Motor Vehicle Use Map (MVUM)
The MVUM is a requirement of the Travel Management Final Rule and
reflects travel management decisions on each forest. The MVUM displays National
Forest System (NFS) routes (roads and trails) or areas designated open to motorized
travel . The MVUM also displays allowed uses by vehicle class (highway-legal
vehicles, vehicles less than 50 inches wide and motorcycles), seasonal allowances
and provides information on other travel rules and regulations. Routes not
shown on the MVUM are not open to public motor vehicle travel. Routes designated
for motorized use may not always be signed on the ground but will be identified
on the MVUM. It will be the public’s responsibility to reference the
MVUM to determine designated routes for motor vehicle use. The MVUM will be
updated annually, in January, to correct mapping errors or discrepancies and
update travel decisions.
The MVUM is a black and white map with no topographic features. It is not a
stand alone map and is best used in conjunction with a Forest Visitor Map or
other topographic map. The MVUM is free to the public at each local Ranger
District office and at the Delta Supervisor’s Office. The MVUM is available
on this website and sections of it may be printed from your home computer.
If you do
not already have a copy of Adobe Reader, you can download a free copy
from Adobe.
1) 2009 Grand Mesa National Forest
MVUM (PDF)
- 2) 2008 Uncompahgre National Forest MVUM
- -Plateau Division (Uncompahgre
Plateau) (PDF)
- -Mountain Division (San Juan
Mtns.) (PDF)
3) Gunnison National Forest (not available yet)
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I get a MVUM?
How many MVUM's are there?
How do I print the MVUM?
What does a MVUM show me?
Does the MVUM also show mechanized and non-motorized trails and
over-snow uses?
What do you mean by vehicle class?
What do you mean by season allowance?
Are there road and trails route marker signs on the ground?
Where can I get a MVUM?
Maps will be posted on this website and on the internet at both the Rocky Mountain Region and National Forest Service websites. Paper copies of these
maps will be available free of charge at each of the Forest Service offices
in Norwood, Montrose, Grand Junction, Delta, Paonia, and Gunnison. Other partners
and distribution locations may be developed over time to help disseminate maps.
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- How many MVUM's are there for the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison
National Forests
- There is one map for the Grand
Mesa National Forest that includes
the Fruita Division, printed on one side only. Now available.
- There is one 2-sided map for the Uncompahgre National Forest the front side
displays the Mountain Division and, the back side displays the Plateau and
Naturita Divisions. Now available.
- A MVUM will be prepared for the Gunnison National Forest in 2010
after a travel management decision has been made. The Forest Service
and Bureau of Land Management are currently involved in travel management
planning for public lands in the Gunnison Area. A draft EIS is expected
to be available for public review and comment in December 2008.
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How do I print the MVUM?
A full-size version of the MVUM is 34" x 44" and cannot be printed
on conventional home printers. A full-size version can only be printed from
a large plotter. Many local engineering and survey business can print the map
for a nominal fee.
To be readable, only a portion of the MVUM can be printed on 8 ½" x
11" paper using home printers. With Adobe Acrobat, use the “Print
Current View” function to print the view on your screen. It is recommended
that the legend box be printed to aid in interpretation of the MVUM.
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- What does a MVUM show me?
- The map displays all NFS roads, trails and designated areas allowing public
motor vehicle use.
- Motorized use includes but is not limited to Motorcycles, ATV’s, and
4-wheel drive vehicles.
- Designation details, including vehicle class, time of year, and any motorized
access for the purpose of dispersed camping (camping in locations other than
campgrounds).
- The MVUM also shows roads where only highway-legal vehicles are allowed
because of user safety considerations. On the Grand Mesa these include Lands
End, the Mesa Lakes Recreation Area and any paved road unless otherwise exempted.
- Motor vehicle access may occur on routes not shown on the MVUM for the
purpose of limited administrative access by Forest Service personnel; for
fire and
law enforcement for emergency purposes and; by persons authorized by a written
special use permit or contract from the Forest Service.
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Does the MVUM also show mechanized and non-motorized trails and over-snow
vehicle uses?
No, a visitor use map or recreation opportunity map will provide information
on motorized routes as well as non-motorized routes, including mechanized trails,
hiking, and horse trails. Over-snow vehicle use is exempted from designations
on the MVUM. These maps, once developed, will be available for purchase at
FS offices. Back
- What do you mean by vehicle class?
By vehicle class we are referring to certain categories of motorized vehicles.
The following are typical vehicle class route designations:
- Roads open to highway legal vehicles only
- Roads open to all vehicles (licensed and unlicensed)
- Trails open to vehicles 50 inches or less in width (ATV, motorcycle, etc.)
- Trails open to all (full size) vehicles (trails may be rugged and narrow-
intended for jeeps)
- Trails open to motorcycles only (single track)
It’s important to understand that routes and areas shown open to certain
vehicle classes does not mean they are maintained for or suitable for travel
using those vehicles. It simply means it is legal to use them. For example,
many low standard roads may be open to all motor vehicles. This designation
includes passenger cars, although it may not be prudent to drive this type
of vehicle on the route due to the condition of the surface or during inclement
weather.
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What do you mean by a season allowance?
Some routes or areas may be open only during certain times of the year for
various reasons such as to reduce wildlife disturbance, protect users from
unsafe or impassable conditions and to reduce impacts to other resource
values.
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Are there road and trail route marker signs on the ground?
Routes designated for motorized use may not always be signed. In some cases,
a route marker may exist at the entrance of the road/trail with symbols indicating
which classes of vehicles are allowed. Routes designated for motorized uses
will be identified on the MVUM. The MVUM is an enforcement tool to ensure individuals
are on the correct route. It is the responsibility of the user to determine
if they are on a route designated for the motor vehicle being used. MVUM's
will be developed for each forest nationwide. It is not only a tool for motorized
users, but also a consistent and standardized law enforcement tool.
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