Off-highway vehicle trails at Sahara Woods State Recreation Area open Dec. 13

SPRINGFIELD - Fans of off-highway vehicles are invited to enjoy the new trails at Sahara Woods State Recreation Area in Saline County during a soft opening of the facility through Jan. 27, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) announced today.

Sahara Woods is the first state-managed off-highway vehicle (OHV) trail system in Illinois. The 26 miles of two-way trails are designed to meet a growing demand for motorized recreation.

"The staff at Sahara Woods have been working hard to open this long-awaited project and are ready to greet visitors," said IDNR Director Natalie Phelps Finnie. "After Jan. 27, we'll close the trails for the winter and reopen in May, when we look forward to welcoming everyone back to celebrate with a grand opening of the site."

Hours of operation are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday through Monday. Vehicle permits are $20 per day or $65 for a four-day pass. Riders must complete the registration form, waiver of liability, and purchase permits online in advance. OHVs cannot be wider than 64 inches, consistent with the Illinois Motor Vehicle Code. Visit the Sahara Woods website for more information.

The trails were funded in part by federal grants and IDNR capital funds. The land at Sahara Woods was the site of an active coal mine from 1936 to 1995. The strip-mined terrain was donated to IDNR in 1999, and the department transformed the site through reclamation efforts to address environmental and safety concerns.

Sahara Woods State Recreation Area is located 5 miles west of Harrisburg, south of Illinois 13 at 1210 Tipple Road, Carrier Mills. Contact the OHV trails office by phone at 618-707-1411 or email [email protected] for further details.