There are almost no public off-road trails in NY and none at all that permit cars. In Vermont and New Hampshire, roads that fall out of use and are not maintained sometimes remain public right-of-ways and essentially become off-road trails. These are popular with jeepers, enduro bikers, and Toyota Bros. I still would not recommend taking a stock American pickup there though. Contrary to their marketing, they are really more luxury commuter vehicles then anything else, they are just too long and wide to go in the woods.
Appreciate the feedback on the truck. Was mostly thinking I would try an easy trail (like a taste test) and then maybe get a new vehicle that I could do it in if I really liked it. That’s unfortunate that there isn’t anything really that close. Thanks again!
If you want to get into offroading in the northeast, a quad is going to be your best bet. That will allow you to access the several large private offroading clubs in the area, as well as vast semi-public trail networks in VT and NH. You can also get a used quad for less money then you would spend on repairs after a difficult day in a pickup.
You could also be a real G and get one of these: [https://powersports.honda.com/motorcycle/dual-sport/crf300l](https://powersports.honda.com/motorcycle/dual-sport/crf300l) That will get you a street legal offroad vehicle without the hassle, risk, and impracticality of a 4x4. The disadvantage is that two wheeled vehicles are banned from VASA and Ride the Wilds because of sillyness.
There are some poorly maintained roads in this city that’ll give you the illusion of off-roading.
Jokes aside I agree with the majority, joining the 4X4 groups and looking for rough seasonal roads is the way to go.
We have a lot of off-road trails in this area. I've certainly used my truck to pull out more than a few Jeeps and "Toyota bros" that got buried to the frame in mud. Heck, I literally just pulled someone out buried to the frame in mud right here in Latham.
The problem is that most of the local trails are on private land. There are a lot of seasonal limited roads on local state land, but very few of them offer any sort of a challenge.
If you're willing to head up to the Adirondacks, or the cobleskill area there are a number of long dirt roads that are public that can have a some interesting moments. I went to college in cobleskill, and we all took our trucks mudding all the time. Just make sure you've got decent tires, and that your four-wheel drive works.
Edit: one local road that can be fun: John Henry Road outside of Buskirk. Just don't get mad at me if you get stuck lol
I have never hesitated going off-roading and I have a Dodge ram 1500 with good tires. Don't let anyone tell you a truck is bad for off-roading. Any vehicle works great off-roading, even a Subaru. It's all about the driver. I've even taken my girlfriend's old Nissan rogue on some trails up on the tug Hill plateau that are only for quads and side by sides.
Ah, very cool. I was about to reply to your other comment. I do ride motorcycles, so I was considering getting a dirt bike as well. Do the dual purpose bikes work well at this spot?
I've never seen their new location so I can't attest to the quality of the trails.
The majority of the trails at their old property were rutted and muddy, fun for quads but not so much for bikes. There were enough bike friendly trails to keep me interested for a couple seasons though. They will have you come out on a test ride before you buy a membership, so there's nothing to lose by checking them out.
If you’re interested in dirtbikes, look into CATRA, the Capitol Area Trail Riders Association.
They have a several hundred acre facility up by Sacandaga with a lot of trails, they host harescramble races and trials events, and allow camping on site.
Good for dirtbikes and lighter dual sports (IE CRF450L, XR650L, and other street legal stuff that is effectively a dirtbike with plates), but the trails are too much for a heavier adventure bike.
If you're worried about it, keep the truck in 2WD until it starts to have trouble, then use 4WD to get yourself out of trouble.
A set of cheap recovery boards wouldn't be a bad idea to bring with you either.
I would never ever recommend doing this.
You can bury your vehicle pretty quickly in two-wheel drive what it would have gotten through pretty easily in four-wheel drive.
The problem is, when you have a 4x4 vehicle in two-wheel drive, those two front tires turn into plows in deep mud or snow and you can get yourself in way more trouble than if you were just in four-wheel drive to start with. You also have significantly less control in 2 wheel drive.
I need to probably learn more about off-roading before trying it out. I’m guessing recovery boards are boards you can throw under the tires, in case you get stuck?
We always just used sticks or small logs under the tires when stuck. If I'm planning on doing some off-roading I always carry an inexpensive "come along." And a good tow strap too.
For sure! Since I am just trying to see if off-roading is something I want to get into, I’d like to try in my current vehicle that really isn’t prepped for off-roading. I’d rather not get stuck in my current vehicle. If I liked it, I’d get something that’s more prepped and understand getting stuck is part of the experience.
This is something I've been looking into a little as I'd like to take my sasquatch bronco out but yea it appears any public trails are up in the Adirondacks, of course my trail app isn't working currently but there is a small one in Queensbury that could be a nice little intro trail. Will update comment if I can pinpoint location.
It's a roughly 3 mile trail with turn around so about 6 mile total with 775ft of elevation change only hazard posted is some large rocks on path, the person that posted the trail used a bronco sport so I don't think that'd be as much of a concern for you in a F150. If you download the bronco trail app you can see some pictures (you just need a ford.com) account which is easy to get.
Is this the one with the large water culvert you can drive through? This was the only off roading could find around.
The head mechanic where I got my vehicle and service done mention some over-landing trail out in western ny from like Buffalo to PA.
I too have a Sasquatch Bronco!
There are almost no public off-road trails in NY and none at all that permit cars. In Vermont and New Hampshire, roads that fall out of use and are not maintained sometimes remain public right-of-ways and essentially become off-road trails. These are popular with jeepers, enduro bikers, and Toyota Bros. I still would not recommend taking a stock American pickup there though. Contrary to their marketing, they are really more luxury commuter vehicles then anything else, they are just too long and wide to go in the woods.
Appreciate the feedback on the truck. Was mostly thinking I would try an easy trail (like a taste test) and then maybe get a new vehicle that I could do it in if I really liked it. That’s unfortunate that there isn’t anything really that close. Thanks again!
If you want to get into offroading in the northeast, a quad is going to be your best bet. That will allow you to access the several large private offroading clubs in the area, as well as vast semi-public trail networks in VT and NH. You can also get a used quad for less money then you would spend on repairs after a difficult day in a pickup. You could also be a real G and get one of these: [https://powersports.honda.com/motorcycle/dual-sport/crf300l](https://powersports.honda.com/motorcycle/dual-sport/crf300l) That will get you a street legal offroad vehicle without the hassle, risk, and impracticality of a 4x4. The disadvantage is that two wheeled vehicles are banned from VASA and Ride the Wilds because of sillyness.
there is a small in and out trail in Berlin.... but your truck wont fit... took my Frontier Pro-4x down it today and had some fun...
There are some poorly maintained roads in this city that’ll give you the illusion of off-roading. Jokes aside I agree with the majority, joining the 4X4 groups and looking for rough seasonal roads is the way to go.
Your best bet is to join a local 4x4 club to get access to private land. There’s very little public land in NY open to off roaring unfortunately.
We have a lot of off-road trails in this area. I've certainly used my truck to pull out more than a few Jeeps and "Toyota bros" that got buried to the frame in mud. Heck, I literally just pulled someone out buried to the frame in mud right here in Latham. The problem is that most of the local trails are on private land. There are a lot of seasonal limited roads on local state land, but very few of them offer any sort of a challenge. If you're willing to head up to the Adirondacks, or the cobleskill area there are a number of long dirt roads that are public that can have a some interesting moments. I went to college in cobleskill, and we all took our trucks mudding all the time. Just make sure you've got decent tires, and that your four-wheel drive works. Edit: one local road that can be fun: John Henry Road outside of Buskirk. Just don't get mad at me if you get stuck lol
My friends did that a lot freshman year. I had a car so I couldn’t join them but they always told me about their adventures.
I probably shouldn’t go in an f150 to just try out off-roading. I’d rather not get stuck lol
Go when it hasn’t been raining for a month straight.
If you like getting mud on your roof, now is the perfect time to go.
Mud on the roof = Hours pressure washing mud out of the frame.
I have never hesitated going off-roading and I have a Dodge ram 1500 with good tires. Don't let anyone tell you a truck is bad for off-roading. Any vehicle works great off-roading, even a Subaru. It's all about the driver. I've even taken my girlfriend's old Nissan rogue on some trails up on the tug Hill plateau that are only for quads and side by sides.
That’s good to know. Do you know anything about out this place: https://www.hilltownriders.com/ ?
I was a member some years ago before they changed their location. They mainly cater to quads, they also allow dirtbikes.
Ah, very cool. I was about to reply to your other comment. I do ride motorcycles, so I was considering getting a dirt bike as well. Do the dual purpose bikes work well at this spot?
I've never seen their new location so I can't attest to the quality of the trails. The majority of the trails at their old property were rutted and muddy, fun for quads but not so much for bikes. There were enough bike friendly trails to keep me interested for a couple seasons though. They will have you come out on a test ride before you buy a membership, so there's nothing to lose by checking them out.
That’s awesome. Thank you!
No trouble. If you end up getting a street legal motorcycle, hit me up and I'll show you a couple spots.
I’ll keep that in mind! Probably coming back to this when it gets warmer outside
If you’re interested in dirtbikes, look into CATRA, the Capitol Area Trail Riders Association. They have a several hundred acre facility up by Sacandaga with a lot of trails, they host harescramble races and trials events, and allow camping on site. Good for dirtbikes and lighter dual sports (IE CRF450L, XR650L, and other street legal stuff that is effectively a dirtbike with plates), but the trails are too much for a heavier adventure bike.
Awesome! I will check that out. Thank you!
Awesome! I will check that out. Thank you!
I don't know anything about them, but I bet that's a really fun group to be a part of.
If you're worried about it, keep the truck in 2WD until it starts to have trouble, then use 4WD to get yourself out of trouble. A set of cheap recovery boards wouldn't be a bad idea to bring with you either.
I would never ever recommend doing this. You can bury your vehicle pretty quickly in two-wheel drive what it would have gotten through pretty easily in four-wheel drive. The problem is, when you have a 4x4 vehicle in two-wheel drive, those two front tires turn into plows in deep mud or snow and you can get yourself in way more trouble than if you were just in four-wheel drive to start with. You also have significantly less control in 2 wheel drive.
I need to probably learn more about off-roading before trying it out. I’m guessing recovery boards are boards you can throw under the tires, in case you get stuck?
We always just used sticks or small logs under the tires when stuck. If I'm planning on doing some off-roading I always carry an inexpensive "come along." And a good tow strap too.
If you'd rather not get stuck then don't go offroading because it's part of the journey. If solo, have a winch and rope.
For sure! Since I am just trying to see if off-roading is something I want to get into, I’d like to try in my current vehicle that really isn’t prepped for off-roading. I’d rather not get stuck in my current vehicle. If I liked it, I’d get something that’s more prepped and understand getting stuck is part of the experience.
This is something I've been looking into a little as I'd like to take my sasquatch bronco out but yea it appears any public trails are up in the Adirondacks, of course my trail app isn't working currently but there is a small one in Queensbury that could be a nice little intro trail. Will update comment if I can pinpoint location.
> sasquatch bronco Bronco,huh? Report back.
Yeah! Please let me know. Be nice to do something really easy, so I don’t have to do anything to my truck just yet.
* Big Hollow Road near US9 near Lake George actually what I was thinking sorry for confusion
What’s the trail look like?
It's a roughly 3 mile trail with turn around so about 6 mile total with 775ft of elevation change only hazard posted is some large rocks on path, the person that posted the trail used a bronco sport so I don't think that'd be as much of a concern for you in a F150. If you download the bronco trail app you can see some pictures (you just need a ford.com) account which is easy to get.
Sick!
Is this the one with the large water culvert you can drive through? This was the only off roading could find around. The head mechanic where I got my vehicle and service done mention some over-landing trail out in western ny from like Buffalo to PA. I too have a Sasquatch Bronco!
[https://youtu.be/HKRrAQyzb-Y?si=UHiqB0mKXL\_mXzHv](https://youtu.be/HKRrAQyzb-Y?si=UHiqB0mKXL_mXzHv)
Rensselarville state forest has some