Texas has 121 state parks throughout the Lone Star State. Many offer camping, hiking, picnicking and other outdoor activities. However, only one state park has trails that allow all-terrain vehicles (ATVs). Texas groups ATVs in a larger category of vehicles called off-highway vehicles. These include dirt bikes and 4x4 trucks.
Texas Off-Highway Vehicle Program
The Texas government developed this program to not only promote the use of ATVs and off-highway vehicles, but to provide funding to develop more sites where vehicles can be enjoyed in an off-road setting. If you plan on riding your ATV in a Texas state park or on any public lands or lands purchased with OHV (off highway vehicle) grants, you will need to purchase and display an OHV decal. The decal is valid through August 31 of the year it was purchased.
ATVs and Hunting and Fishing
If you are going hunting or fishing on state wildlife management lands, you are not allowed to drive an ATV on the land. The only exception to this rule is if the ATV driver is handicapped and has a handicapped license plate or hang placard. If this is the case, the ATV can only be driven directly to and from the hunting or fishing site. It can't be used for recreational driving.
TREAD Lightly
The Texas OHV Program recommends that ATV operators drive responsibly and follow the principles of the Tread Lightly program. According to the program web site, TREAD is an acronym that stands for these principles: Travel responsibly. Respect the rights of others. Educate yourself. Avoid sensitive areas. Do your part.
Eisenhower State Park
Eisenhower State Park in Denison, Texas is the only park that allows off-highway vehicles to use trails in the park. The park has 10 acres of land (of its total of 423 acres) for off-highway vehicles. The park borders Lake Texoma in north-central Texas. The off-highway vehicle area is reserved for beginner ATV and mini-bike use. Other activities at the park include picnicking, hiking, biking, nature study, fishing, boating and boat rentals, water skiing, swimming, wildlife observation and camping.
Other Sites
While Eisenhower is the only state park for ATVs in Texas, there are other parks in the state where you can use ATVs. Some of these include: Lake Mackenzie Recreation Area in Silverton, McClellan National Grassland in Gray County, Barnwell Mountain Recreational Area in Gilmer, San Felipe Park in El Paso County, Trophy Club Park in Trophy Club, Lake Meredith National Recreation Area in Fritch and Sam Houston National Forest in New Waverly. Many of these parks are national. Others are privately owned or municipal owned.
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