Texas has no single official list of places you can legally ride an ATV, UTV, or dirt bike. Riding areas are split across federal land, a state program, city parks, volunteer nonprofits, and private ranches — each with its own rules, its own fee structure, and in several cases no website at all. This directory pulls them into one place.
We run guided rides out of Northwest OHV Park in Bridgeport, so we have an obvious favorite. We have still listed every park we could verify, including the ones that compete with us, because a directory that only lists your own backyard is not a directory.
A note on fees and hours: we deliberately do not publish gate prices or operating hours for parks we do not run. They change seasonally and during event weekends, and a stale number is worse than no number. Every entry links to the park's official source — check there before you load the trailer.
Before You Ride: The Texas OHV Decal
The Texas Off-Highway Vehicle Program was created by the Legislature in 2005 and took effect January 1, 2006. Under Chapter 29 of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Code, anyone operating an OHV at a legal riding venue on public land in Texas must display a current OHV decal, issued by Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. Decal revenue is what funds new and existing legal riding areas in the state.
- Public land venues — decal required by law.
- Private parks — set their own policy. Several require the decal anyway; some do not. Confirm with the park.
- Registration — ATVs and UTVs used off-highway do not require standard vehicle registration in Texas.
- Gear — DOT-approved helmets and eye protection are required at most parks and are simply a good idea everywhere else.
One common misconception worth clearing up: off-highway vehicles are prohibited in Big Bend National Park, and a Texas OHV decal does not change that.
Quick Comparison
| Park | Region | Size | Vehicles | Land type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Northwest OHV Park | DFW / North TX | ~300 ac | ATV · UTV · Bike · 4x4 | Public |
| Trophy Club Park | DFW / North TX | ~900 ac | ATV · Bike only | Public |
| Red River Motorcycle Trails | North TX | ~2,700 ac | ATV · Bike | Private |
| Barnwell Mountain Rec. Area | East TX | 1,850 ac | ATV · UTV · Bike · 4x4 | Nonprofit |
| General Sam's Offroad Park | East TX | ~756 ac | ATV · UTV · Bike · 4x4 | Private |
| Sam Houston Nat'l Forest | East TX | 85 mi trail | ATV · Bike | Federal |
| River Run ATV Park | East TX | — | ATV · UTV · 4x4 | Private |
| Hidden Falls Adventure Park | Hill Country | 2,100+ ac | ATV · UTV · Bike · 4x4 | Private |
| Katemcy Rocks | Hill Country | — | UTV · 4x4 | Private |
| Wolf Caves Off Road Park | Hill Country | — | UTV · 4x4 | Private |
| Escondido Draw Rec. Area | West TX | 3,500 ac | ATV · UTV · Bike · 4x4 | Nonprofit |
| Rosita Flats OHV Area | Panhandle | ~1,740 ac | ATV · UTV · Bike · 4x4 | Federal |
| Blue Creek Bridge OHV Area | Panhandle | — | ATV · UTV · Bike · 4x4 | Federal |
| Buffalo Springs Lake OHV | West TX | — | ATV · Bike | Public |
DFW and North Texas
Northwest OHV Park — Bridgeport
Roughly 300 acres with about 25 miles of marked trails, opened in 2007 and graded by difficulty from wide family loops through rocky technical climbs. It is the closest full-size OHV park to the Metroplex that allows the full range of machines — ATVs, UTVs, dirt bikes, and 4x4 trucks. Staging space is generous enough for trailers, fifth-wheels, and sprinter vans, and primitive camping is available inside the park.
- Beginner, intermediate, and black-diamond trail zones
- Mud pits and tank crossings that hold water for weeks after rain
- Ridge overlooks toward Lake Bridgeport
Trophy Club Park at Grapevine Lake — Trophy Club
Nearly 900 acres of trails, woodland, and shoreline along Grapevine Lake, with around seven miles of loops suitable for most skill levels. Two restrictions catch people out: this park is ATVs and motorcycles only — UTVs, side-by-sides, and anything with a steering wheel are prohibited on wheelbase grounds — and noise limits are enforced at the gate, so a stock or quiet-rated exhaust is essential. No on-site overnight OHV camping, though Lake Grapevine campgrounds are nearby.
Red River Motorcycle Trails — Bulcher
About 2,700 acres of genuinely difficult terrain — sand, clay, loose black dirt, and steep rocky climbs and descents, with some of the hardest trails in the country alongside moderate options. Primitive camping, some RV electrical hookups, and a handful of furnished cabins. Generally open weekends, with weekday riding by appointment on advance notice.
East Texas
Barnwell Mountain Recreation Area — Gilmer
1,850 acres owned by the Texas Motorized Trails Coalition, a volunteer nonprofit that opened the park in 2000 as its first property. Over 200 miles of trail, including 27 miles of singletrack for dirt bikes and a 16-mile adventure loop. Everything is mapped, rated, and signed. Facilities are unusually complete for a trail system: restrooms and showers, six rental cabins, five bunkhouses, and an 18-site RV campground. Both TMTC members and the general public can ride; members pay less.
General Sam's Offroad Park — Huntsville
Around 756 acres of rolling piney woods with 60+ miles of trail, six spring-fed creeks, sandpits, and mud holes. Traction changes fast between surfaces, which is part of the appeal. On-site cabins, full-hookup RV spots, bathrooms and showers, wash pits, and a general store. Typically open Friday morning through Sunday evening, with hours shifting on event weekends.
Sam Houston National Forest Multiple-Use Trail — New Waverly
The only motorized trail system on public land in Southeast Texas: an 85-mile multiple-use trail through piney woods, open to ATVs and motorcycles with a valid Texas OHV decal. Cross-country travel is not permitted — OHVs must stay on the designated trail system, and Forest Service roads are open only to street-legal vehicles. Free-form riding this is not, but it is long, legal, and scenic.
River Run ATV Park — Jacksonville
Known as the "Mud Capital of Texas" and built around it. The park runs roughly eight events a year — ATV and UTV racing, scavenger hunts, and mud conventions — and is open around the clock through the week. If your definition of a good day involves being unrecognizable by lunchtime, this is the destination. Check current schedules directly with the park, as it does not maintain a consistent public website.
Hill Country and Central Texas
Katemcy Rocks — Mason
Granite domes, tight canyons, and off-camber obstacles on what is also a working ranch. Access is the thing to understand here: Katemcy is open only on the dates published on its own calendar, payment is cash or check with ID (cards cannot be processed on the rocks), and the gate closes at noon on Sunday with all vehicles and equipment out by then. Group events can be arranged, with open events generally requiring a minimum vehicle count.
Wolf Caves Off Road Park — Mason County
Privately owned Hill Country acreage known for granite formations and technical rock-crawling routes. Best suited to built rigs and experienced drivers rather than stock machines or first-timers. Confirm open dates before travelling.
West Texas
Escondido Draw Recreation Area — Ozona
3,500 acres of canyon country with a 110-mile trail system, including 35+ miles of singletrack for dirt bikes and long scenic runs for ATVs and side-by-sides. The entrance sits high on a mesa and trails drop down into the canyons. Run by the Texas Motorized Trails Coalition; riders need a current Texas OHV decal and TMTC membership. Primitive campsites, RV spots, showers, restrooms, and a bunkhouse on site. The park formally opened in October 2019, and the trails were purpose-built for motorized use rather than inherited from ranch roads.
Buffalo Springs Lake OHV Area — Lubbock
OHV trails attached to the Buffalo Springs Lake recreation area southeast of Lubbock, offering a legal local option in a part of the state with few of them. Confirm current OHV access and rules with the lake office before you go, as availability has varied.
The Panhandle
Rosita Flats OHV Area — Lake Meredith NRA
One of two OHV areas at Lake Meredith National Recreation Area and the larger of the pair at roughly 1,740 acres. This is open-area riding, not a trail system — there are no established routes, and official use is bounded below the 3,000-foot elevation line. The terrain is Canadian River country: wide sandy washes, whoops, mud, steep banks, rock climbs, and river crossings that are usually easy to ford.
- No entry fee, no reservations, open year-round, first-come first-served
- Dispersed camping along the river, roughly 75 scattered sites, some RV- and trailer-suitable
- No potable water and no restroom facilities
- Texas OHV decal and DOT-approved safety gear required
- Deep sand starts within about a mile of the entrance — two-wheel-drive tow vehicles struggle
Blue Creek Bridge OHV Area — Lake Meredith NRA
The smaller of the two Lake Meredith riding areas, with use bounded "cutbank to cutbank." Same rules as Rosita Flats: free, open-area riding, no established routes, Texas OHV decal required, and no operating-hour limits. Together the two areas total more than 2,000 acres.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need an OHV decal to ride in Texas?
Yes, if you are riding on public land at an OHV-legal venue. Chapter 29 of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Code requires a current OHV decal, issued by TPWD, displayed on the machine. Decal revenue funds legal riding areas. Private parks set their own requirements — check before you go.
What is the closest OHV park to Dallas and Fort Worth?
Northwest OHV Park in Bridgeport, at roughly 1 hour from Fort Worth and 1.5 hours from Dallas, and it allows every machine type. Trophy Club Park is physically closer to Dallas but permits only ATVs and motorcycles — no side-by-sides. We run guided rentals at Northwest OHV Park if you do not own a machine.
Are there free places to ride an ATV in Texas?
Rosita Flats and Blue Creek Bridge at Lake Meredith National Recreation Area are open-area riding zones on federal land with no entry fee and no reservations. You still need a Texas OHV decal and safety gear, and there is no water or restroom facility at Rosita Flats.
Which Texas OHV parks allow UTVs and side-by-sides?
Most of them, including Northwest OHV Park, Barnwell Mountain, Hidden Falls, General Sam's, Escondido Draw, and River Run. The notable exception is Trophy Club Park at Grapevine Lake, which is ATV and motorcycle only.
Can I rent instead of buying a machine?
Yes. Some parks run their own rental fleets and independent outfitters operate at others. We provide guided ATV and UTV rentals at Northwest OHV Park — the closest option to DFW. Renting means no trailer, no maintenance, and no gear to buy for a first ride.
Can I ride off-road in Big Bend National Park?
No. Off-highway vehicle use is prohibited in Big Bend National Park, and a Texas OHV decal does not satisfy the park's vehicle registration standard. This is one of the most common misconceptions about riding in Texas.
Corrections and Additions
This directory is maintained by hand, and Texas riding areas open, close, and change hands regularly. If you operate a park that belongs here, spot something out of date, or know a legal riding area we have missed, tell us and we will update the page.
Send a correction or call (945) 210-6344. Park operators: we are happy to link to your official site and to list accurate details you provide.
Reusing this directory: you are welcome to quote or cite this page. If it is useful to your readers, a link back to this page is all we ask. See our press and media page for logos, photos, and usage terms.
Riding Near Dallas? Skip the Trailer
#1 Adventure Off-Road runs guided ATV and UTV rentals at Northwest OHV Park in Bridgeport — the first park on this list and the closest to the Metroplex. Machines, helmets, fuel, safety briefing, and a guide who knows the trails are all included. Our fleet is entirely Yamaha: Kodiak 450 EPS XTR quads and Wolverine RMAX4 1000 XTR side-by-sides.
- ATV rentals: $150 · UTV rentals: $300 (seats four)
- Riders 16+ operate their own machine; younger guests ride as UTV passengers
- Saturdays and Sundays, reservations required
Related Guides
- Ultimate Texas ATV Guide — trails, gear, safety, and seasons
- Things to Do at Northwest OHV Park — the park we ride out of
- Beginner's Guide to ATV Riding in Texas
- ATV Rentals Near Dallas — pricing and what is included
- Top 5 ATVs for Beginners