Riding your ATV in Ocala National Forest is a fun time you'll never forget.
There is a temporary closure of 8,200 acres in the southwest portion of the forest will affect Off-Road Vehicle users. Unfortunately, this closure to ATV riders is the result of a few ATV riders being irresponsible when the majority of ATVers are safety conscious, responsible riders.
Those forest lands have been closed off to ATV riding to give the land time to reclaim itself and let the new growth take over so they can be reopened under stricter guidelines with the intention of having stricter guidelines and clearly marked trails so certain areas can be closed off at the first sign of overuse by ATVs and allowed to heal. During that time other trails will be opened so ATV riders can continue to enjoy the Oscala National Forest.
Not only are some ATV riders blatantly damaging areas, the sheer number of ATV riders is overwhelming the capability of the land. The message is clear to off-road riders, if you want to continue to use the Forest, you must ride your ATVs more responsibly on these lands.
The Forest Service originally initiated an access designation process out of concern for the rapid increase of not only ATV, but all forms of off-highway vehicle use. The first phase of that process is nearly complete with a final decision on an Environmental Impact Statement due to be signed and implemented soon. Phase two of the process will address all areas not covered in the first phase and will follow immediately after phase one. This should help heal and reclaim the damaged areas so that a new generation of ATV riders can enjoy these pristine forest lands on their ATVs for years to come.
