If you live in or will be visiting Alabama in the near future, you're in for some ATV riding fun. Alabama has very few ATV riding restrictions as do a lot of states.
Some of the best trails to ride in Alabama are located on National Forest land and those lands generally come with some rules and regulations that you must follow. There are two main National Forests in Alabama that allow ATVing on the premises.
The first is Bankhead National Forest and the second is Talladega National Forest. As with all National Forest lands, you must wear your DOT approved ATV helmet at all times when riding on these lands, and you must stay on the marked trail systems. Going off trail (trail blazing) and will get you a ticket and escorted off the property so fast your head will spin. Another two items you must have installed on your ATV prior to riding is a spark arrestor and a noise muffler.
The other two National Forests, Conecuh and Tuskegee no longer allow ATV riding on their premises.
Since the ATV trails change at Bankhead and Talladega frequently because much used ATV trails are closed to allow the land to reclaim itself, be sure and get yourself the most current map so you can plan your ATV ride. You can get information about maps by calling the National Forests in Alabama Supervisor's Office at 334-832-4470 Monday through Friday during office hours (7:30 - 4:00) or any one of the six Ranger Districts.
