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​ATV Regional Trail Connector Pilot

ATV enthusiasts are invited to experience riding trails in northcentral Pennsylvania that comprise the ATV Regional Trail Connector Pilot.

As the term “pilot” suggests, the Regional Trail Connector is a relatively new program that connects ATV riding opportunities on existing routes and trails overseen by different governing authorities.

ATV riders will have the unique opportunity for long-distance travel by permit on:

  • Designated state forest trails and roads
  • Designated local (township, borough) roads
  • Designated PennDOT-administered roads

2023 Pilot Riding Area

The 2023 ATV Regional Trail Connector Pilot area will center upon Potter and Tioga counties, but will also include parts of Clinton and Lycoming counties.

For 2023 riding area details, please see the:

Riders are encouraged to travel the preferred route, but are free to ride any trail or road in the area that is designated open to this use.

Responsibility falls on riders to plan their route and use only designated trails and roads, while avoiding those that are not open to ATV use.

ATV riding opportunities within this pilot area are as follows:

  • 400+ miles of township roads
  • 163 miles of state forest roads and trails
  • 33 miles of PennDOT-administered roads

Pilot Riding Area Advisories

Routes 144 and 120 Open Through Renovo

PennDOT recently opened the roadway to properly permitted and licensed ATVs on Route 144 and Route 120 from Stony Run to North Bend, establishing a key pilot route connection in the area.

More details:

  • Route 144 and Route 120 were opened to ATVs between Stony Run and Schoolhouse Lane in North Bend
  • "Preferred Route" was added for Route 144 and Route 120 from Stony Run to the gas station in North Bend
  • Please check the ATV Regional Trail Connector Pilot Area Online GIS Map to see the area.

Painter-Leetonia Road Open to ATVs

Deadman Hollow Road and Painter-Leetonia Road -- from the intersection of Deadman Hollow Road to the merger with Gaines Township Road/Painter Run Road -- will be open to properly permitted and licensed ATVs starting on Friday, June 30, 2023.

The road will remain closed to all other vehicular traffic for stone placement until Friday, July 14, 2023.

The section of road is located in Gaines Township, Tioga County.

Dust Advisory

Roads can be very dusty during dry conditions. To help minimize this issue, please consider these actions:

  • Ride in small groups to keep dust down.
  • If you are part of a large group, please consider postponing your ride until a later date.
  • Opt to ride only the state forest trail system.

The Regional ATV Connector Pilot is a partnership between local municipalities, PennDOT, and DCNR to make long distance riding opportunities available.

It takes all of these partners to make these connections possible, so reducing impacts during very dusty conditions is very important to the long-term sustainability of the program.

Pilot Riding Season

The riding season is set to follow the summer ATV trail season designation, which normally operates from the Friday preceding Memorial Day through the last full weekend in September.

The 2023 summer riding season begins on Friday, May 26, 2023 and closes on Sunday, September 24, 2023.

Riding Permit, Connector Pass

Riding the ATV Regional Connector Trail Pilot requires the purchase of a yearly permit.

Fees for 2023 riding season are:

  • $40.00 for Pennsylvania-registered ATVs
  • $60.00 for ATVs registered in another state

Permits are accompanied by a decal which must be visibly displayed upon the machine for which the permit is secured.

How to Obtain Permits

In-Person Option

Permit sales for the 2023 riding season opened on Monday, April 3, 2023.

Riders can purchase permits in-person through the Tioga, Tiadaghton, Sproul, or Susquehannock State Forest offices.

Current Office Hours by District

Tioga, Tiadaghton, and Sproul State Forests: Permits are available for in-person sales between the hours of 8:00 A.M and 4:00 P.M., Monday through Friday.

Susquehannock State Forest: Permits are available for in-person sales only between the hours of 8:00 A.M and 4:00 P.M., Monday through Sunday.

Office hours will be subject to change throughout the riding season for all districts.

Please contact the district office if you have questions.

Mail-In Option

Permit sales for the 2023 riding season opened on Monday, April 3, 2023.

Riders can obtain a permit by downloading, printing, and filling out the ATV Regional Trail Connector Pilot Application for Permit (PDF) and sending with check or money order to:

Mira Lloyd Dock Center

137 Penn Nursery Road

Spring Mills, PA 16875

ATTN: Pilot Permit

Applications will be processed in the order they are received and mailed back to applicants as soon as possible.

Permit Decal Placement

The permit decal (sticker) shall be placed in the uppermost, middle portion of the windshield on UTVs.

For ATVs and UTVs with no windshield, place the decal (sticker) on the right front fender (rider point of view).

Pilot Program Evaluation

DCNR’s Bureau of Forestry is implementing a comprehensive monitoring program that will evaluate the impact of the ATV Regional Connector Trail Pilot on:

  • Local communities
  • Ecological values
  • Other state forest users and recreational values
  • Bureau of Forestry operations, staffing, and law enforcement capacity
  • Public safety
  • Impacts to adjacent public lands and natural resources

The monitoring program also will evaluate the effectiveness of the special permit; the adequacy of funding for continued operation of the trail; and the need for additional education, outreach, and trail marketing.

Public Input on Pilot Program

The public may provide comments during the length of the pilot program to DCNR.

Report on Pilot Program

By December 31, 2023, DCNR will publish a report about the pilot project for further evaluation and stakeholder input.