Archive of ATV News Articles

Date: 07/29/08

Five Mississippi State Parks were listed among Reserve America’s Top 100 Family Campgrounds according to the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks.

Approximately 4,000 state parks, national parks, and campgrounds were reviewed encompassing all 50 states before the final 100 were selected.

In Mississippi, Trace State Park near Pontotoc, John W. Kyle State Park near Sardis, Lake Lincoln State Park near Wesson, Paul B. Johnson State Park near Hattiesburg and Percy Quin State Park near McComb were chosen to be among the Top 100 Family Campgrounds.

Trace State Park Manager Roddy Powell is delighted with ReserveAmerica’s findings.

“Yes we are,” he declared. “The camp grounds are really popular. Both our new and old campgrounds have very nice views of the lake.

“Plus, with the warm weather, a lot of people are out wanting to ski and ride their jet skies.

“During the winter months, when the fishing has slowed down, the 30 miles of ATV trails that we offer attracts riders from all over, so it’s a really popular destination.”

According to Powell, in July, the Southern National Doubles Disc Golf Tournament will be held at Trace State Park.

Mississippi’s parks also fared well in other areas of recognition.

Tishomingo State Park earned a spot among the nation’s Top 25 Canoeing Spots.

Trace Lake, Lake Lincoln and Percy Quin State Parks were touted as being among the Top 50 Fishing Spots in the Reserve Amercia report.

“A lot of that has to do with the management of the lake,” Powell said.

“Our fisheries department do a good job of management. This past winter, park personnel put fish structure in the lake, and volunteers in the past have established gravel beds and such to improve the fishing.

“Fishermen like it here because of the very large bream that are in the lake.”

Lake Lowndes State Park near Columbus and Percy Quin were named in the Top 50 for the quality of the hiking trails each offers visitors.

Leroy Percy State Park, Mississippi’s first state park, located near Hollandale, was named in the Top 25 Romantic Spots.

For scenic value, Clark Creek State Park got the recognition it deserves, being listed among the Top 50 Scenic areas.

Tishomingo State Park joined LeFleur’s Bluff State Park in Jackson and Clark State Park near Quitman in being recognized for their unique cabins.

“To be ranked as we were against tourist destination states such as Florida, Virginia, Colorado, and California speaks volumes for the fine job our parks personnel are doing in making people feel welcomed,” said Ramie Ford, MDWFP Director of Parks.

“We have a great asset that the world is starting to discover.”

Reserve America is North America’s leading camping reservation and campground management solutions provider.

For specific information about each of Mississippi’s state parks visit www.mdwfp.com, or call 601-432-2400.

Trace State Park ranked among Top 100

ATV trails abundant across the border

Date: 06/21/08

Forest Service pulls Smokey Bear ad

By MATTHEW DALY

WASHINGTON (AP) — Smokey Bear was unfair.

The Forest Service said Tuesday it has canceled a public service ad in which the iconic bear warned that sparks from off-road vehicles could start a wildfire.

Off-road groups had complained that the ad sent the wrong message that riders operating ATVs in a legal manner can start forest fires.

"The mutual goal of the Forest Service, National Association of State Foresters and the Ad Council is to spread Smokey's enduring message of preventing wildfires to all forest users," the Forest Service said in a statement Tuesday.

Because the ATV ad was interpreted as unfairly targeting off-road riders, the Forest Service has requested that TV stations and other media outlets that had broadcast the ad discontinue it, the Forest Service said.

The BlueRibbon Coalition, an Idaho-based group that advocates for off-road vehicles, hailed the ad's withdrawal.

"I honestly believe the agencies had intended to create a positive message regarding safe use of ATVs on public lands," said Don Amador, the group's Western representative.

Whatever its intent, the ad "incorrectly conveyed to the ATV rider that the best way for them to prevent wildfires was to stay at home. Instead, the ad should have encouraged the use of Forest Service-approved spark arresters and limiting travel to approved routes and areas," Amador said.

Forest Service officials said the ad was not intended to imply that all ATV use causes fires — rather that fire prevention is always important, especially at a time of high fire danger.

The Forest Service supports responsible use of ATVs on public land, said Jim Bedwell, the agency's director of recreation. ATV riders must use spark arresters — which restrict sparks from escaping an exhaust system — when operating off-road on public lands.

· Forest Service: http://www.fs.fed.us/

· Smokey Bear: http://www.smokeybear.com/

· Blue Ribbon Coalition: http://www.sharetrails.org/

Last Updated 8/06/2010

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