Skowhegan, Maine, is one of the best ATV destinations in central Maine thanks to its direct access to Somerset County's extensive trail network. Riders will find beginner-friendly forest trails, technical climbs, scenic overlooks, wildlife viewing, and convenient access to fuel, restaurants, and lodging, all within a short drive of downtown.
Known as the “Gateway to the North” for ATV enthusiasts, Skowhegan rewards exactly the kind of weekend an ATV crowd wants: something mellow for the kids on Saturday morning, something rougher for the experienced riders after lunch, and a couple of scenic stops that make you appreciate being out in nature. Below is a two-day plan built around real trails in the area, organized by who they are best suited for. Using the POIs on the Trail Intel app, you can easily search for meal stops or other attractions to spend your time exploring the area when you’re not hitting the trails.
Since Maine typically has cold winters, you’ll want to head to Skowhegan in summer and autumn, once the last of the spring ice has thawed and the summer heat is well underway. In autumn, you’ll have cooler temperatures and shorter days.
|
Trail |
Difficulty |
Length |
Best For |
|
Center Trail |
Easy |
1.6 mi |
Beginners |
|
Scott Road |
Easy–Moderate |
3.9 mi |
Families |
|
Chase Fire Tower |
Advanced |
0.4 mi |
Technical riding |
|
Corinna Loop |
Moderate–Advanced |
11.9 mi |
Longer rides |
|
Burrill Woods |
Moderate |
6.1 mi |
Sunday ride |
Arrive Friday evening with enough daylight to find your staging area and check into your hotel or campsite. Skowhegan has been steadily opening more of its own roads to ATV travel, connecting riders through town to trail systems in Fairfield and Norridgewock, and the local Skowhegan Stumpjumpers ATV Club maintains signage and grooming across the region.
A current curfew keeps ATVs off town roads after 10 p.m., so plan your Friday arrival accordingly and save the road riding for daylight hours. Before you unload, confirm your registration is current. Maine requires ATV registration for residents and nonresidents alike, valid from July 1 through the following June 30, and it can be completed online or through a local agent such as a town office.
These three trails are close to town and gentle enough for new riders or kids on the back of a side-by-side, ideal for a Saturday morning ride. You’ll want to start the day where the terrain is forgiving and the pace is easy.
A winding route through woods and open fields with a smooth base, a few small rocks, and exposed roots to watch for. It is the kind of trail where a new rider can build confidence without feeling boxed in.
A gravel logging road with plenty of side trails branching off if the group wants to split up. It is seasonally open, so check current status before you go.
An easy connector trail leading out to a scenic lookout. Good for a relaxed ride where the goal is to enjoy the ride rather than test the suspension on rocky or difficult terrain.
Riding with kids or first-timers this weekend? Pull up the family-friendly filter in the TrailIntel app before you leave the driveway to confirm which of these routes are currently open and clear.
Once the group has warmed up by Saturday afternoon, head toward the trails with more obstacles, tighter lines, and a bit more elevation change.
A short, rutty climb up the back side of Chase Hill with a handful of harder obstacles along the way. Riders who make it to the top can still climb the fire tower itself for a full view of the surrounding hills.
A longer route that mixes multi-use trail sections with riding along the edges of farm fields and access roads back to the main path. Good for a group that wants both distance and variety.
This one climbs the back side of Goodwin Hill on a gravel road, passing side trails that double as snowmobile routes in winter. The climb itself is enough to keep more experienced riders interested.
If the weekend crew includes anyone who rides mainly for the scenery, build in time for these two stops on Sunday morning.
This crossing runs just over 8 miles through the Frye Mountain State Game Management Area, a property managed specifically for wildlife habitat, and passes the old Carter Cemetery along the way. Ride slowly through this section. Deer, grouse, and turkey sightings are common, especially early or late in the day.
A few miles east of downtown, this shared Skowhegan and Canaan park offers shoreline trails around the lake. It is a good place to pull off, let the engines cool, and watch for waterfowl, or cast a line for bass and trout if anyone brought a rod.
Save Sunday afternoon for a mix of trails and different terrain so the weekend ends on variety rather than repeating Saturday's rides. By Sunday, you may have improved your skill level to tackle trails you wouldn’t have done on Friday.
A former Plumb Creek Land Trust logging road with a network of side trails branching off. Recent logging activity means the terrain and views can change season to season, which keeps it interesting for riders who have done it before.
About twenty minutes south in Waterville, this trailhead sits behind the Home Depot and runs through Quarry Road Park before crossing Fish Brook. It is a nice change of pace and an easy add-on if your group is heading that direction to wrap up the trip.
Skowhegan makes it easy to turn a riding weekend into an actual weekend. Stop at Bigelow Brewing Company for wood-fired pizza and a family-friendly lawn where kids and dogs are welcome. Walk the Skowhegan Riverwalk along the Kennebec River, or wander the gardens at Coburn Park. In summer, a stop at Gifford's Ice Cream is one of the best ways to end a long day on the trails.
Keep exhaust systems stock. Modified exhausts are illegal on Maine trails.
Trail conditions around Skowhegan change with logging activity, weather, and seasonal closures. Before you head out each morning, open TrailIntel to check live trail and road conditions, hazard reports, and rider updates for the exact routes on this list, plus nearby points of interest like fuel stops and campsites.
Check Live Conditions on TrailIntel
Yes. Skowhegan sits at the center of Somerset County riding country, with trailheads from smooth beginner routes to rocky climbs within a short drive, plus town roads that now connect riders to nearby Fairfield and Norridgewock trail systems.
Center Trail is a strong choice for new riders. It winds through woods and open fields with a smooth surface, a few small rocks, and exposed roots, making it approachable without being boring.
Yes. Maine requires ATV registration for both residents and nonresidents. Registrations run from July 1 through June 30 each year and can be completed online or through a local registration agent such as a town office.
The Frye Mountain State Game Management Area, crossed by the High Ridge to Getchell trail, is managed specifically for wildlife habitat. Lake George Regional Park, just outside town, is another good stop for spotting waterfowl, bass, and trout along the shoreline.