Maine ATV Season Is Almost Here, But Trail Crews Have Been Busy for Months

ATV season is almost here in Maine, which means it’s nearly time to wipe off the dust, fire up the engines, and hit the trails.

For riders across the state, it’s one of the most exciting times of the year. But before anyone can enjoy those trails, a lot of work has to happen behind the scenes. Over the last few months, local ATV clubs have been inspecting and repairing trail systems after a long Maine winter.

“We’ll go out and inspect the trails and find damage we’ve had over the winter,” said Edie Dunlap, president of the Flagstaff ATV Club. “If bridges have gotten punky or need to be replaced, if we’ve had washouts from heavy rains and stuff like that.”

That kind of work can get expensive quickly.

Dunlap said once the club has a clear idea of what repairs are needed, she submits a grant application to the state to help fund the work. Some projects can be handled by club members, while bigger jobs require contractors.

Trail maintenance is only part of the equation. Dunlap said respecting private property is just as important, since many ATV trails run across land that is privately owned.

“Our philosophy has always been, what can we do for them,” Dunlap said.

According to WGME, that can mean working directly with landowners when parts of the trail need grading or other improvements. In some cases, the club will split the cost with the landowner. In others, the club may cover the full cost.

Even after the major spring cleanup is done, trail work continues throughout the season. If storms knock trees down or cause new damage, riders and landowners often report the issue so the club can respond.

“If we have a big windstorm and trees get blown down or something, we’ll get phone calls and we will go out and cut them out of the way,” Dunlap said.

Riders are also reminded that all ATVs need to be registered, and anyone 16 or younger must complete a safety course before riding. So while ATV season may be just getting started for riders, for Maine’s trail clubs, the work has already been underway for months.