Beginner Off-Road Trails
Near Pawling, New York

This short, unmaintained dirt road offers a rugged entryway into the 5,000-acre Naugatuck State Forest. Most of the trail is only one vehicle wide and runs directly alongside an active railroad, adding a unique backdrop to the drive. While brief, the route features deep ruts and significant mud pudd...
Learn more about Cold Springs Road

This is a loose gravel road off of Lundy Road. Cross over a bridge and start climbing up a small hill. At the end turn around and head back to Lundy Road. There are sections to pull over and park to go hiking. Nothing technical, just a nice short ride.,
Learn more about Cutler Road

This is a loose gravel road, most of which is suitable for two vehicles. There is nothing technical on this road; it is just a nice, easy drive, with views of the streams and a small bridge. There are areas to pull over and park, and to go hiking.
Learn more about Rogue Harbor Road

This is a short, loose gravel section of road. Nothing technical at all, is one lane, but has pull-offs. There is a small parking section at the end for hiking. Will have to turn around at the end as it is a dead end.
Learn more about Fire Tower Road

This is a short trail off Lundy Road that is a one-lane road with limited pull-offs. Some small water/mud holes. There is a section to park at the end and go hiking. There is also a small pond/lake that one of the hiking trails leads to.
Learn more about Eastern Boundary Trail

This started out as a loose gravel, non-maintained 2-lane road, nothing technically. This follows a river where there are plenty of pull-offs to walk down to the river. Also, there are sections to pull over and park to go hiking. At about 4 miles in, this changes to a much more technical route. The ...
Learn more about Lundy Road

This trail leads you to a lake at the end, where the old Shawanga Lodge used to stand. I didn't see any "no motorized vehicles beyond this point" or "no trespassing" signs until the end of the trail, where you hit a locked gate where the private property begins. Not much room at the end to turn arou...
Learn more about Vacant Lot Trail

Blandford Road begins off of Schoolhouse Road in Tolland and heads west, ending just over the Granville line. Trail provides access to the southern portion of Amos Case Road as well as some other routes in the area. With two intersections along the route, stay right at the first and left at the seco...
Learn more about Blandford Road

Mount 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...
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

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 tim...
Learn more about Beartown Mountain Road

This trail is a mix of packed and loose gravel. As you start to climb the hill, there are some sections that are washed out and have formed some deep ruts. When it rains, there are some deep, sandy puddles. At the end of this trail, there is a parking area for hiking trails that go to a waterfall an...
Learn more about Wolf Brook Trail

This starts out as a dirt and rocky trail. As you move through it, it gets a little uneven in spots. The middle section has a turn up a small incline, which then leads to more dirt and grass. There isn't anything too technical, just a fun little trail.
Learn more about Cardiff Lane

This trail is a public road that is not maintained. It is a mix of packed and loose gravel with a few sections of puddles and rocks. There is nothing too technical here, and it is a one-lane trail with several spots to pull over. On rainy days, it will be a little slick, and some water will run down...
Learn more about Moore Hill Road

This trail is a public road that is not maintained. It is a mix of packed and loose gravel with a few sections of puddles and rocks. It will be a little slick on rainy days, and some water will run down. There is nothing too technical here, and it is a one-lane trail with several spots to. Beautiful...
Learn more about Barnes Road

This is a mix of packed and loose gravel. It is flat for the most part, nothing technical. There are several spots to pull over to let other vehicles go. The trail is a public town road that is not maintained and goes through a beautiful area.
Learn more about Denman Mountain Rd

This is a non-maintained road that starts out with loose gravel and packed dirt. It changes to loose rock and mud. After rain, there will be lots of deeper holes that are full of water and mud. There are limited spots to pull over for other vehicles. At the end, you will have to turn around. There i...
Learn more about Eden Road

This mellow backroad route through Meshomasic State Forest follows a rough, mostly dirt track with a few gravel sections mixed in. It’s doable in nearly any vehicle, but something with off-road durability makes the ride smoother, especially when the ruts deepen, or rain turns things muddy. You’ll pa...
Learn more about Del Reeves Road

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 an easy cruise through Meshomasic State Forest along an unmaintained, mostly dirt road with some gravel sections. While it's passable in almost any vehicle, I recommend something with off-road capability due to frequent bumps, ruts, and the occasional mud hole--especially after a good rain. ...
Learn more about Del Reeves & North Mulford Roads

Mount 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...
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

This mellow backroad route through Meshomasic State Forest follows a rough, mostly dirt track with a few gravel sections mixed in. It’s doable in nearly any vehicle, but something with off-road durability makes the ride smoother, especially when the ruts deepen, or rain turns things muddy. You’ll pa...
Learn more about Del Reeves Road

The dirt and gravel Mottland Road to Jericho Road leads directly into the Cockaponset State Forest trail network. Enjoy a leisurely drive through the forest on this road. A 4x4 /AWD is not needed to drive this road in regular conditions.
Learn more about Mottlan - Jericho Road

Mount 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...
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

This mellow backroad route through Meshomasic State Forest follows a rough, mostly dirt track with a few gravel sections mixed in. It’s doable in nearly any vehicle, but something with off-road durability makes the ride smoother, especially when the ruts deepen, or rain turns things muddy. You’ll pa...
Learn more about Del Reeves Road

This is an easy cruise through Meshomasic State Forest along an unmaintained, mostly dirt road with some gravel sections. While it's passable in almost any vehicle, I recommend something with off-road capability due to frequent bumps, ruts, and the occasional mud hole--especially after a good rain. ...
Learn more about Del Reeves & North Mulford Roads