Miles of all-terrain vehicle riding opportunities already exist in McKean County –– but riders now are able to suggest other trails that could be developed here and around the state.
The state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) is conducting an online survey, and state officials want to know more about ATV usage across the state and potential areas for more riding.
“Motorized recreation is an important niche market with many of our visitors from out of state seeking ATV trail adventures,” said Linda Devlin, executive director of the Allegheny National Forest Visitors Bureau, McKean County’s tourism promotion agency.
For Tandra Banks, she indicated she sees a need for more riding opportunities in McKean County.
“We live in Cyclone and can’t leave our own yard. Seneca Resources owns everywhere we would enjoy riding,” Banks indicated on The Era’s Facebook page. “It would be nice to be able to go for a nice ‘quiet’ ride up here. We aren’t in to screaming thru (sic) the woods.”
All she wants is somewhere to go for a ride and to be able to stop and grab a few photographs along the route, Banks said.
ATV riding isn’t just popular locally.
“Our most recent research, conducted by North Star Strategies, on the visitors to our region, show the overall mix of visitor segmentation for outdoor recreation is 35 percent,” Devlin said.
Of that 35 percent, Devlin said hiking/biking is at 30 percent; motorized trail is at 20 percent; and hunting/fishing is at 15 percent.
ATV riding or ATV rentals is in the top 10 of requests for information, Devlin said, looking at inquiries made to the visitors bureau’s website.
“DCNR is working on a study to analyze existing ATV trails and parks in Pennsylvania, as well as explore possibilities for establishing additional riding areas,” DCNR Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn said in a prepared statement. “The survey is designed to help create a statewide inventory of ATV riding opportunities on public and private lands. Also, we are researching opportunities to partner with local governments, non-profits, and for-profit organizations to create and develop new ATV parks, trails, and facilities to meet the needs of ATV owners.”
Simply put, DCNR spokesman Terry Brady said state officials want to know what riders want.
“No plan (exists) to expand trails all across the entire state; however, (a) hard look is being taken at how the Bloody Skillet ATV trail might be expanded in Clinton County. (There are) no plans for trails in your readership area (four-county region) –– that I know of,” he said.
At this point, ATV riders use trails on the Allegheny National Forest –– Willow Creek is 10 miles, Marienville’s ATV/bike area is 23.1 miles and Rocky Gap is 21.9 miles, according to Devlin.
“The other ATV destination in McKean County is Majestic Kamps and Lost Trails with over 51 miles of trails in Rew,” Devlin said. “Along with their trails, they also offer a guided ATV ride, which is very popular with visitors. Their trails are located on private property, and they charge a daily or annual fee for riding.”
Across the state, limited legal riding opportunities on public lands exist, she said.
“What is needed are more legal riding opportunities with links to campgrounds or lodging which would allow riders to not have to trailer their machines to the trailhead,” Devlin said.
As of Aug. 1, DCNR records reveal that more than 168,680 registered ATV owners ride on private land and approved state forest trails.
“We want to explore avenues of meeting these registered owners’ need,” Dunn said. “To do that effectively, we need to better understand the wants and needs of the ATV user. We also ask riders to spread the word to fellow ATV enthusiasts –– we want as much survey input as possible.”
The survey can be taken at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2016_PA_DCNR_ATV_USER_SURVEY through Sept. 15.
Moshier Studio and Pashek Associates is completing the ATV study. Questions can be directed to John Buerkle at jbuerkle@pashekassociates.com.
