Planning Around the Winter Closure at Taskers Gap
A winter trip to Peters Mill Run and Taskers Gap can go wrong before you reach the trailhead if you miss the seasonal closure. The Forest Service shuts the system to motorized use for a defined winter period, and permits do not override that closure. Plan around the dates, verify trail status before hauling, and sort out permits and gear before departure.
Know when Taskers Gap closes
The Peters Mill Run and Taskers Gap OHV Trail System offers 36 miles of riding, but it is not open to motorized use year-round. According to the Forest Service, the system closes to all motorized use beginning the first Monday in January and remains closed through March.
That closure applies to motorized riding throughout the system. A valid permit, a trail map, or a machine that meets the trail requirements does not make riding legal while the area is closed. The useful planning distinction is between the seasonal closure and ordinary operating hours: outside the closure, the Forest Service lists the recreation area’s hours as sunrise to sunset.
The closure information does not provide a specific reopening day in April. Avoid assuming that a calendar date, mild weather, or an open-looking trail means the system has reopened. Check the Forest Service’s current status before you leave, especially if your trip is close to the end of March. For more on the seasonal rules, see Peters Mill Run Closes Mid-January Through Mid-March and Virginia Forest Season Closures.
A closure can also affect the practical parts of a trip. If you have booked lodging, arranged a group ride, or borrowed a trailer, a last-minute change may be harder than checking the status before making those plans. Build a confirmation step into your schedule rather than treating the closure dates as a rough suggestion.
| Planning question | What to know |
|---|---|
| When does the winter closure begin? | The Forest Service says closure begins the first Monday in January. |
| When does the stated closure period end? | The Forest Service says the system is closed through March; it does not give an exact reopening day in the provided closure information. |
| Does a permit allow riding during the closure? | No. The Forest Service closes the system to all motorized use during the closure. |
| What are the normal operating hours when the area is open? | The Forest Service lists sunrise to sunset. |
| What is the trail distance? | The Forest Service describes the system as 36 miles. |
For a trip near the seasonal boundary, check the official status close to departure, then check again before loading up if conditions or plans change. A phone call or current Forest Service notice is more useful than relying on an old calendar, an outdated social post, or another rider’s past experience.
Check access and permits before you haul
The closure is only one part of deciding whether a ride can happen. The Forest Service restricts off-highway vehicles to designated areas, roads, and trails, and says the Peters Mill Run and Taskers Gap OHV complex requires each operator to possess and display a permit. A permit is necessary when the system is open, but it does not grant access to trails that are closed or not designated for OHV use.
Trails marked with the letter V are designated for off-highway vehicle use, according to the Forest Service. Use the Motor Vehicle Use Map to confirm where motorized travel is allowed rather than assuming that every visible road or trail is open. You can read more about permit requirements in Virginia National Forest OHV Permits and Virginia Forest Permit Purchase Options.
The Forest Service lists daily, three-day, and annual permits for the designated OHV trail systems. According to the Forest Service, the daily permit costs $5, the three-day permit costs $12 and must cover three consecutive days, and the annual permit costs $30. These are the Forest Service figures as of November 2026; check with the Forest Service for current amounts before purchasing.
| Permit type | Forest Service cost | Useful for |
|---|---|---|
| Daily | $5 | A single riding day |
| Three-day | $12 | Three consecutive riding days |
| Annual | $30 | Multiple trips during the permit’s valid period |
Permits are available through authorized vendors and specified ranger district offices, according to the Forest Service. The Forest Service also allows mail orders by sending a completed order form and payment to the Lee Ranger District Office or the Glenwood-Pedlar Office. For the current purchase process and locations, see Virginia Forest Permit Mail Orders.
Before you buy, check how the permit must be completed and displayed. The Forest Service says a permit is valid only when the trail user’s name and dates of use are written on it. Permits are not transferable between individuals and cannot be replaced if lost. The Forest Service also says America the Beautiful Senior and Access Pass discounts do not apply to these permit fees.
Those details matter when you are riding with a group. Do not assume one person can buy a permit and share it with the rest of the group, or that an incomplete permit can be fixed at the trailhead. Each operator should confirm their own permit, fill it out as required, and keep it secure. If your plan includes riders who will take turns operating, confirm the permit requirement for each person who will operate.
Prepare riders, machines, and a backup plan
A ride that falls outside the winter closure still needs to meet trail and state requirements. The Forest Service says motorcycle and ATV operators must wear a Department of Transportation-approved protective motorcycle helmet. It also states that carrying a passenger is prohibited unless the ATV is designed and equipped for more than one rider.
Virginia’s age limits are another item to check before bringing young riders. According to the Virginia General Assembly, children under 12 may operate an ATV with an engine of no more than 70 cubic centimeters, while children from 12 to 16 may operate one with an engine of no more than 90 cubic centimeters. The Virginia General Assembly also requires operators to wear a protective helmet approved by the Superintendent of State Police. Check the requirements for your specific rider and machine rather than relying on supervision alone.
For general preparation, confirm the machine is appropriate for the ride, inspect it before departure, and bring the items you would need if weather or trail conditions slow the group down. A map is useful even when you expect to follow a familiar route. The Forest Service’s Motor Vehicle Use Map is the key reference for designated motorized routes; a phone map is not a substitute for confirming that a route is open to OHVs.
Keep permits and essential trip information protected from moisture. A weather-resistant document pouch can help keep paper materials legible; Amazon is one option for finding one, but check the pouch dimensions and closure before choosing it. If relying on a phone for maps or status checks, save what you need before leaving home so the plan does not depend on a connection at the trailhead.
Set a decision point before you start driving. If the Forest Service reports the system closed, choose another activity rather than trying an unmarked route or neighboring forest road. Federal rules require OHVs to stay on areas, roads, and trails designated as open to OHVs, according to the Forest Service. A route that looks passable is not automatically open to motorized use.
If you want to substitute a different riding area, verify that it is open to your type of machine, confirm its permit rules, and check for its own seasonal closures. Do not assume a permit for Peters Mill Run and Taskers Gap covers another system. Even within national forest land, access rules can differ by trail and location. Virginia Trail Conditions Before You Haul offers related planning context.
Make the trip decision before loading
A simple pre-departure routine can prevent a long drive to a closed gate. Start by checking the Forest Service’s current closure notice. If the area is open, confirm operating hours and the designated OHV routes. Then verify that each operator has the required permit and that the permit has been completed properly. Finish by checking the machine, helmets, route information, and any backup plans.
The Forest Service lists the recreation area’s operating hours as sunrise to sunset. Plan your ride within those hours and leave enough time to return without rushing. This is especially important if you are unfamiliar with the system or if the group includes riders moving at different speeds.
A practical final check looks like this:
- Confirm the closure status directly with the Forest Service, particularly around the end of the winter closure.
- Confirm that the route is designated for OHV use and open to your machine.
- Make sure every operator has the required permit, with the correct name and dates recorded.
- Check that riders have the required helmets and that any passenger setup is permitted for the ATV.
- Save a map and the relevant contact or status information before travel.
- Have an alternate plan that does not depend on riding a closed or undesignated route.
If the system is closed, postponing the ride is the safest choice. Do not treat a permit as permission to enter during a closure, and do not assume that a trail is available just because another Forest Service recreation area is open. Checking before you haul protects your time and helps keep motorized use on the routes the Forest Service has designated.
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.
