|
The Chattahoochee National Forest located in north GA, and the Oconee
National Forest located in central GA, are popular with individuals and
family groups that want a scenic and challenging ride within the National
Forest.
|
|
|
ORV Rules and Regulations
The Chattahoochee-Oconee National
Forests operate under motor vehicle laws set by the State of Georgia. This means
that anyone operating an off road vehicle on a Forest Service road (including
dirt/gravel roads) must follow all State vehicle laws and must have a valid
driver's license. An exception to this regulation is made on a few Forest
Service roads specifically designated by the Forest Supervisor.
Off highway vehicles must remain on designated roads, trails or in designated areas
marked specifically for off road vehicle use. Some trails are restricted for a
certain type of use such as only motorbikes or only four-wheel drive vehicles.
These restrictions are set for safety reasons and to meet the special needs of
each type of vehicle.
There are opportunities on the National Forests for off road vehicle users who
do not have a valid driver's license. To ensure the driver's safety, these areas
are specially designated and the driver must be accompanied by a licensed adult.
Unlicensed vehicles may also be operated on certain trails and in designated
areas, however, these vehicles should not be driven on any public or Forest
Service road.
Off road vehicles may not be operated in a manner which damages or unreasonably
disturbs the land, wildlife, or vegetation. Violators of these restrictions are
subject to fines of up to $500 and/or up to six months in prison.
Rules are necessary to make sure your riding adventure on the National Forest is
fun, safe, and will continue to provide a quality riding experience. Please help
by obeying these rules.
|
 |
Stay on ORV designated trails, roads and
areas.
|
|
|
Make sure your vehicle has an operating and
effective spark arresting device.
|
|
|
Vehicle must not omit a noise while traveling 35
miles per hour or less in excess of 86 decibels at 50 feet or 90 decibels at 50 feet traveling over 35
miles per hour.
|
|
|
Conform with State laws and regulations regarding
safety equipment for operating vehicles on public roads and highways.
|
|
|
Operate vehicle on forest roads safely and
cautiously, respecting the rights of others.
|
|
|
Operate motor vehicle on a forest road with a
valid driver's license.
|
|
|
Do not operate motor vehicle while under the
influence of alcohol or drugs.
|
|
|
Do not shortcut or switch-back on roads or trails.
|
|
|
Operate motor vehicle in designated OHV area or trail ONLY if of legal
age to obtain a state drivers license or accompanied by a legally licensed
driver.
|
|
|
Make sure vehicle has operable braking system.
|
|
|
Do not operate vehicle from one half hour after
sunset to one-half hour before sunrise unless equipped with working head and tail lights.
|
|
|
Do not create excessive smoke.
|
|
|
Do not operate in a manner which damages or unreasonably disturbs the land,
wildlife or vegetation.
|
|
Off Highway
Vehicles are defined as any motorized vehicle that travels off paved
roads for recreational purposes. OHV's include motorbikes such as mini-bikes,
dirt bikes, enduros and motor cross bikes; 4-wheel drive vehicles, jeeps, land rovers, and pickups; all-terrain vehicles such as the popular
4-wheelers and dune buggies.
|
The forest may be
your fun place, but it is also home to wildlife.
Please respect their needs.
Also, by not observing these simple rules,
these trails will be closed. |
|
|
Stay on the trail. Riding off the trail can
destroy animal burrows and kill vegetation animals need for food.
|
|
|
Some animals need to store water and energy in
their bodies for hot summers or long winters. If you chase or scare animals, it can force them to use
up valuable reserves.
|
|
|
Keep your noise level down. Revving engines may
frighten animals. Maintain your exhaust system. A properly packed muffler is as important to
performance as it is to sound control.
|
|
|
Noise doesn't equal horsepower. In fact, according
to the Motorcycle Industry Council, not enough exhaust back-pressure can mean less power and
can cause engine damage.
|
|
|
Cross streams only at designated spots. Crossing
elsewhere can stir up silt, and that's bad for fish.
|
|
|
Always be courteous when you pass hikers,
fishermen, hunters, campers, or horseback riders in the forest. One little blip of the throttle can
leave a shower of gravel, cloud of dust and an enemy behind you.
|
|
|
Avoid Wetlands and protect
your right to ride.
Ground always covered by shallow water or
with saturated soil is generally considered a wetland. Certain types of
vegetation (cattails or marsh grass, for example) adapted to life in wet
conditions are indicators of a wetland area. Most of the ATV trails on the
Chattahoochee and Oconee National Forests bypass wetlands or have been designed
to bridge sensitive areas. Avoid low spots and watercourses that could lead to
wetlands. Stay on the designated trails to help protect the wetland resource.
Wetlands provide:
Critical wildlife
habitat, erosion and flood control, natural water purification and special types
of recreation.
When is a wet spot not a
wetland?
A rain puddle on a hard surfaced trail is
probably not a wetland. Be slow and careful when riding through a puddle, it
could be hiding a layer of slippery slime.
|
Safety Tips
Safe enjoyment of your off road vehicle and
hiking experience depends on taking precautions. Here are some safety tips:
|
|
|
File a trip plan with family, friends or other
responsible person and stick to it so someone will know where you are and who to contact should you fail
to arrive home as planned. |
|
|
Boil or purify all water before drinking. |
|
|
Carry a first aid kit. Know how to treat
minor injuries. Be aware of where the closest hospital is in case of serious injuries or snakebite.
|
|
|
Do not try to climb on or around waterfalls,
people have been fatally injured while doing so. Be aware that lichen-covered rocks around waterfalls
are slippery. |
|
|
Yellow blazes designate a wildfire management area
and should not be confused with trail markings. |
|
|
When riding your OHV, fend off twigs and flying rocks and mud; wear
boots, helmets, gloves and eye protection. |
|
|
Be in shape to take all the punishments a trail
will offer. Be prepared to walk out in case of breakdown. |
|
|
Know how to make simple field repairs. Carry tools and spare parts.
|
|
|
Travel in a group so help will be there if you
need it. |
|
|
Don't race each other on trails and roads. There
are unseen dangers-logs, ditches and other vehicles. Adjust your speed to fit the situation.
|
|
|
Carry a topographic map and compass. Know how to
use them and study the terrain before hand. |
|
|
Take a break from time to time to rest and check
your vehicle's chain, tires and fuel level. |
|
|
Obey all rules below and posted at OHV areas and trails.
|
|
|
File a trip plan with family, friends or other responsible person and stick to
it so someone will know where you are and who to contact should you fail to
arrive home as planned. |
|
|
We ask that you do not ride when it is wet for
your safety and to protect the forest environment. |
|
|
Boil or purify all water before drinking. |
|
|
Carry a first aid kit. Know how to treat minor injuries. Be aware of where the
closest hospital is in case of serious injuries or snakebite. |
|
|
When riding your OHV, fend off twigs and flying rocks and mud. Wear boots,
helmets, gloves and eye protection. |
|
|
Be in shape to take all the punishments a trail will offer. Be prepared to walk
out in case of breakdown. |
|
|
Know how to make simple field repairs. Carry tools
and spare parts |
|
|
Travel in a group so help will be there if you need it. |
|
|
Don't race each other on trails and roads. There are unseen dangers such as
logs, ditches and other vehicles. Adjust your speed to fit the situation. |
|
|
Carry a topographic map and compass or GPS unit. Know how to use them and study
the terrain beforehand. |
|
|
Take a break from time to time to rest and check your vehicle's chain, tires and
fuel level. |
|
|
Obey all rules posted at OHV trailheads. |
|
|
The forest may be your fun place but it is home to wildlife. Please respect
their needs. |
|
|
Stay on the trail. Riding off the trail can destroy animal homes and kill
vegetation that animals need for food. |
|
|
Some animals need to store water and energy in their bodies for hot summers or
long winters. Chasing or scaring animals will force them to use up valuable reserves. |
|
|
Some trails have been damaged and badly eroded. They are now closed so the land
can heal. Please help restore these sites by not riding on them. Avoid wet trails and wheel spinning. |
|
|
Keep your noise level down. Revving engines may frighten animals. Maintain your
exhaust system. A properly packed muffler is as important to performance as it
is to sound control. |
|
|
Noise does not equal horsepower. In fact, according to the Motorcycle Industry Council, not enough exhaust back-pressure can mean less power and can cause engine damage. |
|
|
Cross streams only at designated spots. Crossing elsewhere can stir up silt, and that's bad for fish. |
|
|
Always be courteous when you pass hikers, fishermen, hunters, campers, or horseback riders in the Forest. One little blip of the throttle can leave a
shower of gravel, a cloud of dust and an enemy behind you. |
|
|
Carry a little bag and pack out all trash. Learn to use no-trace camping techniques.
|
|
CALL BEFORE YOU HAUL: Even though we post
the OPEN or CLOSED status of OHV trails on our
Current Conditions page, there may be a delay from the time our field
staff close trails on the ground and the information appears on our web site. We
strongly urge you to check with your
local Forest
Service office for current
information on trail conditions before traveling to these areas.
|
