Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

Get your motors revving for the 2025 season opening of the Badin Lake OHV Trail Complex on the Uwharrie National Forest starting April 1.

Open to off-highway vehicles (OHV) such as dirt bikes, ATVs and full-sized 4-wheel drive vehicles, visitors wishing to use the trail system this season can purchase a day pass or annual permit, which must be displayed on the vehicle.

The only publicly owned network of OHV trails in North Carolina’s Piedmont Region, the Badin Lake OHV Trail system provides 17 miles of riding opportunity for visitors. The 2025 season closes on Dec. 15.

“The Uwharrie is a popular destination for OHV riders across the region, with 9 OHV trails of varying difficulty,” said Uwharrie District Ranger Susan Miller. “We encourage visitors to ride safely and enjoy our OHV trails and trailheads when the season opens.”

Visitors must stay on system trails and avoid riding in areas that are not designated as OHV trails. Unlicensed and unregistered vehicles cannot be driven on open roads or through the campgrounds and must be trailered to a trailhead to be ridden on the OHV trails. Horseback riding is not allowed on these trails except at designated trail crossings or where both equestrian use is designated with the trail system.

Riders need to carry a map, supplies, first aid and recovery gear and have a plan for vehicle removal if it becomes stuck or breaks down on the trails. The Forest Service does not offer tow services off the trail system, so disabled vehicles must be removed at the owner’s expense.

For the latest trail maps, OHV riders can contact the Uwharrie National Forest District Office at 910-576-6391 or visit the office at 789 Biscoe Road, Troy.

For more information on the National Forests in North Carolina visit www.fs.usda.gov/nfsnc or follow the National Forests in North Carolina on Facebook (www.facebook.com/nfsnc).