Rider Hill MX (Vermont Motocross Association)

Vermont has one motocross facility, and it sits 1,500 feet up in the Northeast Kingdom hill country near the Canadian border. Rider Hill MX in Derby is run by the Vermont Motocross Association, has been operating since 1980, and is one of the oldest continuously operating motocross tracks in all of New England. Four-decade-plus continuous operation in this part of the country is rare, and the Vermont Motocross Association's stewardship has kept the property running through transitions that have closed many similar regional tracks.

The elevation matters operationally. Slightly cooler summer temperatures relative to lower-elevation tracks make Rider Hill rideable through the summer months without the heat that shuts down tracks elsewhere. The property's grade gives the layout natural elevation that comes from real terrain rather than bulldozed berms.

The main track is a 1-plus mile loamy natural-terrain layout, regularly groomed and watered. The loamy Vermont soil holds prep through long sessions, and the maintenance staff's commitment to consistent preparation across decades has built the property's reputation among New England racers. The natural-terrain layout reflects the rolling Orleans County farmland rather than fighting it, and the resulting ride is closer to real outdoor motocross than the manicured manufactured tracks elsewhere in the country.

Free on-site camping makes Rider Hill a real weekend destination, and the family-track operating model means riders at every skill level are welcomed and accommodated. Quads are allowed on the property, which is rare for a dedicated motocross facility and gives families with four-wheeler riders a way to combine moto and quad time at a single venue.

Pricing is built around accessibility. $30 practice fee and $120 annual membership keep the property reachable for serious local riders. The membership pricing in particular reflects the club-style operating culture that the Vermont Motocross Association has maintained since 1980.

Derby is in the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont, near the Canadian border. The property is about two hours north of Burlington, two and a half hours from Montreal, and four hours from Boston. The cross-border draw is part of what gives Rider Hill its regional reputation. Quebec riders make regular trips for race weekends, and the property's location near the U.S.-Canada line gives it a multi-national rider mix that few American motocross facilities can claim. [email protected] for the current schedule and membership.