NPS photo
ATV operating legally on a dirt road. Note safety triangle, bicycle flag, and helmet (required for riders under 18.)
ATVs, also known as Four Wheelers, can be a lot of fun. They can also be dangerous and damage the environment when not used responsibly.
The Ozark National Scenic Riverways enforces all state and federal laws regarding the use of ATVs and Utility Vehicles in the park. These rules are for the protection of the fragile natural resources the park was established to protect.
ATVs and UTVs may only be operated by licensed drivers, may ONLY operate on county-owned roads with a valid permit, and may not enter ANY streams or creeks nor travel off road. This is just a summary, for a list of ATV laws and regulations, click here.
ATVs cause erosion, encourage the spread of invasive species and degrade water quality in the rivers. For more information on how ATVs affect park natural resources, please click here.
The locations of all legal roads and trails within the park boundary were established by the
1991 Road and Trails Plan. Note you can only ride on County Roads, not park owned roads. Please study the maps in the appendix to this document to see specifically where you can and cannot ride. A good rule of thumb: if you cannot drive a two wheel drive pick-up truck on a road, it is probably
NOT a legal county owned road and you shouldn't ride on it. For maps from the 1991 plan,
please click here. (This is a large file! Maps are in the Appendix.)
