ATV Riding and Trail System in the Adirondacks Tug Hill Lewis County Region

Tug Hill and Surrounding Region

Tug Hill is located between Lake Ontario and the Adirondacks in the state of New York. The heaviest snowfall in the eastern United States is found in this area, thanks to the “Lake Effect Snow” from Lake Ontario. The Tug Hill region is a very remote and rural area. Its heavily forested areas supply sawmills, furniture plants and paper mills. Farmland is found along the Black River Valley and is a large contributor to the way of life and to the economy in the Tug Hill Area.
Due to the remoteness of the Tug Hill region, there is an abundance of wild life: deer, rabbits, beavers, turkeys, fishers, bobcats, coyote and once in a while the black bear and cougar. In the many waterways of the Tug Hill area there can be found: salmon, trout, bass, walleye and waterfowl.
Hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking, white water kayaking, canoeing, row boating, kite skiing, fishing, snowmobiling, skiing, and ATV riding are just a few of the activities that are popular in the spring, summer, fall and winter. Each season offers it’s own fun and natural beauty.

Tug Hill has a maximum elevation of 2000 feet above sea level and its cuesta (flat top) is known for its tremendous wind. The flat top is composed of sedimentary rocks that tip up on one side.

Lewis County contains about 175,000 acres of public land, hundreds of acres of County reforestation lands and thousands of acres of privately owned forests and very rural lands. Please always respect the lands owners, laws, wildlife and the beautiful nature as you enjoy the trails, scenery and recreational activities in the Tug Hill Lewis County Region.

ATV Trail System

The Lewis County ATV trail system is an ever expanding system with hundreds of miles of trails. Although Lewis County contains a high percentage of state public land (about 175,000 acres), ATV’s are not allowed access on any of the DEC state land. This hurdle has not stopped Lewis County and its residents from putting together spectacular ATV riding areas and an extensive County wide ATV trail system.

As you can therefore imagine, private land owners have played an instrumental role in the development of our trail system. In fact, our system is 90% PRIVATE landowners. The only public lands we have in the ATV trail system are the Lewis County reforestation lands. As ATV enthusiasts, it is very important that we respect the lands, laws, wildlife and nature as we enjoy the trails and scenery.

Types of ATV Trails in the System can be categorized into three groups.

Town & County Roads
We have many miles of seasonal dirt roads, which connect ATV areas and off road trails in our system.

Off Road Trails
County reforestation trails and private landowner trails make up this portion of the trail system.

Play Areas
A Mud ATV play area has been set aside for those with a real quest for mud ATVing. This 144 acre play area features tight, twisty, through the woods, through the mud and water holes riding. If fun in the Mud is your game, this is the stadium for you. We are planning on a few more ATV play areas as we expand the system.

Trail System Expansion
Additional trails are added to the trail system as private land and/or county land is available and deemed viable and safe for ATV trail riding. Work is underway to connect the Lewis County trail system with trails in Jefferson, Northern Oneida, Oswego and St. Lawrence Counties.

Trail Maintenance
Trails are maintained and upgraded by several local ATV/Snowmobile clubs. Trail care is very important and is an ongoing task. Maintenance of the ATV trails is often a group effort in the form of trail work parties. Removing downed trees, cutting over-hanging branches, culvert drainage work, grass cutting, chain saw work and repairing road surfaces are just a few of the tasks. Attention to trail care is very important in order to avoid extensive trail and environmental damage. A lack of maintenance could result in extensive erosion and widening of the trails. This preventive / early intervention care is essential to any trail system. ATV trail care is supported by ATV riders, club memberships, map sales, benefit rides, land owners and numerous area businesses which go to extended lengths to help the cause.

Maps
Trail maps are updated periodically to account for changes in the system. In addition, trail markers are routinely added to further assist riders. It is very important that all ATV riders adhere to the designated ATV trails. Please help us maintain the trail system by staying on the designated trails.

Care of Our Environment
Lewis County and the State of New York look at and evaluate the environmental impact of ATV trail riding. These Impact Studies look at the potential effects on specific species of plants, trees and wild life in the various areas of the trail system. Erosion and noise are additional aspects of concern for both wild life and humans. It is very important that we all are exceptional stewards of our environment and surroundings. Please be considerate and help in anyway you can. The success and availability of our Environment depends on all of us.

A Day On The ATV Trail

Trail Views / Scenery:

Scenery and natural beauty of the Adirondacks Tughill region is one of the great assets of the ATV trail system.

A few scenic views include:

The waterfalls at Lyons Falls

The over look from the rim of Whetstone State Park, which provides a great view of the gorge below.

The view from the top of Snow Ridge, which on a clear day, yields a picture perfect view of the Adirondack Mountains.

Changing Trail Conditions
The Tug Hill Region is a region to extreme seasonal climate change. As the seasons change, so do the riding conditions. The “TUG” Spring riding starts off with a day of riding in snow and ice with the good possibility of mother nature throwing in some snow flurries or rain. With summer approaching and the hotter days you will find riding the dirt roads a bit dusty and warmer. In the fall the cool nights drop moisture on the roads reducing the dusty summer roads and riding becomes more colorful with the changing leaves. Trail conditions of your day on the trail will depend greatly on the time of the year and the amount of precipitation the area has seen in the last few days or weeks. You may decide that part of your day should include some mud and water encounters. For this you should visit an ATV play area (see map for location).

No day on the trail is complete without great food and lodging. Connected to (or very near) the ATV trail system, you can find many restaurants and lodging options. Please visit adirondackstughill.com for a full list of restaurants & accommodation options (including Motels, Hotels, Bed & Breakfasts, Camping & Cabins).

In closing, please keep your day on the trail a safe one. In addition, it is very important that each driver and rider is aware of and follows state and local laws. Please take time to read and understand the relevant laws. If you are unclear on any, please ask the appropriate individuals or officials. The local ATV clubs, Lewis County Department of Recreational Trails, Lewis County Chamber and the New York State Department of Conservation can all serve as resources. Your fun day on the trail is important to all of us!

Family ATV Fun

ATV riding is a great outdoor activity for families to spend a day together. It’s not uncommon when riding the trails to see families stopped along the way, having a bite to eat or taking in the scenic sites.

All ages and levels of ATV enthusiast can enjoy the ATV trail system. Local clubs often hold ATV safe riding training for children and other new riders. Much care and focus is placed on safety.

The Tughill region offers many lodging options for your stay. Lodging options include motels, hotels, camping and bed and breakfast inns with ATV trail access. Camping at one of the connected or nearby parks and campgrounds is just one of the possible family highlights after a day on the trail. At adirondackstughill.com you will find a large list with contact information and website links to comfortable lodging options along with much more information about the Tug Hill region.

A nice ride with numerous stops gives one the chance to observe the natural beauty of the Adirondack Tug Hill region. Both individuals and families will find the region to be a refreshing escape. Please display a deep concern in protecting our environment and taking care of our riding areas for riders to enjoy in years to come.

Area ATV Clubs & Associations

You will find ATV club members to be a great source of fun, enthusiastic and experienced riders or guides. These riders are willing to lend a hand and always have a watchful eye on safety and fun. All of the active ATV Clubs in Lewis County are members of the Lewis County ATV Association (lewiscountyatv.org).

Associations like The Lewis County ATV Association and NYSORVA (NYS Off Road Vehicle Association which focuses on a statewide trail system) play an important role in the ATV trail system. Without the ATV Clubs and Associations, we would not have this tremendous trail system.

Besides the ongoing maintenance of the trails, one of the top priorities facing the clubs and associations is keeping up with a viable insurance program. The insurance program is needed in order for the clubs to sign on landowners for open ATV trail riding.

You can find a list of area clubs at lewiscountychamber.org. Joining an ATV club or association is always a great way to start your ATV exploration.

ATV Events

Lewis County and the Tughill region is a great place to find an event for the ATV enthusiast. Some of the ATV & related events include:

The Mudfest - fun in the mud

SNIRT Run (Snow and Dirt) - kick off the beginning of the ATV riding season

The Lewis County Chamber ATV Expo

Lewis County ATV Association Benefit Rides - throughout the season are a great way to enjoy the trails and to meet other ATV enthusiast. Proceeds help support trail development.

ATV Rodeo’s

Summer Water Cross Snowmobile Racing

MUD BOG Racing for ATV’s and Trucks

ATV EXPO held on the Adirondack ATV club grounds.

See LewisCountyChamber.org, LewisCountyRecreation.com or LewisCountyATV.org for event dates & details.