ATV/snowmobile fever: Westmoreland, Allegheny lead Pennsylvania in registrations

As the U.S. Forest Service has opened up ATV and off-road vehicle permits for the Allegheny National Forest, the state reports that its licenses for these sports vehicles continue to trend upwards.

The U.S. Forest Service offers permits for off-road vehicles to use federal forests, including the region’s closest federal lands, the Allegheny National Forest. Meanwhile, the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources issues its permits year-round for residents to operate off-road vehicles wherever they are permissible in the state.

In Pennsylvania as of Feb. 3, Westmoreland County had 13,886 registered ATV/off-road vehicles, the highest number in the state. Allegheny County was second, with 12,977 registrations.

“ATVs continue their slow but steady increase in popularity across the state, but the sport of snowmobiling and the vast state land available to pursue it is being rediscovered,” said Terry Brady, DCNR spokesman.

“It’s amazing what a few significant snowstorms can do,” he said. Sustained cold weather helps the state Bureau of Forestry to groom the trails, even when there isn’t fresh snow, he added.

The U.S. Forest Service, which is under the Department of Agriculture, also reports a growing number of day and long-term permits for anyone to ride their off-road vehicles in U.S. forests in Pennsylvania.

Permit sales have shot up almost 13% from 2014, when 5,775 permits were sold for access to federal forests, to 6,517 in 2020.

“Visitors continue to seize opportunities to socially distance and enjoy the recreational aspects of the forest,” said Justin Woldt, a supervisory natural resource specialist for the Allegheny National Forest.

“We continue to see growth in ATV/off-road motorcycle use and permit sales and are excited about the great winter weather we’ve had that may allow us to open some of the trails for winter use,” he said.

In response to greater interest, DCNR in November announced it was looking for opportunities to acquire, develop and manage more land for ATV use.

The agency has a new policy that authorizes creating new ATV trails and connectors in state forests; designating portions of the existing state forest road system as seasonal or permanent ATV trails, and allowing the public to comment on the broader impact of new ATV projects.