Vacation is a time meant for fun, relaxation, and getting away from it all. That is something we can all certainly agree on! But what’s important to remember is that while Gorham is a hotspot for vacationers and recreationalists, it is also just a small, neighborly hometown. Families with young children, elderly folks, and everyone in between call Gorham home, and are getting up in the mornings, going to school or work, and living their lives as peacefully and thoughtfully as possible. However, since OHRV access to Main Street was opened, the town’s dynamic has shifted, and many who live here struggle with the changing face of their once peacefully quiet neighborhoods. With that in mind, it is respectfully requested that visitors act with thoughtfulness and kindness, as many of the accommodations, restaurants, trails, and trailheads are located directly in residential neighborhoods.
Gorham is a hub for OHRV access and is connected to nearly 1,400 miles of local ATV/UTV trail. Some consider the Gorham/Berlin area as one of the best places in the country for the activity. Local recreation spots such as Jericho State Park have been created specifically to cater to the ATV/UTV community, and outfitters and storefronts are conveniently located right in downtown Gorham, enabling visitors to rent a machine, grab a coffee, and hit the trails directly from Main Street. In recent years, however, the sport has seen an increase in accidents, incidents, and even fatalities, as machines get more powerful, and riders become more reckless, less aware of their surroundings, and overall, less experienced. Most riders generally act with respect and do their best to follow the rules. However, as the popularity of the sport, and access to it, continues to grow – especially in a small residential town like Gorham – it seems to have become more challenging and less convenient for visitors to keep thoughtful behavior in mind.
The town of Gorham created ordinance 1 AND ordinance 2 to guide where and how OHRV use may happen in town. Additionally, outfitters in Gorham work to provide thoughtful guidelines for their customers, and are happy to provide education, advice, and tips and tricks for staying safe in town and on the trails. For a list of local services, click HERE.
Let us do our best to practice kindness and understand that we’re all living together in one small community. From there, we can stay safe, stay happy, and respectfully enjoy everything this incredible place has to offer.
GORHAM NH OHRV TRAIL INFO >>
