Celebrating 50 Years of Recreation and Conservation

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California is recognized as a leader in the management of off-highway vehicle (OHV) recreation as a sustainable activity. For the past 50 years, the California State Parks’ Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation (OHMVR) Division has established management practices that reduce or prevent damage to the environment from OHV activity.

I Ride with Respect is a movement that sheds a positive light on OHV riders and their commitment to recreating safely while protecting natural and cultural resources in California’s nine State Vehicular Recreation Areas (SVRAs). These public lands provide recreational opportunities on approximately 145,000 acres of lands with approximately 600+ miles of designated OHV trails and terrain. Some also feature camping, swimming and other recreational opportunities. A variety of wildlife, sensitive habitats, plants and animal species call them home. We encourage everyone to not only enjoy the SVRAs but protect them too.

Following the principles of the national-led Tread Lightly! ® initiative, below you will find tips on how to ride responsibly in California’s SVRAs:

 

TRAVEL RESPONSIBLY

Travel responsibly on designated roads, trails or areas.

 

 

RESPECT THE RIGHTS OF OTHERS

Respect the rights of others, including private property owners, all recreational trail users, campers and others so they can enjoy their recreational activities undisturbed.

 

 

EDUCATE YOURSELF

Educate yourself prior to your trip by obtaining travel maps and regulations from public agencies, planning for your trip, taking recreation skills classes and knowing how to operate your equipment safely.

 

 

AVOID SENSITIVE AREAS

Avoid sensitive areas such as meadows, lake shores, wetlands and streams. Stay on designated routes. Avoid disturbing historical, archaeological, or paleontological sites.

 

 

DO YOUR PART

Do your part by modeling appropriate behavior, leaving the area better than you found it, properly disposing of waste, minimizing the use of fire, avoiding the spread of invasive species and restoring degraded areas. Pack out what you pack in and carry a trash bag on your vehicle to pick up litter left by others. Respected Access is Open Access.