Yes, but the safest plan is to use an established ATV network for the ride and treat the ghost-town stop as a public-access history visit—not as permission to ride onto any abandoned property. The local ghost-town guide lists Eldorado, Millbridge, Umfraville, Wallace and other former settlements, and it specifically warns visitors not to trespass and to verify locations and directions before travelling.[1]

Best-documented ATV option

Eldorado is the clearest match. The Eastern Ontario Trails Alliance (EOTA) describes a Central Hastings Heritage Loop that follows Highway 62 to Eldorado, where the trail turns off and continues south.[2] That makes Eldorado the best-documented ghost-town destination to investigate with an ATV, but the route description should not be treated as a guarantee that every connecting road, spur or historic remnant is currently open to ATVs.

• Check EOTA’s current interactive map and buy the applicable trail pass before riding; EOTA says riders receive a numbered identity pass and should carry it for validation.[2][3]
• Stay on the signed/legal route. Do not use a private driveway, enter a yard or building, cross a blocked gate, or ride into a cemetery or other posted restricted area.[1][7]
• Verify current closures, surface conditions and municipal road rules before departure. Ontario’s guidance says access to Crown land can be controlled or restricted and that closed roads must not be driven.[4]

Where to camp

For the lowest trespass risk, use a private campground rather than trying to place a tent or trailer beside historic remains. Hastings County currently lists West Pines Park Resort at Lake Saint Peter as offering seasonal and overnight campsites, and says ATV trails are a short drive away.[6] Red Eagle Family Campground and Bear Ridge Campground near Coe Hill are additional established camping options listed by Hastings County.[6]

Camping on Crown land may also be possible, but it requires parcel-level checking. Ontario says camping is free on most Crown land and is generally limited to 21 days on one site in a calendar year, subject to posted restrictions and exceptions.[4] Use the Crown Land Use Policy Atlas to check the exact parcel and policy, but do not treat its maps as a precise navigation or private-property boundary tool; Ontario expressly says the mapping is illustrative and not a travel-route guarantee.[5]

Before you leave

• Confirm the intended ghost-town stop and current public approach with the page’s directions and the EOTA map.[1][2]
• Carry the required trail pass and comply with Ontario ATV equipment, licensing and helmet requirements.[3][7]
• Check fire restrictions before lighting a campfire, pack out waste, and have a backup campsite if the chosen Crown-land parcel is restricted or inaccessible.[4]

Practical recommendation: plan an EOTA-verified ride toward Eldorado and book an established campground such as West Pines for the overnight stop.[2][6]

Visit only publicly accessible portions of any ghost-town site, and use Crown-land camping only after checking the exact parcel, signs, fire conditions and access on the day of travel.[1][4][5]

Information checked August 20, 2026. Trail access, road permissions, campground availability, closures and fire restrictions can change; verify all details immediately before travelling.

Sources

• [1] Bancroft Ghost Towns
• [2] EOTA The Trails
• [3] EOTA Trail Passes
• [4] Ontario recreational activities on Crown land
• [5] Ontario Crown Land Use Policy Atlas
• [6] Hastings County: Where to camp
• [7] Ontario MTO Driver’s Handbook: Off-road vehicles