+---------------------------+-------------------+---+-------------------+
| National Park Service     | Ozark National    |   | P.O. Box 490      |
|                           |                   |   |                   |
| U.S. Department of the    | Scenic Riverways  |   | Van Buren         |
| Interior                  |                   |   |                   |
|                           | Use the complete  |   | Missouri          |
|                           | site name here    |   | 63965-0490        |
|                           | (e.g. Palo Alto   |   |                   |
|                           | Battlefield       |   | 573-323-4236      |
|                           | Historic Site).   |   | phone             |
|                           |                   |   |                   |
|                           |                   |   | 573-323-4140 fax  |
+---------------------------+-------------------+---+-------------------+

![](media/image1.png){width="0.5597222222222222in"
height="0.7201388888888889in"}

**Ozark National Scenic Riverways** News Release

  -----------------------------------------------------------------------
  Use a "short-hand" version of the site name here (e.g. Palo Alto
  Battlefield not Palo Alto Battlefield National Historical Site).

  -----------------------------------------------------------------------

May 17, 2004

For Immediate Release

Bill O\'Donnell 573-323-4236, ext. 236

Patty Kelley 573-323-4236, ext. 225

[For Immediate Release]{.underline}

### ATV Regulations for Ozark National Scenic Riverways

As hunters prepare for the Fall hunting seasons, National Park Service
officials at Ozark National Scenic Riverways want to remind the public
about the rules and regulations regarding off-road travel and the use of
All Terrain Vehicles (ATVs) in the park. While no vehicles are permitted
off designated roads, ATVs are the most common vehicles to illegally
drive off roads.

Riding ATVs is popular with many people, and ATVs can be both useful and
fun, but Ozark National Scenic Riverways is not the place. Companies
that manufacture these vehicles market them as being "all terrain,"
implying it is okay to ride them virtually anywhere. These vehicles can
damage our natural and cultural resources. Operation along streams and
rivers can cause erosion and pollution to our aquatic systems, and the
noise disturbs all inhabitants within the Riverways.

ATVs are prohibited off established roads, on any closed road, on any
paved road, on any service road, on power line rights of way, on any
campground roads, in the river (unless at an approved river crossing and
then only to cross and continue on), and not on any gravel bars.

The rangers warn that there are areas within the park that have
unauthorized trails starting to develop. If the trail one is on does not
look like a maintained road that a full sized pickup could drive on then
that trail is closed to ATVs. If you are in doubt, please contact the
park before riding on questionable roads.

If one has a county permit and abide by Missouri State motor vehicle
regulations, he/she may ride ATVs for recreational purposes on park
roads open to motorized vehicles. There are over

200 miles of roads within the ONSR boundaries that are open to motorized
vehicles and ATVs. A lot of these established roads are in the
backcountry and offer excellent opportunities for ATV riding.

ATV operators must have the appropriate county permit and must abide by
the Missouri State motor vehicle regulations. Operators are reminded
that they must have a valid driver's license, the ATV must be registered
with the state and must have a valid county permit, no ATV operator may
carry a passenger unless that machine is designed to carry a second
passenger, and every ATV must be equipped with an adequate muffler and
approved spark arrestor, a slow-moving triangular emblem on the back of
the machine, a safety flag extending at least 7 feet above the ground,
and a lighted headlamp and trail lamp. It is the responsibility of the
operator to know the laws and regulations that apply to their activity.

While Ozark National Scenic Riverways is not a place for off-road
vehicle recreation, there are places on public land that provide ATV
trails and routes. There are also some private lands open for ORV
recreation. Be sure and get permission from the landowner before
traveling off-road on private land.

The Department of Natural Resources permits ORV use at Finger Lakes
State Park in Boone County and at St. Joe State Park in St. Francois
County. The U.S. Forest Service permits ORV use at Chadwick Motorcycle
and ATV Use Area in Christian County and at Sutton Bluff Motorcycle and
ATV Use Area in Reynolds County. Rules and regulations for ORV use
differ for each area so contact the respective office for more
information.

**If you would like more information or have questions about off-road
vehicle use at Ozark National Scenic Riverways contact the Chief Ranger
at 573-323-4236. For information about the park you can visit with a
ranger in the park, call the park headquarters at 573-323-4236, send an
email to ozar_superintendent@nps.gov, or visit the park website at
www.nps.gov/ozar**

-NPS-