Jefferson County residents who own all-terrain vehicles have a new set of options when it comes to where they can legally ride: county commissioners voted last week to approve a specific list of county roads designated for Class IV ATV travel, officially bringing a long-anticipated ordinance into effect.

Commissioners Mike Wunsch, Kelly Simmelink, and their fellow board member approved the measure at their September 11 meeting, completing a process that had been in progress for more than four years.

What the Ordinance Allows

The ordinance applies specifically to Class IV ATVs, which Oregon law defines with the following characteristics:

  • Tires designed for off-road use only
  • Capable of cross-country travel over varied terrain
  • Non-straddle seating
  • No wider than 75 inches at the widest point
  • Originally manufactured for off-road use
  • Equipped with standard safety features: steering wheel, headlights, brake lights, and turn signals

In Oregon, ATVs are not street-legal in the same way that cars and trucks are, making county-level designations like this one an important step for communities where ATV use is common.

Years in the Making

The push for this ordinance stretches back over four years, driven in large part by the Crooked River Ranch ATV Group and its chair, Norm Park. The Crooked River Ranch community — a large unincorporated residential area northwest of Madras — has a strong contingent of ATV owners who have long sought legal access to county roads for neighborhood travel.

Jefferson County sought public input throughout the process, making the county GIS Map Viewer available so residents could identify and recommend specific roads for inclusion in the ordinance. That community-driven mapping process helped shape the final list of approved routes.

What Comes Next

Residents curious about which specific roads are now designated for ATV travel can consult the Jefferson County GIS Map Viewer at the county’s official website, jeffersoncountyor.gov. Signage on approved roads will help clarify where ATV travel is permitted.

Officials remind riders that even on approved roads, standard safety practices apply. Riders should stay right, yield to other traffic, and ensure their vehicle meets the Class IV requirements outlined in the ordinance before heading out.

For ATV owners across Jefferson County who have been waiting for this moment, the commissioners’ vote marks a long-awaited arrival — and a new chapter in how residents can explore their own backyard.