Tonto National Forest Off-Highway Vehicle Permit

Tonto National Forest

The Tonto National Forest (TNF) offers a wide variety of riding opportunities for Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) enthusiasts. Whether you ride motorcycles, ATVs, UTVs/Side-by-Sides (SxS), or full-size four-wheel drive (4WD) vehicles, the TNF provides a diverse scenery ranging from the Saguaro cactus-studded Sonoran Desert to pine-forested mountains beneath the Mogollon Rim. 

As a part of the Tonto National Forest Travel Management plan, the Forest has OHV areas and permit zones designated primarily for OHV use (More information here ). Access to these special use areas requires a Tonto National Forest OHV Permit. A single permit provides access to all of the OHV areas and permit zones across the Forest subject to any Forest Special Closure Notices that are in effect. This permit is free with an additional administrative fee of $6 recreation.gov charges to secure the reservation.

The Eastern portion of the St. Clair OHV permit zone is closed for public safety and post fire recovery (Map ). The following routes and access points remain closed:

- Motorized Trail 42 from MT-532 following southeast until NFSR 459

- Motorized Trail 1117

- Motorized Trail 2134

- Motorized Trail 1069

- Sunrise Ridge Access Point

- Telegraph line Trail Entrance 

MT-532 along the closure boundary will remain OPEN.

Notifications and Alerts

Permit & Season Information

Each Tonto National Forest OHV Permit is issued to a single person and covers use in all OHV areas and permit zones on the TNF. Any vehicle operator 16 and over must have a permit. Passengers do not need a permit. Permits are good for a period of 6 month from date of purchase and can be renewed as long as the permit holder has not received any citations for violation of the area/zone and permit rules.   

Permits must be in your possession at all times while in an OHV area or permit zone.  

Permit Zones require an access code to open the locked gate. This code will be provided to you when you receive your permit. All gates are to remain closed at all times except when you are passing through them. It is your responsibility to relock entrance gates after using them. Do not allow other individuals or groups to pass through the gates. Sharing combinations or access codes with non-permitted individuals is a violation of your permit and you could lose future access!

Need to Know

Every person operating a vehicle in an OHV permit zone must have:  

These trails are open year-round subject to severe weather and other forest conditions or special closures. Please check the TNF Forest Service website for any closure notices  

After purchasing the permit, in the "View My Reservations" link or the "Reservations, Upcoming" section of your Recreation.gov account, you'll see the option to PRINT PERMIT. Click Print Permit to print and see gate codes. If your permit is not in your possession when in the permit zone, your permit will be revoked for a full year and you may be cited for failure to have a permit for access.  

Riding Restrictions 

Camping and Other Non-Motorized Activities within OHV Areas and Permit Zones  

Fee Policy

Reservation Fee: 

The $6.00 reservation fee is non-refundable.
 

Recreation Fee: 

The Tonto National Forest OHV Permit is free.

Cancellation Policy

Permits are non-refundable and non-transferable with a term of 6 months from the date of purchase. At this time changes are not allowed after purchase; if you have a new address or family members change, you will need to obtain a new permit. Please cancel your permit if you are unable to use it.

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