Off-Highway Vehicles (OHV)
The Gifford Pinchot National Forest Motor Vehicle Use Map shows the roads, trails, and areas where you can legally drive your wheeled motor vehicles. These roads, trails and areas are designated by type of motor vehicle allowed and the allowable season of use.
E-bikes (electric assisted bikes): E-bikes have motors and as such, are only allowed on motorized trails and roads.
OHV Requirements:
License and equipment needed:
Motorized users (motorcycles and ATVs) need to meet the requirements of Washington State Law and Forest Service regulations. State law requires current ORV stickers (issued by the Department of Motorized Vehicles). Forest Service regulations require approved spark arresters. Motorized users must stay on designated trails.
You must be "highway legal" to ride the roads.
Motorcyclists using Forest Service roads must have a current state license and operator's license, wear a helmet and the motorcycle must have a headlight, taillight, brake light, horn, 2 mirrors and turn signals. Note: Street legal ATV's/UTVs (aka WATVs) are not permitted to operate on roads on the Gifford Pinchot National Forest at this time.
More information about OHV Use on National Forest Lands in Oregon & Washington.
Do Your Part & Tread Lightly
Your ability to ride here in the future depends on your actions today, both on and off the trail. Enjoy the day and ride with tomorrow in mind. Recreate with Respect and follow Tread Lightly principles: www.Treadlightly.org.
OHV Trail Riding
All motor vehicle operators are required to know and follow the regulations displayed on the Motor Vehicle Use Map when driving a motor vehicle on the forest.
The Motor Vehicle Use Map is free and available online and at Ranger District Offices.
ATV Use
ATVs and Side-by-Sides are ONLY permitted in the following designated use areas:
Keep in mind that trails have a different size limitation than the roads, the trails are designed for smaller, older style ATVs 50” or under in width. The roads allow for larger more modern ATVs such as side by sides that tend to be 60” – 72” wide.
- Cowlitz Valley Ranger District - Randle, WA
- Pipeline Trail #74
- Valley Trail #270 (Milepost 7.4 – 15.5). *Seasonal closure to motorized use from 12/1 to 3/31.
- Campground #270A
- Blue Lake Ridge Trail #271 (Milepost 0 – 2.7 and Milepost 3.7 – 9.8)
- Jump-off Trail #271A
- Robber Creek #271B
- Mouse Lake #271C
- Mini-Bike Loop A #118A
- Mini-Bike Loop B #118B
- Mini-Bike Loop C #118C
- Cat Creek Short Loop #118D
- Mount Adams Ranger District – Trout Lake, WA
- Middle Trail #26
- Service Trail #35
- ROADS Open to all Vehicles- These roads are open to all motor vehicles, including smaller off-highway vehicles that may not be licensed for highway use (but not to oversize or overweight vehicles under State traffic law):
- Cowlitz Valley Ranger District – Randle, WA
- Forest Service Road 7800000 (from Forest Service Road 2100000 to Road 7807000 junction ONLY)
- Forest Service Road 7807000 (from Road 7800000 to Road 7807060 junction ONLY)
- Forest Service Road 7812000
- Forest Service Road 7808000
- Cowlitz Valley Ranger District – Randle, WA
E-bikes (electric assisted bikes):
E-bikes have motors and as such, are only allowed on motorized trails and roads.
Featured riding areas:
Most of the trails in the Blue Lake area have been reconstructed to trailbike or ATV standards and are easier to ride than other trails. For riders new to the forest, this is the area to ride first. Several loop rides are possible without riding any roads.
The Dark Divide and High Lakes trails are much more difficult to ride. Dual Sport bikes are needed to make loop rides because it is generally necessary to ride roads to get from one trail to another.
The Dark Divide trails are extreme in every sense of the word.
The trails can be extremely narrow, often the width of a tire. Most of the trails have extremely steep side slopes with rocks and stumps hidden in the bushes. Hitting one of these could result in high siding and falling down steep hillsides. It may be difficult or impossible to retrieve the bike. Riders should be realistic about their abilities, have lightweight bikes and be in good physical condition. Wear good gear, right for the weather. Even the weather can be extreme. Read up on the trails, plan a route and be realistic.
*Use the Search option below to look for OHV Trail Riding areas. *
OHV Camping
There are campgrounds associated with the OHV trail system. Some campgrounds are first come, first serve only but some campgrounds accept reservations up to 6 months in advance.
OHV Camping Areas
- Campground: Adams Fork
- Campground: Blue Lake Creek
- Campground: Cat Creek
- Campground: Horseshoe Lake
- Campground: North Fork
- Campground: Olallie Lake
Search for Off-Highway Vehicles (OHV) Opportunities
Trail #74 Pipeline Road
Trail #80 Wright Meadow
Trailhead: Blue Lake ORV
Trailhead: Chain-of-Lakes
Trailhead: Elk Pass/ Boundary Trail
Trailhead: High Rock/Greenwood Lake
Trailhead: Middle Trail (Lower)
Trailhead: Packwood Lake
Trailhead: Wright Meadows