STRATEGIC CONNECTIONS TO EXPAND ATV RIDING OPPORTUNITIES ON STATE FORESTLANDS

HARRISBURG – To encourage the better use of existing all-terrain vehicle trails and promote legal, safe ATV operation, the state Bureau of Forestry today unveiled plans to develop a series of five key trail connections to expand riding opportunities for the growing legion of ATV riders in Pennsylvania.

Requiring construction into 2010 at a projected cost of $2.25 million, the “strategic connector” initiative was unveiled before the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources’ monthly meeting of the Snowmobile ATV Advisory Committee.

“Knowing many ATV riders yearn for long rides traversing new territory, our forestry specialists took a careful look at our existing 247 miles of state forest trails with an eye toward maximizing riding opportunities while minimizing environmental impact,” said DCNR Secretary Michael DiBerardinis. “By developing short links to existing state forest and private ATV trails, as well as township roads legally open to ATVs, the bureau has devised a plan that develops 29 miles of new, or armored, trails that will serve to expand riding terrain by 333 miles.” 

The Secretary said projects would vary from reconfiguring 13 miles of existing trails within their existing footprint in Delaware State Forest in northeastern Pennsylvania, to adding a one-mile connector to north central Pennsylvania’s Susquehannock district, which would create a 151-mile system of township road riding opportunities.

“In addition, linking this proposed total of 29 miles of new trail in state forestlands to the already existing 72 miles of forestland trails in these selected forest districts would create ‘new’ riding opportunities totaling 290 miles,” said DiBerardinis.

The proposed projects and estimated costs, listed by estimated completion date, are:
September 2008: 1-mile connector trail in Susquehannock State Forest; $5,000; 
December 2008: 1.5-mile addition to Sideling Hill trails in Buchanan State Forest; $20,000; 
December 2008: 20-mile enhancement/expansion to Jack’s Mountain trails in Bald Eagle State Forest; $200,000; 
December 2009: 6.6-mile addition to Bloody Skillet trails, Sproul State Forest;$1,500,000; and 
December 2010: 13-mile upgrade to Dixon Miller trails; Delaware State Forest; $500,000.
“In the Bald Eagle State Forest, the additional 20 miles of trail will come from better use, enhancing and stabilizing former fire breaks and skid trails,” DiBerardinis said. “It’s also part of our ongoing, statewide ATV trail restoration program created to remediate, rejuvenate and enhance the entire 247-mile ATV trail system by using advances in trail design developed over the last decade.

“While DCNR is investing more and more snowmobile/ATV funds into county agencies and the private sector to develop premiere, self-contained, riding opportunities at sites like the new 6,000-acre Rock Run Recreation Area in Cambria County, as well as smaller satellite sites, the department must not overlook its current 247-mile trail system on Bureau of Forestry property,” said DiBerardinis. “A dedicated program geared towards improving the existing trail system today will not only protect adjacent natural resources and save maintenance funds in the future, but will also create a more enjoyable, safer trail system for riders.

“In addition to increased sustainability, properly designed trails could also ease enforcement problems by enticing enthusiasts to stay on the designated trail system and reduce the amount of unauthorized, renegade travel on private and public lands.”

The five proposed projects would be financed principally through DCNR’s snowmobile/ATV fund, which relies on vehicle registration fees. The fund also supplies grants that help government agencies and riding enthusiasts buy land, develop plans and surveys, construct and maintain ATV and snowmobile trails, buy equipment, and conduct training relating to ATV and snowmobile use. 

DCNR records show there were 237,133 registered ATV owners in Pennsylvania as of July 2, 2006.

Trail Navigation Please choose from the navigational menu below where you would like to go. All Terrain Vehicles Trails Hiking-Backpacking Forest  National Scenic Trails Biking State Park-DCNR Trails Cross Country Ski Trails Hiking-Backpacking State Parks-DCNR Trails Biking Community Based Trails Horseback - Equestrian Trails Hiking-Community Based Trails Ski Resorts Hiking-Backpacking State Forest  Trails Snowmobile Trails Snowboard Areas NothingButPaintball.com: The Web's Most Comprehensive Social Networking Community for Paintball Enthusiasts New! NothingBut4x4.Com: The Web's Most Comprehensive Social Networking Community for 4x4 Enthusiasts! The DCNR (Department ofConservation and Natural Resources) has updated their site that includes a new Pennsylvania Online Rails-to-Trails Guide with interactive maps, photographs of the rails trails and an abundance of information free for public use. This includes a total number of Open Rail Trails: 95. There are 968.6 miles of open trail, 101.5 miles under construction, and 654 miles in proposal phase. "Contained in this web site is information on Rails-Trails open to the public, under construction, and proposed. DCNR will periodically update this site as information comes into us from our many trail partners." ... DCNR  In the near future all trails included in the Rails-to-Trails projects will carry the DCNR insignia  with the link to their respective page for more information. The Rock Run Recreation Park is a proposed multi-motorized recreation, 6,000 acre facility, primarily focused on the sport of 4-wheelers, dirtbikes, and other off-highway vehicles.  The park is in the development stages, however, has hosted a series of single-day event poker runs and will host a youth event in June 2006.  The park is situated in both northern Cambria and southern Clearfield Counties, of Western Pennsylvania in the Alleghenies.  The property has a diverse topography and unique past land use which creates various types of experiences for the off-road community.    We invite the viewer to explore this web-site to learn more about this exciting project. The success of this project is success for the entire ATV/off road community. For more information please email info@rockrunrecreation.com UPDATE: July 19, 2006 ATV sites receive grants The first trails at Cambria County’s Rock Run Recreation Area could open this fall, providing a long-awaited playground for all-terrain vehicle riders. In a round of grant announcements that also included cash for a Somerset County ATV park, state officials on Wednesday handed over $1.9 million that will fund first-phase construction at the Rock Run site near Patton. “Right now, we are building the access road to the park,” said Dee Columbus of Cambria County Conservation and Recreation Authority.  “(The grant) will allow us to construct the welcome center and the trails.” The authority, which purchased the 6,000-acre Rock Run property in 2004, will install 50 miles of trails catering to three levels of ATV-riding expertise. That trail network could expand later, as will the site’s welcome center. “It will have public restrooms, a multipurpose room and an office,” Columbus said. “In the future, we plan to add to it.” Other long-term plans include completion of a campground and installation of “tracks” where riders can practice. The recreation authority also received $44,800 in state money to purchase a tractor for trail maintenance. Meanwhile, at Mountain Ridge Trails Resort in Stonycreek Township, Somerset County, workers have been cutting off-roading trails into 2,500 acres of land for more than a year.  Now they will be working with a blueprint. More information is available at www.mountainridgeatvtrails.com.

Registration and Titling Snowmobile/ATV Section PO Box 8553 Harrisburg, PA 17105-8553 1-866-545-2476 (717) 783-9227 Email: snowatv@state.pa.us www.dcnr.state.pa.us	ATV Trails and Law Bureau of Forestry Recreation Section PO Box 8552 Harrisburg, PA 17105-8552 (717) 783-7941 Email: forestrecreation@state.pa.us	Pennsylvania State Parks PO Box 8551 Harrisburg, PA 17105-8551 1-888-PA-PARKS Email: parkinfo@state.pa.us www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks	State Game Lands The Pennsylvania Game Commission Bureau of Land Management 2001 Elmerton Avenue Harrisburg, PA 17110-9797 (717) 787-9612 www.pgc.state.pa.us
Allegheny National Forest 222 Liberty Street Warren, PA 16365 (814) 723-5150 Email: r9_allegheny_nf@fs.fed.us www.fs.fed.us/r9/allegheny	PA Off-Highway Vehicle Association (PaOHV)  Mike Babusci PO Box 111422 Blawnox, PA 15238-0822 www.paohv.org	ATV Safety Institute (800) 887-2887 www.atvsafety.org	National ATV Association All-Terrain Vehicle Association PO Box 800 Pickerington, OH 43147 1-866-ATVA-JOIN or 1-866-288-2564 www.atvonline.com
PA Atving www.paatving.com	PA Tourism and Lodging Council 902 North Second Street Harrisburg, PA 17102 (717) 232-8880 Email: info@patourism.org www.patravel.org	Consumer Complaints State Office of the Attorney General Consumer Protection Hotline 1-800-441-2555

While more ATV trails inspire awe for some and fear for the environmentalists, in the long run everyone benefits. The environment benefits because less people will be riding unregulated bootleg trails and will be riding maintained trails that have been installed in an eco-friendly manner. Regulated trails tend to be safer and more environmentally correct than bootleg trails. And while environmentalists scream that ATV riders disturb wildlife, Pennsylvania now has more deer, coyote, turkeys, rabbits and bear than it did in the 1800's. In fact, the Game Commission is extending most hunting seasons next year to help decrease the numbers. 

The ATVers obviously benefit as we'll have more trailheads with less travel time to reach them. Local economies near trailheads can expect an influx of money ATVers bring to businesses. The fine people at DCNR have clearly made the right decision in enlarging the trail systems. Pennsylvania ranks third in the country for ATV sales and judging by sales forecasts, all-terrain vehicles are going to be around for quite a long time.  .... Atv'ing Magazine

Trail etiquette:

Many times ATV riders will come in contact with other user groups sharing the same lands, roadways or trails. It is important to practice common courtesies. 

• Be considerate of others on the trail and keep to the right. 
• Slow down when passing. 
• Ride only where permitted. 
• Leave gates as you find them. 
• Yield the right of way to bikes, horses and hikers. 
• Carry out what you carry in. 
• Wave and say 'hello' as you pass. 
• Report downed trees and trail maintenance needs to land managers

Stay on designated roads and trails or other areas open for use. 

Avoid "spooking" livestock and wildlife you encounter. 

Cross streams at designated crossings only. 

Use existing campsites whenever possible; avoid building fires. 

Cross obstacles at an angle, one wheel at a time. 

Don't straddle large rocks. 

Avoid mud if you can while remaining on the road or trail. 

Turn into ravines or large depressions at about a 45-degree angle. 

Straddle ruts, even if they are wider than your vehicle. This will keep your vehicle level. 

Lower the tire pressure to where you see a bulge in your tire to give you better traction and provide for a smoother ride. 

Avoid riding the brakes and clutch which can lead to brake failure. 

Location: NorthWestern Pennsylvania. 20 miles east of Erie. Centered between Route 430 and Interstate 86 (old Rt. 17). Located at the New York/Pennsylvania line.

• Privately owned with Fishing pond, Covered pavilion and camping access. 
• Opened 7 days per week 9:00am to 6:00pm. 
• Rates based on number of ATVs: One atv starts @ $20.00 then add $15 for each add'l. Example: One Atv $20.00, Two ATVs $35.00 etc. 
• Season starts May 1st and Ends September 15th for 2004 season
• September 30th for 2005 season.
• Season passes can be purchased.