OHV Route Use and Safety

Many routes are open and accessible to those who enjoy recreating on OHVs. It is your responsibility to know and abide by regulations relating to motor vehicle travel. It is a violation of federal law to cause damage or rutting to roads or trails (36 CFR 261.12c). In addition, it is a violation to cause unreasonable damage to the land or resources (36 CFR 261.13h). While operating on OHV routes, avoid excessive wheel spins while attempting hill climbs or traveling over waterbars. Please restrict use during periods of wet or muddy soil conditions to reduce damage to the route surface. Trees, rocks, and other debris may pose a hazard and restrict easy access on roads and trails.

In some areas of the Forest, those traveling by skis, snowshoes and snowmobiles must share the same roads. Be courteous and respectful to allow all forest visitors to safely enjoy their winter travel.

Safety Tips

• Share the roads and trails with all other users. Slow down when your sight distance ahead is limited by blind turns, weather conditions, vegetation, and when passing other recreationists.
• Be extra careful when parking or loading and unloading, especially along highways and other high-use areas.
• Never ride alone. Accidents happen easily and you may not be able to help yourself. Also hypothermia is easier to detect in others than in yourself.
• Be aware of frozen lakes and streams and avoid them at all cost. Falling through the ice can be fatal. Frozen ice in the Sierra is unpredictable and unsafe due to rapid temperature changes.

Restrictions

• Off-highway travel is restricted to designated routes. Travel on designated routes only and pay attention to all signs that tell whether an area is open or closed to OHV use.
• Motorized travel is prohibited in some areas. Federal law (36 CFR 261.16(a)) prohibits operation of any mechanical or motorized equipment within the boundaries of a Wilderness.
• Occasionally, sections of roads or trails are closed temporarily to minimize impacts to wildlife and to prevent rutting and soil erosion. Extreme fire conditions may also restrict OHV access.
• Forest roads closed to motorized vehicles include roads which are gated, or blocked by berms or rocks, and old logging skid trails--the narrow trails with mounds of dirt across them to divert water.
• Your OHV must be equipped with a properly installed Forest Service approved spark arrestor in good working order.
• ATV operators must wear a helmet any time they are riding and must not carry passengers unless the vehicle is specifically equipped to carry passengers.
• Persons under age 14 must be supervised and be in possession of an ATV Certificate, or enrolled in a State Approved Course. Persons aged 14-17 must be in possession of an ATV Certificate or be enrolled in a State approved course or be under direct supervision of an adult who is in possession of a State approved certificate.
• ATVs are not allowed on groomed snowmobile trails.
• Operate on private land only with the owner's permission.