Can you ride dirt bikes on fire trails?

I remember being a little bit cheeky probably 15 years ago now putting around with a mate behind Theodore/Conder. I distinctly remember making a real point to slow down and give pedestrians a real wide gap (not that we were going particularly fast or anything) because the last thing we wanted was to properly piss someone off and find ourselves in the poo poo. Never had any issues, even got an occasional wave.

Some people are just really, really thick. I mean riding the dirt tracks is silly in itself, but you definitely don't want to give anyone a good reason to dob you in.

OHV (Off Highway Vehicle) Recreation Guidelines

Where can I ride?

The most current Motor Vehicle Use Map (MVUM) is your guide for where you can ride. It displays National Forest System roads and trails that are open to summer motorized travel. Routes not shown on the MVUM are not open to public motor vehicle travel.

The Forest is home to two designated Off Highway Vehicle trail riding areas. These areas provide trail riding in forested settings.

• Santiam Pass Summer Motorized Recreation Area (area is unavailable)
• Huckleberry Flats OHV Trail

Please remember these important guidelines:

• Some areas are closed for habitat or resource protection reasons. These areas are posted closed or have gates or berms closing them.
• Stay on designated routes. Cross country travel destroys vegetation and displaces soil.
• Mudding is illegal. Driving through wet meadows, streams or lakeshores, or on roads that have not yet dried out from snowmelt damages roadways and sensitive wildlife habitat.
• When fire closures and use restrictions are issued because of high fire danger levels in the woods, off highway vehicle use is prohibited. Check out fire section for closure orders or OHV use restrictions.
• Paved Forest roads are closed to OHV use, unless these vehicles are equipped to be street legal and registered to operate on public roads. Roads that are signed and physically closed to motorized vehicles are also closed to OHV traffic.
• The Forest roads where you can ride are also used by a mixture of vehicles including large trucks used for logging and construction. Most vehicle operators on these Forest roads are not used to sharing the road with OHV traffic, so OHV riders need to drive defensively! Travel these roads cautiously and contact the local Ranger District office ahead of riding to find out if timber sales are currently operating in the area.

Rules for Riding

The State of Oregon establishes and administers OHV permits and regulations. Find operating and operator requirements for ATVs at the Oregon State Parks website or by calling Oregon Parks and Recreation Department information center at 1.800.551.6949.

OHVs are a great way to combine America’s love of motor vehicles with the love of the outdoors. To make your time in the outdoors safe as well as enjoyable, you need to know the laws governing OHV use on public land and etiquette for riding. The cornerstone of any outdoor recreation activity is respect: respect for yourself; respect for others and respect for the environment. See Tread Lightly's tips for responsible ATV riding.

Required to ride:

• A muffler that complies with Oregon's 99db sound limit
• A valid ATV permit sticker affixed to your vehicle.
• A USDA approved spark arrester.
• Don't ever ride while under the influence of drugs or alcohol
• Proper safety gear

Choose from the following to find a site:

• OHV Open Area Riding
• OHV Road Riding
• OHV Trail Riding

Explore the back roads! The Angeles National Forest - San Gabriel Mountains National Monument provides 364 miles of designated OHV routes (roads). Because of the many different uses of the Forest and the delicate environment, all OHV travel must be on designated routes and trails or in designated Open Areas.

The Forest Service in cooperation with the State of California Off-Highway Vehicle Fund, (Green Sticker), has developed roads, trails, and facilities for the further enjoyment of the OHV user. Remember, these are your facilities and OHV funds are being used to develop and maintain them.

Forest Service roads open to Off-Highway Vehicles are considered public roads. All motorcycle riders on public lands in the State of California must wear a safety helmet meeting the standards adopted by the US Department of Transportation.

State law requires all vehicles, including motorcycles to be registered. You must have a current Green or Red Sticker, or Highway License. Highway licensed vehicles must meet all standards for operating on a public highway and be operated in accordance with California state law.

Your vehicle must be equipped with a properly installed Forest Service approved spark arrester in good working condition.

For your safety and the safety of others, Off-Highway Vehicles must never be operated in a manner likely to endanger any person or property. Driving at excessive speeds, careless and reckless driving, racing and "wheelies" are not only prohibited but also dangerous on forest roads and camping areas.

State and Federal law prohibit operating any vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. This applies equally to the operation of Off-Highway vehicles, including those statutes prohibiting drinking while driving (CVC 23220), and drinking in a motor vehicle (CVC 23221). Possession of alcohol in San Gabriel Canyon OHV area is prohibited.  

Motorcycles and ATVs must meet state sound requirement of 96 dba or lower.

Unlicensed juveniles operating motorcycles and ATVs must be under the supervision of a licensed adult.

Angeles National Forest Motor Vehicle Use Map:

San Gabriel River Off-Highway Area: (626) 910-1235 (Recording). They only pick up when the booth is staffed, Sat and Sun. No Address. The OHV is past the East Fork Road turnoff, about 12 miles north of the 210 freeway.

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