Centennial Trail - Ocala National Forest

[dieselbeef]

yer awesome man...wish all the rangers were as cool. we were just talking this morning bout going to ocala...croom is alot closer...we do both...awesome places to go ride

pave smave..dont care bout the camping area be blacktop..really...we are camping...true we got a toyhauler but balcktop...fergetaboutit....

dont know when were gonna git up there but i hope to meet ya...sounds like yall been busy since our last visit last spring

gary

[mtbatvrider]

Kris Thanks for the taking the time to answer my question. I don't think I have the green the sticker that is required by the National Forest. I do have the bill of sales for all three of my atv's. I live in Broward County (Ft Lauderdale area) so pretty far hike to come there to ride and risk not able to ride. I would love to come there one weekend to check it out if somebody will assure me that I would be able to. I have "CASH" as said you to bring for camping and riding. If we need to make an extra donation I would be willing to do that too... If you can't let me know on the post I can be emailed at horacio.f.moreno@gmail.com I really appreciate your time.. Have a great day!!!

[kdclere]

Got some stuff that came up at work today, so I am pushing the "Grand Opening" of the New Centennial Trail Head back to sometime in mid-May!  More time to plan will be good anyhow!  I will answer any questions later in the weekend.

MTBATVRIDER:  You'll be fine.  Just plan a weekend and come on up.  Make a copy of your bill of sale and bring it with you just in case if you want.  I'll try to get up with you while youre here and make sure we get you on the right track!

-Kris

[mtbatvrider]

  Kris thanks for the reply back. I will be making plans soon to come there. I already have copies of the bill of sales which are also notarized. So we are set with that. I will let you know when we come up. Hopefully it will be soon. Thanks again Have a great week!!

[pepito113]

I live in south florida... Never been to ocala... What Do I need to bring as far as paperwork??? Whats the price? Do i need my atv inspected before I can ride? Helmet? Thanks for the help. Might want to go up this weekend. But its a 4 hour drive...

[kdclere]

I live in south florida... Never been to ocala... What Do I need to bring as far as paperwork??? Whats the price? Do i need my atv inspected before I can ride? Helmet? Thanks for the help. Might want to go up this weekend. But its a 4 hour drive...

Sorry, been on vacation for a week.  You need proof that the machine is yours, it may be required to be titled according to State law, check with a tag office.  These two items are not show stoppers, but are technically required to ride and will usually result in a warning of some sort, unless it is a repeat offense in which a ticket could be issued.  More importantly is the $10 operator fee for adults and $5 for children 15 and under.  This is payable at the trailhead by cash or check using a fee envelope and following instructions on the information kiosk.  Adults are not required to wear protective gear, but I recommend it.  Our trails are two-way and while accidents rarely happen, I shade on the side of caution.  Children 15 and under are required by law to have helmet, eye-protection and over-the-ankle boots.  Anything else, just ask!

-Kris

[taino_racing]

kris i dont know you but may God Bless you for your hard work and your post to keep us updated!

[zephyr]

Kris it was good meeting you and finally able to put a face with a name. Thanks for all the info. BTW there is a large tree down blocking FR37 just south or the trail crossing(road is 3/4 blocked) bring tractor and large chainsaw. also two smaller tree blocking the trail just west of 37 approx 1/2 of a mile

[Raptorfire99]

Kris, we are planning to come up to Ocala this weekend. The last time we were there they told us our tires were too aggressive and there was a trail speed limit of 25 miles an hour. Is this still correct? It has been a while since we have been there. Are there any certain rules we should be aware of? Thanks Scott

[kdclere]

Kris it was good meeting you and finally able to put a face with a name. Thanks for all the info. BTW there is a large tree down blocking FR37 just south or the trail crossing(road is 3/4 blocked) bring tractor and large chainsaw. also two smaller tree blocking the trail just west of 37 approx 1/2 of a mile

Absolutely!
...and thanks for the info, I'll take care of these trees as soon as I can!
-Kris

[kdclere]

Kris, we are planning to come up to Ocala this weekend. The last time we were there they told us our tires were too aggressive and there was a trail speed limit of 25 miles an hour. Is this still correct? It has been a while since we have been there. Are there any certain rules we should be aware of? Thanks Scott

Scott,
The tires can be "too agressive", however, this infraction is not a major one unless you are driving your machine in such a way that it is tearing the tread of the trail apart since the trail is actually Nationa Forest Resource and we do not want to destroy it.  That is the reasoning behind the tire tread depth.  If you have aggressive tires on your machine, we ask that you do your best to not rip up the trail tread.  This can be a ticketable offense, however, again it is not high on "my totem pole".  As for speed limits, the Centennial is posted at 20mph.  In most parts of the trail getting above this speed is dangerous due to lack of visibility.  You are riding at your own risk, if you get my drift.  If you come out for the weekend, pay the required fees at the campground and trailhead, depending on what all you plan on doing; stay off the roads; don't double-ride; and keep good intentions...no one should bother you, myself included!  We want everyone to have a good time and leave the area in such a condition that the following rider can have the same great experience!
-Kris

[Raptorfire99]

Kris, thank you for answering all of my questions. We just got back from the centennial trail and we loved it. Very nice job with all the trails!! are the other trails like that and how do you get to them?

[dalem352]

Do u know when the 316 trailhead opens

[SMP63]

Welcome to the forum Dalem352!!!  I use the Trail Head on CR316 when i ride the North trail system.  If I remember correctly the Trail Head is open 1 hour after sunrise & closes 1 hour before sunset.

[dalem352]

Its been closed for paving i was out their 2 weeks ago delancey loops is closed to i parked at rodman dam to avoid the campground cost

[SMP63]

Thanks Dale!!  Was thinking about heading up this coming wkend. Wish they would have left it dirt. I might have to ride Centennial Trail instead!!!!!!!

[dalem352]

Thats a nice ride out their at centinnal takes me 5 to 6 hours to ride the trail i like the 20 mile perhour layed back riding

[SMP63]

I'm with you on 20 mph layed back riding. Usualy pack a lunch, stop @ Blue sink & eat, go for a swim. Make a day of it!!!!!!!!

[dalem352]

That my kinda ride their i got a 2011 arcitcat 300 utility i made a 30x12x12 cargo box for the back rack an put 2-           1 1/2 gallon kolpin side mount gas cans on it  an i allways head out for a good day

[kdclere]

dalem352 and SMP63,

Glad you guys are enjoying the trail systems!  I'll get with the Tech running the North end trails and ask he has an expected date for both Delancy Loops TH on HWY19 and the CR316 TH?  As I understand it is supposed to be by the end of June, but weather could delay a little longer.

-Kris

[dalem352]

Hi kris are u the guy on the little bulldozer i saw out at delancey few  weeks ago i like how  the trails are being graded out

[Starbuc71]

Hey all,
  Rode the centennial trail on Sunday and had a good time. Came across 2 downed trees but had enough friends with me to move them off the trail.  There are probably about 2 trees that fell over the trail that SxS will not be able to get under but quads could.  We parked at FR 13 TH and headed clockwise around the loop.  The only bad parts of the trail were probably 3 miles past big scrub to about 2 miles before reaching the TH.  Very whooped out, but still had a great time. Met 2 rangers at the picnic area by the lake.  2 real nice guys.  I voiced my concerns about having the loop one way trails since we only saw one other vehicle that day and I happened to be leading and came across a RZR on a blind curve.  We stopped about 2 feet from head on crash.  The rangers agreed a one way trail system would help a lot and that we should voice our opinions about it to the higher ups.  The North Trails would be difficult to have one way due to so many trails crossing each other, but centennial is more of a laid back ride where I would like to take the family but don't want the risk of the head on's.  Kris, how can we push this issue?  I think it would be easier than trimming back everyturn so you could see oncoming riders.  Afew "do not enter signs" and "one way traffic signs" and we would all be a bit safer.  Keep up the great work on the trails

[dieselbeef]

really?!?!? i dont wanna sound like a thingy here but it is a trail ride. whooped out? comon..ya want it paved next? maybe we oughtta put up stop lights at the trail crossings and make sure we have mirrors at all the curves so ya can see around em.

i get it really i do..some p[eople ride with total disregard...my friend broke his collarbone in a head on on a trail at croom...we still rode there tho...

 dont over regulate it and if the trail is only one way how will my 5 yr old be able to ride it? maybe i dont wanna go on a 4 hr ride..so i turn around and go back

geez man comon..yer riding in the woods...on a trail in the forest...yer lucky ya even got that


go ahead and bash...

gary

[SMP63]

I had a long conversation with a ranger about this. If they make the trail one way & some body
rides it the wrong way & a collision with injuries occures it puts the Forestry Service @ fault for not inforcing it!!!!!!! This happened in another state & a big payout was awarded in which the Forestry Service had to pay. After this they shut the trail down!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Don't want to see this happen here.  People have to realize that the trails are not a closed race coarse & they are the only ones riding them. If they want to ride WFO go to a track & ride!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[strubby]

You can't fault a guy for saying a one way trail would be safer. It would, period. However diesel makes a good point about it becoming a longer trail with no out. In this case, maybe a cut through trail would be beneficial. I'm sure there aren't any one way trails in the works anytime soon, as that would require a LOT of changes.

One option I think would be good for everyone is adding one way trails off of the main two way loop. A lot of parks are going this way, and it's a great option. I will ride Ocala whether it one way or two way. But I would probably go every week if there were one way loops added eventually. Keep up the good work and giving us a place to ride!