ATV Trail Camping: The Complete Guide

Everything you need to plan an ATV camping trip—destination selection, gear, campsite setup, safety, and Leave No Trace principles.

ATV Trail Camping: The Complete Guide

Combining ATV trail riding with backcountry camping is one of the best ways to experience America's off-road landscapes. Whether you're planning a weekend adventure at a public riding area or a multi-day expedition on a trail network, ATV camping opens up terrain that's inaccessible by foot or standard vehicle. This guide covers everything you need to know—from gear and planning to campsite selection and safety.

What Is ATV Trail Camping?

ATV trail camping means using your all-terrain vehicle as the primary mode of transportation to reach and explore a campsite. Unlike car camping, you're carrying all your gear on the ATV itself—in bags, cargo racks, or trailers—and accessing trails that prohibit or aren't navigable by full-size vehicles. Some ATV camping destinations are developed campgrounds adjacent to trail systems; others are true backcountry experiences on national forest land with primitive dispersed camping.

Planning Your ATV Camping Trip

Choose Your Destination

The best ATV camping destinations offer a mix of trail access, legal camping areas, and amenities (or know how to go without them). Consider:

• State and national forests: Many allow dispersed camping within a certain distance of trailheads. Check the specific forest's regulations.
• OHV parks with campgrounds: Places like Hatfield-McCoy Trails in WV, Croom Tract in FL, and Glamis in CA have established campgrounds adjacent to extensive trail systems.
• Private riding resorts: Some facilities offer full hookup camping with immediate trail access.

Use our ATV trail finder to locate riding areas by state, and filter for those with camping access.

Know the Rules Before You Go

ATV camping regulations vary significantly:

• Some trails require an OHV permit or sticker—get it before arriving
• Dispersed camping on federal land typically requires staying 200 feet from water sources and established trails
• Fire restrictions may apply, especially during dry seasons
• Some areas require pack-in/pack-out for all waste, including gray water
• ATV registration and operator age requirements apply on public lands

Read our guide to ATV trail difficulty ratings to ensure your chosen trails match your skill level before committing to a multi-day trip.

Essential ATV Camping Gear

Carrying Your Load

ATV cargo capacity varies widely by machine. Know your ATV's payload rating before packing. Options for carrying gear include:

• Rear cargo rack bags: Soft-sided bags that strap to the stock rack. Great for medium loads.
• ATV storage boxes: Hard-sided lockable boxes for sensitive items and valuables.
• ATV trailers: For longer trips, a small utility trailer dramatically increases carrying capacity. Make sure the trail allows trailers.
• Backpack: Carry essentials (water, snacks, first aid) on your body so they're always accessible.

Shelter

• A lightweight 2-person tent (3-season minimum) works for most ATV camping
• Hammocks work well in forested riding areas with established trees
• Bring a ground cloth or footprint for rocky campsites

Sleep System

• Choose a sleeping bag rated for 10–15°F below expected overnight lows
• A sleeping pad (foam or inflatable) is not optional—insulation from the ground is critical

Cooking and Water

• A compact camp stove and fuel canister
• Water filter or purification tablets—never drink untreated surface water
• 2-liter hydration capacity per person minimum
• Bear canister or hang bags in areas with bear activity

ATV-Specific Gear

• Recovery kit: A quality ATV recovery kit with traction boards, a snatch strap, and a hand winch is essential for backcountry camping
• Tire plug kit and portable air compressor: Flat tires happen; fix them in the field
• Extra fuel: Know your ATV's range and carry enough fuel for a conservative estimate plus a safety margin
• Spare belt (for belt-drive ATVs): A broken belt strands you mid-trail
• Basic tool kit: Wrenches, screwdrivers, zip ties, duct tape, and spare bolts
• GPS unit or downloaded offline maps: Cell service is often nonexistent at backcountry camping destinations

Campsite Selection

Look For:

• Level ground with established tent pads or natural flat areas
• Natural wind protection (tree line, hillside) without overhead dead branches
• At least 200 feet from water sources (rivers, lakes, streams)
• Good drainage—don't camp in low spots that will collect rain
• Proximity to the trail but not directly on it

Avoid:

• Campsites under large dead trees (widow-makers)
• Wash channels and dry creek beds (flash flood risk)
• Active wildlife corridors or areas with fresh bear sign
• Campsites where previous campers left trash or damage

Riding Safety on Multi-Day ATV Trips

The stakes are higher on camping trips than day rides—getting stranded or injured hours from the trailhead can quickly become a serious emergency.

• Always ride with a buddy. Never solo backcountry ride on unfamiliar trails.
• Share your trip plan with someone who isn't going. Include expected trails, campsite location, and return date.
• Carry a satellite communicator (Garmin inReach or SPOT device) where cell service is unavailable.
• Ride conservatively when fatigued. The afternoon of day 2 is statistically when most trail accidents happen.
• Check the weather forecast the morning of each ride day—conditions can change rapidly in mountain riding areas.

Review our ATV safety gear guide before packing to make sure you have all required protective equipment.

Leave No Trace for ATV Campers

ATV camping's biggest threat to continued access is the damage caused by irresponsible riders and campers. Protect the trails you love:

• Stay on marked trails—riding off-trail causes erosion and damages vegetation
• Pack out everything you pack in, plus any trash you find
• Use a camp stove instead of fires when possible; if you build a fire, use existing fire rings and drown it completely
• Avoid disturbing wildlife, especially during nesting and breeding seasons
• Keep noise at a reasonable level—be a good neighbor to hikers and other trail users

Frequently Asked Questions