Fee Structure/ Rules and Regulations- Ocala National Forest- revised 9/6/7

[GrizzlyBear]

EFFECTIVE    1 OCTOBER, 2007


This is the offical Ocala National Forest website with the fees and rules

http://www.fs.fed.us/r8/florida/recreation/ocala_ohv.shtml

[sykolincoln]

so... I have to register for sure now, even though im from ga? (ga dosnt require ohv registration, subsaquintly I dont have to in fl, becouse im a georgia resident) so if I camp in big scrub and ride from there I have to be registerd?

[GrizzlyBear]

You have to have proof of ownership such as a bill of sale with vin # and driver's license.

[sykolincoln]

yea I already know that, unfortuantly the rangers still think Im full of chit though, but yea I carry all the info like that when we go there, but what im asking is the fee, is it like croom now?

[GrizzlyBear]

No,  The fee at Croom is per vehicle per year.  This fee is per user.

[ScooterB]

Terry any idea why they did'nt consider a family fee like most wanted
4 riders in the family = $300.00 a year plus camping

[sykolincoln]

OK. ok I got  it now, sorry morning thinkin

[tekhanto]

To get more money .................  why per person not per vehicle

[GrizzlyBear]

No answer to why per person, but you have probably answered it yourself.

[Prairie Master]

Are they going to use the money to groom the main trails ?

[GrizzlyBear]

By law- 95% of the money must be used for the trail system.

[wilburz]

I won't be dropping a penny for that dumb permit. as a matter of fact, i hope the trail tenders pick up my empty cans as that will be all they will be getting from me that is worth anything. unreal. what is next? probably have to pay for a guide to ride those lame trails next year. what a joke.   

[Prairie Master]

By law- 95% of the money must be used for the trail system.

Yeah but doesn't mean they'll groom the trails, who paid to have the host campsites built at the seed orchard. I heard they were preety nice complete with electricity and everything?

[GrizzlyBear]

There are 4 complete hookup campsites at the OHV Center.  The money to build them was from there budget.  They use these campsites for the volunteers that come for the winter and agree to give a certain amount of time every week.  I do not know what the time requirement is.  But some of these last winter were in big motorhomes and travel trailers.  There are no other facilities in the forest like this, and certainly none near the trail system.

[Prairie Master]

Maybe the forest service should have bought the campground near hog valley and tied the trail system in with it . I'm sure it would have paid for itself. full hook up

Lake Oklawaha RV Resort

[Busta Nutt]

No way I am paying that. They all can kiss my azz.

[badrap]

thats total bs.  who in the crap is going to pay that especially when they take all their kids with them.  stupidest thing ive ever heard of

[Chillinthemost]

The money isn't even the issue. They took away all the fun things about riding there.  The per person price is not a bad thing, that means that you could take a sport bike and a utility or side by side and operate all 3 with 1 permit.

[sykolincoln]

so the florida guys have to pay not only the fl registration but this as well? well if 95% goes to the trails and such are they going to move those damn markers at scrub were you cant ride near the power lines? I almost got ran over ast time we were there by a large group of riders that jsut didnt have no where to damn get out of the way, I moved over aout a foot past the marker, then SYKO aunt jemima ranger came over and went nuts on I disagree about it! I was like wtfever and rode off back into the forest to ride trails that I wasnt suposed to ride in disgust.......

[350x_rider]

I am glad it is 75 per person not 75 per machine.now any of the 7 atvs I own will be legal with 1 tag,like hatfield-mcoy.hopefully it will cut on the dirtbags that leave trash all over and got the forest shut down in the first place.75 is cheap to ride for a year.I admit closing of some of the good trails,like lack mack sucks but hey scrub is still wide open and I am willing to pay my cash and give the trail system a chance.

[badrap]

yeah if they actually use the money the way they are supposed to.  and 75 dollars isnt checp compared to what it was before . 

[ScooterB]

I don't mind paying to ride, but they talked about a family fee, and UF did a study of ONF users the majority of people surveyed asked for a family fee.

I just dont understand why the ask what we want and then ignore it.

[Busta Nutt]

When does the safety course crap for the kids go into effect?

[ScooterB]

When does the safety course crap for the kids go into effect?

JULY 1, 2008

[YAMAHONDAMAN]

I won't be dropping a penny for that dumb permit. as a matter of fact, i hope the trail tenders pick up my empty cans as that will be all they will be getting from me that is worth anything. unreal. what is next? probably have to pay for a guide to ride those lame trails next year. what a joke.   

[pinkfloyd]

I was at the Umitilla meeting and was told that 80% would go back to the forest for maintenance on the system, not necessarily for grooming of trails, it could be for facility maintanence, picninc tables, etc. So who has the correct answer, or should it be who is lying. That is also what is in the federal register

[BradG47]

Hey Grizzly,

We rode the trails today (wow, it was hot!).  We parked at Lake Delancy Campground and noticed the sign about the new fee structure.   Since its a per operator fee, will they issue a card or a sticker? 

Basically, how will the forest service personnel know who has and has not paid?
Also, so you happen to know when will the new parking lot on Rt 19 be open?

Thanks,

[GrizzlyBear]

You can pay the fee at any visitor station, ranger station or at any trailhead.  At the trailhead there will be Iron Rangers, like at Lake Delancy.  Pay the fee and take the ticket with you.  Hopefully the trailhead t Hwy 19 and the one on FR 75 will open within 2 weeks.

[wilburz]

I won't be dropping a penny for that dumb permit. as a matter of fact, i hope the trail tenders pick up my empty cans as that will be all they will be getting from me that is worth anything. unreal. what is next? probably have to pay for a guide to ride those lame trails next year. what a joke.   

I don't live up there dude! And i was joking about leaving my empties there. I am not a litterer!

[GrizzlyGator]

Terry, Stupid question but I'm gonna ask anyway...The 7 day and 3 day passes do they run concurrently or possibly are they like a Disney pass and you get stamped each time you use them until you reach your limit? Either way I know some here think its a bit pricey, but I don't personally think its that bad at all...someone like me and my family (with three quads x $10.00 = $30.00) a visit is not that bad considering and I'll probably only make it down there about 3 - 4 times a year...at least we have the option of not buying a yearly pass like croom and not getting our moneys worth!!

[GrizzlyBear]

It is 3 days or 7 days in a row.  However, for a weekend, if it is 2 adults and 2 under 16 the fee is $30.00

[12secTA]

Will you still be able to pay to day park and ride out from at Big Scrub campground?  The link posted states:

"Starting in October, 2007 the forest will be transitioning away from allowing day use parking, for the purpose of OHV riding, out of Delancy and Big Scrub.  Only campers will be allowed to use these areas.  Since we now have trailheads open, the forest will be directing all day use to park at the trailheads."

It's nice to set up camp at Big Scrub for lunch and the restrooms are a plus for the wife.

[GrizzlyBear]

Until they get trailheads in Phase II, yes you will.  Once new trailheads are built, then you won't.  They would like you to park under the power lines in the designated areas now.  They are having problems with day users using the best camping spots.

[stacktester]

Until they get trailheads in Phase II, yes you will.  Once new trailheads are built, then you won't.  They would like you to park under the power lines in the designated areas now.  They are having problems with day users using the best camping spots.

I can understand that Terry. Now that it's getting cooler we're planning on coming down. I guess I'll stop and get my daughter and me legaled up. I truly hope the trails we're keeping are groomed. I still think it sucks that other states are TRYING to open places to ride but FL seems to always want to close trails. I wish somebody like Durhamtown would open a place and the USFS could take the chincy areas we have left and they could shove it up their a$$eS.

[Yamahonda41]

I started a thread about hunting vs. riding on the numbered trails in winter but no one responded.  Now that we have given up so much
riding area it seems that we should be able to ride on the numbered trails without fear of being harassed by hunters.  The trails are only about 1/4 of ONF leaving 3/4 for hunting.


Is there anything official or unofficial? 

[pinkfloyd]

Currently no fees are in effect for the Phase II (central portion) of the forest. Pending a decision, trails will be designated and fees will apply.

It sounds like they will want more money out of your pocket when phase II is complete?

[Tecatematt]

That fee is bullS***!!!!    First off the riding there isnt that good.  2nd they are like closing every thing off Wtf, and on top of that now we have to pay to ride the the woops!  They will never see a dang dime out of me and my family!!!!!

[ar963]

They are getting exactly what they want !  Less ATV users through financial pressure and limiting riding areas.  They did it at Big Cypress years ago and it worked.  I hardly ever go now and I have a place in Hog Valley.

[alafiaoutlaw]

EFFECTIVE    1 OCTOBER, 2007


This is the offical Ocala National Forest website with the fees and rules

http://www.fs.fed.us/r8/florida/recreation/ocala_ohv.shtml

Ok, Now some of the local businesses are seeing the effects from the fees and less people wanting to come and visit the area now. The fees are making the local businesses lose money.

[alafiaoutlaw]

Local businesses are losing money because of less visiters willing to pay the fees. They are hurting our communitee. Less visiters = Less money

[KENDO]

They are having problems with day users using the best camping spots.

Been there 3 times now,have not seen a camper yet that was not there to go 4 wheeling.I did see one guy living out of the back of his car...

[jayman]

I am receiving an email from a ranger in Ocala stating that you do not have to pay the $75.00 fee for riding while riding @ Big Scrub.  Who knows if this is really true?