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Wyoming ATV Laws: Where And How To Ride Your ATV Legally

Wyoming ATV Laws: Where And How To Ride Your ATV Legally

Wyoming is located in the western region of the United States and is the 10th largest state in the United States. This state is filled with parks, forests, national monuments, recreation areas, wildlife, fish hatcheries, off-road trails, and national forests.

Wyoming ATV laws include: all ATVs must have a certificate of title and should be registered with the state. It is illegal to operate an ATV on public streets and highways unless when crossing. You can ride your ATV on Blacktail ATV Trails, Boulder Park, Poison Spider OHV Area, and White Mountain.

If you are an enthusiastic ATV rider residing in Wyoming, you will find this blog post essential in knowing the ATV laws in Wyoming and the legal places to operate ATVs. As interesting as off-road activities can be, they can also be dangerous if done carelessly.

wyoming welcome sign

Wyoming ATV Laws

Wyoming classifies an ATV as a recreational vehicle designed for off-road use, has an unladen weight of 990 pounds or less, with a width of 50 inches or less, travels on 3 or more low-pressure tires, and has a seat or seat saddle designed to be straddled by the rider. Below are the ATV laws in Wyoming.

  • Every ATV operated on any designated off-highway trail or area must be registered with the state, and the registration must be renewed every year.
  • You must not ride an ATV on any public highway or road unless crossing from one designated trail to another.
  • You can only carry a passenger on an ATV if the vehicle has a second seat for a passenger.
  • It is illegal to operate an ATV in a manner that molests, rallies, drives, or stirs up game animals and game birds.
  • You must not operate an ATV in a manner that disturbs or damages the land, wildlife, or vegetative resources.
  • Individuals under the age of 18 years must wear a protective helmet when riding an ATV.
  • You must not operate an ATV on any portion of any right of way of a public street, trail, highway, road, or alley used for motor vehicle travel.
  • It is highly illegal to operate an ATV while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
  • All ATVs to be operated on Forest trails must have a Wyoming State ORV permit and be displayed on the vehicle.
  • To operate an ATV on public roadways, the vehicle must be made street legal or have a valid license plate.
  • You must not ride an ATV on a public sidewalk designed for pedestrian travel.
  • No ATV must be operated in a reckless, careless, or negligent manner that poses a threat to the safety of other people and their properties.
  • ATV operators between the ages of 14 and 18 can ride an ATV on the streets or roadway surface of highways when they have a safety certificate issued by the commissioner.
  • All ATVs must have a functioning brake and muffler system.

Where Can You Ride An ATV In Wyoming?

Wyoming is famous for its extensive forests and beautiful parks; it is one of the top destinations for off-roading and ATV riding. This state is filled with over 640 miles of designated trails.

There are several trails, parks, and OHV areas where you can have an amazing ATV riding experience. Let us explore some of those places to ride an ATV in Wyoming.

Blacktail ATV Trails

Blacktail ATV Trails is located in Black Hills National Forest; it has over 20 miles of trails. It is open from May 15 to December 15. The vehicles allowed on this trail are SXSs, dirt bikes, UTVs, motorcycles, and ATVs. Other off-road vehicles like 4x4s, Jeeps, dune buggies, and sand rail 4x4s are prohibited. Camping is permitted in certain areas on this trail.

The noise limit at this ATV trail is 96 decibels, and the maximum vehicle width is 50 inches. All vehicles entering this trail must have an end cap or a spark arrestor exhaust silencer installed. Trail blazing is not tolerated on this trail. Riders must have a Wyoming ORV Permit before they can ride on this trail.

Poison Spider OHV Area

Poison Spider OHV Area is a very popular area for off-roading; it is open daily all year round. It offers about 284 acres of land filled with steep hills, mud pits, a large open play pit, and scattered obstacle courses. The off-road vehicles allowed in this area are sand rail 4x4s, Jeeps, ATVs, motorcycles, UTVs, dune buggies, SXSs, dirt bikes, and 4x4s.

The noise limit in this area is 96 decibels. There is no fee for entry and riding in this area. All vehicles entering this park are required to have a spark arrestor exhaust silencer or an end cap attached.

Camping and campfires are prohibited in this OHV area. You must have a Wyoming ORV permit to ride in this area regardless. All vehicles on this trail must have a current Wyoming OHV sticker. The main staging area has restrooms, and parking space is available.

atv guy jumping

White Mountain

White Mountain offers several miles of trails and is open all year round. The terrain in this area consists of hardpack, steep hills, dust, loose dirt, sand, rocks, and berms. Riding on this trail requires a Wyoming ORV permit.

Trailblazing is not allowed on this trail; all vehicles are required to stay on the trail. The noise limit in this area is 96 decibels. Non-residents of Wyoming riding at this trail must have a Wyoming ORV Permit as no other permit is allowed.

The vehicles permitted at White Mountain are ATVs, dirt bikes, sand rail 4x4s, dune buggies, motorcycles, SXSs, UTVs, Jeeps, and 4x4s. Camping and campfires are permitted in certain areas on this trail.

All vehicles entering this area are required to have a spark arrestor exhaust silencer or an end cap attached. The trail in this area is mostly suitable for beginner riders.

Where Can’t You Ride An ATV In Wyoming?

In Wyoming, the operation of ATV is not allowed on public highways and streets. You cannot ride your ATV on any public sidewalk meant for pedestrians. It is illegal to operate an ATV on any portion of any right of way of a public street, trail, highway, road, or alley used for motor vehicle travel. You must not ride your ATV in any wildlife habitat.

Can You Ride An ATV On The Streets In Wyoming?

Although ATVs are generally prohibited on public streets, street-legal ATVs are permitted on the streets in Wyoming. If your ATV is not street-legal, you can make some modifications to make it street-legal. The first thing to do when making your ATV street-legal is to get an MPV permit that should be displayed on your vehicle.

To obtain an MPV permit, you must have a valid driver's license with an MR or M endorsement or a permit, and your ATV must have a current license plate. Also, you must have proof of liability insurance for your ATV.

Your ATV must also be equipped with tail lights, brake lights, horn, headlamp, red rear reflector, and left-hand rear-view mirror. After adding these modifications to your ATV and getting the MPV permit, you are free to operate your ATV on any public street in Wyoming.

Final Thoughts

Wyoming's incredible terrain and landmarks make it a perfect ATV riding spot. Next time you are considering an ATV riding spot, you can add Wyoming to your list. However, it is essential that your ATV operations are in complete compliance with all the ATV laws in Wyoming.

There are no excuses that will protect you from facing the consequences of violating the law, so you should endeavor to know the laws and abide by them.

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