ATV Riding Tips: Where to Ride and How to Plan the Trip
- on May 04, 2023
- Categories: Articles
The hardest part of ATV riding is usually not the riding — it is finding somewhere legal to do it and getting there prepared. Riding areas are managed by a patchwork of state agencies, federal land managers, private parks and landowners, each with its own rules on registration, permits and season. Here is how to find them and plan a day that goes well.
The four kinds of riding area
Almost every legal ride falls into one of four buckets, and which one you use changes what you need to register and carry.
| Type | Usually managed by | Check first |
|---|---|---|
| Private land | The landowner | Written permission, gates, livestock, where you may and may not ride |
| Private or commercial OHV park | The park operator | Day rates, hours, machine and rider requirements, whether they rent gear |
| State OHV trail system | A state parks, natural resources or OHV agency | Registration or trail stickers, seasons, trail difficulty ratings |
| Federal land routes | A national forest or BLM office | Which routes are designated open, current closures, spark arrestor and noise rules |
How to find legal riding areas near you
There is no single national map. Work through these in order and you should have a shortlist in an evening.
- •Your state's OHV program. Many states run one under the parks or natural resources agency and publish designated riding areas along with any registration or sticker requirement.
- •Federal land managers. National forests publish motor vehicle use maps showing which routes are open to which vehicle types, and BLM field offices do the same for land they administer. Call the district office if a map is ambiguous.
- •Commercial OHV parks. Often the easiest first ride: a defined trail system, staff on site, clear rules. Read recent visitor reviews for current conditions.
- •Local clubs and associations. Clubs know which trails are open this month, which are washed out, and who to ask about private access. They are also the fastest way into group rides.
- •Dealers and repair shops. The people who service machines locally know where their customers ride.
The same process works for two-wheel riders — we covered it from that angle in finding legal off-road trails. For the broader question of what is off limits, see where you can and cannot ride.
Planning a day that works
- •Confirm the area is open within a few days of going. Fire restrictions, wet-season closures and maintenance shut trails with little notice.
- •Buy permits and stickers ahead. Some are sold online only, and arriving without one can end the day at the gate.
- •Match the trail rating to the weakest rider, not the strongest.
- •Plan fuel range conservatively. These machines carry little fuel, and soft ground drinks it faster than you expect.
- •Download or print maps. Assume there is no cell signal, because often there is not.
- •Tell someone your plan — where you park, which loop, when you expect to be back.
Arrive early enough to unload without rushing. A calm unload is where you notice the loose bolt or soft tire, before it becomes a problem on the trail.
What to carry
Pack for a breakdown two miles from the truck. That is the realistic worst case.
- •Tow strap, tire plug kit and a 12-volt pump or hand pump
- •The tool kit that came with the machine, plus zip ties and duct tape
- •First aid kit, more water than you think you need, and food
- •Paper map or downloaded offline map, phone and a battery pack
- •Spare goggles or a lens cloth, and gloves that are not soaked through
- •Fuel, carried only where and how the area allows
Wear the gear on the easy sections too. A DOT helmet, goggles, gloves and over-the-ankle boots are the baseline — our riding gear guide covers what actually earns its place.
Group ride etiquette
Most trail conflict comes from a few avoidable habits. The unwritten rules are simple:
- •Put an experienced rider in front and another at the back, and never let the group split past the sweep rider.
- •Leave real spacing in dust. Following too close in a dust cloud is how riders hit what they could not see.
- •Stop at every junction until the rider behind appears. That one habit prevents most lost-rider situations.
- •Yield as the area asks — commonly to hikers, horses and uphill traffic, but follow the signage.
- •Stay on marked trails, leave gates as found, keep noise down near homes, and pack out what you brought in.
New to riding? Build basic skills before the first big trip — body position, braking and cornering are covered in how to ride an ATV.
Machines that suit trail days
Frequently asked questions
Where can I legally ride an ATV?
Generally on private land with the owner's permission, at commercial OHV parks, on designated state OHV trail systems, and on federal routes marked open to your vehicle type. Specifics vary by state and district, so confirm with whoever manages that location.
Do I need to register my ATV to ride on trails?
It depends on the state and sometimes on the trail system. Many states require a registration, sticker or permit for off-highway use. Check with your state's OHV agency before you go.
How do I find ATV trails near me?
Start with your state's OHV program listing, then motor vehicle use maps from nearby national forests or BLM offices, then commercial parks and local clubs. Clubs and dealers have the most current condition information.
What should I carry on an ATV ride?
A tow strap, tire plug kit and pump, basic tools, first aid supplies, water and food, an offline map, and a charged phone with a battery pack.
What are the basic rules for riding in a group?
Experienced riders front and back, generous spacing in dust, a stop at every junction until the next rider appears, yielding as signage directs, and staying on marked trails.
