ATV Riding in McCurtain County

The Ouachita National Forest, Three Rivers, and Honobia Creek Wildlife Management Areas are the only areas available for legal public OHV use in McCurtain County. Many of the rules and regulations governing this use are identical throughout these areas.

Users of the Three Rivers Wildlife Management Area and Honobia Creek Wildlife Management Area should be aware of the following additional considerations:

• These areas are owned by private companies and made available for public use through an agreement with the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation. The private companies reserve the right to limit access to certain areas when business stewardship of their lands necessitates it.
• People wishing to access the Three Rivers or Honobia Creek Wildlife Management Areas must purchase a Land Access Fee permit. These are available where hunting and fishing licenses are sold. The cost is $16 annually for Oklahoma residents and $25 annually for non-residents.

Suggested Riding Areas

On the Ouachita National Forest, the lands west of U.S. Hwy 259 and east of the Glover River offer many miles of uninterrupted riding pleasure.

On the Three Rivers and Honobia Creek Wildlife Management Areas, suggested routes may vary depending upon forest management activities that may be taking place. Please contact the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation for guidance in planning your next trip to McCurtain County.

OHV Rules and Regulations

• All motorized vehicles, including but not limited to all-terrain vehicles and off-highway vehicles commonly called 3 or 4-wheelers, jeeps, or dirt bikes, must remain on roads constructed AND intended for “normal” or “regular” motor vehicle use.
• All applicable state and federal laws and regulations apply on public lands in McCurtain County.
• Driving over or around roads closed by an earthen mound, rocks, closed gate or signs is prohibited.
• Driving on power-line, pipeline, seismic line, fire line or railroad right-of-ways is prohibited.
• Driving in stream beds, creek beds, lake beds or shorelines is prohibited.
• Driving off road and out on the forest is prohibited. There are currently no developed or legal OHV trail systems in McCurtain County.
• Pay the fee and carry the permit on Three Rivers and Honobia Creek Wildlife Management Areas.

The REASON for the RULES

Off-Highway Vehicle users not adhering to the rules can cause serious detrimental impacts to the forest. Please do your part by remaining on open forest roads and informing other OHV riders of the importance of following all the regulations.

• Respect the rights of others on the roads. One little blip of the throttle can leave a shower of gravel or a cloud of dust – and an enemy behind you.
• Avoid wet areas and waterways. They are a vital resource for fish habitat, plants and animals.
• Cutting through the forest can damage resources and cause erosion.
• Riding off the roads can destroy animal burrows and spread noxious weeds that damage habitats and kill native plants.
• View animals from a distance. When they flee they use valuable energy reserves.
• Always use a spark arrester. It doesn’t sacrifice power, but can save the forest from devastating fires.
• If you “pack it in, pack it out.” Trash is an eyesore and attracts scavengers that can endanger other wildlife.
• Driving responsibly protects the environment and preserves opportunities to enjoy your vehicle on lands available for public use.

Other Opportunities
While there are no designated public mountain bike or equestrian trails in McCurtain County, the hundreds of miles of roads in the Ouachita National Forest, Three Rivers, and Honobia Creek Wildlife Management Areas are open for these uses. Mountain bikers may also ride on park roads within Beavers Bend Resort Park and Hochatown State Park.