Hopkinton Everett Reservoir ATV Trails: The Complete New Hampshire Riding Guide

Hop Ev is a roughly 24-mile OHRV trail system in Dunbarton, New Hampshire, with six connected loops ranging from beginner to advanced. The main staging area is accessed from Ray Road/Winslow Road, and riders should verify current OHRV requirements and trail closures before heading out.

This guide covers what you actually need before you load up the trailer: current trail rules, how to get to the parking area, and an honest breakdown of which loops fit your skill level. Pull up the TrailIntel app before you go so you can follow your position live and get real time closure alerts once you are on the ground.

Hop Ev at a Glance:

The key thing to know about Hop Ev is that the six marked loops share the same staging area, so riders don't have to commit to one difficulty level for the entire day.

Best Beginner Route at Hopkinton Everett Reservoir, New Hampshire: Stark Pond Loop

This is the easiest trail in the system and is open to both ATVs and trail bikes. From the parking lot it travels northeast around the far side of Stark Pond before looping back southwest to the trailhead. It is a good first lap to check your machine and get a feel for the surface before committing to the longer loops.

Best Beginner to Intermediate Loop at Hopkinton Everett Reservoir, New Hampshire: Bassett Mill Loop

Bassett Mill is a step up in difficulty from Stark Pond and is open to ATV/UTVs and trail bikes. It works well as a bridge trail once you are comfortable on Stark Pond and want a bit more elevation and technical variety before trying Sugar Hill.

Best Intermediate Riding: Sugar Hill Loop

At about 4.25 miles, and rated intermediate and open to ATV/UTVs and trail bikes, Sugar Hill runs northwest from the parking lot, features hill climbs and descents with rougher terrain, includes a shallow ford of Choate Brook, and intersects the multi-use trail extending toward Hopkinton Lake. For many riders, Sugar Hill is a useful step between the easier loops and the advanced sections.

Best Advanced Riding: Hang Glider Hill Loop

Hang Glider Hill is rated advanced and open to ATV/UTVs and trail bikes, with steep hill ascents and descents and rougher terrain throughout. Expect to work the throttle and brakes more actively here than anywhere else on the ATV accessible portion of the system.

How to Plan Your Trip

Getting There and Parking

The main staging area sits off Winslow and Ray Roads in Dunbarton. From the junction of I-89 and I-93 in Concord, take I-89 north to Exit 2, follow NH-13 south, then pick up NH-77 south for a little over a mile before turning onto Ray Road. Ray Road turns to dirt, and parking is not permitted along the road itself, so continue to the designated lot. The staging area is split across two fenced dirt lots, each with an information kiosk and a loading ramp, and there is enough room for full size trailers.

Trail Conditions to Expect

Most of the network is fairly smooth with occasional loose chunk rock and exposed tree roots, and the system includes many wooden bridges crossing shallow creeks. You will also get pleasant views of Everett Lake along several of the loops. Because the bridges are built for vehicles up to 50 inches wide, oversized machines risk real damage to the trail infrastructure, and MVTR asks riders to respect that limit even when a wider machine could technically fit.

Rules, Permits, and Etiquette

• Every OHRV must have the required New Hampshire registration and decals before riding the trail system.
• Only trail bikes and ATV/UTVs up to 50 inches wide and 1,000 pounds GVWR are permitted; jeeps, highway vehicles, and other oversized machines are not allowed on the OHRV trails.
• This is a multi use system shared with hikers, mountain bikers, horses, and dog sled teams, so slow down at blind corners and yield where appropriate.
• Trails may close on short notice for Army Corps of Engineers flood control operations, so call ahead or check current status before hauling out.
• Winter riders should note that OHRVs are not permitted on trail sections designated for snowmobile use only, even though some sections overlap.

Get the live, routable Hop Ev trail map, real-time closure alerts, and rider-reported hazards in one place.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a fee to ride at Hopkinton Everett Reservoir?

No. There is no trail fee, but every machine must display a current New Hampshire OHRV sticker.

How many miles of ATV trail are at Hop Ev?

The system has approximately 24 miles of marked OHRV trails across six connected loops.

What is the easiest loop for a first-time rider?

Stark Pond Loop, roughly 3 miles, is rated the easiest trail in the system and is a good starting point before moving on to Bassett Mill or Sugar Hill.

Can UTVs ride at Hopkinton Everett?

Yes. According to MVTR, on the Hop Ev OHRV trails, riders should verify that their machine meets the current 50-inch width and 1,000-pound weight restrictions before riding. Jeeps, highway vehicles, and other oversized machines are not permitted on the OHRV trails.

Are there trails only open to dirt bikes?

Yes. The Bob Thomas Trail and River Loop are rated extreme and restricted to trail bikes only, thanks to rock gardens, ledges, and very narrow sections.

Why would the trails be closed without notice?

Hop Ev sits on US Army Corps of Engineers flood control land, so the agency can close the area for flood control operations at any time, regardless of posted hours. Checking a live status source like TrailIntel before you drive out saves a wasted trip.

Where exactly is the parking area?

Parking is off Winslow and Ray Roads in Dunbarton, reached from NH-77 to Ray Road, and parking along the road itself is not permitted, so continue to the designated lot.

Is Hop Ev good for a mixed skill group?

Yes. Because all six loops share the same trailhead, a group with mixed experience can split up and regroup at the parking area, with newer riders sticking to Stark Pond and Bassett Mill while more experienced riders push on to Sugar Hill or Hang Glider Hill.