Sheriff's Home Page » Off-Road Vehicle Unit (ORV)

OFF-ROAD VEHICLE UNIT (ORV)

[email protected]

Unit Supervisor
Sgt. John McMillan
Cpl. Rick Pitt

CAMPING RESTRICTIONS:

 

Moses Lake Sand Dunes are open for camping and recreating. Please follow the rules and regulations that are posted at each entrance and throughout the dunes.

 

Camping is only restricted on Memorial, 4th of July, and Labor Day weekends.

To allow access for emergency responders, starting this year there is no camping anywhere west of the third restroom building to the intersection of Sand Dunes Road and Power line Road.

 

Access to the dunes is now possible from the west end. The Yellow Zone is closed between

October 1st - June 30 each year.

No ATVs/UTVs/Motorcycles (to include "Street Legal") on county roadways.

Alcohol is Prohibited

Please do your part by keeping the dunes clean. If you carry it in, please carry it out.
 

Grant County ORV Facilities: Moses Lake Sand Dunes Brochure 1410KB Map 5.2MB Beverly Sand Dunes

Some of the Users of the Moses Lake Sand Dunes

The Grant County Sheriff’s Office is proud to provide public safety services to our off-road recreation communities. The ORV Unit currently consists of two full-time commissioned deputies who works with a number of community groups to ensure safe off-road recreation. The ORV Deputy travels the state educating users of the Sand Dunes and other areas as to the laws and safety equipment required in off-road activities. Memorial Day weekend is an example of one of the more active weekends and assistance from other agencies and deputies makes this a success, drastically reducing the number of accidents and calls for service.

Alcohol is prohibited in the Moses Lake & Beverly Sand Dunes. Resolutions Alcohol Ban in Moses Lake Sand Dunes 6.1MB 2005/04/18   Alcohol Ban in Beverly Sand Dunes 6.1MB 2005/05/09   It is also unlawful to operate an ORV on roadways. In particular the main Sand Dunes Rd in Moses Lake.

Grant County 4WD & ORV Communities:

 

Ace of Clubs http://www.geocities.com/a_clubs/ 4724 Airway Dr NE Moses Lake, WA 98837 Contact: Susan Barkle Phone: 509 762-1411   Columbia Basin Sand Commandos 7796 Dahl Rd NE Moses Lake, WA 98837 Contact: Randy Hayes Phone: 509 764-0804   FoxxxTracker 4WD http://www.ft4wd.com 22171 Rd D.9 NE Soap Lake, WA 98851 Contact: Joseph Carter Phone: 509-237-9097

Sand Scorpions http://www.sandscorpion.net Moses Lake, WA 98837   The Hurtin' Units 603 Meridian Moses Lake, WA 98837 Contact: Dave McMain Phone: 509 765-2922

Areas, Conditions, and Laws Under Which You Are Allowed To Ride:

• Vacant Lots: Find out who owns the land and ask for their permission to ride on the land. If you don't, you are guilty of trespassing (going onto someone's property without their permission). Just because there's not a fence around it doesn't mean you have the right to ride there. The biggest complaint about ORV's running near houses is the NOISE and DUST. The noise bothers everyone. Don't ride near houses. Clean air regulations govern the amount of dust that can be created. Violations of clean air regulations can carry stiff fines.

• Washington State DNR, WDFW and some Private Land: (Department of Natural Resources and Department of Fish and Wildlife) - ORV's are permitted on marked DNR and WDFW roads and trails. View the law as it pertains to:

• Chapter 46.09 RCW - Off-road and non-highway vehicles

Any person can operate any ORV on DNR and WDFW roads and motorized trails with the following:

• Current License Plate or ORV Tag

• A working muffling system (emitting no more than 105 decibels at 20") with a "USFS Approved Spark Arrester" that is stamped into the metal on motorcycle mufflers and is clearly visible

• Head-light(s) and tail-light(s) are required during the hours of darkness

• Brakes and Brake-light(s).

• RCW.46.09.460 specifies that no child under 16 years of age may operate and ORV without adult supervision and the adult must possess a valid license to operate a motor vehicle.

• RCW.46.09.470 (3)(a) Helmet use. Except for an off-road vehicle equipped with seat belts and roll bars or an enclosed passenger compartment, it is a traffic infraction for any person to operate or ride an off-road vehicle on a nonhighway road without wearing upon his or her head a motorcycle helmet fastened securely while in motion. For purposes of this section, "motorcycle helmet" has the same meaning as provided in RCW 46.37.530.

Areas, Conditions, and Laws Under Which You Are NOT Allowed To Ride:

• Roadways: Only licensed street vehicles may ride on, cross or ride the shoulders/ditches of roadways.

• Canals: Riding along canals is prohibited. These roads are for maintenance and canal operations.  If you are on them, you are guilty of trespassing.