Columbus, Ohio – The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Forestry recently acquired more than 1,400 additional acres which will be added to Pike State Forest. These acres will be used to expand the existing All-Purpose Vehicle (APV) area at the state forest.
“This acquisition was purchased through the Division of Forestry’s State Recreational Vehicle Fund,” said Dan Balser, chief of the Ohio Division of Forestry. “We are pleased to let our APV-riding enthusiasts know that these acres will double the size of the APV area at Pike State Forest.”
This most recent and largest acquisition at Pike State Forest using State Recreational Vehicle (SRV) funds will total 1,405 acres of land—1,005 acres currently and 400 acres next fiscal year. After new trails are constructed, the Ohio Division of Forestry will offer riders more than 40 miles of trails to enjoy at Pike State Forest.
The SRV fund is composed of APV registration money and is used to directly support the expansion, development, and maintenance of state APV trails in Ohio. APV registrations include four wheelers, dirt bikes, and side-by-sides. Over the last seven years, the Ohio Division of Forestry has worked to acquire additional acres for APV trail expansion at Pike State Forest. This past August, four miles of new trails, a shelter house and an APV camping area were opened at the forest.
Including Pike State Forest, there are four APV areas located on state forest land in Ohio. This includes a combined total of 50 miles of trails at Pike, Richland Furnace, Perry and Maumee state forests. Any APVs registered through the BMV are permitted to be ridden at these areas. Dual sport motorcycles with a standard registration and license plate are also permitted. Snowmobiles are permitted at the Maumee State Forest APV area. APVs are mandated by Ohio Administrative Code to be 62 inches or less in width to be allowed access to the state forest APV Area trails.
There are approximately 45,000 registered machines, including snowmobiles, in an average year in Ohio. Each of these registrations has contributed to the administration, maintenance, development, and expansion of state APV areas. Visit forestry.ohiodnr.gov/recreation to find out more about the state APV areas. Riders interested in registering their machines to ride on the state APV areas should visit www.bmv.ohio.gov/vr-other-avp.aspx for more information or contact your local BMV office.
The Ohio Division of Forestry promotes the wise use and sustainable management of Ohio’s public and private woodlands. To learn more about Ohio’s woodlands, visit forestry.ohiodnr.gov, or follow us on Instagram at @odnrforestry.
ODNR ensures a balance between wise use and protection of our natural resources for the benefit of all. Visit the ODNR website at ohiodnr.gov.
