Snowmobiling

From Pelham to Pittsburg and everywhere in between, New Hampshire offers some of the best snowmobiling in all of New England. With 7,000 miles of snowmobile trails and not one leads to your office, it has become a New Hampshire lifestyle for the snowmobile enthusiast.

This is made possible through the partnerships with thousands of landowners who generously open up their land for the recreation of snowmobiling. Countless club volunteers work tirelessly to construct and maintain this vast trail system. It's New Hampshire Naturally!

Resources and Information

NH Snowmobile Trails Interactive Map and Phone App

Click here to view an interactive map of our snowmobile trails in NH!

Snowmobile Trail Conditions Reports

Snowmobile Trail Conditions, December 29, 2022

Hello Riders!

The past rainstorm, wind, and warm temps have ruined most trails. With the expected warm temps of today through this weekend it will most likely get worse before it gets better. There is limited riding up north. If you decide to go out, please use CAUTION as coverage is thin, icy, and objects such as rocks are right below the surface or exposed.

If you have the time, contact a club to see if they still need assistance cleaning up.

Have a great New Year, don’t give up hope it’s only the beginning of the season, and keep snow dancing!

Bodies of water are not safe at this point. Please stay off. Safety On the Ice (NH Fish & Game)

Below are some events that benefit snowmobile clubs and their communities. Please support them by attending the events – they make for great family fun! Check with clubs before attending as some postponements/cancellations may be occurring due to recent weather.

UPCOMING EVENTS:

Pittsburg Ridge Runners' 9th Annual Snowmobile Blessing, - January 14, 2023 – Pittsburg, NH
Pittsburg Ridge Runners SC Annual Turkey Feed – January 28, 2023 – Pittsburg, NH
2023 Annual Winter Cookout (White Mtn. Ridge Runners) – January 28, 2023 – Berlin, NH
2023 Back Lake Shoot Out – February 4, 2023 – Pittsburg, NH
Crescent Lake Regional Sno-Riders 2nd Vintage Show & Ride - February 11, 2023 – Unity, NH
Central NH Snowmobile Club – February 18, 2023 – Thornton, NH
2nd Annual SStg. Jesse Sherrill Snowmobile Run (Pittsburg Ridge Runners) - February 19, 2023 – Pittsburg, NH
PHS Poker Run (Pittsburg Ridge Runners) - February 25, 2023 – Pittsburg, NH
Annual Steak Feed/Raffle (Pittsburg Ridge Runners) - February 25, 2023 – Pittsburg, NH
NH’s Open Snowmobile Weekend
Pittsburg Fire Assoc. Parade of Lights– March 4, 2023 – Pittsburg, NH
Pre-2000's Club Ride | Facebook (Meredith Sno-Streakers) - March 4, 2023 – Meredith, NH The next trail condition report is expected to be out Thursday, January 5th. If you don’t see a club listed below, they have not shared their information with us.

Check out our Facebook page for more trail and event updates as we are made aware.

This report is “as of the above date”. Trail conditions change depending on weather and use. If you have concerns about possible condition changes, contact the local club before you go out. This report’s rating system:

Great - Trail has a really good base, groomed flat with solid snow that should hold up to traffic.
Good - Trail is flat with a good base, there may be ice underneath, and while groomed snow could become a bit mushy.
Moderate - Trail has decent riding, but may have bare spots, ice, or rough sections.
Marginal - Trail is passable, but may have thin snow, open or partially filled water bars, bare spots, ice, or trees down.

GREAT NORTH WOODS REGION

Stay off plowed logging roads unless signed open.

Pittsburg Ridge Runners, Pittsburg: Open as of today - trails north, northeast & northwest of Back. Use CAUTION as conditions are marginal with ice, rocks, and open water bars. Trails to the south of Back Lake and Corridor 20 to Beecher Falls will be CLOSED due to lack of snow.

Colebrook Ski-Bees, Colebrook/Stewartstown: Open, early season marginal to moderate conditions. Use CAUTION – open water bars, thin coverage and rocks; best riding is higher elevations.

Swift Diamond Riders, Stewartstown (Coleman State Park/Diamond Pond): Open, 4-5” new snow, groomed, moderate early season conditions, use CAUTION – open water bars, thin coverage and rocks.

Umbagog Snowmobile Association, Errol/Cambridge/Millsfield: 80% of trails Open, 4-6” new snow, groomed, marginal to moderate early season conditions. Use CAUTION – open water bars, thin coverage and rocks. Watch for logging operations.

Stratford Nighthawks, Stratford/Columbia: Open. River Valley trails have marginal, minimal snow cover, not groomed. Higher elevation trails have moderate better conditions. At this time, both Cree Notch and Cleveland Notch are CLOSED due to blow downs; club is working on clearing. Use CAUTION – open water bars, thin coverage and rocks.

Groveton Trailblazers, Northumberland/Groveton/Stark: Corridor 5 & 5A from village south are CLOSED. Some trails in village are open, marginal conditions. Northern trails Open, groomed, early season conditions, use CAUTION - open water bars, thin coverage and rocks. PT 117 TO Jct. of PT 109 CLOSED for the season.

Milan All Weather Riders, Milan: Open, not groomed, moderate conditions. Use CAUTION – open water bars, thin coverage and rocks. PT 114 from Milan village to Corridor 19 is CLOSED for the season.

Lancaster Snowdrifters, Lancaster: CLOSED

White Mountain Ridge Runners, Berlin/Success: Some trails Open, groomed where conditions allow, marginal early season conditions. Use CAUTION – open water bars, thin coverage and rocks. Trail from Berlin to Success is CLOSED.

Jericho State Park – OPEN. With the higher than 32-degree temps we would suggest that OHRV riders refrain from riding on the snowmobile trails – thank you.

Dalton Ridge Runners: CLOSED

WHITE MOUNTAIN REGION

Waumbek Methna Snowmobile Club, Jefferson: CLOSED

Jefferson Hi-Landers, Jefferson/Carroll: CLOSED

Presidential Range Riders, Gorham: Open, groomed, marginal in town conditions, moderate to good conditions north of route 2. Use CAUTION – open water bars, thin coverage and rocks. Corridor 12 from Gorham to Berlin, and Bear Spring Trail are CLOSED. Corridor 19 south from Town & Country is CLOSED for the season.

Whitefield Sno-Kings, Whitefield: CLOSED

Littleton Off Road Riders, Littleton: CLOSED

Twin Mountain Snowmobile Club: CLOSED

Lisbon Stump Jumpers, Lisbon: CLOSED

Mount Agassiz Trail Assoc., Bethlehem: CLOSED

Franconia Notch State Park: CLOSED

White Mountain Snowmobile Club, Lincoln: CLOSED

Asquamchumaukee Valley Snowmobile Club, Warren: CLOSED

Central NH SC, Campton/Ellsworth/Thornton: CLOSED

White Mountain Trail Club, Bartlett/Bear Notch: 80% of trails Open, groomed where conditions allow. Railroad trail CLOSED. Stanley Brook Trail CLOSED for season.

Mountain Meadow Riders, Conway: CLOSED

LAKES REGION

Sandwich Sidehillers, Sandwich: CLOSE

Moultonboro Snowmobile Club, Moultonborough: CLOSED

Castle in the Clouds, Moultonborough: No reportable riding at this time

Squam Trail-Busters, Holderness/Ashland/Sandwich/Thornton: CLOSED

Ossipee Valley Snowmobile Club, Ossipee: CLOSED

Hardy Country Snowmobile Club, Hebron: CLOSED

Meredith Sno-Streakers, Meredith: CLOSED – not enough snow, especially in woods.

Bridgewater Mtn. Snowmobile Club, Bridgewater: CLOSED

Alexandria Ledge Climbers, Alexandria: No report at this time.

Belknap Snowmobilers, Gilford/Laconia: CLOSED

Mohawk Trail Riders, Sanbornton/New Hampton: CLOSED

Seven Lakes Snowmobile Club, Wakefield: CLOSED

Wolfeboro Snowmobile Club, Wolfeboro: CLOSED

Mount Major SC, Alton: CLOSED

Baker River Valley Snowmobile Club, Dorchester/Groton/Wentworth: CLOSED

DARTMOUTH/LAKE SUNAPEE REGION

Lyme Pinnacle Snowmobile Club, Lyme: CLOSED

Old #4 Rod, Gun & Snowmobile Club, Charlestown: CLOSED

Washington Snow Riders, Washington: CLOSED

Twin State Trail Busters, Lebanon: No report at this time.

Mount Cardigan Snowmobile Club, Canaan: No report at this time.

Blow-Me-Down Snowriders, Cornish/Plainfield: No report at this time.

Mascoma Valley Snow Travelers, Springfield: CLOSED

Andover Snowmobile Club, Andover: No report at this time.

Lakes Region SC (Franklin): CLOSED

Pillsbury State Park, Washington: CLOSED due to open water bars.

Lake Sunapee Snowmobile Club, Sunapee: CLOSED

Shugah Valley Snow Riders, Claremont: CLOSED

Kearsarge Trail Snails, Warner: CLOSED

Twin Ridge Mountaineers, Goshen: CLOSED

SEACOAST REGION

Great Bay Sno Rollers (Durham/Newmarket): CLOSED

MONADNOCK REGION

Hop/Ev Riding Area, Hopkinton: No reportable riding at this time.

Night Riders, Hillsborough: CLOSED

Greenfield State Park, Greenfield: CLOSED

Pisgah State Park, Winchester: No reportable riding at this time.

MERRIMACK VALLEY REGION

Fort Mountain Trailwinders, Epsom: CLOSED

NH Trail Dawgs, Allenstown: CLOSED

Bear Brook State Park, Allenstown: CLOSED

Pawtuckaway State Park, Nottingham: CLOSED

Weare Winter Wanderers, Weare: CLOSED

Monadnock Sno-Moles, Rindge: CLOSED

Railroad Lines

Concord to Tilton: Active Line – Will not be used this season.
Tilton to Lincoln: Opens 1/5/2023
Red Stone Line (N Conway-Fryeburg ME): No report at this time.

Recreational Rail Trails

Ammonoosuc Recreational Trail – No report at this time.
Ashuelot Recreational Rail Trail (Keene to Hinsdale) – No reportable riding at this time.
Cheshire Recreational Rail Trail (Fitzwilliam to Walpole) – No reportable riding at this time.
Conway Branch Recreational Rail Trail (Ossipee to Conway) – No report at this time.
Fort Hill Recreational Rail Trail (Hinsdale) – No reportable riding at this time.
Hillsborough Recreational Rail Trail – No reportable riding at this time. Rail Trail is CLOSED from Lyndeborough to Bennington per Dept. of Transportation, Bureau of Rail & Transit.
Northern Rail Trail (Boscawen/Lebanon) – No reportable riding at this.
Rochester to Farmington Recreational Rail Trail – Gates are CLOSED.
Presidential Rail Line (Jefferson to Gorham) – No report at this time.
Rockingham Recreational Trail, Fremont Branch (Windham to Epping) – Gates are CLOSED.
Rockingham Recreational Trail, Portsmouth Branch (Manchester to Newfields) – Gates are CLOSED.
Sugar River Recreational Trail (Newport to Claremont) – No reportable riding at this time.
Warren Recreational Trail (Warren) – No report at this time.

Additional Resources and Information

For information on NH’s OHRV & Snowmobile regulations view the NH OHRV & Snowmobile Digest of Regulations HERE.

Club Information

The well maintained snowmobile trails that everyone enjoys in New Hampshire are due to an enormous volunteer effort by the snowmobile clubs throughout the state. Without these dedicated, hardworking volunteers, snowmobiling in New Hampshire wouldn't be the sought after sport that it is.

Snowmobile enthusiasts, as well as cross country skiers, snow shoers, dog mushers and others, who can't wait for the snow to start falling so they can enjoy their winter activities in New Hampshire, owe a huge THANK YOU to the priceless volunteers who groom and maintain New Hampshire's snowmobile trail system. Please review the Trail Grooming Tips to see how you can assist them.

Join a club and you will never ride alone!

Snowmobiling in NH

Snowmobiling in New Hampshire is one of the state’s most popular forms of winter recreation. With 7,000 miles of snowmobile trails throughout the state, it’s easy to see why.

While there are a number of trails on state owned or managed land that are maintained by the New Hampshire Bureau of Trails, the majority of trails are on private land. 70% of New Hampshire land is privately owned. Private land trails are maintained by the local snowmobile clubs. The clubs are responsible for obtaining landowner permission and maintaining the trails based on their wishes. It is essential that snowmobilers respect landowners’ wishes and their land. NO RESPECT = NO TRAILS

New Hampshire State law provides certain protections for landowners who open their land to those using it for outdoor recreation.

Snowmobilers can only ride on trails designated and signed as a snowmobile trail. Riders should familiarize themselves with signage and state laws.

A free state-wide interactive snowmobile map (maintained by the New Hampshire Snowmobile Association) can be accessed here. The interactive map is where you can find all NH snowmobile trails and services close to them. You can also download the application to your cell phone for $4.99. If you prefer a hard copy map of each trail system maintained by the local clubs, you can obtain them by contacting the club’s directly.

Registering Your Snowmobile

In New Hampshire snowmobiles must be registered when operated anywhere other than the owner’s property. Riding is only allowed on approved trails or on someone’s land that has provided the rider with written permission. There are no additional trail user fees in N.H.

2016/2017 snowmobile registrations are valid from the date of issue through June 30, 2017 and are not prorated. Registrations can be obtained in person at authorized registration agents throughout the state. They may also be obtained in person from the New Hampshire Fish & Game Headquarters, or by calling Fish & Game at (603) 271-4300.

Current registration fees may be accessed here. Fees are reduced for both resident and non-resident snowmobilers if they are a member of a snowmobile club. To learn more about joining a club contact the club that maintains the trails in the area you ride.

Your Snowmobile Registration Fees at Work

Registration fees in New Hampshire are split between two state agencies, NH Fish and Game and the NH Dept. of Resources and Economic Development, Division of Parks and Recreation’s Bureau of Trails. In addition, $1 from each registration goes into the Fish & Game Search and Rescue Fund, $3 from each registration goes to the registration agent, and $2 from each registration goes to the vendor of the electronic registration system.

NH Fish and Game is responsible for the administration of the snowmobile registration program, snowmobile safety education, and law enforcement out on the trails.

The majority of monies the Bureau of Trails receives are returned to the local snowmobile clubs through the Bureau’s Grant-In-Aid Program. There are two types of snowmobile GIA grants, the Summer Grant that provides funds to the clubs for snowmobile trail construction and maintenance (including bridge building/maintenance) and updating or replacement of snowmobile trail grooming equipment, and the Winter Grant that provides funding to snowmobile clubs to help with fuel costs of grooming the snowmobile trails.

New Hampshire has a reputation for excellence with its nationally recognized wealth of wide, well-groomed snowmobile trails. By encouraging snowmobile club membership, providing Safety Education and enforcing snowmobile laws, we work together to provide a safe and enjoyable riding experience. These high standards are maintained by snowmobile registration fees. For a registration cost allocation breakdown see the documents linked below:

Snowmobile Trail Signage

New Hampshire’s snowmobile trail signs have been created based on international standards for the safety of riders, as well as the rest of the public.

Why?
Because who wants to be out on the trail lost? It’s not a good feeling when your gas is getting low and you don’t know where you are or how far away the pumps are. Or what if a rider experiences a medical emergency and needs to let help know their location? And riders should always be able to tell if they are still on an authorized trail system, or have taken an incorrect turn.

It is the rider’s responsibility to familiarize themselves with trail signs and follow direction of them while using New Hampshire’s trail system.

Snowmobile clubs should keep in mind that trail users may not be familiar with their trail system and sign appropriately and adequately. The Bureau of Trails (BOT) has created Trail Signing Guidelines to assist clubs in knowing where and how to post trail signs. The BOT urges all clubs to follow these guidelines and to use the signs supplied by the Bureau so that trails are uniformly marked throughout the State.

Remember to respect landowners and stay on designated trails! Without landowners' permission, there would be no trail system!

Other FAQs regarding snowmobiling in New Hampshire

Links of Interest

American Council of Snowmobile Associations
American Snowmobiler Online
International Snowmobile Manufacturers Association
Maine Snowmobile Association
National Weather Service
NH Fish & Game Department
NH Snowmobile Association
NH Snowmobile Museum
Crane’s Snowmobile Museum, 172 Main Street, Lancaster NH. Open Friday nights and weekends.

New England Snow Depth Map

Click here to view a snow depth map of New England!

NH Weather Radar

Click here to view the NH Weather Radar!

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NH Snowmobile Trail Conditions Report