A GUIDE TO: CALIFORNIA WELCOME! OFF-HIGHWAY alifornia State Parks welcomes you to the Off-Highway Motor Vehicle CRecreation Program. Did you know that California State Parks manages the ADVENTURES largest off-highway recreation program in the United States? Established over 40 years ago, the Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Division, in partnership OFF-HIGHWAY MOTOR VEHICLE RECREATION DIVISION with local, state, and federal agencies, offers a wide variety of off-highway CALIFORNIA STATE PARKS adventures to suit every skill level and age while protecting California's natural and cultural resources. Off-highway motor vehicle recreation is a great way to spend quality time with friends and family and encourages healthy physical activity. Motorized recreation opens the door for millions of people to access and enjoy California's great outdoors. To help you better identify and enjoy off-highway vehicle recreation opportunities, this Guide to California Off-Highway Adventures provides a listing of trails and areas designated for motorized recreation. People enjoy off-highway recreation in California, and appreciate the need to protect our environment and preserve access to the outdoors. Those traveling off-highway include a broad range of recreationists as diverse as the terrain of California. Regardless of whether you enjoy traveling with two wheels, four wheels, hooves or your feet, we all share a common desire: the appreciation of California's extraordinary natural landscape and love of the outdoors. Respecting one another's right to recreate in their own personal and responsible way and following basic trail etiquette will go far in reducing use conflicts and enhancing your off-highway experience, wherever, and whatever it might be. So jump in and join us for a world of adventure that lies just down the road. Of all the roads you take in life, make sure some of them are dirt! Fun and excitement provided at no extra charge. MISSION STATEMENT FUNDING A STATEWIDE SUSTAINING A deeply about the places they recreate, RESOURCES OFF-HIGHWAY RULES AND REGULATIONS OHV PROGRAM STATEWIDE OHV help to ensure your favorite trail or The Mission of the Off-Highway Motor viewpoint will be there for your children roviding long-term, sustainable resources by regularly visiting sites any laws in California that apply to driving on-highway remain in effect when driving POSSESSION OF ALCOHOL Vehicle Recreation (OHMVR) Division is to PROGRAM and your grandchildren to enjoy. he OHV Trust Fund is comprised OHV recreation requires thoughtful and recording changes. off-highway. In addition, there are some laws and regulations that pertain specifically Whether on-highway or off-highway, it is illegal to possess an open container while riding in provide leadership statewide in the area P M entirely of funds generated in the The founding principle that underlies management of the environment. Land NATURAL RESOURCES to driving off-highway. Below are a few important OHV-related laws. For a summary listing or operating an OHV on public land. of off-highway vehicle (OHV) recreation; T he Off-Highway Motor Vehicle course of OHV recreation, including: California's statewide OHV program managers constantly work to monitor of California state laws relating to OHV recreation, visit ohv.parks.ca.gov/laws_and_safety. to acquire, develop, and operate Recreation Division of California is SUSTAINABILITY. Maintaining OHV and protect habitat, maintain roads Travel Responsibly SPARK ARRESTERS/MUFFLERS • Gas taxes on gasoline used for OHV TState Parks operates and funds 8 SVRAs SAFE OPERATION state-owned vehicular recreation areas; areas in good condition and preventing and trails to prevent erosion, preserve • Don't create new routes or expand OHVs must be equipped with a U.S. Forest Service approved spark arrester or an adequate recreation on public lands. throughout the state and provides An OHV may never be driven in a manner that endangers the safety of other persons or their and to otherwise provide for a statewide environmental damage are central to the vegetated areas, and prevent disturbance existing trails. muffler, maintained in effective working order. system of managed OHV recreational • OHV Green/Red Sticker registration funding for local, state and federal success of the program. to endangered species. property. Not only is it the law, but it's common courtesy. • Comply with all signs and respect opportunities through funding to other fees and non-resident permit fees. agencies and partners for a system of LIGHTS The OHMVR Division of By carefully monitoring plant and animal barriers. CAUTION AROUND PEOPLE AND ANIMALS public agencies. managed OHV programs. Any vehicle operated between sunset and sunrise must display at least one headlight that • Entrance fees to the State Vehicular California State Parks has populations, land managers adjust the When operating a vehicle within 50 feet of any campground, campsite, or concentration of The funds distributed through the Grants • Switchbacks maintain trail stability; enables an operator to see clearly 200 feet ahead and one red taillight visible for 200 feet to The OHMVR Division works to ensure Recreation Areas (SVRAs). been charged by the way an area is used to ensure a healthy people or animals, do not exceed 15 mph. Program are used to develop, operate don't take shortcuts. the rear. quality recreational opportunities remain California Legislature ecosystem. and maintain OHV areas and facilities, • Pack out what you pack in. VEHICLE REGISTRATION available for future generations by to manage existing During your OHV recreation experience, ATV REQUIREMENTS including trail improvement and upkeep, providing for education, conservation, and future OHV you may encounter trails that have been To operate any OHV on public land, the vehicle must have one of the following: care and cleaning of OHV staging Water Quality • Helmets Required: Anyone on an ATV must be wearing an approved helmet. and enforcement efforts that balance facilities to sustain rerouted, fencing, gates, signs, and closed GET INVOLVED; areas, environmental monitoring, law • Avoid sensitive areas such as Street Legal License Plate • Double Riding: A passenger may not ride on an ATV unless the ATV was designed by the OHV recreation impacts with programs long-term use. areas designed to protect natural and enforcement, and education and safety meadows, lakeshores, wetlands and Street-licensed vehicles must have a current registration in California or another state to manufacturer to carry a passenger. that conserve and protect cultural and BECOME A VOLUNTEER! This commitment cultural resources. Please respect these programs. streams. operate off-highway. natural resources. is highlighted protection measures and help ensure ATV Safety Certificate Requirement f you are passionate about OHV Combined efforts at all levels of and affirmed in California State Parks' • Cross streams only at designated high-quality, sustainable OHV recreation Green or Red Stickers 18 years and older: California State Parks, OHMVR Division recreation, and want to ensure your government, joined with contributions strategic plan goal to: "Protect and fording points or where the trail opportunities for years to come. California residents are issued Green and Red Stickers by the 1725 23rd Street, Suite 200 Iopportunities remain open for years to from thousands of volunteers who care preserve the resources and facilities in the crosses the stream. A safety certificate is not mandatory to operate an ATV. It is recommended. We share our OHV areas with a wide Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) for registered OHVs. Stickers Sacramento, CA 95816-7100 come, become a volunteer today! existing State Park System." The OHMVR Ages 14-17: variety of plants, amphibians, reptiles, • Camp at least 200 feet from water. cost $52 per vehicle and are valid for a two-year period. $33 of the 916.324.4442 Division provides: ohv.parks.ca.gov mammals and birds who call these • Use restrooms where available or fee is deposited into the OHV Trust Fund and provides a portion of All riders ages 14 to 17 must possess an ATV Safety Certificate, or be under the direct • Youth oriented programs. [email protected] areas home. Help protect your OHV portable toilet devices (WAG bag) the overall funding necessary to maintain OHV recreation areas. supervision of a parent, guardian, or other adult who has completed an ATV safety course and has an ATV Safety Certificate in his/her possession. CHILDREN IN THE • OHV maps, brochures, and website opportunities. and pack out your waste. If other The Green Sticker allows vehicles to operate on public lands all © California State Parks, August 2013 information. options are not available, bury solid year. The Red Sticker is for motorcycles and ATVs model Ages 13 and under: Off-Highway Motor Vehicle OUTDOORS CULTURAL RESOURCES • Safety training programs. waste in 6 to 8-inch holes at least year 2003 and newer that do not meet emission standards 1 Recreation Division Whether it is a small All riders 13 and under MUST BE DIRECTLY SUPERVISED AT ALL TIMES. Either the child or the 200 feet from water sources. established by the California Air Resources Board. If the vehicle All rights reserved. he mission of the Children's Outdoor • Funding to maintain areas and trails. grinding rock or a child's parent, legal guardian, or someone who is authorized by the parent or legal guardian has a 3 or a C in the eighth position of the Vehicle Identification Bill of Rights is to encourage hill covered with Vehicle Fluids to supervise the child, must possess an ATV Safety Certificate. T • Protection of natural and cultural Number, then it does not meet the emission standards and California's children to participate in mining debris, please • Keep your OHV well maintained with resources. should be issued a Red Sticker. The Red Sticker is exactly the outdoor activities and discover their be respectful of the regular tune-ups. heritage. • Volunteer opportunities. same as the Green Sticker except that these vehicles can only be past and help protect • Carry a spill kit or WAG bag in case of • Funding to Law Enforcement operated during certain times of the year.