Adventure Outdoors Magazine Spring 2017 | Page 55

All-Terrain Vehicles ( ATVs ) make for the best ride , in our opinion . Having a quad and hitting the trails is one of the most exciting things to do , especially in the spring and summer when the weather is nice . Unfortunately , none of the vehicles in this category can be driven on the street , so finding trails is necessary . The broad ATV category isn ’ t just for quads / four wheelers , but for three wheelers and larger Utility Task Vehicles ( UTVs ) with roll cages as well . UTVs usually have a cargo space in the back , and seat belts . They ’ re more passengerfriendly , with two seats in front instead of a build for a single rider .
Depending on which of these vehicles you have , how you want to ride , and where , you ’ ll want to hit these trails : Wayne National Forest , Paiute ATV Trail , and the Imperial Dunes .
The Wayne National Forest , located in southeastern Ohio , is widely known for its incredible OHV and ATV trails . Wayne National Forest is easily accessible from most metropolises in Ohio , such as Columbus , Cleveland , and Cincinnati , with only a few hours of drive time for each . The forest is managed by several districts , and parts of it are under private ownership . There are well over 300 miles of trails to ride on and explore . The trails are also great for hiking , biking , and horseback riding , so riders are expected to respect all other forest enthusiasts . Camping , hunting , and fishing is welcomed in the forest , so make a weekend out of it ! Season passes are available and will gain you access to camp anywhere you wish here . Wayne National Forest is home to historic bridges , rock formations , and is laced with tall pines and foliage . The season for trails is April-December , so be sure to gear up and head out for the summer . The four trail systems are broken up into mileage , and riders must stay in these systems . A complete guideline is available on the forest ’ s website .
Off-Highway Vehicles ( OHVs ) are basically 4x4s . Whether they ’ re street legal or not is up to the area you ’ re driving them in , though many of them are modified for rolling and extreme terrain . By definition , these are bigger vehicles and can do more damage , so it is suggested that you check with park officials before bring an OHV to ride on the property . Most forest and park trails are smaller , and meant for ATVS and OHMs , so the chances of finding a great place are slim , but still doable . Some regulations will include several types of vehicles in the OHV category , such as four wheelers and bikes . Check with a pro before assuming the best .