The Illinois Department of Natural Resources is set to officially open the long-anticipated off-highway vehicle (OHV) park in southern Illinois tomorrow.
Sahara Woods State Recreation Area, located near Carrier Mills in Saline County, features Illinois’ first state-managed OHV trail system. The park offers nearly 30 miles of two-way trails designed to accommodate the increasing demand for motorized recreation.
The park will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Friday through Monday. Vehicle permits are available for $20 per day or $65 for a four-day pass. Riders can purchase permits and complete registration forms and liability waivers online.
OHVs must not exceed 64 inches in width, in accordance with the Illinois Motor Vehicle Code, and riders are required to follow safety rules. Additional details are available on Sahara Woods’ website.
Funding for the trails was partially provided through federal grants and IDNR capital funds. The land at Sahara Woods was previously an active coal mine from 1936 to 1995. Donated to IDNR in 1999, the site has been transformed through reclamation efforts to address environmental and safety concerns.
Sahara Woods State Recreation Area is located five miles west of Harrisburg, south of Illinois Route 13 near Carrier Mills.
For more information, contact the OHV trails office at 618-707-1411.
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