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| Home > Ohio > Maumee State Forest |
Maumee State Forest
Wednesday, July 9, 2025
| Other Names | Oak Openings |
| Last Known Status | Open |
This state forest has about eight miles of designated ATV trails that form a long and twisty loop. The terrain is mostly flat with slight elevation changes, making it a good choice to bring a novice rider.
The staging area provides direct access to the eastern section but you will need to cross the road to access the western trails. The staging area is paved and amenities include restrooms, a picnic table, trash receptacles and informational kiosk.
As of this writing there is no fee charged to park or ride but all machines must have a current Ohio APV Tag. The staging area and trails are only open during daylight hours but camping facilities are just a couple miles away.
The trails are open year-round to motorized use. During the winter months snowmobiles are permitted if there is enough snow coverage.
***ANNOUNCEMENTS***
Michigan ORV Permit
The Michigan ORV trail permit is not honored at the Maumee State Forest. Michigan residents will need to get temporary operating permit from one of the Ohio BMV offices. Bring the title of the machine, two forms of ID and request a one year temporary operating permit (when contacting the BMV, please refer to Ohio Revised Code 4519.09 to ensure prompt service). For more information call (419) 822-3052.
Ohio APV Tag
Only vehicles permitted on Ohio State Forest APV areas are required to have an APV registration from the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles. Take the title and proof of identification to your local BMV office. They will review the title and issue the appropriate registration to match how the vehicle is titled. If the vehicle is titled as an off road vehicle, they will issue an APV registration. You will be issued a small license plate that is to be displayed on the vehicle when you visit the state forest APV areas. Once you secure that registration and small plate, you may ride the APV areas during hours open.
If the vehicle is titled as street legal, they will not be able to issue the registration required to use the state forest APV areas. When you register the vehicle with the BMV, and if they give you the full sized license plate, that means the vehicle is street legal. Vehicles displaying the full sized license plate are not permitted in the state forest APV area. In short, the BMV will review your title and issue the appropriate registration. If you receive an off road registration, you may ride on the state forest APV areas. If you receive a street legal vehicle registration, you may not ride on state forest APV areas. For more information call (419) 822-3052.
REGULATIONS
| Permit Required | Yes | Ohio APV Tag |
| Dates Open | Daily sunrise to sunset. | |
| Other ATV Stickers Accepted | No | |
| Spark Arrestor | Yes | A spark arresting exhaust silencer or end cap is required for all vehicles. |
| Noise Limit | Yes (96 dB) | |
| Whip Flags | Not Required | |
| Maximum Vehicle Width | Yes (62 inches) | has entrance gate or posts |
 Motorcycles & Dirt Bikes | Permitted | street legal motorcycles are not permitted |
 ATVs | Permitted | |
 UTV & SXS | Permitted | (maximum width 62 inches) |
 SUVs & Jeeps (registered) | Prohibited | |
| Dune Buggy & Sand Rail 4x4 (unregistered) | Prohibited | |
| 2 Stroke Engines | No Restriction | |
| MX Helmet Required | Yes | helmet and goggles are required for all drivers and passengers |
 Camping | Prohibited | |
 Campfires | Prohibited | |
| Night Riding | No | open half hour before sunrise until one half hour after sunset |
| Trail Blazing | Prohibited | riders must stay on trail |
| Alcohol | Prohibited | |
| Rule Enforcement | ||
| Comment | Go-karts are permitted if they have a current Ohio APV Tag. | |
TERRAIN
| Approx Size | 3,332 acres (5 sq mi) | |
| Miles Of Trail | 8 | |
| Climate Type | Forest | |
| Elevation | 650 to 680 ft. | |
| Trail Maintenance | Marked, Not Rated, Lightly Maintained | trails are one-way |
| Loose Dirt |  Little | |
| Hard Pack |  Some | |
| Sand |  Mostly | |
| Mud | Some | |
| Dust | Some | |
| Rocks | Little | |
| Trees |  All | |
| Steep Hills |  None | |
| Water Crossings | None | |
| Small Jumps | None | |
| Large Jumps | None | |
| Berms |  Few | |
| Sand/Gravel Pits | None | |
| Single Track | None | |
| Roads | Few | |
| Shade | Some | |
| Hazards | Few | (hazards assumed marked but use caution) |
 Novice | Mostly | |
 Amateur | Little | |
 Expert | None |
TYPE OF AREA
| Area | Motorized Trails |
| Land | State Forest |
GPS POINTS
KEY SERVICES
 Gasoline | 5-20 Miles (NE) | BP Gas Station (419) 826-3392 |
| Diesel | 5-20 Miles (NE) | BP Gas Station (419) 826-3392 |
 Water | 1-5 Miles (E) | Hidden Lake Campground (419) 875-5476 |
 RV Hookup | 1-5 Miles (E) | Hidden Lake Campground (419) 875-5476 |
 RV Disposal | 1-5 Miles (E) | Hidden Lake Campground (419) 875-5476 |
| Campground | 1-5 Miles (E) | Hidden Lake Campground (419) 875-5476 |
 Conv Store | 5-20 Miles (NE) | BP Gas Station (419) 826-3392 |
FEES & PASSES
| Parking | (None) |
| Entry | (None) |
| Riding | (None) |
| Camping | (None) |
RATINGS
| Our Rating |  Good |
| Recommended Stay | Full Day |
| Comments | (Scroll Down For Rider Reviews & Comments) |
DRIVING DIRECTIONS
| Nearest City | Swanton, OH | ||
| Address | Township Road 2, Swanton, OH 43558 | ||
| From: Toledo, OH
1) Take SR-2 West to SR-64 south, about 18 miles 2) Turn left (south) onto SR-64, continue 3.5 miles 3) Turn right (west) onto CR-131/Sherman White Road, continue 1.5 miles 4) Turn left (south) onto Township Road 2, continue .7 miles 5) Staging area is on the left (east). |
OFFICIAL CONTACTS
| Contact Info | Maumee State Forest 3390 County Road D Swanton, OH 43558-9731 (419) 822-3052 forestry.comments@dnr.state.oh.us ohiodnr.gov |
| Contact Info | Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles 1970 West Broad Street Columbus, OH 43223 (614) 752-7800 webmaster@dps.state.oh.us www.bmv.ohio.gov |
| Comment | ATV and Motorcycle Registration Info |
Maumee State Forest Trail Photo
Photo Submitted 4/30/2012 (Great shot... Thanks!)
Maumee State Forest Trail Photo
Photo Submitted 3/22/2012 (Thanks!)
Maumee State Forest Trail Photo
Photo Submitted 10/21/2013 (Thanks!)
Maumee State Forest Trail Photo
Photo Submitted 10/5/2012 (Thanks!)
RIDER COMMENTS & REVIEWS