Motorized trail system- US forest service's project a: badin lake off-highway vehicle project

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) awarded the North Carolina Department of Transportation $125,000 through the Recreational Trails Program (CFDA 20.219) on September 9, 2025, for trail maintenance and preservation activities at the Badin Lake Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Trail Complex in the Uwharrie National Forest. The project involves comprehensive maintenance on approximately 8 miles of the motorized trail system—representing roughly half of the total trail complex—with an ultimate completion date of July 6, 2030. This maintenance work addresses significant wear and tear resulting from heavy recreational use, as the Badin Lake complex is North Carolina's only publicly accessible motorized trail system that permits all vehicle types, including all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), utility terrain vehicles (UTVs), dirt bikes, and full-sized vehicles on its motorized trails.

The Recreational Trails Program funding supports eligible trail maintenance and restoration activities for both motorized and nonmotorized recreational use. These funds, derived from motor fuel excise tax revenues, enable states to develop and maintain trail infrastructure and related facilities. The Badin Lake project qualifies as a permissible use under the program's maintenance and restoration provisions, supporting the continued viability of this regionally significant recreational resource while promoting trail safety and environmental stewardship in the Uwharrie National Forest.

Project description

Complex maintenance project a, the uwharrie national forest is proposing to do trail maintenance on approximately 8 miles the badin lake off-highway vehicle (OHV) trail complex. This is about half of the trail system. The badin lake OHV trail complex is the only motorized trail system that allows for all types of motorized vehicles to use (atvs, utvs, side by sides, dirt bikes and full-sized vehicles) in NC. Because we are the only trail system on public lands in NC that allows full-sized vehicles on all our motorized trails we get all of that traffic and use on our trail system in this region. This level of use causes a lot of wear and tear on the trails annually.