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Press Releases

California State Parks Encourages Off-Highway Vehicle Enthusiasts to ‘Be Off-Road Heroes’ During OHV Safety Week November 11 to 19

Friday, November 3, 2023

California State Parks Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation (OHMVR) Division and partners are proud to announce the upcoming fall OHV Safety Week, taking place from November 11 to 19. This semiannual event promotes safe and responsible off-highway vehicle (OHV) recreation across California's dedicated OHV public lands. This year’s theme is “Be the Off-Road Hero,” and OHV enthusiasts can be heroes by following safety protocols and protecting the state’s natural resources.

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State Parks Awards $33.5 Million in Grants for Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation

Monday, September 18, 2023

California State Parks’ Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation (OHMVR) Division today announced $33.5 million in grants to further provide environmentally friendly and safe off-highway vehicle (OHV) recreation opportunities for Californians. One hundred local and federal agencies, districts, and nonprofit organizations were awarded funding for 146 projects that help maintain OHV trails and/or for motorized access to non-motorized recreation, educate the public on responsible recreation, protect wildlife and property including natural and cultural resources, and restore/repair habitat damaged from illegal or legal OHV use.

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California State Parks Encourages Off-Highway Vehicle Enthusiasts to Be Off-Road Heroes During OHV Safety Weeks in 2023

Wednesday, March 29, 2023

This year, the California State Parks’ Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation (OHMVR) Division and partners are encouraging off-highway vehicle (OHV) enthusiasts to be off-road heroes. The theme for the 2023 OHV Safety Awareness Weeks, set for April 1-9 and November 11-19, is “Be the Off-Road Hero.” Setting the example by following safety protocols can have a positive impact in the lives of all Californians.

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Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Division to Host Grant Workshop on January 9-10

Wednesday, December 28, 2022

California State Parks’ Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation (OHMVR) Division invites entities that provide off-highway vehicle (OHV) recreation opportunities to a two-day grant workshop in Bakersfield on January 9-10. In-person and virtual opportunities will be available. Participants will be informed on the various motorized grants available and how to apply for them.

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California State Parks to Increase SNO-Park Permit Fees Beginning November 1

Friday, October 21, 2022

California State Parks’ Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Division today announced a fee increase for California’s SNO-Parks Permit. Effective Nov. 1, 2022, the daily permit is going to increase from $5 to $15 and the season permit from $25 to $40. The fee increase, the first since 2000, will help offset the cost increase of operating 18 SNO-Parks along the Sierra Nevada due to the need for additional maintenance, staffing, and safety needs, as well as addressing site damage due to increased visitation and recent wildfires.

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Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Division Encourages “Train for the Trail” During OHV Safety Awareness Week

Thursday, October 13, 2022

California State Parks’ Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation (OHMVR) Division and partners welcome the return of the second OHV Safety Awareness Week this year from October 15–23, with the theme “Train for the Trail.” As part of the safety awareness week, the OHMVR Division and partners will hold several FREE safety training courses and events throughout California’s state vehicular recreation areas (SVRAs). New and experienced off-highway vehicle (OHV) recreation enthusiasts can learn something new by taking classes while riding in all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), dirt bikes and recreational off-highway vehicles or side-by-side vehicles (ROVs).

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California State Parks’ Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Division Awards $29.4 Million in Grants for Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation in California

Tuesday, September 20, 2022

California State Parks’ Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation (OHMVR) Division has announced the final awards for the 2022 Grants and Cooperative Agreements program (Grants program). One hundred local and federal agencies, districts, and nonprofit organizations were awarded funding for their off-highway vehicle (OHV) recreation activities. These grants help maintain trails for OHV recreation and/or for motorized access to non-motorized recreation, educate the public on responsible OHV recreation, protect wildlife and property including natural and cultural resources, and restore/repair habitat damaged from illegal or legal OHV use.

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Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Division Celebrates Safety Awareness Week May 14-22

Wednesday, May 11, 2022

California State Parks’ Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation (OHMVR) Division and partners welcome the return of OHV Safety Awareness Week on May 14-22 with this year’s theme of “Train for the Trail.” Practicing essential techniques and simple safety measures such as taking a safety course, learning the rules of riding, planning travel routes in advance, using required equipment, and treading lightly help promote safety in the state’s vehicular recreation areas (SVRA’s) and protect the natural resources that make these public outdoor spaces special.

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Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Division Launches OHV Safety Awareness Week, May 15-23

Friday, May 7, 2021

California State Parks’ Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation (OHMVR) Division and partners are launching OHV Safety Awareness Week on May 15-23 with the theme of “Know Before You Go.” Simple actions such as learning the rules of riding, scouting routes, being prepared, filing a riding plan, using required equipment, never riding alone, treading lightly and knowing riding limits can help further promote safety in California’s vehicular recreation sites and help protect the natural resources that make these public outdoor spaces special.

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California State Parks Fences Off 48 Acres at Oceano Dunes SVRA to Meet Jan. 1, 2020 Air Quality Requirement - Department honoring all current reservations

Wednesday, December 18, 2019

The California Department of Parks and Recreation (State Parks) has taken an important step at Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area (SVRA) to improve air quality conditions for nearby communities. On Monday, Dec. 16, 2019, State Parks began fencing off 48 acres around an area commonly referred to as the foredune area (Post 4-1/2 to Post 6) to meet a Jan. 1, 2020 San Luis Obispo County Air Pollution Control District (APCD) Stipulated Order of Abatement (SOA) deadline. It is important for the public to know that the department will be honoring all current reservations at the SVRA. Additionally, the off-highway vehicle riding area will not be impacted by the closure of the foredune area.  

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