Wayne
National Forest
The Wayne
National Forest provides some excellent
opportunities for riding off-road vehicles
(ORVs). Three different trail systems are
provided on the Athens and Ironton Districts.
This page has been compiled to answer some common
questions.
Who
can ride?
1. Those possessing a valid drivers license; or
2. If the rider is under 16 years of age, must be
accompanied by a rider 18 years or older who
possesses a valid drivers license.
What type of vehicles are allowed
on ORV trails?
1. Current license, and Ohio all-purpose vehicle
(APV) registration/license required.
2. All-terrain vehicles less than 50 inches in
width, with an APV sticker, or valid off-road
vehicle registration from another state. [Ohio
APV registration is available at the nearest
Bureau of Motor Vehicles office.]
What kind of permit is required to
operate an ORV on forest trails?
1. A Forest Trail Permit is required to operate
off-road vehicles on the Wayne National Forest.
Pine Creek ORV Area - Ironton Ranger
District. Accessed by three trail heads:
Telegraph Trailhead - 23 miles north
of Ironton on Highway 93. Turn left on
County Road 193 for 1/8 mile to the
parking area.
Lyra Trailhead - From
Wheelersburg to Lyra take County Road 2
to Township Road 307.
Wolcott Trailhead - North on State
Route 93 to 522 West; 3½ miles to
Township Road 257. 3 miles to trailhead.
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Hanging Rock ORV Area - Ironton Ranger
District. Accessed by one trail head:
Hanging Rock Trailhead - Take Highway
650 off Highway 52 north 3/4 mile to
Forest Road 105. Stay on paved Forest
Road 105 for approximately 1.5 mile to
the paved Trailhead parking.
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Monday Creek
ORV Area - Athens Ranger District.
Accessed by four trail heads:
New Straitsville - on Highway
595, 2 miles south of New Straitsville.
Dorr Run - follow signs
off Highway 33, about 2 miles south of
intersection Highway 595 and Highway 33;
multiple trailheads.
Monday Creek Trailhead - on County Road
24 between Carbon Hill and Buchtel.
Long Ridge - off Highway
78, north of Buchtel, south of Murray
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Once at the Trailhead, where can I
ride?
1. Designated trails are marked
with orange diamonds. Stay on the designated
trails.
If not marked, the trail is closed.
2. Trails are open for use from April 16th
through December 14th each year. Seasonal trail
closures are in place to prevent resource damage
and limit maintenance costs.
3. Only street legal, licensed vehicles are
allowed on public roads.
Where can I NOT ride?
1. Off road use is prohibited on National Forest
land except on marked ORV trails.
2. You may not ride cross country.
3. You may not ride on horse or hiking trails.
4. You may not ride on closed roads -- any road
(with the exception of marked trails) which is
gated, mounded, signed, or has a barrier
indicating it is closed. If you have any doubts
about a road, don't ride on it.
5. You may not ride from Dec. 15 through April 15
during the seasonal trail closure.
What other restrictions apply to
how I ride?
1. You may ride at any time of day or night but
headlights and taillights are required from ½
hour after sunset until a ½ hour before sunrise.
2. You may not operate a vehicle recklessly or in
a manner which disregards the safety of others.
3. You must have an operable braking system.
4. You must have a spark arrester and an adequate
muffler.
5. State laws on driving under the influence of
alcohol are enforced both on and off roads.
6. If carrying a weapon, it must be unloaded and
securely encased.
7. We recommend all operators and passengers wear
glasses or other protective eye-wear as well as
protective headwear such as an approved
motorcycle helmet.
8. Wildlife may not be pursued, captured, or
killed from a vehicle, nor may machinery be used
in a way that unreasonably disturbs them or
damages vegetation on the land.
9. Posted speed, weight, and width instructions
apply.
10. For your safety we recommend not using an ORV
to carry more passengers than the vehicle was
designed for.
11. Report within 48 hours any injury or serious
accident (includes any resulting in more than
$100 damage) to the State Highway Patrol.
12. Be able to present APV registration and
drivers license if requested.
How can I help?
1. Pick up after yourself and others- leave the
area cleaner than you found it.
2. Report vandalism - missing signs, unsafe
conditions, suspicious vehicles, etc.
3. Adopt an ethic to Tread Lightly. Encourage
others to do so as well.
4. Consider volunteering for a work project with
an organized group, to keep the Wayne National
Forest ORV trails a safe and enjoyable place to
ride.
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