Iowa OHV Park Hotline
The Iowa DNR maintains an OHV Park Hotline to keep the public up-to-date on park closings and park issues throughout the state. The number is 515-281-8385. The information on this hotline will be the most up-to-date and will be accessible to the public 24 hours a day.
Mayo Clinic Advances Understanding of Concussions in Motocross
Awareness of concussions among high school athletes playing football, hockey and other sports has increased dramatically in the past few years. Parents and coaches are beginning to understand the dangers associated with concussions. Now, new information is emerging about concussions in motocross riders, thanks to studies at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota.
Mayo Clinic Study
ATV Volunteer Instructor Training Opportunity
The Iowa DNR is considering holding an ATV instructor certification course on May 19-20, at Camp Dodge in Johnston. The course will be taught by staff with the Iowa DNR’s Law Enforcement Bureau and upon successful completion, graduates would be ready to provide training to students who need their certification.
Registration is required. The course must have a minimum of six students to be held and can accommodate up to 10 students.
Instructor candidates would be required to bring their own equipment, one per instructor – no sharing – and the equipment must meet state standards for registration, lights, brakes, and noise emission.
The certification course includes a majority of the time outdoors learning the skills that would be taught to kids along with classroom instruction. The course will be held 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, and 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday. Meals are provided and there is no fee to attend.
Attendees who stay onsite at Camp Dodge can have their lodging reimbursed, or they can find lodging offsite on their own.
For more information, contact Rhonda Fowler, Iowa Department of Natural Resources ATV and Snowmobile Education Coordinator, at 515-281-3208 or Rhonda.Fowler@dnr.iowa.gov.
Iowa's ATV Rules and Regulations
Off-highway Vehicle Reference Guide
Join the OHV List Serve
To receive information from the IDNR Off-highway Vehicle Program, join the program's list serve: join-dnrohv@lists.ia.gov.
Special Events Calendar
When individuals and groups want to use public land and water for events, they must apply for use of that land through the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. These events are compiled by the Special Events System and are displayed on a calendar of events. These events can be searched by type, location, and date.
To find events which may be of interest to you, please go to https://programs.iowadnr.gov/specialevents/.
Special Event Permits
The Iowa DNR is authorized to approve a club or individual to hold an organized special events (an organized race, exhibition, or demonstration of limited duration which is conducted accourding to a prearranged schedule and in which general public interest is manifested) within the state if the event is scheduled to be held on public land or public ice. The DNR shall designate the equipment and facilities necessary for safe operation of ATVs, ORVs, and off-road motorcycles, and for the safety of operators, participants, and observers.
Residents participating in a special event must display a current registration on their ATV, ORV, or off-highway motorcycle. Nonresidents must display a valid, Iowa nonresident user permit on their ATV, ORV, or off-highway motorcycle.
At least 30 days before the scheduled date of a special event, an application must be filed with the DNR using the Special Events web-based application found at https://programs.iowadnr.gov/specialevents/.
For more information, contact the OHV Program Manager (David.Downing@dnr.iowa.gov) or call 515-281-3449.
Our Mission:
To provide sustainable, responsible recreation opportunities for owners of registered all-terrain vehicles and off-highway motorcycles.