Events

Top down, music blasting and having a good time! Sounds like summer fun and a few Van Halen videos, right? We all like the freedom that a UTV brings us and being able to play some music is just what the doctor ordered sometimes – enter UTV sound systems.

The Best ATV GPS system is perfect for those of us who like to explore the (off)road less traveled. We’ve done the research and compiled the best available GPS for trail riding options together in one article.

Every year during riding season, you put your machine through all the mud, water, and dirt the great outdoors have to offer — but when your ATVs and UTVs are off the trail and off duty, they need to be protected from those very same elements. Leaving your machine sitting out unprotected in the beating hot sun, the pouring rain or in the snow during the offseason is a surefire way to cause extensive and costly damage.

Shopping for the best kids ATV helmets can be tough with so many brands and features you have to take into consideration. We help make your shopping simple with our list of best helmets that are sure to fit every budget while keeping your little rider as safe as possible.

Before wiring in new ATV or UTV accessories, you need to know how much of a power draw they will be and how much your machine can handle.

One of the best days in an off-road enthusiast’s life is getting that new or used ATV. Whether it’s brand new or just new to you, you feel like you are on top of the world.

Choosing the best ATV gloves is a bit of a tricky proposition. One of the big reasons why is that there just aren’t a lot of gloves designed specifically for ATV riders and UTV drivers.

Motor oil is just motor oil, right? Wrong! Your ATV or UTV requires motor oil just like any other motorized vehicle, but any oil just doesn’t cut it. These machines run at higher RPM, work harder and run harder than your truck does, so specialized oils are definitely called for. What separates motor sports oil from common stuff off the shelf? It’s all about what goes into the blend. Let’s take a look at five of the best motor oil products for your off-road fun.

Ontario is a wonderful place to live and visit for many reasons, especially for those who love the great outdoors. Here are the best ATV trails in Ontario.

In addition to being home to Canada’s capital city, it’s also the nation’s most populous province. The high population can make it easy to forget that there are so many areas that are remote and unpopulated. We tend to see the buildings, skyscrapers, and asphalt and forget that the forest, fresh air, unlimited views and seemingly endless trails are closer than we think, and this is great news for both visiting and local ATV and UTV owners. If you’re thinking about traveling to Ontario, or perhaps just taking a weekend trip not too far from home, check out some of the best ATV trails in the province:

1. Algoma Country Trail Network

Algoma Country is located in Northern Ontario, bordering Lake Superior and Lake Huron. It’s close to Sault Ste. Marie (Michigan and Ontario) and is one of Ontario’s hidden gems thanks to its small mountains, lush forests, and unlimited outdoor opportunities all year round.

If visiting the area, make sure you check out Elliot Lake. This is an old mining community that has transitioned into a quaint retirement community and ATV destination. It’s surrounded by about 1,300 lakes, which makes this a great place to explore. The area is celebrated as one of the largest insured ATV networks in Ontario, with over 300 km of looped trails that wind past rivers, rock escarpments, and majestic forests. Be sure to check out Horne Lake Trail in this area – it’s a challenging 6 km trail with views of epic proportions! If you prefer to be closer to Sault Ste. Marie, there are a number of staging areas and trails that head towards different destinations, including Echo Bay, Searchmont, Halfway Haven and beyond.

When visiting the area, consider staying at the Quattro Hotel & Conference Centre, An Ascend Hotel Collection Member, in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. The indoor saltwater pool and sauna and on-site restaurant at this 2019 Platinum Guest Satisfaction Award winning property are sure to satisfy your needs after a long day of riding!

2. Ganaraska Forest

Located just an hour from Toronto, and close to Canadian Tire Motorsport Park, is an amazing ATV paradise to check out. Ideal for beginner riders, and offering hundreds of wooded trails, the Ganaraska Forest is a great place to ride and visit on your travels. Both the East and West Forests are open to ATV’s, offering riders about 6,000 acres to explore. Several different parking areas are available, and maps are available online or at the Forest Centre upon arrival.

The Comfort Inn & Suites in Bowmanville is just 25 minutes away, and offers ample parking space for your truck and trailer. Start your morning with a free hot breakfast, and relax in the indoor heated pool after a long day of riding!

3. Voyageur Multi-Use Trail System, Mattawa

Mattawa is a quaint town, located about four hours north of the Ganaraska Forest. It’s a unique area due to its geographic location, nestled between the Algonquin Highlands and the Laurentian Mountains, and also located near the Mattawa and Ottawa Rivers. This system features 300 km of riding trails that connect to a network of over 4,000 km more. It’s also the location of the May ATV/UTV Poker Run, which is a blast to check out. Trails vary in difficulty level, but offer something for everyone, from easy riding for beginners to extreme difficulty for more experienced ATV-ers. Mud, water holes, tricky terrain and more can be found here! Make sure you check out the 666 Mud Trail (advanced level), the Purdy Mica Mine and the Redbridge Lookout, which offers an epic view of the entire area. Visit vmuts.ca for more information.

The Comfort Inn in North Bay is only 40 minutes from the VMUTS trailhead. It offers parking with enough space for trailers, plus a complimentary hot breakfast and pet friendly rooms.

4. Park To Park Trail

Located about two-and-a-half hours from Toronto, the Park to Park Trail is located in Seguin, Ontario, which is one of my favourite areas to visit and ride. The Park to Park Trail Association was created to connect Killbear and Algonquin Provincial Parks for multi-use trails. Currently there are 230 km of trails available, with about 140 kilometers available for ATV use. Last year, a new partnership was introduced connecting the Eastern Ontario Trails Alliance and the Park to Park Trail Association, allowing for the use of a “OnePass” permit for both trail systems. Long story short, you get more bang for your buck with access to close to 2,000 km of trails! The Park to Park Trail offers ATV riders some epic views along rocky cliffs, in addition to mud holes, rocky areas and wide open trail over rail beds.

Rest your head after a day of riding at the Comfort Inn in Parry Sound, just 20 minutes from the Park to Park Trail. This hotel provides guests with a refrigerator, microwave, free hot breakfast and more!

5. Haliburton ATV Association Trails

The Haliburton ATV Association offers over 1,700 km of ATV and SXS trails, making it one of the largest trail networks in the province. These trails connect a number of regions in Ontario, including Haliburton, Muskoka, Kawartha, Peterborough, Almaguin and Madawaska. Skill level varies as these trails include forest access roads and rail bed trails (beginner), and gnarly terrain deep in the woods with some solid mud pits (extreme). Bring your winch and hand saw for those areas! For maps and more information visit: haliburtonatv.com

The Comfort Hotel & Suites in Peterborough features an on-site restaurant, ample parking, free hot breakfast, an indoor heated pool, hot tub, and more! Riders can access the Haliburton ATV trail system from Peterborough, or trailer to an area closer to Haliburton. Contact the Haliburton ATV Association or the Peterborough County Trails ATV Club for maps and more information.

Overland adventures are increasing in popularity among ATV and UTV enthusiasts. We can see why – there are more vehicles that can take you way back into the woods to your favorite mountain peak than ever before. Who doesn’t want a little bit of adventure in their lives? For 2019, the annual Overland Expo West event included more ATV- and UTV-specific adventure products than ever before. We were there to get a firsthand look at all of the overland products on hand, each of which are tailor made to make our adventures more fun and safer for everyone in your group!