Ocala National Forest Guidelines

Where can I ride my OHV in the Ocala National Forest? You may ride your motorized vehicle on all numbered and non-numbered dirt roads and trails if your vehicle has a license plate, is registered and you conform to all applicable regulations for the State of Florida. If your ATV or Motorcycle is NOT licensed , you may NOT ride on any numbered forest roads. These are posted at Intersections with Forest Road (FR) signs. Usually the best way to tell if the road is numbered is by the size and frequency of travel by other vehicles. If it is a graded clay road, it is probably a numbered road. What about the power lines? Ninety-Nine percent of the power line in the St. Francis and Paisley is open to OHV travel. Protected areas between the metal Armco barriers are posted "CLOSED TO ALL VEHICLES." What areas of the forest are off limits to motorized vehicles? We cannot go into any of the Wilderness, Scenic or "Posted Closed" areas or the Bombing Range. We cannot travel on hiking trails. We cannot venture off any of the established OHV trails. This is called cross country travel and is prohibited. This type of trail jumping or blazing is very damaging to the forest. Some of the most devastating damage occurring in the Ocala National Forest is in the wetland and prairie areas. These areas are absolutely OFF LIMITS to all vehicles. Many of the plants and animals that we come to the forest to see survive because of these areas. Without them, we all lose. Please stay out of these areas and encourage your fellow riders to do the same. Stay on the existing trails. DO NOT make new trails with a motorcycle, ATV or 4WD vehicle. Where can I get a map of the forest? You can purchase a good map at one of the three visitor centers in Pittman, Salt Springs or Ocklawaha or the two District Offices, Seminole District on SR 19 in Umatilla or Lake George District on SR 40 west of SR 19. If I see a vehicle in a Wetland or Prairie what can I do? Call the USFS 7 days between 8:30AM & 6:00 PM at (352) 759-2081 and report the violation and the location. What's the bottom line here? When the pavement ends, the rules change. But...there are still rules. It is up to you and I to ensure that our outdoor recreational resources are preserved, protected and available for our children. If we abuse our forests, we will lose our access to them. The U. S. Forest service is charged with protecting the resources. If we don't take care of them, they will have to close the trails. The rules are there, we just have to teach each other what they are and follow them. Spread the word. Tell your family and friends. Write a letter to the USFS today. Tell them how you feel. Tell them how you are the "solution", not the "problem". Send Comments To: USDA  Forest Service 325 John Knox Road, Suite F-100 Tallahassee FL 32303