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ATV Playground: Jericho Mountain State Park, Berlin, NH

Text & Photography by Tom Richardson

 

Few places in New England rival Jericho Mountain State Park in Berlin, New Hampshire, when it comes to an ATV-friendly environment—a big reason the park and town play host to the annual ATV Festival featuring live music, a parade, demos, food and beer trucks, and more. The 7,400-acre park (also referred to as Jericho Lake State Park) was created in 2005, and comprises 50 to 60 miles of ATV trails (snowmobiling and hiking are also popular) maintained by the Androscoggin Valley ATV club and the White Mountain Ridge Runners Snowmobile Club.

ATV riders can set up base camp at Jericho Lake Campground.

Downtown Berlin is home to several ATV-rental companies, among the Northeast Snowmobile & ATV Rental, that will set you up with all the gear, maps, and safety equipment you’ll need for an action-packed day in the park.

 

You also spend several days inside the park, camping on the shores of Jericho Lake (actually a manmade reservoir). The ride-in/ride-out campground features tent, shelter, and RV sites, along with a beach, bath houses, kayak and canoe rental, grills, and a shelter for functions.

The wind farm turbines are a popular spot to visit within the park.

The ATV trails lead to several scenic stops, including the five wind turbines that sit along a ridge on the eastern edge of the park. The park also features a warming shelter with outdoor picnic tables where riders can take a break and refuel while taking in the sweeping view of the valley

 

The warming hut provides a good spot to take a break from the action.

Jericho Lake Campground is open weekends only beginning May 12. The park opens full-time for the season on May 22 and closes November 12. Operating hours are 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Campsite fees are $25 per night, the Adirondack shelter is $29 per night, and cabin fee is $50 per night.

 

Download a trail map