If you own an ATV in Texas, you are very near to being in ATV heaven! There are the sandy areas in South Texas, The Hill Country around Austin, the Northern area in Texas has great overgrowth and lushly forested trails to ride your ATV upon. No matter where you ride your ATV in Texas, you will want to do it legally, a fine when you're out riding can be a real day spoiler.
Just to make it a challenge, each National Forest land in Texas has a unique criteria for riding your ATVs. Be sure and call ahead to the ranger's station to be certain that you have the rules and regulations correct for the area in which you are going to riding your ATV.
Your ATV must be licensed to ride on any Federally Managed lands. You may only ride your ATV on trails that are not closed by a gate or sign. "Mud bogging" is not allowed on any of the State or Federally managed trail systems in Texas. Be sure and ride your ATV only where permitted. The rules in most State and Federally managed lands require that you only ford streams on your ATV at specifically marked points.
You must display your annual registration sticker on your ATV when riding on any state and federally managed lands. The stickers for your ATV may be obtained at your tax assessor's office.
The State of Texas does ask that you take an ATV Safety Rider Course and carry your certificate. You are also required to wear a D.O.T. approved helmet and eye protection.
The rules for crossing roads on your ATV, you must have your ATVs head and tail lights on, you must stop completely and cross perpendicular to the road you are crossing on your ATV.Operators under 14 years of age must be under direct supervision of parent or guardian.
