When winter ATV riding on state forestlands resumes December 14, riders will be able to return to the Dixon Miller ATV Trail in Monroe County after a two-year closure, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Ellen Ferretti announced Monday.

“The reopening of this 15-mile trail in Delaware State Forest comes at a time when ATV enthusiasts are returning to state forestland trails across the state, and after the Dixon Miller ATV Trail has undergone a two-year period of extensive repairs and improvements,” Ferretti said.

Beginning December 14, ATV riding resumes on seven trails in state forestlands that totals more than 164 miles. The winter season traditionally opens the Sunday after the last day of the state’s two-week, regular deer hunting season. It closes April 1.

Based at the Dixon Miller Recreation Area in Tunkhannock Township, Monroe County, the trail was repaired and enhanced by Delaware State Forest District staff. Work included construction of 2.65 miles of new trail; repair of 1.5 miles adversely affected by erosion and sedimentation; and the improvement of 4 miles of trail. There are a total of 15.2 miles of ATV trails on this site.

“Riders returning to the Dixon Miller ATV Trail will find the new trails are narrower than the original, and wind through the state forest,” Ferretti said. “Improvements include re-grading of the trail surface to provide a more durable surface that better withstands erosion and compaction.”

In wetter areas of the trail, the secretary noted, crushed stone was placed atop geotextile fabric to prevent compaction from ATV traffic. Where the trail was depressed below the surrounding landscape, red shale was applied to raise the trail surface above the surrounding landscape and reduce erosion. Shale was made available by the Game Commission and obtained from nearby Game Lands No. 129.

The project was funded through a $100,000 Pennsylvania Recreational Trails grant, supplied by DCNR’s Community Conservation Partnership Program, and $31,000.00 from the state Snowmobile/ATV Fund.

More details on the Dixon Miller and other trails offering winter ATV riding opportunities on state forestland can be found on DCNR’s ATV Recreation webpage.

12/15/2014