Beginner Off-Road Trails
Near Northwest Ithaca, New York

Carter Creek Road provides eastern access to the Connecticut Hill Wildlife Management Area. It used to run south along the creek meeting Route 13. The bridge crossing 1 mile north of Route 13 is closed to vehicles. If entering from the north, turn at Cabin or Hulford Roads for continued access to Co...
Learn more about Carter Creek Road

Hulford Road connects Carter Creek Road to Boylan Road. It offers a few nice hill climbs with mildly loose surfaces and lots of small washouts allowing some articulation. You can see previously forested areas and open fields with multiple hiking paths crossing this road. In either direction, the roa...
Learn more about Hulford Road

Cabin Road connects Carter Creek Road and Connecticut Hill Road within the Connecticut Hill Wildlife Management Area. Entering from the bottom offers a nice hill climb with views of open fields and recently forested areas. There may be some mild washouts and wet areas along the way. Entering from th...
Learn more about Cabin Road

This is a seasonal-use road that follows a creek bed with a few small waterfalls. It's beautiful to see and worth the effort. The road is a gravel base that is mostly unmaintained in the winter. There is at least 1 small area that is a little close to the edge at a water crossing; otherwise, it's a ...
Learn more about Leonard Road

Connecticut Hill Road is a seasonal road accessing the southern part of the Connecticut Hill Wildlife Management Area. Entering from Rt 13, it offers a sustained hill climb with some loose sections where 2WD vehicles may lose traction. This road provides access to several seasonal homes. Depending ...
Learn more about Connecticut Hill Road

Very steep inclines and descents that go over the mountain; it's very short and narrow, but a good time and a great time saver if heading toward Slaterville. Can get very washed out with heavy rains. Would not suggest a two-wheel drive vehicle, especially after a storm. Drive safe, have fun!
Learn more about Beam Hill Road

Bull Hill Road provides all-year access to the northern section of Newfield State Forest. It is a seasonal road that has mild hill climbs and beautiful woods views. Newfield has several primitive camping sites available. This is a beginner-friendly road.
Learn more about Bull Hill Road

Todd Road is the western road running north and south from Connecticut Hill to Swan Hill Roads. This seasonal road is closed in winter for snowmobiles. It offers several hill climbs with loose soil surfaces to slick mud in some areas. There are several hiking trails along it. A spur road called Sch...
Learn more about Todd Road

In the northern section of the Finger Lakes National Forest, the seasonal Potomac Road runs right through the middle with open pastures full of views of the region. The dirt portion runs from Seneca Road south of the Picnic Area Road with access to Potomac Group Camp Ground.
Learn more about Potomac Road

This is an easy route with a gravel base leading through Hammond Hill State Forest. After snow/rain, traction can be limited with little to no winter maintenance. There are a few decent turnarounds and some mud off to the sides. A barrier exists about two-thirds the way through to the other side.
Learn more about Hammond Hill Track

Burnt Hill Road is a seasonal road that starts at Picnic Area Road and heads south to State Route 79. There are several parking areas to access hiking trails such as the Interloken Trail. During the winter, this road is used to access snowmobile trails at the marked parking areas.
Learn more about Burnt Hill Road

This is a spur trail off Burnt Hill Road, this trail leads you into the western side of Finger Lakes National Forest. It drops you in a small clearing with a primitive campsite. If there has been any rain, there is a wet area with a solid base on the drive-in.
Learn more about West Hill Trail

Swan Hill Road is a seasonal road entering the Connecticut Hill Wildlife Management Area. It is closed during winter to wheeled vehicles and starts at the Horseheads Snowmobile Clubhouse. Offering multiple hiking paths and small turnoffs, the road has a few mild hill climbs heading in and tends to b...
Learn more about Swan Hill Road

This seasonal road runs from Lodi Center Road to Townsendville Road. The Interloken Trail crosses the road where it changes name. This intersection of Ames Road has a parking area for using the trail heading north and south. During the winter, a small section of Townsend Road doubles as a snowmobil...
Learn more about Wilkens Townsend Road

Carpenter Road is a seasonal road connecting Route 414 and Lake Ave in the Village of Burdett. Be prepared to pull to the side and listen to the water rush by. The runoff stream has many waterfalls deep down in the ravine. Traveling out of the village offers a wide-open view of the lake at the top.
Learn more about Carpenter Road

The trail is easily accessible with a car or truck, has some turnoffs that meander through some tight spots and steep inclines with some good mudholes. The turnoffs from the main trail do dead-end, but they are a good time with some deep mud holes. if your in a 2-wheel drive, stay straight
Learn more about Owego Hill Road

Dirt and gravel two track that winds through the North West section of Kennedy State Forest. This route connects to Cortwright Road and Odell Road to make the loop around the forest last for roughly an hour. While there is no pavement on this section of the trail, the full loop around the forest c...
Learn more about Kennedy State Forest - Hauk Hill Road

Seasonal road that winds through the forest. Several spots are fairly rutted and narrow with an occasional pull-off to pass. The drive through the forest and then along the fields is very scenic with spectacular views of the hills in multiple places. There are numerous hiking trails that wind thro...
Learn more about Kennedy State Forest

This route takes you through Tuller Hill State Forest and connects to several other routes. There are several good places to pull off the main route and check out the view from the power line trail. The route ends at the top of the hill with views in multiple directions. This route shows a small se...
Learn more about Vinnedge PFAR

This is an easy dirt road that will become rutted and muddy come spring. This section has access to primitive camping and multiple hiking trails including the Finger Lakes Trail, A-Trail, and Mohawk Trail. Mohawk trail activities include hiking, horseback, mountain biking, snowmobiling, and cross-co...
Learn more about Templar Falls - Sugar Hill Road

This is a seasonal gravel road that winds through the eastern section of Taylor Valley State Forest. The road starts with well-maintained gravel and transitions into a narrower two-track as it pushes deeper into the forest. Cross Island Road provides a scenic drive through mixed hardwoods and conife...
Learn more about Cross Island Road

The southern half of Van Amburg Road is seasonal, which can become impassible by passenger vehicles in winter due to snow drifts. This road offers Finger Lakes Trail Access along with Primitive Camping featuring a Lean-To and Outhouse. At the intersection of Van Amburg and North Urbana is Birdseye H...
Learn more about Van Amburg Road

This route consists of seasonal gravel roads that are generally well-maintained in the summer. During the winter the roads are used for snowmobile trails. The roads lead to several side routes that are two-tracks, most are out-and-back routes and will add adventure to the ride. The main road is easi...
Learn more about Linklaen State Forest

This is a short, seasonal road through farmland. There are several large open cornfields, an old abandoned barn, and sections of hardwood forest. This trail connects from County Rt. 4 to County Rt. 1. Often, after heavy rain, the trail can be washed out and be more difficult as water will expose lay...
Learn more about Space Road

This is an easy dirt road that will become rutted and muddy come spring. This section has access to primitive camping and multiple hiking trails including the Finger Lakes Trail, A-Trail, and Mohawk Trail. Mohawk trail activities include hiking, horseback, mountain biking, snowmobiling, and cross-co...
Learn more about Templar Falls - Sugar Hill Road

This is a seasonal gravel road that winds through the eastern section of Taylor Valley State Forest. The road starts with well-maintained gravel and transitions into a narrower two-track as it pushes deeper into the forest. Cross Island Road provides a scenic drive through mixed hardwoods and conife...
Learn more about Cross Island Road

The southern half of Van Amburg Road is seasonal, which can become impassible by passenger vehicles in winter due to snow drifts. This road offers Finger Lakes Trail Access along with Primitive Camping featuring a Lean-To and Outhouse. At the intersection of Van Amburg and North Urbana is Birdseye H...
Learn more about Van Amburg Road

This route consists of seasonal gravel roads that are generally well-maintained in the summer. During the winter the roads are used for snowmobile trails. The roads lead to several side routes that are two-tracks, most are out-and-back routes and will add adventure to the ride. The main road is easi...
Learn more about Linklaen State Forest