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

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) awarded the North Carolina Department of Transportation $125,000 under the Recreational Trails Program (CFDA 20.219) on September 9, 2025, for trail maintenance and related work on the Badin Lake Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Trail Complex within the Uwharrie National Forest. The project will address approximately 8 miles of the Badin Lake OHV trail system through maintenance activities scheduled for completion by July 6, 2030. This motorized trail complex represents the only full-sized vehicle OHV trail system on public lands in the Piedmont region of North Carolina, generating substantial recreational use that necessitates regular maintenance and restoration efforts to preserve trail conditions and accessibility.

Under the Recreational Trails Program, which distributes formula grants derived from motor fuel excise tax revenues, eligible uses include maintenance and restoration of existing trails, equipment acquisition, and related facility improvements. The award supports the Uwharrie National Forest's ongoing stewardship of this regionally significant recreational asset by providing dedicated federal funding to address the accumulated wear and tear resulting from high-volume motorized trail usage across the system.

Project description

Project B: badin lake off-highway vehicle (OHV) trail complex maintenance the uwharrie national forest is proposing to do trail maintenance on approximately 8 miles the badin lake OHV trail complex. The uwharrie national forest provides the only motorized trail system on public lands in the piedmont region of north carolina. IT is the only trail system on public lands in NC that allows full-sized vehicles on all our motorized trails. Due to this, IT get's 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.