New Brunswick Event Permits for a Ride

Planning an organized ATV or UTV ride in New Brunswick can involve more than choosing a route and inviting riders. The right permissions depend on where the ride goes, who manages the land or trail, and whether it affects roads or other users. Here’s how to work out which approvals to ask about, what to prepare, and what an event permit does not replace.

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What an event permit covers

“Event permit” can mean permission to hold a particular organized ride on a route or property. It is not necessarily one province-wide document with the same application process for every event. The relevant club, landowner, municipality, or other authority may have requirements based on the location and scale of the ride.

Start by separating event approval from the documents and permissions each rider may need. A group can have permission to hold an event and still need to make sure every machine and rider meets the rules that apply to that ride.

Requirement	What it generally addresses	Does an event permit replace it?
Event or route authorization	Permission to organize an activity on a particular route or property	No. It applies to the event or location, not automatically to each rider
Trail permit or membership	Access to a managed trail system under its rules	No. Check whether each rider needs their own permit
Vehicle registration	Whether a machine is properly registered for applicable use	No
Insurance	Coverage required for the machine or activity	No
Road or highway authorization	Whether a route may use or cross a road where additional permission is needed	No
Landowner permission	Consent to use private property	No. A trail sticker is not permission to enter any private land

The organizer’s first call is often to the local trail club responsible for the route. A club can explain whether the proposed ride fits its trail rules, whether the trail is open, and whether the event needs club approval. For a club-managed route, ask specifically about Getting an Event Permit From Your Local Club. A general group ride and an organized public event may be treated differently.

A trail permit should not be treated as blanket approval for an event. It may provide access under the permit system’s conditions, but it does not necessarily authorize a large gathering, commercial activity, signage, a checkpoint, or a route change. Ask the organization that manages the corridor what its permit allows and what needs separate approval. For the distinction between a permit and membership, see New Brunswick Permit Equals Membership.

Likewise, event approval does not automatically settle every participant’s obligations. Before registration opens, tell riders what they must bring and verify what applies to the machines and route. Who Needs a Trail Permit on a Group Ride is useful when you are deciding whether participants need individual trail permits.

When to ask for permission

The need for event approval depends on the planned route, access points, and activity—not just the number of machines. A small private ride on land where the organizer has permission can raise different questions from a public ride that uses a club trail, crosses a road, or attracts spectators.

Ask early if the event will use any of the following:

A club-managed trail. Contact the local club before advertising the ride. Ask whether the route is open for the planned date, whether the club allows organized events, and whether it needs details or conditions in writing.
Private property. Get the landowner’s permission for the route and any staging, parking, food stops, or spectator areas. Permission to cross a property does not necessarily include permission to hold an event there.
A municipal road or public space. Check with the municipality about local rules and whether the event requires its approval. Do not assume that a road open to ATVs for ordinary travel is automatically approved for an organized ride or gathering.
A highway crossing or designated road section. Confirm the applicable route rules and any required authorization with the responsible authority. A group event does not create an exception to ordinary road-use requirements.
A trail with seasonal or temporary restrictions. Check current closures, construction, washouts, or other limitations with the trail manager. An earlier approval may not mean the route remains suitable or open on event day.
A commercial or fundraising activity. If riders pay to participate, the event is sponsored, or the ride supports a business or fundraiser, explain that when you request permission. It can affect the organizer’s responsibilities and the approval process.

If the route passes through more than one area, contact each relevant manager rather than assuming one approval covers the whole ride. A club may manage one trail segment but not adjoining private land or a road. Write down who gave approval, what route and date it covers, and any conditions such as group size, operating hours, parking, or signs.

There may also be a difference between an event permit and an individual trail permit. Check the current permit conditions with the relevant club or permit provider; don’t assume that a participant’s permit authorizes an organized event. Details about permit types and current requirements are covered in New Brunswick Trail Permits for 2026 and 2027. Because requirements can change, confirm current information directly before relying on an older permit or event plan.

If your event is a casual ride among friends, it may not be handled like a public event. Even so, the route rules still apply. A private invitation does not grant access to closed trails or land where permission is required. When the situation is unclear, describe the plan to the club or land manager and ask whether it needs formal approval.

How to prepare an event-permit request

A clear request helps the person reviewing it understand the scale and impact of the ride. You may not need every item below for a small event, but having the information ready makes it easier to answer follow-up questions.

Describe the event. Give its purpose, date, expected schedule, and whether it is open to the public, limited to members, or private. Say whether it is recreational, charitable, sponsored, or commercial.
Estimate participation. Include the number of riders and machines, plus expected spectators, staff, or volunteers. If attendance is not fixed, provide a reasonable range and explain how registration will be controlled.
Provide a route plan. Identify the trail sections, roads, access points, staging areas, stops, and any alternate route. Use a map or a clear written description. Do not plan a detour around a closure without permission.
List the land and trail managers. Identify which club, landowner, municipality, or other authority controls each part of the route. Ask each one what its approval process covers.
Explain event-day operations. Describe parking, check-in, signs, marshals, rest stops, waste handling, and how the group will stay together. Mention any planned activity that could affect other trail users.
Ask about insurance and liability. Find out what coverage the organizer must carry and whether the approving organization has specific documents or wording it requires. Do not assume participants’ machine insurance covers the organizer’s event responsibilities. See Insurance a New Brunswick Event Organizer Carries for questions to raise.
Request conditions in writing. Keep the approval, route version, contact details, and any restrictions together. If the route, date, or scale changes, ask whether the approval needs to be updated.

An organizer should be candid about the ride’s size and purpose. Understating attendance or leaving out a road section can lead to an approval that does not match the actual event. If the final plan differs substantially from the request, contact the approving party before proceeding.

Group size deserves particular attention. A long line of machines can create congestion at narrow sections, bridges, trailheads, and road crossings. The club may have limits or practical advice even where no single province-wide group-size number applies. Ask about spacing, regrouping points, speed expectations, and how to handle faster or slower riders. [New Brunswick Group Size on Club Trails] can help frame those questions.

Plan a route that can be managed safely rather than simply choosing the longest available loop. Make sure there are suitable places for riders to pull over without blocking the corridor, and avoid stops that crowd homes, businesses, or road shoulders. If the group must split into smaller sections, coordinate the spacing and meeting points with the trail manager.

What to check before and during the ride

Approval is only one part of event planning. Before departure, make sure riders understand the rules and can meet the requirements that apply to their machine, permit, insurance, and route. The exact documents may depend on the circumstances, so give participants a clear checklist well in advance. New Brunswick Documents You Must Carry provides a starting point for thinking through the papers riders may be asked to produce.

A useful pre-event message should cover:

The approved route, start time, check-in process, and planned stops
Any trail permit or membership requirement
Machine registration and insurance requirements
Required rider equipment and safety rules
The event contact and what to do if a machine breaks down
Known closures, alternate routes, and instructions not to leave the marked corridor
Parking arrangements and where spectators may gather

Confirm the route again close to the event date. A trail can be affected by damage, weather, maintenance, or a temporary closure after an organizer receives approval. Ask the club or land manager whether there have been changes, and share those changes with participants. If a section is closed, do not make an unapproved workaround through private property.

Assign specific roles if the event is large enough to need them. A lead rider can keep the group on the approved route; a sweep rider can help identify anyone who falls behind; volunteers can manage check-in or parking. These roles do not replace compliance with the rules, but they reduce confusion and make it easier to respond to a problem.

During the ride, keep the group’s conduct consistent with the approval conditions and ordinary trail etiquette. Stay on the authorized corridor, yield appropriately, keep noise and dust in mind near homes, and avoid blocking the trail at stops. Follow any instructions from the club or land manager. If the event encounters a closure, incident, or unexpected route problem, pause and contact the designated organizer rather than sending riders ahead to improvise.

Afterward, leave staging and rest areas tidy, remove event signs where required, and report damage or hazards to the responsible club or land manager. If the approval included follow-up requirements, meet them. Keeping a brief record of attendance, incidents, and route changes can also help with future planning.

An event permit is best understood as one piece of a permission plan, not a pass that makes every part of a ride legal. Confirm the route with the people who manage it, check what each rider must bring, and get event conditions in writing. That approach helps prevent a last-minute denial at a trailhead—or a ride that starts with permission for a different plan than the one actually being run.

Disclaimer

This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Laws, prices and regulations vary by location and change over time. Consult a qualified professional for guidance on your specific situation.