ATV Rules

Please reference Ordinance No. 17 for full verbiage and information.

Can I drive an ATV around?

Yes! Just make sure to do so in the appropriate areas. The Ouachita National Forest (Ouachita WMA) is the only area available in the county for legal public use of off-highway vehicles.

There are no appropriate areas for ATV driving on cabin properties. Please do not drive your ATV on or around the cabins. Some developments allow for ATV driving on roads.

Where are the appropriate areas to drive?

All USFS land/roads south of U.S. 70 are closed to ATV riding, especially on the forest floor.

  • The speed limit on the Ouachita WMA, as well as all other WMAs, is 25 MPH for all vehicles, including street-legal and ATVs.

  • Driving on or crossing a paved road is prohibited.

  • Driving in streambeds, creek beds, lake beds, or shorelines is prohibited.

  • Make sure your vehicle is in good condition with an approved spark arrester.

  • Use the appropriate safety gear – helmet (required if under 18), eye protection, boots, and gloves.

  • All ATVs, including motorcycles, UTVs etc. are required to have a USFS-approved spark arrestor in working order. Loud modified exhausts are prohibited as well and could be in violation of ODWC rules for Department Managed Lands (WMAs)

  • OHVs may ONLY be used National Forest roads designated as open for ATV use by the current Motor Vehicle Use Map (MVUM) available from the US Forest Service. A road is considered closed if it is not listed as being “OPEN” on the current MVUM. Prior illegal OHV use does not imply permission to ride off the open road. Even if someone else went around or over that dirt mound that is closing the road, it doesn’t mean you should do the same. You could receive a fine.

  • There are places where trails have been illegally used across the forest floor – be aware these are not open roads and are not legal to use for riding. There are approximately 300 miles of open roads on the forest of which only approximately 33 miles are open to ATVs. There are a few more miles of roads open seasonally to ATVs as designated on the current MVUM. There are many roads on the forest that look like maintained open roads that are still closed to vehicle travel.

  • In Beavers Bend, OHV use is not permitted on the forest floor (off-road). This includes both north of Beavers Bend and south of Hwy 70. There is zero use allowed on the forest floor since there are no open travel routes the forest.

Is there a helmet policy?

Of course! A state law is in effect on public lands that requires anyone under the age of 18 to wear a helmet while riding an OHV, and prohibits passengers on OHVs that were not made to carry passengers (after-market modifications do not count).

Questions?

Give us a call at 580-513-5673!