OHVs
 Perhaps you want to hit the dunes in a dune buggy ... or conquer the trails on your dirt bike. Maybe snowmobiling appeals to you … or you prefer to crisscross the landscape in a four-wheel ATV.
Whatever vehicle you like to use off-highway, many state parks offer amenities that let you indulge in your passion (note: not all state parks offer facilities for all types of off-highway vehicles).
Some state parks have special trails designated just for your vehicle, while others let you conquer the wild with only your internal compass for a guide.
You want to be sure you observe a state's registration guidelines for OHVs, as well as the safety procedures that will help you avoid injuries or a brush with the law.
• Get more information on OHV safety and OHV safety classes
OHV Safety Tips
- 1. Know where you're going before you get there. The last thing you want to do is soar over a log or hill only to discover there's a deep ravine on the other side. A quick reconnaissance mission before you rev up the OHV can save you lots of misery and perhaps a few broken bones.
- 2. Where speed is concerned, moderation is the key. Drive too quickly on a trail, and your ability to react to a large rock or log gets impaired. Drive too slowly on a beach or sandy gully, and you may never get out.
- 3. Approach logs and ditches like a football running back. Star running backs know to power themselves forward with their body at an angle, with one shoulder thrust forward. Similarly, approach a ditch at an angle so just one wheel surmounts it at a time. Allow a front and rear tire to land in the ditch simultaneously and you'll have trouble.
- 4. But ... drive straight up (and down) hills. Do either at a diagonal and you increase the chance of sliding sideways or rolling over completely.
- 5. Gain traction by "airing down". When you lower the pressure in your tires, you increase your traction on all types of terrain. However, don't forget to air back up before driving on pavement again.
Learn more about operating OHVs in the state parks of:
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