Where to Ride a Dirt Bike: A Guide to Legal Off-Road Trails
- on March 07, 2023
- Categories: Articles
You cannot ride a dirt bike just anywhere. There are four legal options: off-highway vehicle parks, designated routes on public land, private property with permission, and private tracks. Which permits, registration and equipment you need depends on your state and on the agency managing that specific ground, so confirm locally before you load the bike.
The four places you can legally ride
| Riding area | What it is | Commonly required | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|
| OHV park or riding area | Land set aside for off-highway use, often with loops marked by difficulty | Entry fee, state registration or sticker, spark arrestor, helmet | Beginners and families |
| Designated public-land routes | Forest or range roads and trails open to off-highway vehicles, shown on the agency map | Agency map, registration or permit, spark arrestor | Longer point-to-point rides |
| Private property | Land you own or have explicit permission to ride | Permission, and in some states registration even on private ground | Practice and learning close to home |
| Tracks and private riding parks | Commercial facilities with tracks, sometimes trail loops | Day fee, waiver, the operator’s gear rules | Skills work and jumps |
How to find riding areas near you
- •Your state’s OHV program. Usually run through the parks, natural resources or motor vehicles department. It lists registration rules alongside the areas.
- •The land manager’s own maps. A national forest ranger district publishes a map of which roads and trails are open to which vehicle types. The local field office does the same for range land.
- •Riding clubs. They know which gates are open and which loops are washed out, and many of them do the maintenance that keeps areas open.
- •Dealers and shops. An underrated source of current information.
- •Trail apps. Useful for planning, but treat every pin as unverified.
Permits, registration and the spark arrestor
Three requirements come up almost everywhere, in some form:
- •Registration or a permit. Many states require off-highway vehicles to be registered and to display a sticker or plate, sometimes with separate categories for street-legal and off-road-only machines.
- •A spark arrestor. Public-land agencies generally require a qualified spark arrestor in the exhaust. Competition-only systems often do not have one.
- •Sound limits. Many managed areas set a decibel limit and some check it at the gate.
Helmet and eye protection rules, minimum ages, supervision for young riders and whether a bike may use a connecting road all vary by state and land manager. Never take an internet answer — including this one — as the rule where you ride. Our note on license requirements for dirt bikes explains what to ask.
Trail etiquette that keeps areas open
- •Stay on designated routes. Cutting switchbacks is the fastest way to get an area closed.
- •Yield uphill: a climbing rider has less ability to stop and restart.
- •Slow down and stop for horses and hikers, and speak so animals know you are a person.
- •Leave gates exactly as you found them.
- •Avoid saturated trails — riding wet ground cuts ruts that stay all season.
- •Keep the noise down near homes, and pack out everything you brought in.
Prep the bike before you go
Trailside repairs are the price of skipping a fifteen-minute check. Set tire pressure for the terrain, clean and adjust the chain, check pads and lever feel, look at the air filter, and go around the fasteners — axle nuts, sprocket bolts, handlebar clamp. Confirm the spark arrestor is fitted and any required sticker is on the bike. Our maintenance checklist has the full list.
What to carry on a trail ride
- •Tube or plug kit, tire irons, a pump, and the wrenches your bike actually needs.
- •Zip ties, wire, a tow strap and a spare master link.
- •Water, food and a small first aid kit.
- •A phone with offline maps downloaded — signal is the first thing you lose.
- •A plan left with someone at home: where you are riding and when you expect to be back.
Ride with at least one other person when you can. A minor mechanical problem five miles from the truck is an inconvenience with a partner and a long walk alone.
Bikes that suit trail riding
Apollo DB-X19 With HEADLIGHTS 125cc Pit / Dirt Motorcycle-17-inch front tire
125cc · 17″ front · headlights
$899$1,019
View
Start small, then go further
A first trail day at a managed OHV area with marked loops teaches more than a backcountry ride you are not ready for, and the paperwork is easier to get right. For choosing the machine itself, see our guide to dirt bikes for trail riding.
Frequently asked questions
Where can I legally ride a dirt bike?
Off-highway vehicle parks, designated routes on public land, private property with permission, and private tracks or riding parks. Streets, sidewalks and undesignated public land are generally off limits, and specifics vary by state and land manager.
Do I need to register a dirt bike for trail riding?
In many states, yes — off-highway vehicles need registration and a visible sticker or plate, sometimes even for private-land use. Requirements differ by state and by managing agency, so check your state OHV program.
What is a spark arrestor and do I need one?
A screen in the exhaust that stops hot carbon leaving the pipe and starting a fire. Land agencies commonly require a qualified spark arrestor on public land; some competition exhaust systems do not include one.
How do I find dirt bike trails near me?
Start with your state OHV program, then the ranger district or field office managing the land, then local riding clubs. Apps help with planning, but confirm any route with the land manager first.
Can a beginner ride trails?
Yes, at a managed riding area with routes marked by difficulty. Ride the easy loops first, go with someone experienced, and build up. Riding skill matters more than engine size on a trail.
