Off-Highway Vehicles (OHV)
Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) riding is a great way to enjoy your national forest. But to do it right and prevent natural resource damage, OHV riders need to stay on designated roads and/or approved trail systems like those found at Chadwick and Sutton Bluff OHV Areas.
For the purposes of riding on Mark Twain National Forest, the term OHV includes: ATVs (all-terrain vehicles, also known as four-wheelers); UTVs, (utility type vehicles, sometimes called side-by-sides); and off-road motorcycles (aka dirt bikes).
Please note: Vehicles must have appropriate muffler system and a Forest Service approved spark arrester.
Do I need a Trail Permit?
Yes. Anyone riding an ATV, UTV, motorcycle, or mountain bike on these trails is required to purchase and display a current Mark Twain National Forest annual ATV/UTV/motorcycle or mountain bike sticker or daily use tag. Visit the Passes and Permits page for information on prices and where to purchase.
Where You Can Ride
You may ride ATVs/UTVs on Forest Service roads in counties where ATV or UTV county permits are issued. Not all counties encompassing the Mark Twain National Forest offer permits.
You may drive passenger cars, trucks, vans, etc. on any open Forest Service system road. Open Forest Service numbered roads will be physically numbered with a post or sign.
Roads not posted or shown on the Motor Vehicle Use Maps are considered “Non–system roads” and are not open to motorized vehicles.
Motorized vehicles are NOT permitted off roads and trails designated for motor vehicle use, as depicted on the Motor Vehicle Use Map (MVUM). (36 CFR 261.13).
Motorcycles, ATVs and UTVs must meet Missouri State Motor Vehicle Regulations to be allowed on open Forest Service numbered roads.
For more information on motor vehicle use on the Mark Twain, view the Forest Order.
Rules of the Road and Trail
E-Bikes
E-Bikes are considered motorized vehicles under Forest Service regulations.
- No one under 16 years of age may operate a Class 3 eBike.
- E-Bikes are not allowed off open Forest Service roads. See MVUM for open Forest Service system roads.
- E-Bikes are allowed on the Chadwick and Sutton Bluff Trail Systems with the applicable Forest Service bicycle permit.
- No registration or permits are required on open Forest Service or county roads.
Motorcycles
- Motorcycles must have a current state motorcycle registration and license plate.
- Motorcycles must have all required street legal equipment.
- Unlicensed "dirt bikes" are not legal to ride on county and Forest Service roads.
ATVs and UTVs
To ride ATVs or UTVs on numbered Forest Service roads you must abide by Missouri Statues 304.013, 301.010, 300.348, 307.198, 301.705, 301.010, .304 and .032.
- ATVs and UTVs may only operate on county-owned roads with a valid permit.
- ATVs and UTVs may only be operated by licensed drivers.
- ATVs and UTVs are not permitted on any closed road, service road, power line right-of-way, off established county roads, or on state highways.
- ATVs and UTVs are not allowed on any gravel bar, beach, or in the river unless at an approved river crossing.
- No ATV operator is allowed to carry passengers unless the machine has been specifically designed by the manufacturer to carry more than one occupant.
- Every ATV must be equipped with an adequate muffler and an approved spark arrestor, good operating brake system, a slow moving vehicle emblem, a seven-foot-tall orange safety flag attached to the rear of the vehicle, and a lighted headlamp and tail lamp. (UTVs do not require the safety flag or triangle.).
- Laws involving open container and DWI/DUI are strictly enforced.
- County UTV tag required for operation on county or Forest Service roads (not required within 3 miles of operator's primary residence).
- Seat belt is required during operation of a UTV
- UTVs must have roll bar or roll cage construction.
Trail and Vehicle Maps
Available trail, road, visitor, and topographic maps are available in print or digitally. Visit the Maps and Guides section to download or order the maps you need.
OHV Road Riding
Road riding is allowed on a small portion of the Glade Top National Scenic Byway, the road is open to OHV and UTV riding, however please be aware of larger vehicles on the road. You will need a county permit to ride your OHV on the byway.
Sugar Camp National Forest Scenic Byway is also allowed, please obey all county and local laws and be aware of larger vehicles on the road.
The Mark Twain National Forest allows OHVs on open and numbered Forest Service Roads, in compliance with state and county laws. Please do your part to take care of the Forest by staying on the road and not riding cross country!
You may ride on these Forest Service roads in counties where ATV or UTV county permits are issued, providing you abide by Missouri State motor vehicle regulations (MSMVR). Information on which counties and where to obtain permits is on the Passes and Permits page.
Use the Mark Twain National Forest’s Motor Vehicle Use Maps (MVUMs) to ensure you are riding on designated routes.
Remember, these roads are also open to highway legal vehicles and visitors should share the road. MVUMs can be accessed through the Avenza app as well, and used to track where you are in real-time on the map.
OHV Trail Riding
Chadwick ATV, UTV, and Motorcycle Riding Area in Christian County, and Sutton Bluff ATV, UTV, and Motorcycle Riding Area in Reynolds County (near the Sutton Bluff Campground) are the only designated OHV trail systems on Mark Twain National Forest.
These trails were created under the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act, which authorizes collection and retention of fees for specialized trail systems to improve maintenance and better serve the customers.
The Chadwick Trail is nearly 80 miles of multi-use trails for ATV, UTV, motorcycle, and mountain bikes wind in and out of deep forested hollows and down long ridge tops. It’s possible to plan a wide variety of full-loop riding without backtracking. All riders will encounter advanced riding challenges.
Sutton Bluff is an almost 45-mile long trail system with multiple road crossings for ATVs/OHVs 50” or less in width. The segmented trails are accessed via county roads and Forest Service system roads; trails cannot be accessed directly from the campground without riding along the road. Trail segments follow forested ridge tops and cross deep hollows.
Both trails require a permit to ride, check the Passes page for more information.
OHV Open Area Riding
Off-trail travel is allowed at two locations in the Chadwick Area. One is the 3-acre Family Play Area just to the west of Cobb Ridge Campground. The other is the 5-acre Trials Bike Area, located between Trails 110 and 135, near the head of Cobb Ridge. These areas are shown on the Chadwick trail map.
Outside of the two locations along Chadwick, we ask that people not ride cross country. Once one person rides cross-country, they have made the first pass of a user-created trail. If someone else follows, then another, and another, soon this user-made trail looks like a regular trail and will continue to attract riders.
User created trails create resource damage, including increased soil erosion, soil compaction, and negative impacts to stream channels and aquatic organisms (if traveling through streams and creeks).
In areas where illegal use caused severe resource damage, Agency personnel may have to consider closures. Respected access to the country’s public lands ensures continued access.
OHV Camping
Cobb Ridge: Riding ATVs and OHVs within the campground is restricted to ingress and egress. Some trails can be accessed directly from the campground. Vehicles ridden on roads must be licensed or have county ATV permits. Vehicles ridden on trails must have current Forest permits.
Sutton Bluff Recreation Area: Many campsites are roomy enough to accommodate ATV's and trailers. From here, you must trailer any unlicensed vehicles to the trails, unless you also possess a county permit for that vehicle. ATV’s and UTVs must stay on road surfaces, and cannot be on grassy areas within the campground or in the river/on adjacent gravel bars.
Search for Off-Highway Vehicles (OHV) Opportunities
Camp Ridge Trailhead
Chadwick Motorized Trails System
Cobb Ridge Recreation Area
Glade Top National Forest Scenic Byway
KC Pavilion Trailhead
Oak Camp Trailhead
Sugar Camp National Forest Scenic Byway
Sutton Bluff ATV 11 Trailhead
Sutton Bluff ATV 4 & 14 Trailhead
Sutton Bluff ATV 8 Trailhead