Beginner Off-Road Trails
Near Westport, Connecticut

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 trail is part of Gilgo State Park, located on a barrier beach along the south shore of Long Island. It offers expansive access to the Atlantic Ocean with gorgeous views, a relaxing beach atmosphere, and breathtaking sunsets. With just under two miles of 4WD-accessible shoreline, this trail can ...
Learn more about Gilgo Beach State Park 4x4 Trail

This trail is a straightforward path; however, there are sections that have puddle crossings that range from six to ten inches in size and require some ground clearance. The majority of obstacles are very straightforward and can be overcome with a stock vehicle. This road is located in the southern ...
Learn more about Tower Hill Road to Spruce Ledge Road

In order to access the trail system of the Cockaponset State Forest, Old Country Road is a very straightforward dirt and gravel entrance. The road allows for a smooth cruising experience through the state forest.
Learn more about Old Country 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

Serving as an entrance to the Cockaponset State Forest trail system, Filley Road is a very straightforward dirt and gravel path. The road allows for a smooth cruising experience through the forest and offers additional access to more trails in the state forest.
Learn more about Filley 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

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 easy dirt road cuts through Salmon River State Forest, offering a smooth ride with a few rockier sections--nothing a stock 2WD vehicle can't handle with a bit of care. After rainfall, you may encounter some muddy spots and shallow puddles, typically less than 12 inches deep. The road is wide en...
Learn more about Gulf Road

Like many dirt roads in Connecticut, this one winds through the Babcock Pond Wildlife Management Area, offering a fun and scenic ride. Expect a few deep mud holes--nothing a stock 4WD vehicle can't handle with a bit of caution. After rainfall, some mud holes can exceed 12 inches in depth. The road i...
Learn more about Miles Standish 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 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

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

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

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 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 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 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 trail is a straightforward path; however, there are sections that have puddle crossings that range from six to ten inches in size and require some ground clearance. The majority of obstacles are very straightforward and can be overcome with a stock vehicle. This road is located in the southern ...
Learn more about Tower Hill Road to Spruce Ledge Road

In order to access the trail system of the Cockaponset State Forest, Old Country Road is a very straightforward dirt and gravel entrance. The road allows for a smooth cruising experience through the state forest.
Learn more about Old Country 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

Serving as an entrance to the Cockaponset State Forest trail system, Filley Road is a very straightforward dirt and gravel path. The road allows for a smooth cruising experience through the forest and offers additional access to more trails in the state forest.
Learn more about Filley Road

This trail is a straightforward path; however, there are sections that have puddle crossings that range from six to ten inches in size and require some ground clearance. The majority of obstacles are very straightforward and can be overcome with a stock vehicle. This road is located in the southern ...
Learn more about Tower Hill Road to Spruce Ledge Road

In order to access the trail system of the Cockaponset State Forest, Old Country Road is a very straightforward dirt and gravel entrance. The road allows for a smooth cruising experience through the state forest.
Learn more about Old Country 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

Serving as an entrance to the Cockaponset State Forest trail system, Filley Road is a very straightforward dirt and gravel path. The road allows for a smooth cruising experience through the forest and offers additional access to more trails in the state forest.
Learn more about Filley Road