Virginia National Forest Permits Cost $5 a Day
A National Forest trail permit can be easy to confuse with a state registration or a general pass for every forest road. For Virginia riders, the key is knowing which designated OHV system you plan to use, what the permit costs, and where to buy it before you arrive. Here’s how the $5 daily permit works and what to check before loading up.
What the $5 National Forest permit covers
The USDA Forest Service lists a daily permit for designated OHV trail systems at $5, alongside a 3-day permit for $12 and an annual permit for $30. Those fees were listed as of November 2026. The 3-day option must be used on consecutive days.
| Permit option | Cost | Main detail |
|---|---|---|
| Daily | $5 | For a day of use on a designated system |
| 3-day | $12 | Must be used on 3 consecutive days |
| Annual | $30 | Check the applicable system’s permit instructions |
The permit is required for each operator on the designated systems covered by the fee rules. In other words, a group should not assume that one permit covers everyone riding together. The USDA Forest Service also says that permits are not transferable between individuals. A permit is valid only when the trail user’s name and dates of use are written on it, and a lost permit cannot be replaced.
The permit is not a universal pass for all National Forest land. The Forest Service allows off-highway vehicle recreation on National Forest lands, but federal rules require riders to use only roads, trails, and areas designated as open to OHVs. The Motor Vehicle Use Map identifies places where public motor vehicle use is allowed. Check the map and the rules for your chosen area rather than assuming that a nearby forest road is open to ATVs.
For the Peters Mill Run/Taskers Gap OHV complex, the USDA Forest Service requires operators of specified vehicles using designated trails and roads to possess and display a permit. That trail system offers 36 miles of riding, but a permit does not override its operating hours, seasonal closure, or route designations. Trails marked with a V are designated for OHV use, according to the Forest Service.
The South Pedlar ATV Trail System has its own permit information and restrictions. The USDA Forest Service says its daily permit is $5 per operator, its 3-day permit is $12 per operator, and its annual permit is $30 per operator. The South Pedlar annual permit is valid for the calendar year. These details are useful when comparing options, but do not assume that rules for one system automatically apply to another.
If you are comparing the cost with other forest riding options, start with Virginia Forest Permit Cost. For a broader look at permits across Virginia’s designated riding areas, see Virginia National Forest OHV Permits.
Where the permit is required and where to buy it
Virginia’s George Washington and Jefferson National Forests offer OHV riding as part of their recreation opportunities, but access depends on the specific trail or road being open to the vehicle you plan to ride. The permit requirement described here applies to designated systems, not every place within either forest. Confirm the trail’s status and permit requirements before you travel.
The USDA Forest Service says permits can be purchased from authorized vendors and at specific ranger district offices. It also accepts permit purchases by mail: send a completed order form and payment to the Lee Ranger District Office or the Glenwood-Pedlar Office, following the instructions for the system you intend to use. For payment by check for South Pedlar permits, the USDA Forest Service, Glenwood and Pedlar Ranger Districts, says checks must be payable to the US Forest Service.
Buying ahead is especially important if you are going to a trailhead where permits are not sold on site. The Forest Service says South Pedlar permits must be purchased from local vendors before arrival. Don’t count on being able to sort out the permit after you park.
Before you buy, check the following:
- Which system you are visiting. Confirm whether the permit and fee information is for Peters Mill Run/Taskers Gap, South Pedlar, or another designated area.
- Where permits are available. Verify the authorized vendors or ranger district office that serves your destination. Availability and office details can vary.
- How the permit must be completed. The Forest Service requires the trail user’s name and dates of use to be written on the permit for it to be valid.
- Whether the permit is specific to each operator. For the systems covered by the individual permit rules, each operator needs their own permit.
- Whether your chosen dates fit the permit. A 3-day permit is for consecutive days, not a flexible set of separate riding days.
For more purchasing detail, see Virginia Forest Permit Purchase Options, Virginia Forest Permit Mail Orders, and Where to Buy a Forest Permit Before You Leave Home. If you plan to buy in person, Buying a Permit Over a Ranger District Counter can help you plan that step.
The Forest Service says America the Beautiful Senior and Access Pass discounts do not apply to the OHV permit fees. A discount or pass that works for another kind of forest recreation should not be assumed to reduce this permit cost.
Rules to check before you ride
A Forest Service permit is only one part of getting ready. It does not make a closed trail open, authorize travel on undesignated routes, or replace applicable state requirements. The USDA Forest Service says OHVs must be equipped with a state-approved muffler and/or spark arrester, and riding in developed campgrounds is prohibited. OHVs may be used to enter and leave campgrounds, but not for recreational riding within them.
The Peters Mill Run/Taskers Gap system has operational hours from sunrise to sunset, according to the Forest Service. It is closed to all motorized use beginning the first Monday in January through March. Check conditions and closures before setting out; a paid permit does not guarantee that a trail will be open on a particular day. See Virginia Forest Season Closures and Virginia Trail Conditions Before You Haul for related planning topics.
Virginia requirements apply as well. The Virginia General Assembly generally restricts ATVs from public highways and public property, and riding on another person’s property requires the owner’s written consent. The General Assembly also prohibits carrying a passenger unless the ATV is designed and equipped for multiple riders. These rules are separate from the National Forest permit process.
The Virginia General Assembly requires ATV operators to wear a protective helmet approved by the Superintendent of State Police. For Peters Mill Run/Taskers Gap, the Forest Service specifies a Department of Transportation-approved protective motorcycle helmet for motorcycle and ATV operators. Check the rules for the individual trail system, and do not treat a trail permit as an exception to helmet requirements.
Age and machine-size restrictions also matter when younger riders are in the group. The Virginia General Assembly allows children under 12 to operate ATVs of no more than 70 cubic centimeters and allows children between 12 and 16 to operate ATVs of no more than 90 cubic centimeters. The Forest Service lists the same engine-size limits for Peters Mill Run/Taskers Gap. South Pedlar has an additional Forest Supervisor’s Order that does not allow operators under 12 on any vehicle there; the Forest Service also says riders between 12 and 16 must be supervised by an adult and use an appropriately sized vehicle. Check the specific system’s rules rather than relying only on the general state limits.
A permit does not serve as Virginia vehicle registration. The Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles says ATVs and off-road motorcycles are not required to be registered. The DMV also says new ATVs and off-road motorcycles with engines over 50 CCs must be titled. Those title and registration rules are distinct from the Forest Service permit requirement; see Virginia Titles ATVs but Does Not Register Them for more on that difference.
A practical pre-trip checklist
The easiest way to avoid a wasted trip is to settle the permit and access details before loading the ATV. Use this sequence:
- Choose the exact riding system. Confirm that the trail or road is designated for your vehicle. Use the relevant Motor Vehicle Use Map and current Forest Service information.
- Check the system’s rules. Confirm hours, closures, vehicle eligibility, equipment requirements, and any limits for younger riders or passengers.
- Choose the permit duration. Compare the daily, 3-day, and annual options against your riding plans. Remember that the 3-day permit is consecutive-day use.
- Buy from an authorized source before you arrive. If using the mail option, allow time for the order and payment to reach the appropriate ranger district office. If the trail system does not sell permits on site, do not leave the purchase until you reach the trailhead.
- Complete the permit carefully. Write the trail user’s name and dates of use where required, and keep the permit available to display.
- Recheck conditions before departure. A seasonal closure or temporary condition can change whether a route is usable, even if you already have a permit.
Plan for each rider’s permit rather than treating the fee as a vehicle charge. The permit rules are operator-based, so a family or riding group may need several permits. Also keep each person’s permit with that person: permits are non-transferable, and the Forest Service does not replace lost permits.
If you are bringing a dog, the Forest Service says dogs must be kept on a leash no longer than 6 feet within recreational areas. That detail is easy to overlook when planning a trail day, particularly if you intend to stop at a recreation area before or after riding.
The main takeaway is straightforward: the $5 daily permit is for designated OHV trail systems, not blanket access to Virginia’s National Forests. Confirm the system, buy the right permit ahead of time, and check the applicable trail and state rules before you ride.
Sources
- Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles — Off-Road Vehicles | Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (checked November 3, 2026)
- USDA Forest Service — George Washington and Jefferson National Forests | Recreation OHV Trail Permits | Forest Service (checked November 3, 2026)
- Virginia General Assembly — § 46.2-915.1. All-terrain vehicles and off-road motorcycles; penalty (checked November 3, 2026)
- Forest Service — George Washington and Jefferson National Forests | Peters Mill Run/Taskers Gap Trail System | Forest Service (checked November 3, 2026)
- Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles — Get a Homemade Trailer VIN Plate | Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (checked November 3, 2026)
- Forest Service — George Washington and Jefferson National Forests | South Pedlar ATV Trail System | Forest Service (checked November 3, 2026)
- USDA Forest Service, Glenwood & Pedlar Ranger Districts — South%20Pedlar%20ATV%20Permit%20Order%20Form.pdf (checked November 3, 2026)
- Forest Service — George Washington and Jefferson National Forests | Off-Highway Vehicles (OHV) | Forest Service (checked November 3, 2026)
Disclaimer
This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Laws, prices and regulations vary by location and change over time. Consult a qualified professional for guidance on your specific situation.
