Beginner Off-Road Trails
Near Lorenz Park, New York

This is a dirt road whose center section is seasonally unmaintained. It skirts through the woods among private property and Beebe State Forest. You'll pass through ravines, hardwood groves, and over a small ridge on this peaceful path. While not much of a challenge for trucks or SUVs, cars should no...
Learn more about Old Macedonia Road

This is a simple trail composed of a seasonal and an unmaintained road. The track bounces from Massachusetts to New York and back again to Massachusetts. The terrain is rolling and varies from old farm fields to hardwood forests. While easily traveled by any car with moderate clearance, it is a bump...
Learn more about Deane Hill/Rossiter Road

Beartown Mountain Road winds its way through the northern section of Beartown State Forest. Beginning at route 102 and travelling south into the park, the gravel begins 2 miles in. The trail begins at an unlocked gate. Remnants of pavement that deteriorated over the years are still visible from t...
Learn more about Beartown Mountain Road

Mt Wilcox Road is the main loop that meanders through Beartown State Forest. The loop is 4.3 miles and climbs from 1,600 feet to 2,100 feet. The trail begins and ends off Benedict Pond Road. Halfway through the route from either direction is a short spur that breaks off and provides access to the su...
Learn more about Mount Wilcox Road

This is a loose stone and dirt road. This is a short section of road made up of loose stone and gravel. This road follows a river the whole way. There is nothing technical here; there are spots to pull over to let other vehicles go by.
Learn more about Mill Hollow Road

Sky Peak Road is a short connector between Beartown Mountain Road and Wilcox Mountain Road. The trail begins from Beartown and climbs from 1760 to 1900 feet in the short 0.7 miles of the trail over loose rock. The trail is well-graded in most sections, with some showing exposed rock. The trail ends...
Learn more about Sky Peak Road

This is an unmaintained road primarily made up of loose stone and dirt. Several sections are deeply rutted due to rain-induced washouts. Pull-off areas are limited, and the road is mostly single-lane. After rainfall, a few sections may hold deep puddles.
Learn more about Bluebird Road

This trail skirts the edge of a very marshy section of the Housatonic River. This trail is mostly flat, with some large dried-up mud holes and a few washed-out sections. 4WD is not necessary, though a higher-clearance vehicle is needed to avoid bottoming out. Multiple kayak and canoe launch sites do...
Learn more about Roaring Brook Road

The trail consists of a broad gravel base that is regularly maintained. Drivers can expect a stable surface with minimal challenges. Logging operations are common in this area, so the road may be freshly plowed or graded to accommodate the logging trucks and heavy equipment. At the western end of th...
Learn more about Peasley Road

Lower Tower Road is a short ride that leads to one of the nicest views in all of western MA. This is a very well-maintained graded gravel road that winds through the forest. Starting from the west heading east, prior to the trail is a paved section until you reach an ORV parking site. From there, ...
Learn more about Lower Tower Road

This is an easier trail with some deep mud holes and numerous small rocks along the trail. It brings you to the secluded and picturesque Farnham Reservoir (City of Pittsfield) which provides plenty of cascading waterfalls along several adjacent brooks. It is an unmaintained town road that skirts in ...
Learn more about Whitney Place to New Lenox Road

The trail consists of a broad gravel base that is regularly maintained by the state. Be aware that active logging occurs at all times of the year in this area so always keep an eye for trucks and other equipment. Along this route you will find many hiking trails and multiple opportunities to park an...
Learn more about Partridge Run

The trail consists of a broad gravel base that is regularly maintained by the state. Like other trails in this area, there is active logging occurring at all times of the year, so always keep an eye out for trucks and other equipment. Several stone foundation ruins can be found along this route, inc...
Learn more about Cook Hill Road

This is a short but rewarding drive for a novice of roader, or just someone looking for an easy day out. It provides some nice views of the Berkshires and pleasant topography, especially in the spring or fall. Be sure to pay attention to the signs stating where the permitted motorized vehicle use en...
Learn more about Rounds Mountain DEC Access Road

Welcome to October Mountain State Forest, the largest state forest in MA. Lenox Whitney Place Road connects Country Road to the center of the Forest and all other trails within the park. Several trail options branch off throughout the entire trail. Please note signage that indicates what vehicles...
Learn more about Lenox Whitney Place Road

Welcome to October Mountain State Forest, the largest state forest in MA. Country Road is the main entrance into the state forest. The gravel road is well-maintained and provides access to several areas of the park. Stop and enjoy the views of the wetlands to the west, or take a stop by the Appalac...
Learn more about Country Road

Ashley Lake Road is an old, unmaintained road through October Mountain State Forest. It rolls through hardwood forests past multiple lakes/reservoirs, including Ashley Lake, Sandwash Reservoir (this has a unique "aerator" which is a large fountain in the middle of the woods), Clapp Pond, and Mud Pon...
Learn more about Ashley Lake Road

This route starts as an easy track curving through thickly wooded state land. It eventually rises to a ridge with decent views of the west and spectacular views to the east overlooking the Taconic Ridge and the Berlin Pass. This road is inside Cherryplain State Park with lots of other activities, in...
Learn more about Schaeffer Road

This road is known as the elevator shaft because it is a steep climb up one side and a steep climb down on the other. If you start south to north, then you start out climbing loose rocks and washouts for about 1 mile. After you get to the top, there is a flat section for a stretch. Then you start to...
Learn more about Elevator Shaft Road

This is a non-maintained loose gravel road. There is nothing technical on this road. Some sections are one lane with room to pull over if needed. As you drive through, there are nice stone walls on some of the sections and an old car sitting in the woods.
Learn more about Townsend Hollow Road

Mt Wilcox Road is the main loop that meanders through Beartown State Forest. The loop is 4.3 miles and climbs from 1,600 feet to 2,100 feet. The trail begins and ends off Benedict Pond Road. Halfway through the route from either direction is a short spur that breaks off and provides access to the su...
Learn more about Mount Wilcox Road

Sky Peak Road is a short connector between Beartown Mountain Road and Wilcox Mountain Road. The trail begins from Beartown and climbs from 1760 to 1900 feet in the short 0.7 miles of the trail over loose rock. The trail is well-graded in most sections, with some showing exposed rock. The trail ends...
Learn more about Sky Peak Road

Ashley Lake Road is an old, unmaintained road through October Mountain State Forest. It rolls through hardwood forests past multiple lakes/reservoirs, including Ashley Lake, Sandwash Reservoir (this has a unique "aerator" which is a large fountain in the middle of the woods), Clapp Pond, and Mud Pon...
Learn more about Ashley Lake Road

This trail goes through Burnt-Rossman State Forest. It is a mostly maintained dirt road with occasional mud holes or deep ruts in sections. Deep water can accumulate in the ruts in the spring. There is a great primitive camping area Arthur Hopkins campsite on a small pond just off the road.
Learn more about Burnt- Rossman Hill Road

Mt Wilcox Road is the main loop that meanders through Beartown State Forest. The loop is 4.3 miles and climbs from 1,600 feet to 2,100 feet. The trail begins and ends off Benedict Pond Road. Halfway through the route from either direction is a short spur that breaks off and provides access to the su...
Learn more about Mount Wilcox Road

Sky Peak Road is a short connector between Beartown Mountain Road and Wilcox Mountain Road. The trail begins from Beartown and climbs from 1760 to 1900 feet in the short 0.7 miles of the trail over loose rock. The trail is well-graded in most sections, with some showing exposed rock. The trail ends...
Learn more about Sky Peak Road

Ashley Lake Road is an old, unmaintained road through October Mountain State Forest. It rolls through hardwood forests past multiple lakes/reservoirs, including Ashley Lake, Sandwash Reservoir (this has a unique "aerator" which is a large fountain in the middle of the woods), Clapp Pond, and Mud Pon...
Learn more about Ashley Lake Road

This trail goes through Burnt-Rossman State Forest. It is a mostly maintained dirt road with occasional mud holes or deep ruts in sections. Deep water can accumulate in the ruts in the spring. There is a great primitive camping area Arthur Hopkins campsite on a small pond just off the road.
Learn more about Burnt- Rossman Hill Road