivated roads to explore, lakes to camp and fish and plenty of wildlife to see (including bear, moose and deer). When travelling on logging roads, please obey the rules of the road and keep alert for other traffic.

Manitoba: Woodridge Area (Map 9/A3)
This is the hub of ATVing in Manitoba, and sets the standard for ATVing in the province. Found in the Sandilands Provincial Forest, the area is sandy with lots of rolling, forested hills. There are many trails that are quite challenging. But there's a little something for everyone here, from easy family rides to some hardcore mud and deep water. Many people riding in this area use the Wagon Wheel Campground as a base camp; trails start right at the campground.

Eastern Ontario: Nation Valley ATV Trails (Map 25, 26)
The Nation Valley ATV Club, formed in 2008, has put together a 100 km (60 mile) loop trail that offers a little bit of everything for riders. While the trail is not extremely challenging, there are some sections that are fairly muddy or very tight, which beginners might want to avoid. The trail passes through Winchester and South Mountain. About 30% of the loop trail is road riding, while the rest of it is along road allowance and cut trail. Most of the route is on private or township land, so please respect the land owners and stay on the trail. A popular destination is the Sandy Road Golf Course in South Mountain (you will have to walk in from the trail).

Nova Scotia: Judique Flyer Recreational Nature Trail (Map 42/ B1–C5)
This 22 km (13.7 miles) long section of trail on the west coast of Cape Breton Island is actually an old railgrade and part of the Trans Canada Trail. The riding is easy as it skirts around the edge of St. George's Bay. It connects to the Inverness Rail Trail for a round trip of 156 km (97 miles).

Partners, Government, Clubs and Associations