Required Permits: 

You need county permits to ride any 3-digit County Road or 4-digit Forest System Road in Mark Twain National Forest. Ensure you have all necessary permits when leaving our campground.

For Guests at Sinking Creek Ranch

If you're planning to ride your ATV, UTV, or OHV beyond the ranch, including on nearby county roads or public trail systems, you may need to obtain a permit depending on where you're headed.

What You’ll Need for Any Permit:

1. Valid ID

2. Proof of insurance

3. Vehicle details (make, model, serial number)

County Road Permits:

🟩 Reynolds County (Annual Permit)

- $10 per vehicle

- Valid for one year

- Available at our ranch or from the Reynolds County Courthouse in Centerville
📞 Contact us if you’d like to purchase your permit here at check-in.

🟨 Dent County (Lifetime Permit)

- $20 per vehicle

- One-time fee — valid for the life of the vehicle

- Available from the Dent County Clerk’s Office in Salem
🔗 Dent County Clerk Info

🟦 Shannon County (Lifetime Permit)

- $20 per vehicle

- One-time fee — valid for the life of the vehicle

- Contact the Shannon County Clerk in Eminence to request a permit

- They can mail the permit directly to you or to us before your arrival
🔗 Shannon County Clerk Info

🌲 Public Trail System – Sutton Bluff (Mark Twain National Forest)

If you're planning to ride the Sutton Bluff ATV/UTV/Motorcycle trails, a USDA Forest Service permit is required.

- Daily Permit: $7

- Annual Permit: $45

- Available for purchase online
🔗 Buy Sutton Bluff Permits

For trail maps, rules, and approved OHV areas in the Mark Twain National Forest:
🔗 Mark Twain OHV Guidelines

To explore all recreation passes (camping, hunting, horseback riding):
🔗 Mark Twain Recreation Pass Hub

Quick Tips:

- Permits are not needed for riding on private ranch land, including trails at Sinking Creek Ranch.

- Helmets and safe riding practices are strongly encouraged.

- Some roads and trails may be seasonally restricted—always check ahead.

Safety & Trail Conduct Guidelines:

For everyone’s safety and enjoyment, whether you’re riding on public trails or exploring local roads, please follow these important rules:

- All operators and passengers must meet the manufacturer’s minimum age and size requirements

- Anyone under age 16 must be directly supervised by a parent or guardian

- Stay on marked trails and obey all signs, gates, and barriers

- No littering – pack it in, pack it out

- No alcohol may be consumed or possessed by drivers

- No glass containers – keep all trash in bags and use designated disposal areas

- Watch for oncoming traffic, especially on hills and blind curves

- Always ride at a reasonable, controlled speed

- Your machine must have a working muffler and a USFS-approved spark arrestor