Public Lands: Off-Road Vehicle Use on Public Lands

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources provides trails for off-road vehicles, or ORV's, in Garrett, Potomac, Green Ridge, Savage River and Pocomoke State Forests. An ORV is defined as a motorized vehicle designed for or capable of cross-country travel on land, water, snow, ice, marsh, swampland or other natural terrain. Off-road vehicles include a four-wheel drive or low pressure tire vehicle; an automobile; a truck; a motorcycle and related two-wheel vehicles; an amphibious machine; a ground effect or air cushion vehicle; a snowmobile; and a golf cart.
Off-road vehicles must be registered annually with DNR and display a registration sticker. Registration stickers are available from any DNR regional service center, and stickers and trail maps are available at the five state forests where ORV use is permitted.
It is recommended that you call the State Forest and Park Office you will be visiting before using the trails to be advised of current trail closures or hazards.
ORV Standards
To make the use of the trails safe and enjoyable for yourself and others, please obey the following rules and regulations:

Operators of off-road vehicles must abide by State Forest and Park Service rules and regulations.
ORV's must meet Department standards and inspection requirements.
ORV's used in Maryland must be registered with the Department of Natural Resources State Forest and Park Service.
The designated ORV trails will be open as listed below.
Some trails are open to snowmobiles, primarily from December 15 through March 15, except during deer firearms season.
The operation of a vehicle in a reckless or negligent manner is not permitted.
Do not disturb, drive, or pursue wildlife with your vehicle.
Do not carry loaded firearms on your ORV.
ORV's are not permitted on State Forest roads open to licensed motor vehicles.
Youth 12 years old and older must be accompanied by an adult with a valid driver's license.
Wear a helmet and eye protection at all times and other protective clothing suitable to the environment when you ride.
Report accidents to the Maryland Department of Natural Resources at 1-800-825-7275.
Designated Off-Road Vehicle Trails
POTOMAC-GARRETT STATE FOREST IN GARRETT COUNTY
1431 Potomac Camp Road
Oakland MD
301-334-2038

Piney Mountain Trail: The Piney Mountain Trail beginning at the San Run-Cranesville Road and ending at the intersection of the Piney Mountain Road and the unnamed dirt road may only be used by: (1) snowmobiles from December 15 through March 15, except during deer firearms season; and (2) two wheel and four wheel vehicles the remainder of the year and during the deer firearms season. The western half of the loop may be used by snowmobiles only, and may not be used by any motorized wheeled vehicle.
Garrett Trail: That portion of Garrett Trail beginning at Cranesville Road and running south along Snaggy Mountain Road/Hutton-Switch road to the bridge at the head of Herrington Lake may be used only by: (1) snowmobiles from December 15 through March 15, except during deer firearm season; and (2) two-wheel and four-wheel vehicles the remainder of the year and during the deer firearms season. That portion of the Garrett Trail forming the eastern side of the northern loop beginning and ending at the points where the loop leaves the part of the trail running along Snaggy Mountain Road/Hutton-Switch Road, the southern portion of the trail beginning at the bridge at the head of Herrington lake to the trail's end, and the trail connecting at midway the northern loop to the southern portion of the trail may only be used by snowmobiles and may not be used by any motorized wheeled vehicle.

POTOMAC-GARRETT STATE FOREST IN GARRETT COUNTY
Potomac-Garrett State Forest
1431 Potomac Camp Road
Oakland MD
301-334-2038

Potomac River Trail: The northern portion of Potomac River Trail beginning at the western boundary of the forest at Rileys Spring Branch and running eastward toward the Potomac River along Laurel Run to the intersection of an unnamed dirt road may be used only by: (1) snowmobiles from December 15 through March 15, except during the deer firearms season; and (2) two-wheel and four-wheel vehicles during the remainder of the year and during the deer firearms season.

The eastern portion of the Potomac River Trail beginning at the western boundary of the forest at Rileys Spring Branch and running southward along Audley Riley Road the boundary of the forest near Wallman may be used only by: (1) snowmobiles from December 15 through March 15, except during the firearms season: and (2) two-wheel and four-wheel vehicles during the remainder of the year and during the deer firearms season.
The western portion of the Potomac River Trail beginning where it leaves the eastern portion of the trail near the intersection of Audley Riley Road and an unnamed dirt access road and running south on and along the access road to the point where the trail ends when it intersects with the southern portion of the trail and the center trail connecting the western and eastern portions which follow the access road may: (1) be used only by snowmobiles from December 15 through March 15; and (2) not be used by any ORV's for the remainder of the year.
The southern portion of the Potomac River Trail beginning where it intersects with the western portion of the trail and running southward to its intersection with the eastern portion may be used only by snowmobiles, and may not be used by any motorized wheeled vehicle.

Backbone Mountain Trail: that portion of Backbone Mountain Trail beginning near the intersection of Maryland Route 135 and Maryland Route 38 and running northeast to the Juvenile Justice Boy's Camp may only be used by snowmobiles, and may not be used by any wheeled vehicle.

That portion of Backbone Mountain Trail beginning near the intersection of Swanton Hill Road and Maryland Route 135 and running northwest in two branches to the Juvenile Justice Boy's Camp and to the boundary line of the forest may be used only by: (1) snowmobiles from December 15 through March 15, except during deer firearms season; and (2) two-wheel and four-wheel vehicles during the remainder of the year and during the deer firearms season.

SAVAGE RIVER STATE FOREST IN GARRETT COUNTY
Savage River State Forest
127 Headquarters Lane
Grantsville, MD 21536
301-895-5759
The trails described in this section may only be used by the ORV's indicated.

Meadow Mountain Trail: the northern portion of Meadow Mountain trail beginning at and running along East Shale Road (approximately 1/4 mile south of U.S. route 68) southward to the point where it intersects New Germany Road may only be used by: (1) snowmobiles from December 15 through March 15, except during the deer firearm season; and (2) two-wheel and four-wheel vehicles during the remainder of the year and during the deer firearms season.

The portion of Meadow Mountain Trail beginning on the southwest side of New Germany Road and running south to Frank Brenneman Road may only be used by snowmobiles, and may not be used by a motorized wheeled vehicle.
The southern portion of Meadow Mountain Trail, beginning in Deep Creek Lake State Park, lies at the intersection of the Thayerville Fire Tower Road and the State Park Road and running in a northeasterly direction and ending on Compartment 77 may be used by snowmobiles, and may not be used by a motorized wheeled vehicle. A snowmobile may be unloaded either at designated Deep Creek Lake State Park parking lots or the New Germany State Park/Savage River State Forest maintenance parking lot if the snowmobile is driven directly to Meadow Mountain Trail on the designated access trails provided.

Poplar Lick Trail may only be used by motorcycles and four-wheel vehicles and contains a stream that an ORV must ford several times (use caution in high water conditions).
Margraff Plantation Trail may only be used by: (1) a snowmobile from December 15 through March 15; and (2) two-wheel and four-wheel vehicles during the remainder of the year, except that from the end of spring turkey gobbler season to August 15, all public access is prohibited on certain trail sections.
Negro Mountain Trail coincides with portions of the forest access roads through compartments and may be used only by snowmobiles from December 15 through March 15, and may not be used by any ORV for the remainder of the year, except for conducting educational programs, safety programs or special events.

GREEN RIDGE STATE FOREST IN ALLEGANY COUNTY
Green Ridge State Forest
28700 Headquarters Drive, NE
Flintstone MD 21530
301-478-3124
The trails listed in this section may only be used by motorcycles, snowmobiles, and four-wheel vehicles:

East Valley/Stafford Trail – 18 mile loop.
POCOMOKE RIVER STATE FOREST IN WORCESTER COUNTY

Pocomoke State Forest
6572 Snow Hill Road
Snow Hill MD 21863
410-632-3732

The Chandler ORV Trail System is approximately 6 miles. Portions of the trail contain large bumps and mud holes. The Trail System consists of three main trails: Yellow Trail, Red Trail and Blue Trail. Each trail is well marked with maps located at each major intersection. Regulations require trail users to stay on designated trails.
Off trail travel causes environmental damage and destroys rare species of plants. It also causes erosion and can threaten animal habitat. Help us protect the environment by staying on designated trails. Off trail riding can result in fines and forfeited privileges.
Funds from ORV permit sales go to help the State Forest Service maintain and improve trails throughout public lands in Maryland. Permits may be purchased at any DNR license service center or at the Shad Landing Camp Store during operational hours from April - November. For more information and camp store hours, call 410-632-3764.
Rules and Regulations at Pocomoke River State Forest

ORV permit required
Helmet and eye protection use is mandatory
Riders must stay on designated trails
Area closes at sunset
Snowmobiles are prohibited
Three wheeled vehicles prohibited
Anyone under 18 years of age must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian
No one under 12 years of age may operate any vehicle
No one may operate any vehicle under the influence of drugs or alcohol
Operators must not operate vehicles in a dangerous, careless or negligent manner
Vehicles over 1,000 lbs. are prohibited
All trails must be left unobstructed
No loaded weapons are permitted on or in any vehicle
Violators are subject to fines and penalties
Alcohol is prohibited on forest trails

Safety Tips

Let someone know where you are going and when you will return
Ride with a partner
Be familiar with the vehicle you are operating
Control your speed
Wear proper clothing
Do not operate in a reckless, careless or negligent manner
Stay on designated trails