ATV Use Opens in Gibson Township, Cameron County

Photos by CC ATV/UTV Assoc. 

A lot of years, discussions, research and time put in signs are now up in Gibson Township. Hoping that all who use this opportunity to ride, ride responsibly.  This is a privilege that can be taken away by the ignorance of some. Be smart and most of all, be safe!!

 Great day for Cameron County ATV Association!

Pictured are native Cameron County residents Carl Mitchell, Mike Ryan, Nick Keller, Michele Park ( taking photo) Jeff Snell, on the far right, is current Cameron County resident.

Recently Gibson Township and the Driftwood Borough have voted to allow dual use on some of their municipal roads. This is a privilege that the Cameron County ATV Association and our members have been lobbying for publicly and privately over the last three years. Our association will be purchasing and installing all of the signage that is required to allow dual use on the roads with no cost to the municipalities. We would like to thank both municipalities for taking these initial steps to allow dual use roads in our county. This is a great opportunity for all of our businesses “down county” and we are working on ways to connect more local businesses to the trail system. This will also give our community another great positive option to experience the outdoors locally with their families and friends.

It is important for everyone to remember and follow all Pennsylvania laws governing dual use roadways. Helmets and eye protection must be worn by all riders at all times. All ATVs on the roadway must be registered and insured just like a regular motor vehicle. The vehicle operator must possess a valid driver’s license. You must display your DCNR license plate when traveling on dual use roads. Traffic code regulations are the same for an ATV and a regular vehicle. All posted speed limit signs must be obeyed and traffic laws followed. The trail will have areas where drivers must slow down to 5 m.p.h. to ride past residential areas. This will all be clearly marked with signage from the Cameron County ATV Association.

No-go areas will also be very clearly marked and surveilled. 

The Elk State Forest District Office has not been receptive to allowing any ATVs on any of their roads in their working forest. This includes the Bucktail Viewing Area or as we all know it, Top of the World. This popular automobile destination will be off-limits for ATVs and clearly marked as such. Unlike the neighboring Susquehannock And Sproul State Forests, there is no area in the Elk State Forest to legally operate an ATV. There are also many private and residential roads that will be marked as no-go areas. 

Again, please follow all posted signage.

The opening of dual use roads in our county is a privilege that can be revoked at any time. We are calling on all of our members and anyone that uses these roads to respect the laws and ride responsibly or this privilege may be quickly taken away. This is an opportunity for modern ATV enthusiasts to prove that this outdoor family activity can be done safely, responsibly, and without creating the environmental disasters anti-atv individuals claim will happen