Questions About non-Ohioans Riding in Ohio

[Nvrgiveup]

What's required to ride the public trails in Ohio? I've been told the machine must be registered, but I live in a non-registering state (KY).
Are those trails in SE Ohio worth a 3-4 hour trip from Central Kentucky to ride? Thanks in advance!

 

[Vondy]

I live in Ohio and go to KY and TN to ride. Wayne national and Tecumseh are the only option I really know of. I have rode Tecumseh and it is small. Probably won’t ever go back. There are some others that have rode Wayne and hopefully will comment @lee. I kind of doubt it’s worth the drive.
I don’t know anything about requirements since we go out of state all the time. Ohio is not very UTV friendly.

 

[Nvrgiveup]

I live in Ohio and go to KY and TN to ride. Wayne national and Tecumseh are the only option I really know of. I have rode Tecumseh and it is small. Probably won’t ever go back. There are some others that have rode Wayne and hopefully will comment @lee. I kind of doubt it’s worth the drive.
I don’t know anything about requirements since we go out of state all the time. Ohio is not very UTV friendly.

Thankya, sir. I was a trooper in Ohio for 26 years and they always used to hound us about wearing out the folks riding on the road. For some reason, I was always keying the mic and saying "Unable to locate!" 🤣

 

[lee]

As I understand the Ohio rules you must have the Ohio ORV registration to ride on state or federal land.
Actually National Forests are required to mirror the state rules.

It’s not worth it for the ride areas in Ohio if you are from out of state.

Some states like Colorado, Tennessee and Utah have a pay a fee - get a sticker mentality (for off road).
Much more friendly way of doing things.
And I am happy to spend my money there.

 

[Scoop]

What's required to ride the public trails in Ohio?

A lobotomy, a rainbow wig and some tights.

 

[john790]

If i remember right 3 day pass 7 day pass and a year pass.But only 50 inch bike.Around nelsonville 42 miles out 42 back.

 

[Nvrgiveup]

As I understand the Ohio rules you must have the Ohio ORV registration to ride on state or federal land.
Actually National Forests are required to mirror the state rules.

It’s not worth it for the ride areas in Ohio if you are from out of state.

Some states like Colorado, Tennessee and Utah have a pay a fee - get a sticker mentality (for off road).
Much more friendly way of doing things.
And I am happy to spend my money there.

Agreed. We travel 4 hours to Hatfield McCoy 3-4 times a year and absolutely love it over there!

 

[lee]

I did a quick search and I stand corrected, the rules have changed in the last few years.

To ride at Wayne you need to have your vehicle registered by the state and you need a permit for the rider.
I'm only digging in to the vehicle registration requirements.
From the Wayne National Forest website:

This looked suspect to me based on my previous research so I looked up the Ohio BMV rules.

Back in the day, Ohio had language about 'approved' states for reciprocity.
But when you looked up the approved states there where none.

Note: Wayne NF is still 50" restricted.
There are some (4 to be exact) state ride areas but the width restrictions vary on those.
However all 4 are postage stamps and not worth riding unless you are meeting friends there to drink, I mean ride.

 

[Bighat]

I emailed the State of Ohio ask them when they were going to allow wider machines and they said the had no plans to do so. So, forget, Ohio doesn't want your money I guess. By the way, I live in Ohio.

 

[Smitty335]

I emailed the State of Ohio ask them when they were going to allow wider machines and they said the had no plans to do so. So, forget, Ohio doesn't want your money I guess. By the way, I live in Ohio.

@SATV has a spreader bumper!

 

[DrShotgun]

I emailed the State of Ohio ask them when they were going to allow wider machines and they said the had no plans to do so. So, forget, Ohio doesn't want your money I guess. By the way, I live in Ohio.

The Ironton section of Wayne is going to get changed to 64”. They have started some trail widening. The Perry and nelsonville area is going to stay 50”. I live between them all and there was a big debate about it with the communities and congressmen

 

[CMB]

Agreed. We travel 4 hours to Hatfield McCoy 3-4 times a year and absolutely love it over there!

If I were you. I'd go on to Hatfield McCoy trails

 

[Bighat]

The Ironton section of Wayne is going to get changed to 64”. They have started some trail widening. The Perry and nelsonville area is going to stay 50”. I live between them all and there was a big debate about it with the communities and congressmen

When did this happen? I emailed them about 5 months back and they didn't mention any plans. Where can I locate information on the subject? I'm about less than a hour from Ironton Ohio, I'd love to try some new trails.

 

[Vondy]

The Ironton section of Wayne is going to get changed to 64”. They have started some trail widening. The Perry and nelsonville area is going to stay 50”. I live between them all and there was a big debate about it with the communities and congressmen

Awesome. My sister lives in Ironton, guess I’ll have to take machine when I visit.

 

[Bighat]

I just looked at something. Why are they cutting so close at 64"? I have hard doors and fender flares, that puts me over 64". Surely they give you some leadway.

 

[Bighat]

Wayne National Forest - OHV Riding & Camping:OHV Trail Riding

Wayne National Forest - OHV Riding & Camping:OHV Trail Riding

www.fs.usda.gov

 

[DrShotgun]

When did this happen? I emailed them about 5 months back and they didn't mention any plans. Where can I locate information on the subject? I'm about less than a hour from Ironton Ohio, I'd love to try some new trails.

In the spring. It’s not officially open to that yet. Where its National Forest crap has to be done on a federal level. But there are places where the have “overpasses” ready to be connected across some of the small 2 lane state routes. People obviously ride it with bigger machines illegally already but there os definitely risk associated with that especially since last month people left the trails and wandered off onto a golf course and tore things up.

 

[DrShotgun]

Awesome. My sister lives in Ironton, guess I’ll have to take machine when I visit.

I work right across the river in Ashland, Ky and live about an hour north

 

[DrShotgun]

Also when they open this it will be nice. I believe close to 50 miles of trails but it will not replace HMT or TN. There are not enough trails.

 

[DrShotgun]

I just looked at something. Why are they cutting so close at 64"? I have hard doors and fender flares, that puts me over 64". Surely they give you some leadway.

I’m assuming because that’s what Perry, Pike, and Richland riding areas already are. Though my friend did take his KRX on those so you can sneak a little wider through the gates.