Arkansas ATV Trails That Allow Side-by-Sides
Arkansas has several places where side-by-sides can ride, but a trail system’s name alone does not tell you whether your machine will fit. Width limits, gates, permits, seasonal closures, and private-park rules can all change what’s open to you. This guide explains where to start, what to check before hauling out, and how to avoid arriving at a trailhead with a machine that cannot pass.
Arkansas ATV trails that allow side-by-sides
Arkansas riding areas range from public National Forest trail systems to privately operated off-road parks. They do not share one set of rules. A side-by-side that’s allowed at a private park may be too wide for a particular forest trail, and a trailhead’s gate can be a more immediate limit than the machine’s engine size.
Use the options below as a starting point, not a guarantee that every route is open to every side-by-side. Before your trip, confirm the current trail status and the machine’s permitted dimensions with the land manager or park.
Wolf Pen Gap near Mena
Wolf Pen Gap is a well-known public OHV riding area in the Ouachita Mountains near Mena. It has a network of trails and forest roads, but that doesn’t mean every side-by-side can travel every route. Gates and trail restrictions can rule out wider machines, so check the maximum vehicle width for the exact route you plan to ride.
This is especially important if you own a full-size UTV or are renting a machine without knowing its width. Don’t rely on a model name or a quick visual estimate. Find the manufacturer’s listed width and compare it with the trail information. You can also check [Arkansas ATV Trails With Width Limits] and [Arkansas Gates That Stop 72-Inch Machines] before you choose a route.
Because Wolf Pen Gap is on National Forest land, riding access and trail conditions can be affected by closures or other land-management rules. Confirm whether a forest OHV permit is required and which permit applies to your route. The permit systems for Arkansas’s two national forests are not interchangeable; [Arkansas Riders Need Two Different Forest Passes] explains why checking the forest matters.
Mill Creek OHV Trail System near Ozark
Mill Creek OHV Trail System, in the Ozark area, is another public-land option worth investigating if you’re bringing a side-by-side. As with other forest riding areas, do not assume that the entire system has one universal width allowance. Look for route-specific vehicle restrictions and any gate dimensions that could affect your machine.
If you’re planning a first ride or traveling with a group, it helps to check the route details before deciding where to stage. A machine that fits one trail may not fit another, and a route that looks manageable on a map may still be unsuitable after rain or maintenance closures. The guides [Mill Creek's 49 Miles in Arkansas] and [Arkansas Trails That Allow Side-by-Sides] can help you narrow your research.
Check the permit requirements for the land where you intend to ride, and make sure everyone in the group understands which trails are part of the plan. If a route crosses into a different management area, don’t assume one pass covers the whole trip. Before leaving, confirm current access details through the relevant forest or trail information.
Huckleberry Mountain near Mount Ida
Huckleberry Mountain Trail is in the Ouachita region and is known for routes with gates that can affect wider machines. If you have a side-by-side, check the maximum width carefully before towing to the trailhead. “Side-by-side allowed” does not necessarily mean “all side-by-sides fit.”
Pay attention to seasonal access as well as width. A route may have a regular riding season or temporary closure, and a trail that was open on a previous visit may not be open on the day you arrive. Review [Huckleberry Mountain's Closure Months in Arkansas] and [72 Inch Gates at Both Ends] when planning.
Huckleberry Mountain can suit riders who are comfortable doing a little homework before heading into the mountains. Confirm the trail status, route dimensions, and required forest permit, then save the details where you can reach them without cell service. A downloaded map from onX Offroad or another mapping tool can be useful for planning, but it should not replace the land manager’s current closure and access information.
Private parks near Hot Springs and the Mulberry River
Private off-road parks can be a practical choice when you want a managed riding area and clear rules for check-in. Hot Springs Off-Road Park is near Hot Springs and offers a private trail network. Byrd’s Adventure Center is a private recreation destination along the Mulberry River. Contact the park before traveling to confirm whether its current riding options fit your side-by-side, including any size, passenger, age, or equipment rules.
Private parks set their own operating policies, and those can differ from National Forest requirements. Ask whether the trails are suitable for your machine’s width, whether reservations or advance arrangements are needed, what you must bring, and what happens if weather affects access. See [Arkansas Private Off-Road Parks Compared] for more options and [Arkansas Private Park Waivers and Rules] for the kinds of policies to review.
A private park may simplify some parts of the planning process, but it still pays to check details before you load up. Confirm the location of the riding area, where trailers can be parked, and whether your group needs to arrive together. If you’re bringing a newly rented or unfamiliar side-by-side, make sure the driver understands the park’s trail markings and operating rules.
| Riding area | General location | What side-by-side riders should check |
|---|---|---|
| Wolf Pen Gap | Near Mena in the Ouachita Mountains | Route-specific width limits, gates, closures, and forest permit |
| Mill Creek OHV Trail System | Near Ozark | Trail and gate dimensions, closures, and permit requirements |
| Huckleberry Mountain Trail | Ouachita region near Mount Ida | Gate width, seasonal access, route status, and forest permit |
| Hot Springs Off-Road Park | Near Hot Springs | Current machine rules, park policies, and access arrangements |
| Byrd’s Adventure Center | Along the Mulberry River | Available riding options, machine requirements, and park policies |
How to check whether your side-by-side fits
The most frustrating trail-planning mistake is discovering a restriction only after you’ve driven for hours with a trailer. A few checks before departure can help you avoid that situation. Focus on the actual machine dimensions, the trail or park’s rules, and any closure notices for the day you plan to ride.
Measure your machine before comparing it with a trail
Start with the manufacturer’s stated overall width, then check for accessories that may make the machine wider. Added wheels, mirrors, bumpers, or other modifications can affect whether it fits through a narrow gate. If the trail authority measures at the tires or another point, follow that guidance rather than relying on a rough estimate.
When you call a park or land office, have the make and model available and ask which dimension they use for access decisions. If you’re riding a rental, ask the rental provider for the machine’s exact width before you book. This is a small detail that can prevent a disappointing trip.
Keep in mind that width is only one consideration. A route can have restrictions based on vehicle type, trail condition, or other rules. Read the full access information instead of treating a single width figure as permission to ride every trail in the area.
Confirm routes, gates, and closures separately
A trail system may include a mix of routes, and access can vary within that system. Check the specific trail or loop you intend to ride rather than relying on a general description of the riding area. Look for gate measurements, posted restrictions, temporary closures, and any warning about weather or maintenance.
Mapping tools can help you understand where trails are and plan a route, especially when you’re unfamiliar with the area. onX Offroad can be useful for reviewing mapped riding options, but always compare map information with current rules from the forest or park. If cell service is weak, download the map before you leave and carry a backup plan.
If you find conflicting information, contact the land manager or park directly. A map can be helpful for orientation, but it may not reflect a recent gate closure or a change in access. For a broader overview, read [Arkansas Trail Conditions Before You Tow] and [Arkansas Trail Closures After a Storm].
Check permits and local riding rules
Public-land riding may require a permit, and the requirements depend on where you ride. A permit for one forest does not automatically authorize riding in another. Confirm the correct permit for each public riding area and find out whether it must be displayed on the machine or carried by the rider. [Arkansas OHV Permits: Two Forests, Two Prices] is a useful starting point.
A trail permit is also not the same as permission to ride on public roads. Rules for forest roads, highways, city streets, and private land can differ. If your route includes a road connection, verify that riding there is allowed instead of assuming that a trail pass covers it. For more on the distinction, see [Can You Drive an ATV on the Road in Arkansas?].
Private parks have their own access rules, so check those separately from public-land requirements. Ask what documentation you need, whether passengers are allowed on your machine, and whether the park has rules about helmets or safety gear. Don’t assume that a permit, waiver, or equipment rule from one riding area applies elsewhere.
Plan a smoother Arkansas side-by-side trip
Once you’ve chosen a riding area and confirmed that your machine fits, the rest of the trip is mostly about preparation. Arkansas trails can take you into remote, hilly terrain where weather, limited cell service, and changing ground conditions matter. Planning for those realities makes the ride more comfortable and helps your group handle a delay or route change.
Build a practical pre-trip checklist
Before you leave home, confirm the trail’s current access, required permits, machine-width rules, and parking arrangements. Check whether the riding area has a posted closing period or temporary closure. If you’re traveling with a group, share the plan so everyone knows where to meet and what to bring.
A straightforward checklist can help:
- Confirm that the riding area is open and that your chosen route allows your machine.
- Measure the side-by-side, including relevant accessories.
- Obtain the correct permit or park access information.
- Download a map and save the trailhead location.
- Check weather and trail-condition notices.
- Pack water, food, basic tools, and first-aid supplies.
- Tell someone outside the group where you plan to ride and when you expect to return.
For remote routes, plan as though you may lose phone service. Keep your map available offline, carry a charger or backup power source, and agree on a regrouping point before the ride begins. A mapping app such as onX Offroad may help with route planning, but your group should still understand the route and have a backup way to navigate.
Choose a trail that matches your group
The “best” trail depends on who is riding and what your machine can comfortably handle. A family group with newer riders may want wider, easier routes and a clear turnaround plan. Experienced riders may prefer more challenging terrain, but that doesn’t make a narrow or rough route appropriate for every passenger or vehicle.
Think beyond the driver. Passengers may have different comfort levels with steep climbs, rocks, mud, or water crossings. If you’re traveling with children or first-time riders, check the park’s passenger and age rules before setting out, and choose a route that leaves room for breaks.
Be realistic about the whole day, not just the ride itself. Trailer loading, check-in, route finding, stops, and changing conditions all take time. A shorter loop can be a better choice than trying to cover as much ground as possible, particularly when you’re new to the area.
Adjust your plan for weather and trail conditions
Rain can change a route quickly. Mud, runoff, and poor visibility can make a trail harder to navigate, while riding on saturated ground may damage the surface or create unsafe conditions. If a land manager closes a route, respect the closure rather than trying to find a way around it.
Check conditions again close to departure, especially after heavy rain or storms. A trail report from an earlier visit is not a promise that the route remains open or in the same condition. If the route is unsuitable, consider postponing or choosing another area where access is confirmed.
On the trail, ride within your ability and leave enough space between machines to see and respond to changing terrain. Avoid forcing a side-by-side through a gate or onto a route that does not fit. Turning around early is inconvenient; damaging the machine, the trail, or someone’s trip can be much worse.
Common mistakes when choosing side-by-side trails
A little caution goes a long way when riding in a state with a mix of public forests and private parks. Many avoidable problems come from relying on broad labels or outdated assumptions instead of checking the details that apply to a specific machine and route.
Assuming a trail system allows every UTV
A trail system may allow some side-by-sides while restricting others by width or route. “UTV-friendly” is not a substitute for checking a specific maximum dimension. A gate that is too narrow can end your ride before you reach the trail.
Don’t assume that because a friend rode the area in a smaller machine, yours will fit. Models can vary, and accessories can change the overall width. Confirm the specifications for your exact machine and the exact trail system.
Treating a map as the final authority
A map can be useful for planning, but trail access can change because of weather, maintenance, seasonal restrictions, or management decisions. A route shown on a map may be closed, unsuitable for your vehicle, or subject to rules not visible at a glance.
Use mapping tools such as onX Offroad to prepare, then verify the details with the forest or park responsible for the riding area. Save a current contact number or access page before leaving. If a trailhead notice conflicts with your plan, follow the posted restriction.
Forgetting that permits and road rules are separate
A forest permit authorizes access under the applicable riding rules; it does not make every nearby road legal for a side-by-side. Likewise, a private park’s policies do not apply to trails on public land. Confirm requirements for each part of your trip, especially if you plan to travel between a campground, a trailhead, and a public road.
When in doubt, keep the ride within the confirmed trail network and avoid using public roads as shortcuts. For more planning help, review [Arkansas Trail Etiquette Locals Expect] before heading out.
Disclaimer
This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Laws, prices and regulations vary by location and change over time. Consult a qualified professional for guidance on your specific situation.
