Places to ride

California · rock crawling, dry lakebed, desert two-track, sand

Managed by

BLM Barstow Field Office

Permit

No general permit is required for casual use, though the shared-use area is closed during scheduled military training windows and organized events need a BLM special recreation permit.

Season

October through April; summer heat on the lakebeds is severe.

Land-use facts not yet checked with the agency. Confirm with the agency before you go.

Utah · sand dunes, slickrock, ledges

Managed by

Utah Division of State Parks

Permit

A park entrance fee applies and Utah OHV registration or a non-resident OHV permit is generally required.

Season

Year-round, with the most comfortable riding from October through April.

Land-use facts not yet checked with the agency. Confirm with the agency before you go.

California · sand, washes, desert two-track, mud hills

Managed by

California State Parks, Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Division

Permit

No entry fee is typically charged, but California green or red sticker registration and spark arrestors are required on OHVs.

Season

October through April; the park stays open in summer but heat is extreme.

Land-use facts not yet checked with the agency. Confirm with the agency before you go.

Utah · sand dunes, sagebrush flats

Managed by

BLM Fillmore Field Office

Permit

A BLM day-use or annual fee is charged at the entrance, and whip flags are generally required on the dunes.

Season

Spring and autumn are best; Easter weekend is famously the busiest of the year.

Land-use facts not yet checked with the agency. Confirm with the agency before you go.

Nevada · sandstone, sand, desert two-track

Managed by

BLM Southern Nevada District Office

Permit

No permit or fee is generally required, but riding is restricted to designated routes.

Season

October through April; summer heat near Overton is punishing.

Land-use facts not yet checked with the agency. Confirm with the agency before you go.

California · granite rock crawling, water crossings, ledges

Managed by

Tahoe National Forest, U.S. Forest Service

Permit

No permit is generally required, though seasonal closures and high water can close the route.

Season

Typically July through October once snowmelt drops the creek crossings to a passable level.

Land-use facts not yet checked with the agency. Confirm with the agency before you go.

California · granite rock crawling, alpine meadow, boulders

Managed by

Sierra National Forest, U.S. Forest Service

Permit

No trail permit is generally required, though a campfire permit is typically needed and the forest posts seasonal closures.

Season

Normally August 1 to November 1, between snowmelt and the first storms.

Land-use facts not yet checked with the agency. Confirm with the agency before you go.

Colorado · alpine shelf road, rock, creek crossings

Managed by

BLM Gunnison Field Office

Permit

No permit is generally required, though Colorado OHV registration or a non-resident permit typically applies to unlicensed vehicles.

Season

Roughly late June through September; the passes are snowed shut the rest of the year.

Land-use facts not yet checked with the agency. Confirm with the agency before you go.

Colorado · forest trail, decomposed granite, rock

Managed by

Pike National Forest, U.S. Forest Service

Permit

No fee on the trails, but Colorado OHV registration and a spark arrestor are required. Trails are limited to machines 50 inches wide or less.

Season

Late spring through autumn; the system usually closes for the winter and spring thaw.

Land-use facts not yet checked with the agency. Confirm with the agency before you go.

Wyoming · sand dunes, desert two-track

Managed by

BLM Rock Springs Field Office

Permit

No fee is generally charged, though Wyoming ORV permits apply and riding is limited to designated areas. An 8-foot whip flag is required.

Season

Late spring through autumn; the approach roads are poor in wet or snowy conditions.

Land-use facts not yet checked with the agency. Confirm with the agency before you go.

Montana · granite boulders, forest trail, sand

Managed by

BLM Butte Field Office and Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest

Permit

No fee is typically charged, but Montana OHV registration, a spark arrestor and a designated-route system apply.

Season

Open year-round, weather permitting; expect mud in spring.

Land-use facts not yet checked with the agency. Confirm with the agency before you go.

Oregon · sand dunes, coastal forest

Managed by

Siuslaw National Forest, U.S. Forest Service

Permit

Oregon ATV permits, whip flags and a spark arrestor are required, and day-use fees apply at staging areas. Riding is closed from 10:30 pm to 6 am under an August 2026 court order.

Season

Year-round, with seasonal closures of some areas for the snowy plover nesting period.

Land-use facts not yet checked with the agency. Confirm with the agency before you go.

Oregon · forest trail, mud, rock

Managed by

Oregon Department of Forestry

Permit

An Oregon ATV operating permit is required; day use is free and only camping charges a fee. Helmets under 18; spark arrestor.

Season

Year-round, though winter rain turns much of the system to deep mud.

Land-use facts not yet checked with the agency. Confirm with the agency before you go.

Washington · forest trail, mud, rock

Managed by

Washington Department of Natural Resources

Permit

A Washington Discover Pass is generally required to park, and ORV registration applies to unlicensed vehicles.

Season

Year-round at low elevation, with the wettest months producing the deepest mud.

Land-use facts not yet checked with the agency. Confirm with the agency before you go.

Indiana · sand, rock crawling, mud, quarry

Managed by

Badlands Off Road Park (private)

Permit

Paid day admission and a signed waiver are required; no state permit is needed on private land.

Season

Open most of the year on posted operating days, with limited winter hours.

Land-use facts not yet checked with the agency. Confirm with the agency before you go.

Ohio · forest trail, mud, clay

Managed by

Wayne National Forest, U.S. Forest Service

Permit

A Wayne National Forest OHV trail permit is required in addition to Ohio APV registration. Helmet and eye protection, a spark arrestor, and a 50-inch width limit apply.

Season

First Friday in April to the first Monday in December.

Land-use facts not yet checked with the agency. Confirm with the agency before you go.

Minnesota · mine tailings, rock, mud, forest trail

Managed by

Minnesota Department of Natural Resources

Permit

Minnesota OHV registration or a non-resident trail pass is required; there is no daily fee.

Season

Open most of the year with reduced winter hours; closed for about three weeks during firearms deer season.

Land-use facts not yet checked with the agency. Confirm with the agency before you go.

Missouri · sand flats, forest trail, mine tailings

Managed by

Missouri State Parks

Permit

A Missouri State Parks ORV permit is generally required for each vehicle, and helmets are typically required.

Season

Year-round, with reduced hours in winter.

Land-use facts not yet checked with the agency. Confirm with the agency before you go.

Tennessee · rock, mud, forest trail, hill climbs

Managed by

Windrock Land Company (private)

Permit

A paid Windrock permit and signed waiver are required for each rider. Helmets required under 18.

Season

Year-round, with spring mud and occasional winter ice.

Land-use facts not yet checked with the agency. Confirm with the agency before you go.

Virginia · mud, forest trail, rock

Managed by

Southwest Regional Recreation Authority

Permit

A paid Spearhead Trails permit, sold by the day or year, is generally required.

Season

Year-round, with muddy stretches in spring and late autumn.

Land-use facts not yet checked with the agency. Confirm with the agency before you go.

Pennsylvania · rock, mud, coal spoil, forest trail

Managed by

Anthracite Outdoor Adventure Area Authority

Permit

A paid AOAA day or annual permit and waiver are required for each rider.

Season

Year-round on posted operating days, with winter riding on ice and frozen spoil.

Land-use facts not yet checked with the agency. Confirm with the agency before you go.

North Carolina · rock, clay, forest trail

Managed by

Uwharrie National Forest, U.S. Forest Service

Permit

A Uwharrie OHV trail permit is generally required, sold by the day or year.

Season

Typically April through mid-December, closed in winter and for wet-weather protection.

Land-use facts not yet checked with the agency. Confirm with the agency before you go.

Kentucky · forest trail, mud, hill climbs

Managed by

Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area, U.S. Forest Service

Permit

A Land Between the Lakes OHV permit, sold by the day or year, is generally required.

Season

Year-round, with wet-weather closures possible in winter and spring.

Land-use facts not yet checked with the agency. Confirm with the agency before you go.

Texas · rock crawling, granite, clay, forest trail

Managed by

Hidden Falls Adventure Park (private)

Permit

Paid day admission and a waiver are required; no state OHV permit applies on private land. Helmets required unless the machine has a roll cage and seat belts.

Season

Year-round; summer heat is the limiting factor.

Land-use facts not yet checked with the agency. Confirm with the agency before you go.

Florida · sand, pine scrub, forest trail

Managed by

Ocala National Forest, U.S. Forest Service

Permit

A Florida national forests OHV permit is generally required, and riding is limited to designated routes.

Season

Year-round, with autumn through spring the most comfortable.

Land-use facts not yet checked with the agency. Confirm with the agency before you go.

Florida · sand, hill climbs, forest trail

Managed by

Florida Forest Service, Withlacoochee State Forest

Permit

A daily or annual Croom use fee is charged and Florida OHV titling rules apply. Machines over 55 inches wide or 1,500 lb, and side-by-sides, are not permitted; daylight riding only, one rider per machine.

Season

Year-round; summer afternoons bring heat and thunderstorms.

Land-use facts not yet checked with the agency. Confirm with the agency before you go.

New Hampshire · forest trail, rock, mud

Managed by

New Hampshire Division of Parks and Recreation

Permit

New Hampshire OHRV registration is generally required and a park day-use fee typically applies.

Season

Late May through autumn for wheeled vehicles, with snowmobile use in winter.

Land-use facts not yet checked with the agency. Confirm with the agency before you go.

Alaska · gravel bars, mud, glacial river channels, tundra

Managed by

Alaska Department of Natural Resources

Permit

No permit is generally required, though state ATV rules and area-specific vehicle restrictions apply.

Season

A short summer season; winter riding is on snow and ice under different conditions.

Land-use facts not yet checked with the agency. Confirm with the agency before you go.

Utah · slickrock, ledges, sand

Managed by

BLM Moab Field Office

Permit

Most trails are free with no permit. Sand Flats Recreation Area charges a per-vehicle fee and caps group sizes. A spark arrestor is required.

Season

Spring and autumn. Midsummer surface temperatures on slickrock are punishing.

Land-use facts not yet checked with the agency. Confirm with the agency before you go.

Michigan · sand dunes

Managed by

Michigan DNR

Permit

Michigan ORV license and trail permit required, plus a whip flag and a spark arrestor.

Season

Open roughly April to October. Closed outside the posted season.

Land-use facts not yet checked with the agency. Confirm with the agency before you go.

California · granite ledges, off-camber rock

Managed by

El Dorado County

Permit

No permit. Human waste must be packed out under county ordinance (a WAG bag or equivalent); a spark arrestor is required.

Season

Typically late June to October. Snow gates it either side.

Land-use facts not yet checked with the agency. Confirm with the agency before you go.

West Virginia · mud, forest trail, rock

Managed by

Hatfield-McCoy Regional Recreation Authority

Permit

Paid trail permit required, sold annually or by the day. Helmets are required for every rider and passenger.

Season

Year-round, though spring mud closes individual routes.

Land-use facts not yet checked with the agency. Confirm with the agency before you go.

Idaho · sand dunes

Managed by

BLM Upper Snake Field Office

Permit

Idaho OHV sticker required; non-residents need a non-resident certificate. A BLM day-use fee applies.

Season

Spring through autumn. Winter access is limited by snow on the approach.

Land-use facts not yet checked with the agency. Confirm with the agency before you go.

California · sand dunes

Managed by

BLM El Centro Field Office

Permit

Permit required from October 1 to April 15, sold weekly or seasonally. Whip flags and a green sticker; helmets for ATV riders.

Season

October 1 to April 15 is the permit season. Summer heat makes the area genuinely dangerous.

Land-use facts not yet checked with the agency. Confirm with the agency before you go.

Oklahoma · sand dunes

Managed by

Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department

Permit

Park entry fee. Whip flag required; helmets for riders under 18.

Season

Year-round. Summer afternoons are hot enough that most groups ride mornings and evenings.

Land-use facts not yet checked with the agency. Confirm with the agency before you go.

Texas · rock crawling, hill climbs, wooded trail

Managed by

City of Bridgeport Parks and Recreation

Permit

Paid day pass or membership; a signed waiver for every rider. Riders under 17 must be accompanied by an adult.

Season

Year-round; the rock is best after a dry spell.

Land-use facts not yet checked with the agency. Confirm with the agency before you go.

Texas · mud, rock, forest trail

Managed by

Texas Motorized Trails Coalition

Permit

Membership or paid day pass. Full-size and UTV areas are separated.

Season

Year-round; spring rain turns much of it to mud.

Land-use facts not yet checked with the agency. Confirm with the agency before you go.

Texas · granite rock crawling

Managed by

Katemcy Rocks (private)

Permit

Open on scheduled event weekends only; paid entry and a waiver.

Season

Autumn through spring events; closed in the heat of summer.

Land-use facts not yet checked with the agency. Confirm with the agency before you go.

California · hill climbs, wooded trail, rock crawling

Managed by

California State Parks, Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Division

Permit

Day-use fee. Green or red sticker required; spark arrestor and sound limits enforced; helmets for all riders.

Season

Year-round. Some trails close after heavy rain.

Land-use facts not yet checked with the agency. Confirm with the agency before you go.

California · desert two-track, hill climbs, sand wash

Managed by

California State Parks, Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Division

Permit

Day-use fee. Green or red sticker; sound limit 96 dB.

Season

Year-round. Summer is hot; the high sections can hold snow in winter.

Land-use facts not yet checked with the agency. Confirm with the agency before you go.

California · sand dunes, beach

Managed by

California State Parks, Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Division

Permit

Day-use fee. Whip flags required; the riding area and vehicle limits are posted and change.

Season

Riding south of Arroyo Grande Creek has been closed by federal court order since April 14, 2026, with no reopening date. Only limited day-use remains north of the creek, capped by vehicle count.

Land-use facts not yet checked with the agency. Confirm with the agency before you go.

California · sand dunes

Managed by

BLM Barstow Field Office

Permit

A fee-area permit is required year-round. Whip flags, a green sticker, a helmet and a spark arrestor are required.

Season

October to April. Closed to almost everyone by heat in summer.

Land-use facts not yet checked with the agency. Confirm with the agency before you go.

Nevada · sand dunes

Managed by

BLM Carson City District

Permit

Day or annual permit, sold only through recreation.gov. Whip flags required, lit after dark.

Season

Autumn through spring; summer surface temperatures are dangerous.

Land-use facts not yet checked with the agency. Confirm with the agency before you go.

Arizona · volcanic cinder, hill climbs, forest road

Managed by

Coconino National Forest, U.S. Forest Service

Permit

No permit. Arizona OHV decal, helmet and spark arrester required.

Season

Spring through autumn. Snow closes it most winters.

Land-use facts not yet checked with the agency. Confirm with the agency before you go.

Arizona · rock crawling, desert two-track, sand wash

Managed by

BLM Hassayampa Field Office

Permit

No permit. Arizona OHV decal required.

Season

October to April. Summer heat makes daytime riding dangerous.

Land-use facts not yet checked with the agency. Confirm with the agency before you go.

Colorado · alpine shelf road, forest trail, rock

Managed by

Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests, U.S. Forest Service

Permit

No permit. Colorado OHV registration or non-resident permit required.

Season

Typically June to October; the passes gate with snow.

Land-use facts not yet checked with the agency. Confirm with the agency before you go.

Utah · alpine shelf road, forest trail, desert two-track

Managed by

Fishlake National Forest, U.S. Forest Service

Permit

No permit. Utah OHV registration or non-resident permit required.

Season

Low sections year-round; the high loop is often not clear of snow until late July.

Land-use facts not yet checked with the agency. Confirm with the agency before you go.

Utah · sand dunes

Managed by

Utah Division of State Parks

Permit

Park entry fee. Whip flags required; Utah’s 96 dB sound limit is enforced.

Season

Year-round. Spring wind and summer heat are the limits.

Land-use facts not yet checked with the agency. Confirm with the agency before you go.

Michigan · sand, mud, hill climbs

Managed by

Genesee County Parks

Permit

Michigan ORV license required plus a park day pass.

Season

Open year-round; part of the trail system closes from March 15 to May 15.

Land-use facts not yet checked with the agency. Confirm with the agency before you go.

South Dakota · forest trail, rock, shelf road

Managed by

Black Hills National Forest, U.S. Forest Service

Permit

Black Hills motorized trail permit required, sold as a seven-day or annual permit.

Season

Mid-May to mid-December, snow permitting.

Land-use facts not yet checked with the agency. Confirm with the agency before you go.

Kansas · wooded trail, hill climbs, mud

Managed by

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Tuttle Creek Lake

Permit

No permit; the area is free and open 9 am to sunset. DOT helmets are required without a roll bar or cab.

Season

Year-round, closed when trails are wet.

Land-use facts not yet checked with the agency. Confirm with the agency before you go.

Iowa · wooded trail, mud, hill climbs

Managed by

Iowa Department of Natural Resources

Permit

Iowa OHV registration or non-resident user permit required. ATVs and dirt bikes only: no UTVs or side-by-sides.

Season

Spring through autumn; closed when trails are soft.

Land-use facts not yet checked with the agency. Confirm with the agency before you go.

Wisconsin · sand, wooded trail, hill climbs

Managed by

Town of Rome

Permit

Wisconsin ATV/UTV registration or non-resident trail pass required.

Season

Spring through autumn.

Land-use facts not yet checked with the agency. Confirm with the agency before you go.

Illinois · rock, mud, hill climbs

Managed by

The Cliffs Insane Terrain (private)

Permit

Paid day pass and a waiver.

Season

Year-round on scheduled open days.

Land-use facts not yet checked with the agency. Confirm with the agency before you go.

Indiana · wooded trail, rock, mud

Managed by

Indiana Department of Natural Resources

Permit

Indiana ORV permit plus a Redbird use permit, sold by the day or year.

Season

Year-round; some trails close when wet.

Land-use facts not yet checked with the agency. Confirm with the agency before you go.

Missouri · rock crawling, mud, hill climbs

Managed by

Flat Nasty Offroad Park (private)

Permit

Paid day pass and a waiver.

Season

Year-round on open weekends.

Land-use facts not yet checked with the agency. Confirm with the agency before you go.

Tennessee · mud, forest trail, rock

Managed by

Brimstone Recreation (private)

Permit

Paid day pass or membership; a waiver for every rider.

Season

Year-round, with big organized events in spring and autumn.

Land-use facts not yet checked with the agency. Confirm with the agency before you go.

Kentucky · mud, rock, forest trail

Managed by

Harlan County Outdoor Recreation Board Authority

Permit

Paid permit, sold by the month or year; there is no single-day pass. Helmets required under Kentucky law.

Season

Year-round, though winter ice closes the high trails.

Land-use facts not yet checked with the agency. Confirm with the agency before you go.

Alabama · rock, mud, hill climbs

Managed by

Cullman County

Permit

Paid day pass and a waiver.

Season

Open Friday through Monday.

Land-use facts not yet checked with the agency. Confirm with the agency before you go.

Alabama · forest trail, clay, hill climbs

Managed by

Talladega National Forest, U.S. Forest Service

Permit

Day-use fee. Vehicles wider than 50 inches are not permitted.

Season

April 1 to December 31; the clay is treacherous after rain.

Land-use facts not yet checked with the agency. Confirm with the agency before you go.

South Carolina · forest trail, mud, hill climbs

Managed by

Carolina Adventure World (private)

Permit

Paid day pass or membership; a waiver for every rider.

Season

Year-round.

Land-use facts not yet checked with the agency. Confirm with the agency before you go.

Georgia · forest trail, rock, clay

Managed by

Chattahoochee National Forest, U.S. Forest Service

Permit

Day-use fee or annual pass.

Season

Typically open April to December; closed in winter.

Land-use facts not yet checked with the agency. Confirm with the agency before you go.

Louisiana · mud, sand, forest trail

Managed by

Muddy Bottoms ATV and Recreation Park (private)

Permit

Paid day pass or membership; a waiver for every rider.

Season

Open on scheduled event dates only, not for daily riding.

Land-use facts not yet checked with the agency. Confirm with the agency before you go.

Arkansas · forest trail, rock, creek crossings

Managed by

Ozark National Forest, U.S. Forest Service

Permit

A small per-vehicle day-use fee applies. Arkansas helmet and spark-arrestor rules apply.

Season

Year-round, with closures after heavy rain.

Land-use facts not yet checked with the agency. Confirm with the agency before you go.

Arkansas · forest trail, rock, creek crossings

Managed by

Ouachita National Forest, U.S. Forest Service

Permit

No permit. Vehicles wider than 50 inches are not permitted.

Season

Year-round, with seasonal closures for stream protection.

Land-use facts not yet checked with the agency. Confirm with the agency before you go.

Arkansas · forest trail, mud, river bottom

Managed by

Byrd’s Adventure Center (private)

Permit

Paid entry per rider plus a gate fee; a spark arrestor is required and a 96 dB limit enforced. Whip flags are not required.

Season

Year-round.

Land-use facts not yet checked with the agency. Confirm with the agency before you go.

New Mexico · sand dunes, shinnery oak

Managed by

BLM Roswell Field Office

Permit

A per-vehicle day-use fee applies. New Mexico OHV registration required.

Season

Autumn through spring; summer afternoons are hot.

Land-use facts not yet checked with the agency. Confirm with the agency before you go.

North Dakota · forest trail, hill climbs, mud

Managed by

North Dakota Parks and Recreation Department

Permit

North Dakota OHV registration required.

Season

May to October; closed for the spring thaw.

Land-use facts not yet checked with the agency. Confirm with the agency before you go.

New York · forest trail, mud, hill climbs

Managed by

Tall Pines ATV Park (private)

Permit

Paid day pass or membership; a waiver for every rider.

Season

Spring through autumn, and snow riding in winter.

Land-use facts not yet checked with the agency. Confirm with the agency before you go.

Maryland · forest road, hill climbs, rock

Managed by

Maryland Department of Natural Resources

Permit

Maryland ORV permit required, sold by the day or year.

Season

The dedicated ORV trail is closed, with no reopening date announced.

Land-use facts not yet checked with the agency. Confirm with the agency before you go.

Pennsylvania · rock crawling, mud, forest trail

Managed by

Rausch Creek Off-Road Park (private)

Permit

Full-size 4x4s only: no ATVs, UTVs or dirt bikes. Annual membership plus a day fee; open Thursday to Sunday.

Season

Year-round on open days.

Land-use facts not yet checked with the agency. Confirm with the agency before you go.

Connecticut · forest trail, hill climbs

Managed by

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Thomaston Dam

Permit

Motorcycles only; three- and four-wheeled vehicles are not permitted. Connecticut registration and a spark arrestor required.

Season

May 1 to October 14.

Land-use facts not yet checked with the agency. Confirm with the agency before you go.

North Carolina · forest trail, rock, hill climbs

Managed by

Pisgah National Forest, U.S. Forest Service

Permit

Day-use fee. Helmets required; a 99 dB sound limit is enforced.

Season

Typically April to December; closed in winter.

Land-use facts not yet checked with the agency. Confirm with the agency before you go.

West Virginia · mud, rock, forest trail

Managed by

Burning Rock Outdoor Adventure Park (private)

Permit

Paid trail permit; the Hatfield-McCoy permit is not valid here.

Season

Year-round.

Land-use facts not yet checked with the agency. Confirm with the agency before you go.

Oregon · sand dunes, sagebrush

Managed by

BLM Lakeview District

Permit

No permit. Oregon ATV operating permit required. The Fossil Lake area is closed to OHVs.

Season

Spring and autumn; hot in summer and often snowed in winter.

Land-use facts not yet checked with the agency. Confirm with the agency before you go.

Washington · forest trail, mud, hill climbs

Managed by

Washington Department of Natural Resources

Permit

A Washington ORV tab for non-street-legal machines; a Discover Pass for street-legal vehicles.

Season

Year-round; expect mud from October to May.

Land-use facts not yet checked with the agency. Confirm with the agency before you go.

Washington · sand dunes

Managed by

Grant County Parks

Permit

Washington ORV registration required. A nine-foot whip with a red or orange flag; helmets unless belted in a caged machine. 105 dB sound limit.

Season

Year-round; the wind is the limit in spring.

Land-use facts not yet checked with the agency. Confirm with the agency before you go.