If you own an ATV in Minnesota, you're very lucky. In the wintertime you may feel like you need a snowmobile more than an ATV, but once those winter snows melt and your'e left with the lush terrain to ride your ATV on in the Spring through the Fall, you will forget all about snowmobiles.
The rules and regulations for owning an ATV in Minnesota are not too extensive. Your ATV must be registered through the Bureau of Motor Vehicles and you will be given a sticker that must be prominently displayed at all times on your ATV when you are riding. The minimum age for riding an ATV for a child is 12-years of age as well as all ATV riders from the ages of 12-16 years of age must have a licensed and registered adult along for the ride who is also riding an ATV. Additionally, you must be wearing a DOT approved helmet and eye protection at all times.
Minnesota's National Forests, Chippewa and Superior, had suffered a lot of damage from a certain number of ATVers who were not following the good ideas put forth by Treadlightly and a lot of damage occurred on the trail systems. Minnesota made some changes to their OHV regulations for riding on these lands in November 2005, that designated very specific trail areas for ATVing and only those areas may be traveled upon by OHVs. Be sure to get a map of the current trail systems at the Ranger's station as ATV trails are closed frequently to allow different areas of vegetation to reclaim itself.
Minnesota offers up many months of good ATVing weather, now that you know the proper rules and regs - load up your ATV and go riding with your favorite group of friends.
