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New Hampshire
ATV & Snowmobile

ATV & Snowmobile


Welcome to 2023-24 New Hampshire ATV & Snowmobile

2023 New Hampshire OHRV and Snowmobile Regulations Guide Cover

New for 2023-2024:

  • Resident Snowmobile fees have increased by $22; Non-Resident Snowmobile fees have increased by $12; and Wheeled Vehicle fees have increased by $1.

The fee increases were proposed by the New Hampshire Snowmobile Association and passed by the NH Legislature. For questions or comments regarding the fee increases, contact NHSA at (603) 273-0220.

Reminders:

  • Antique Snowmobile registrations are only available for snowmobiles manufactured in 1994 or prior.
  • An OHRV safety education certificate does not override a motor vehicle license suspension; you cannot operate if your driver’s license has been suspended or revoked in any state or Canadian province.

Changes, Challenges, and Choices

Welcome to a new year of off-highway recreational vehicle and snowmobiling fun in New Hampshire. There are thousands of miles of trails for riders to enjoy. Whether it’s snowmobiling in the winter or fair-weather riding on an ATV, with over 7,000 miles of snowmobile and 1,300 miles of OHRV trails, there is something for everyone.

The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department works in collaboration with the New Hampshire Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, Division of Parks and Recreation, Trails Bureau to ensure an extensive, safe, and enjoyable trail system. We are continually working together on ways to improve safety as well as riders’ experience.

This year there are some changes to license fees. Resident snowmobile fees have increased by $22; nonresident snowmobile fees have increased by $12; and wheeled vehicle fees have increased by $1. These fee increases were proposed by the New Hampshire Snowmobile Association and passed by the New Hampshire Legislature. As a reminder, antique snowmobile registrations are only available for those manufactured in 1994 or before. We have begun the process of developing an on-line registration system and will have this up and running for renewals by September of 2025.

Accidents can happen to anyone with no warning, but inexperience is a big factor in many of them, as well as excessive speed. Fish and Game strongly recommends that all riders participate in a Safety Education Class. State law requires all operators 12 years of age and older to possess either a valid motor vehicle driver’s license or have successfully completed an approved OHRV or Snowmobile Safety Education Class.

Many trails are on private property so riders who break the laws and cause damage run the risk of causing landowners to restrict access for all. Riding off trail can harm trees, wetlands, wildlife habitat, and crops. Illegal behavior could even result in trails on public lands not being available because access to them was lost. Please respect the rights of the landowners and obey all rules. They are also in place for your safety. Always wear safety equipment, and stop at all roadways and marked intersections, as many trails cross roads used by cars.

For more information, including how to take a safety class, how to register your OHRV, open snowmobile weekend, and the rules around riding, visit www.wildnh.com/ohrv. Rules can change mid-year, so visit the website for any updates.

For maps and information on trail conditions, visit the NH Trails Bureau at www.nhstateparks.org/activities/snowmobiling/trail-conditions. Also consider joining a local snowmobile or OHRV club. These organizations and their volunteers are a valuable asset and work to obtain landowner permission, maintain trails, and educate riders. So get outside, be safe, and enjoy New Hampshire’s beauty!

Scott R. Mason, Executive Director

NH Fish and Game Department
Sarah L. Stewart, Commissioner
NH Department of Natural and Cultural Resources