Gainesville, GA- The popular Houston Valley Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) trail system located just west of Dalton, Georgia, is undergoing maintenance and repairs. OHV enthusiasts will find the trail system open as planned on April 1, however beginning April 7 the trail system will close Monday-Friday until the work is complete. The area will be open to riders on weekends, beginning each Friday at 5:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. each Sunday.
Jeff Gardner, District Ranger for the Conasauga District of the Chattahoochee National Forest, understands that riders are eager to use the trails this spring. Houston Valley, along with most of the OHV trail systems on the national forest, closes each year on December 31 during wet winter months and reopens on April 1. He anticipates the maintenance and repair work will be completed by the end of April, as long as weather conditions allow the work to proceed as planned.
"We have to make sure the trails are in good shape-not only for the riders but to minimize any damage to natural resources," he said. "We're doing our best to make sure the trails are sustainable and still give riders opportunity to use them."
Trails may close anytime conditions are wet to prevent damage to the trails and erosion into streams. Gardner encourages riders to always check the status of national forest OHV trails before planning their trips by calling the District office at (706) 695-6736 or checking the national forest's website at http://www.fs.usda.gov/goto/conf/ohv-trails. Here riders can also review the OHV rules and regulations for the national forest.
The Houston Valley OHV trail system offers motorbike and all-terrain vehicle riders easy to difficult trail experiences in a wooded setting for a fee of $5.00 per operator per day.
The Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests provide the finest outdoor recreation opportunities and natural resources in Georgia. Featuring nearly 867,000 acres across 26 counties, thousands of miles of clear-running streams and rivers, approximately 850 miles of recreation trails, and dozens of campgrounds, picnic areas, and other recreation activity opportunities, these lands are rich in natural scenery, history and culture. The mission of the USDA Forest Service is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the nation's forests and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations. The Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests is part of the Southern Region, with the Forest Supervisor's office in Gainesville, Georgia, managing four District units in Blairsville (Blue Ridge District), Lakemont (Chattooga River District), Chatsworth (Conasauga District), and Eatonton (Oconee District).
Contact: Judy Toppins 770-297-3061
