An Annual Forest OHV Permit Costs $30
An annual Forest OHV permit costs $30, but that does not automatically make every National Forest trail open to your machine. The key is matching the permit to the riding area and understanding whether it is per operator, when it is valid, and how to get it before you leave. Here’s how to plan around the fee without confusing a trail permit with DMV paperwork.
What the $30 annual permit covers
The Forest Service lists daily, three-day and annual permits for designated OHV trail systems. According to the Forest Service, the listed fees were as follows as of November 2026:
| Permit type | Cost | Main detail |
|---|---|---|
| Daily | $5 | For a day of riding |
| Three-day | $12 | Must be used on three consecutive days |
| Annual | $30 | At South Pedlar, valid for the calendar year |
The annual permit is not a general pass for every off-highway vehicle route in Virginia. Forest rules and permit requirements depend on the trail system. In particular, the South Pedlar ATV Trail System has its own permit instructions, including the calendar-year validity period. Don’t assume that detail applies to a permit for another Forest Service riding area.
At South Pedlar, permits are required for each ATV operator. The Forest Service says an annual permit costs $30 per operator and is valid for the calendar year. That means riders in a group should not assume one permit covers everyone simply because they are traveling together or using one vehicle.
The daily and three-day options may be a better fit for an occasional visit. The three-day permit is for consecutive days, not separate trips spread across a season. If you expect to ride repeatedly, compare the options using your own plans rather than treating the annual permit as a universal access pass. For a broader look at permit costs and where the rules differ, see Virginia Forest Permit Cost and Virginia National Forest OHV Permits.
There are limits to what the fee buys. At South Pedlar, America the Beautiful Senior and Access Pass discounts do not apply to OHV permits. Permits are not transferable between people, and the Forest Service says they are not replaceable if lost. A permit is valid only when the trail user’s name and dates of use are written on it. These details matter if you are buying for a riding partner or planning to carry the permit in a way that could lead to it being misplaced.
A permit also does not replace an ATV title or registration. The Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles says new ATVs and off-road motorcycles with engines over 50 CCs must be titled, while ATVs and off-road motorcycles are not required to be registered. Those are separate state vehicle-document rules; the Forest Service permit is about access to a particular designated riding area. If you need the DMV side explained, see Virginia National Forest OHV Permits for the permit context and How to Title an ATV in Virginia for titling steps.
Which riding areas require a Forest permit
The Forest Service offers OHV recreation on National Forest lands, but riding is restricted to areas, roads and trails designated as open to OHVs. A permit does not give permission to ride wherever a forest road or trail happens to look passable. Check the applicable Motor Vehicle Use Map and the local rules for the specific system before unloading.
The Peters Mill Run and Taskers Gap OHV complex is one designated system where permits are required. The Forest Service describes it as a 36-mile trail system, and says operators of specified vehicles on designated trails and roads within the complex must possess and display a permit. For the system’s location, conditions and access details, see Virginia’s 36-Mile Peters Mill Run and Taskers Gap System.
South Pedlar also requires permits, but it has separate operating conditions. The Forest Service says permits are required for each operator there, and the trail system has vehicle limits, including a maximum width of 50 inches and an unloaded dry-weight limit of 1,500 pounds. A machine that meets another trail system’s requirements may not qualify at South Pedlar, so check the rules for the trail you plan to ride rather than relying on a permit alone.
The South Pedlar permit is not sold on site. The Forest Service says riders must buy it from local vendors, and permits may also be purchased through the listed mail-order process. This is an important practical difference if you are accustomed to buying a pass at a trailhead. For details on purchasing options, see Virginia Forest Permit Purchase Options.
The forest’s wider OHV opportunity does not mean all trails are motorized routes. Federal rules require OHVs to stay on areas, roads and trails designated as open. The Forest Service also prohibits recreational riding within developed campgrounds; OHVs may be used to enter and leave campgrounds, not for riding around them. Use the Motor Vehicle Use Map for route status, and confirm local notices before traveling. You can read more about preparing a permit order through Virginia Forest Permit Mail Orders.
How to buy and use the permit
Permits can be purchased from authorized vendors and specific ranger district offices. The Forest Service also allows permit purchases by mail, with a completed order form and payment sent to the Lee Ranger District Office or the Glenwood-Pedlar Office. Check the current instructions for the system you intend to visit before mailing anything, because the available purchase channel and payment details can differ by location.
For South Pedlar, the Forest Service says checks must be payable to the US Forest Service. It also says the permit must show the trail user’s name and dates of use. Write that information clearly and keep the permit available to display as required. Because permits are nontransferable and not replaceable if lost, avoid treating a paper permit as a reusable group pass.
At Peters Mill Run and Taskers Gap, the Forest Service requires operators to possess and display a permit on designated trails and roads. If you are buying by mail or through an office, allow enough time for the process before your planned departure; don’t count on picking up a permit at a trailhead unless the Forest Service confirms that option for your location. For a step-by-step overview of buying a pass, see Virginia Forest Permit Mail Orders.
Before setting out, use this checklist:
- Identify the specific OHV system you plan to ride.
- Confirm that your vehicle is allowed on that system and check any width, weight or equipment limits.
- Confirm which permit is accepted there and whether you need a permit for each operator.
- Buy the permit through an authorized channel before arrival if permits are not sold on site.
- Write the required name and dates on the permit, and keep it available to display.
- Check the Motor Vehicle Use Map and current Forest Service notices for open routes and operating conditions.
Permit checks are only one part of trip planning. The Forest Service says Peters Mill Run and Taskers Gap are closed to motorized use beginning the first Monday in January through March, and that the recreation area operates from sunrise to sunset. Trails marked with the letter V are designated for OHV use. Check current notices rather than assuming that a route is open because a permit is valid.
For South Pedlar, confirm that your machine meets the site’s size and weight restrictions before hauling it there. The Forest Service also says operators and riders must wear a DOT-approved protective motorcycle helmet, and passengers are allowed only when the ATV is designed and equipped for more than one rider. These operating requirements are separate from the permit fee. See Virginia Forest Equipment Requirements for more on the checks that can affect whether a machine is ready for a Forest Service trail.
Keep the permit separate from Virginia riding laws
A Forest Service permit authorizes use of a designated trail system under that system’s rules. It does not make an ATV street legal or override Virginia’s restrictions on where ATVs may be operated. The Virginia General Assembly says ATVs are generally prohibited on public highways and public property, subject to limited exceptions. A trail permit should not be read as permission to ride on public roads to reach a trailhead.
Virginia rules also address helmets, passenger use and riding on another person’s property. The Virginia General Assembly requires operators to wear a protective helmet approved by the Superintendent of State Police, prohibits carrying a passenger unless the ATV is designed and equipped for multiple riders, and requires written owner consent to ride on another person’s property. Forest Service requirements may also apply at the trail system, so follow the rules that govern the place where you are riding.
The Forest Service states that operators and vehicles must meet applicable state requirements when using roads open to large vehicles. That is another reason not to treat an annual trail permit as a substitute for checking route access and vehicle rules. A designated forest route, a public highway and private land are different settings with different permissions.
If your trip involves more than one riding area, verify each one separately. A permit that works at one system may not cover another, and an annual permit’s validity period should not be assumed to be identical everywhere. Start with the specific Forest Service location, confirm its permit instructions and map, then make sure your machine and riders meet both the local trail rules and Virginia requirements.
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)
- Forest Service — George Washington and Jefferson National Forests | Peters Mill Run/Taskers Gap Trail System | Forest Service (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.
