2024 ATV permits available and season dates set for Northcentral Regional ATV Trail in PA Wilds
- by Guest Contributor
- May 2, 2024
- Share:
Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) press release
The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) announced that permits for the Northcentral Regional ATV Trail, formerly called the ATV Regional Trail Connector Pilot, are now available for purchase.
The 650-mile riding area will include parts of Clinton, Lycoming, Potter, and Tioga counties, in the Pine Creek Valley and PA Grand Canyon landscape and Dark Skies landscape of the PA Wilds region.
Major DCNR ATV trails found in the Northcentral Regional ATV Trail include Whiskey Springs, Haneyville, and Susquehannock.
“There are more than 281,000 registered ATVs in the Commonwealth and DCNR understands the interest in expanding regional riding opportunities,” State Forester Seth Cassell said. “We take seriously our role in connecting ATV trails and we will use this program to further determine whether sections of state forest roads may serve as permanent strategic connectors for regional ATV trails on a limited, case-by-case basis.”
Permits are required to use the designated PennDOT and State Forest Connector Roads, the cost of which will serve to offset implementation and management of the program.
Permits for the 2024 riding season will cost $40 for Pennsylvania registered ATVs and $60 for non-Pennsylvania registered ATVs.
Permits are available for in-person sales only between the hours of 8:00 A.M. and 4:00 P.M., Monday through Friday, until Memorial Day weekend.
Beginning Friday, May 24, offices will be open from 8:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M. Fridays, and 8:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. Saturdays at Sproul, Tiadaghton, or Tioga state forest district offices.
District office hours are subject to change throughout the riding season.
Permit applications will be accepted by mail by sending a properly completed Northcentral Regional ATV Trail Permit Application (PDF) available on DCNR’s website to the:
Mira Lloyd Dock Resource Conservation Center
137 Penn Nursery Road
Spring Mills, PA 16875
Permits will be processed according to the date they are received and will be postmarked within three to five business days of receipt.
A map of the riding area is available on DCNR’s website.
The trail route categories are as follows:
- More than 450 miles of township roads
- 163 miles of state forest roads and trails
- 40 miles of PennDOT-administered roads
The riding area will open for use on Friday, May 24, 2024, and will remain open until, Sunday, September 29, 2024.
Though the riding areas will be marked, riders will be expected to familiarize themselves with the portions of road and trail that are open to ensure they are operating in legal areas.
Bridge repairs on Cross Fork Creek Road (State Route 144) in Susquehannock State Forest will begin in mid-June and the project is likely to continue through the riding season.
This will impact riding in the Cross Fork to Germania riding area.
There will be no detour and riders are asked to plan trips accordingly.
The Northcentral Regional ATV Trail will operate through the conclusion of the 2025 riding season, per Fiscal Code directive in the 2023-24 state budget.
DCNR released a Report to the General Assembly on the Northcentral ATV Regional Trail Connector Pilot (PDF) that preceded the Northcentral Regional ATV Trail program.
“We are hopeful that we can create a sustainable trail system and encourage ATV riders to follow all rules and regulations, and to be mindful of the impacts of riding, such as noise, dust, and disturbance of wildlife habitats,” Cassell said.
The Northcentral Regional ATV Trail program was made possible through public and private cooperation, including willing participation of many local townships.
These strategic connections give access to other parts of the Northcentral Regional ATV Trail.
Riders can maintain positive relationships with these communities, helping to ensure program sustainability, by riding during off-peak days, observing speed limits, riding in smaller groups to limit dust, carrying out all trash, and staying on designated trails and off private property.
Riding an ATV while impaired is illegal.
The Northcentral Regional ATV Trail program is in response to growing ATV purchases, registrations, and public demand for increased riding opportunities.
Through collaborations with public and private partners, the Northcentral Regional ATV Trail program aims to offer long-distance riding opportunities and contribute to local economies, while maintaining the many uses and values of the state forest system.
DCNR recently revised its ATV trail policy, which lifted the moratorium on new trails that had been in place since 2003.
Visit DCNR’s website for more information about ATV riding opportunities in state forests and check out DCNR’s Calendar of Events for events on public lands.
About DCNR:
Established on July 1, 1995, the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) is charged with maintaining and protecting 121 state parks; managing 2.2 million acres of state forest land; providing information on the state’s ecological and geologic resources; and establishing community conservation partnerships with grants and technical assistance to benefit rivers, trails, greenways, local parks and recreation, regional heritage parks, open space, and natural areas. DCNR’s mission is to conserve and sustain Pennsylvania’s natural resources for present and future generations’ use and enjoyment. Learn more at DCNR.pa.gov.
