ATV & UTV Trail Guide: Riding in Dark Skies PA
Nearly 1,000 miles of forest trails and back roads, starting right in Potter County.
Quick Facts
Trail network: Northcentral Regional ATV Trail (NRAT), about 932 miles in 2026
Counties: Potter, Tioga, Clinton and Lycoming
Local loop: Susquehannock ATV Trail, 43 miles, Potter County
2026 season: May 22 to September 27
Permit: $70 for Pennsylvania-registered vehicles or $100 for out-of-state vehicles
UTV rentals: Denton Go at Denton Hill State Park
The NRAT
The Northcentral Regional ATV Trail, or NRAT, is a huge network connecting state forest trails, township roads and PennDOT routes. For 2026 it offers about 932 miles to ride, including a 513-mile preferred route and 130 newly added miles.
4 Counties Wide
True long-distance riding across rugged terrain in Potter, Tioga, Clinton and Lycoming counties.
The Susquehannock ATV Trail
The 43-mile Susquehannock ATV Trail winds through Susquehannock State Forest. The main trailhead is at the Susquehannock State Forest District Office on Denton Hill, Route 6, with another trailhead at the Lyman Run parking area and four smaller trailheads along the way. Restrooms are at the district office maintenance building, the Lyman Run parking area and one spot on the trail. The loop connects to the NRAT and to Sweden Township roads that are open to ATVs.
Dirt & Gravel
Expect a mix of wide, scenic logging trails, purpose-built dirt sections and connector roads. Well maintained and marked, a great ride for beginners and veterans alike.
Summer Riding
The NRAT is a summer and early-fall destination, so you can ride right through peak fall foliage.
Opening day: the Friday before Memorial Day, May 22, 2026
Closing day: typically the last full weekend in September, September 27, 2026
Permits & Rules
Every rider needs a yearly NRAT permit: $70 for Pennsylvania-registered ATVs and $100 for out-of-state riders.
Buy online at pa.gov by searching "Northcentral Regional ATV Trail permit," or at the Tioga, Tiadaghton, Sproul or Susquehannock state forest district offices. Office hours are Monday to Thursday 8 AM to 4 PM and Friday 8 AM to 6 PM. Weekend sales are available at Tioga, Tiadaghton and Susquehannock.
Your ATV or UTV must be properly registered. See DCNR for current registration, age and equipment rules.
Ride responsibly: respect speed limits, ride in small groups to cut dust, ride at off-peak times, pack out your trash, stay on designated routes and stay off private property.
Never ride impaired. It is illegal.
Ride Offline
Cell service is practically nonexistent on the trails. Download the official geo-PDF map before you go at gis.dcnr.pa.gov/ncratv. It imports into mobile map apps and shows your live GPS location entirely offline.
The DCNR printable map set includes seven local maps:
Coudersport to Genesee
Brookfield to Westfield
Germania to Coudersport
Germania to Colton Point
Cross Fork to Germania
Cross Fork to Whiskey Springs
Black Forest to Haneyville
Rent a UTV with Denton Go
No machine? No problem. Our partners at Denton Go rent Polaris-certified UTVs for riders of all levels, by the day, weekend or week, with direct trail access from Denton Hill State Park. Guided experiences are available too, such as "The Leaf Lookers' Loop."
Denton Go
5661 US Rt 6 W, Ulysses, PA 16948
814-754-9013
Open daily 8 AM to 8 PM
