Motor Vehicle Use Maps
The Umatilla National Forest Motor Vehicle Use Map (MVUM) is a single purpose map developed to display National Forest System routes (roads, trails and areas) designated for motorized travel. Twenty-one maps, printed front and back on a total of eleven sheets, make up the Umatilla National Forest’s MVUM collection. These maps display designations by vehicle class, seasons of use, as well as general travel rules and regulations and will be updated annually.
Background
The Umatilla National Forest completed an internal travel analysis in 2015 on the forest’s road system, as directed by the Travel Management Rule - Subpart A. At that time, we collected information on current system roads including open and closed roads at all maintenance levels. At the same time, we invited public input on what forest roads they use and why.
The completed 2015 Travel Management Rule-Subpart A Report will inform future decision makers on site-specific projects. Those future site-specific projects will require the appropriate NEPA and provide an additional public involvement process at that time. This was only an analysis process. No roads were closed as a result of completing the analysis.
2025 Motor Vehicle Use Maps
| A Guide to Using Your New Motor Vehicle Use Map | |
Heppner Ranger District | North Fork John Day Ranger District |
Walla Walla Ranger District | Pomeroy Ranger District |
Other Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
The Umatilla National Forest Motor Vehicle Use Map (MVUM) is a single purpose map developed to display National Forest System routes (roads, trails and areas) designated for motorized travel. Twenty-one maps, printed front and back on a total of eleven sheets, make up the Umatilla National Forest’s MVUM collection. These maps display designations by vehicle class, seasons of use, as well as general travel rules and regulations and will be updated annually.
The Motor Vehicle Use Map shows the roads, trails and areas where you can take your Off Highway Vehicle. These roads, trails and areas are designated by type of motor vehicle allowed and the allowable season of use. For example, on National Forest System Roads that allow motor vehicle use the 2 primary designations are Roads Open to Highway Legal Vehicles Only and Roads Open to All Vehicles. Some examples of the vehicle types that are highway legal are: passenger cars, pickup trucks, SUVs and motorcycles that by state law are licensed for general operation on all public roads within the state. Some examples of vehicles that are not highway legal include: ATVs, UTVs (side by sides), off road motorcycles, golf carts and any other motor vehicle that by state law is not licensed for general operation on all public roads in the state.
A road that is designated as open to all motor vehicles allows any motor vehicle both licensed and unlicensed for general operation on all public roads in the state which would include all Off Highway Vehicles.
Refer to the appropriate Motor Vehicle Use Map to determine the allowed motor vehicle use for a specific National Forest System Road, trail or area. These maps are available at all Umatilla National Forest offices and online. Please contact your local office with questions. National Forest System routes not shown on the MVUM are not designated for motorized vehicle travel. Routes designated for motorized use may not always be clearly identified on the ground with a route number, but will be identified on the MVUM. It is your responsibility to refer to the MVUM to determine designated routes for motor vehicle use.
The Avenza free mobile app makes it easy to download forest maps and MVUMs onto your mobile device. View a list of available maps in the Pacific Northwest by area below or visit the Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Region Avenza library to search for all available maps in the region.
Avenza maps are georeferenced so that you can find your location on the downloaded map, even without WiFi or network connectivity. The GPS on your mobile device can use your location to pinpoint you on the map with a blue dot, and the dot follows you as you go. Learn more about georeferenced maps.
Safety Reminder: Never count on your cell phone map as the only navigation device out in the forest.
Full-size versions of the MVUM are 36" x 44" and cannot be printed on conventional home printers. A full-size version can only be printed from a large plotter. To be legible, only a portion of an MVUM can be printed on 8 1/2" x 11" paper using home printers.
Printed MVUMs are available at any Umatilla National Forest office, online or on Avenza.
The MVUM displays all National Forest System roads, trails and areas designated for public motorized vehicle use within the Umatilla National Forest. It also states that driving anywhere other than on those roads, trails, and areas designated on the MVUM is prohibited (36 CFR 261.13).
No, a visitor use map or recreation opportunity map will provide information on non-motorized routes, including biking, hiking, and horse trails. Over-snow vehicle use is exempted from designation on the MVUM.
Vehicle class refers to certain categories of motorized vehicles. The following are typical vehicle class route designations:
- Roads open to highway legal vehicles only (licensed)
- Trails open to motorcycles only (single track)
It's important to understand that routes and areas designated for motorized travel by certain vehicle classes do not mean they are suitably maintained for travel using those vehicles. It simply means it is legal to use them. For example, many low standard roads may be open to all motor vehicles. This designation includes passenger cars, although it may not be prudent to drive this type of vehicle on the route due to the condition of the surface or during inclement weather. Please check with local Forest Service offices for more information.
Some routes or areas may only be designated for motorized travel during certain times of the year for various reasons, such as to reduce wildlife disturbance or reduce impacts to other resource values, like soil, water, and vegetation.
Routes designated for motorized use may not always be clearly signed with a route number. In some cases, a sign may exist at the entrance of the road or trail, with symbols indicating which classes of vehicles are allowed. Routes designated for motorized uses will be identified on the MVUM. In case of a discrepancy, the MVUM shall take precedence. We urge you to please report any such discrepancies, so they can be corrected.
It is the responsibility of the user to determine if they are on a route designated for the motor vehicle being used. MVUMs will be developed for each administrative unit nationwide. It is not only a tool for motorized users, but also a consistent and standardized law enforcement tool
Traveling cross-country to retrieve game is not allowed.
Dispersed campsites are in areas that have not been improved or developed for recreation. Generally, no facilities are available at these sites and no fee is required. To protect valuable resources when camping in a dispersed site, please select your campsite on foot, use proper precautions when building a campfire, and implement “leave no trace” techniques.
The following rules apply throughout the forest:
- Vehicle use on established routes is allowed within 300 feet of an open road, solely for the purpose of accessing a dispersed campsite.
- Avoid camping within 50 feet of a body of water.
- You may not move barriers such as gates, rocks, berms, or signs, or circumvent them by motorized means.
- It is unlawful to construct roads or trails.
- It is unlawful to cut, damage, or harm vegetation.
- Motorized vehicles must stay on designated roads or parking sites within developed areas such as campgrounds, picnic areas, trailheads, and boat launches.
Motor vehicles can park in parking areas designated such as campgrounds and trailheads. Also, parking is allowed one vehicle length from the edge of designated routes, when it is safe to do so without causing damage to natural resources or facilities, unless prohibited by law, a traffic sign, or a forest order.
No, cross-country travel is prohibited. There are no cross-country areas designated for motorized use on the Umatilla National Forest.
The Umatilla, Malheur, and Wallowa-Whitman National Forests require the Oregon State Parks and Recreation ATV Operating Decal when operating ATVs. Decals can be purchased through the Oregon State Parks and Recreation offices or their vendors. A current vendor list is available online at https://www.oregon.gov/OPRD/ATV/Pages/index.aspx. Proceeds from the sales of the decals are available competitively to help support ATV activities in Oregon including the maintenance of current trails, construction of new trails, and trail management and enforcement of regulations governing use.