Access by Permission Only Markings
A sign reading “Access by Permission Only” can interrupt a ride when the trail map suggests you are on a route. In Maine, registration and a route on a map do not automatically grant permission to cross private land. Here’s how to read the marking, what to do before continuing, and how to confirm whether the route is open to your machine.
What “Access by Permission Only” means
The plain meaning is that access depends on permission from the landowner or someone authorized to speak for them. The sign is a warning not to assume that a visible trail, old road, or mapped line is open for you to ride.
The wording does not necessarily tell you whether permission has been granted to a particular ATV club, trail organization, group, or individual. A marked route may be open to riders through an arrangement made by a club, while access to other parts of the property is restricted. Or the sign may mean that riders need permission before entering the property at all. The sign alone may not explain which arrangement applies.
When you see it, treat it as a reason to verify access—not as permission to proceed and not as proof that no one is allowed to ride there. A current, route-specific confirmation from the landowner, authorized club, or land manager is the safest way to resolve the uncertainty.
Permission is about the land, not just the machine
Maine ATV trails often cross private property. A trail’s appearance does not show who owns the land or what permission, if any, covers it. Even if you have a valid registration, permission to ride one section does not automatically extend to a neighboring parcel, a side path, or a different route across the same property.
A rider may be authorized to use a particular corridor at certain times, while access elsewhere on the parcel is not allowed. Permission may also apply to one type of machine or activity and not another. For example, an agreement for a marked ATV trail should not be assumed to cover a wider side-by-side, an off-trail detour, camping, or a group event.
That is why Maine Landowner Permission Rules and Maine ATV Rules on Posted Land matter alongside registration requirements. The practical question is not just whether you are registered. It is whether you have permission to ride this route, on this land, under the conditions that apply today.
A map is useful, but it is not a permission document
Maps help with planning, but they can be out of date, simplified, or unclear about property boundaries and temporary changes. A line on a digital map may represent a former trail, a public road, a club route, or a track recorded by another rider. It does not, by itself, establish current permission.
Likewise, seeing tire tracks or another rider on the route does not prove that access is still authorized. Landowner permission can change, and a route that was open on an earlier trip may be closed now. For more context on why access can change, see Losing Permission on a Maine Trail.
What to do before you ride the marked route
If you encounter the sign while planning or already on a ride, pause and verify who authorized access. Do not rely on assumptions based on the trail’s appearance, online comments, or a past visit.
Use this process:
- Identify the exact location. Note the trail name or number if available, the nearest intersection, the direction you are traveling, and any nearby signs. A map pin or a photo taken from a safe place can help explain what you found.
- Check current information from the route’s club or manager. Look for a recent trail status notice, contact the local club, or ask the organization responsible for maintaining that section. Ask specifically whether the route is open to your machine and whether the sign indicates an existing permission arrangement.
- Ask who the permission applies to. Confirm whether the permission covers individual riders, club members, organized groups, guests, or only certain uses. Do not assume another person’s permission transfers to you.
- Confirm the boundary and route. Ask whether permission covers the marked corridor only, where the route enters and leaves the property, and whether any nearby roads or connecting trails are included.
- Check for conditions or closures. Ask about dates, time restrictions, machine-width limits, seasonal closures, and temporary detours. If there is uncertainty, do not ride past the marking until you have clear confirmation.
If you need to contact the landowner directly, be specific and respectful. Asking a Landowner for Permission to Ride explains how to make that request. For recurring or group use, written confirmation can reduce misunderstandings; see Getting Written Permission to Ride Private Land.
Written permission should be clear about the people or group covered, the property or route, the permitted machine types, and any conditions or dates. A text message or email may help preserve what was agreed, but it should not be treated as permission for a different parcel or a later ride unless the terms cover that use.
If you cannot confirm permission
Do not treat silence as approval. If you cannot reach the club, landowner, or route manager, choose another confirmed route or turn back to a place where you can safely wait or reroute. This is especially important when a sign is posted at a junction or property entrance, where continuing could take you farther onto land without permission.
When asking for help, avoid blocking a road, trail, gate, or driveway. Do not move or cover the sign to make the route appear open. If you need to turn around, do so carefully and avoid creating a new track or damaging the edge of the trail.
How the marking differs from other signs and trail information
Different markings can communicate different things. A sign’s wording, placement, and context all matter, but a single sign may not tell you the full status of a route. Use the table as a practical starting point, then confirm unclear access with the responsible person or organization.
| What you see | What it suggests | What you should do |
|---|---|---|
| “Access by Permission Only” | Access depends on permission; do not assume the route is open to you | Confirm who can authorize access and whether your ride is covered |
| A “No Trespassing” sign | Entry is restricted; riding through should not be assumed to be allowed | Do not continue without clear permission |
| Purple paint markings | A property boundary or restriction may be being communicated; the marks do not identify a trail agreement by themselves | Understand what the marks mean in context and verify the route’s status |
| A club trail marker or route map | A route is identified, but the marker alone may not establish current permission | Check for current closures and confirm the club’s access arrangement |
| Tire tracks or riders ahead | Someone has traveled the route, but that does not establish your permission | Verify access rather than following tracks |
| An open gate or an unblocked trail | The route is physically passable, but that does not necessarily mean it is authorized | Confirm permission and follow posted instructions |
For a closer look at purple paint, see Purple Paint Marks Along a Maine Road and Where Purple Paint Marks Are Posted. Those markings and an “Access by Permission Only” sign should not be treated as interchangeable. A sign may describe a specific access condition, while paint may convey a property-related message; neither should be interpreted without considering its location and the applicable route information.
A club marker also has limits. It may help you stay on a recognized trail, but it is not a substitute for checking whether the section remains open. Trail clubs depend on agreements with landowners, and an agreement can have boundaries or conditions that are not visible from the trail itself. Maine Trail Etiquette With Landowners offers more on why staying on the authorized route and respecting posted instructions helps preserve access.
What to do when you find the sign during a ride
Finding the sign mid-ride calls for a calm, practical response. First, stop in a safe place where you are not blocking other riders, traffic, or access to the property. If stopping directly beside the sign would put you in a hazardous spot, move only as far as needed to reach a safe place without continuing deeper into uncertain territory.
Then check your location and look for other signs, trail markers, or a nearby junction. Do not assume that a sign at one entrance applies to every route in the area—or that it applies only to a side path. Its placement may not make the boundary obvious.
If you can contact the club or land manager, describe where the sign is and ask whether the route beyond it is open. Make sure the answer addresses your specific machine. A route suitable for a narrow ATV may not be appropriate for a wider UTV, and permission for one may not cover the other.
If nobody can clarify the situation, turn back or use a route whose access status you can confirm. Do not go around the sign, cut across the property to reach another trail, or rely on the idea that a short distance “should be fine.” A brief detour can still cross land where you do not have permission.
Avoid treating the sign as an invitation to negotiate on the spot
It may be tempting to approach a nearby home or business immediately, but the landowner may not be present or may not be the person responsible for that specific section. If you do speak with someone, be courteous, explain where you are, and ask whether they are authorized to grant access. Do not pressure anyone for an answer or assume a casual conversation grants continuing permission.
If you receive permission, clarify the limits before moving on. Ask whether it applies to your current ride only, whether it covers everyone in your group, and where the approved path runs. Follow any conditions given, including instructions to stay on the trail, ride slowly near buildings, avoid certain times, or keep gates as you found them.
If a landowner or authorized representative says the route is closed, leave by the route they direct you to, if it is safe and authorized to use. Do not argue that the route appears on a map or that other riders have used it. A respectful exit is more likely to preserve the possibility of access later than pressing ahead.
How to avoid access problems on future rides
The best time to resolve a permission question is before unloading at the trailhead. Check the current status of the trail system, note any posted closures, and contact the club or manager if the route description is unclear. If your trip includes several connected trails, confirm the status of the connections too; access on one segment does not guarantee access on the next.
For group rides, make sure each rider knows the route and the access conditions. A ride leader’s permission does not necessarily cover every participant unless the arrangement says so. This is especially important for guests, visitors, and organized rides. Ask the club or landowner how group access is handled rather than assuming that a single conversation covers an entire party.
Use the machine that the route permits. If you are riding a UTV, confirm width and other route restrictions before setting out. A trail that is open to ATVs may be too narrow or otherwise unsuitable for a side-by-side. Maine UTV Registration and How It Differs can help with the registration side, but registration does not answer whether a particular private trail allows your UTV.
Keep permission records accessible during the ride. A confirmation email or message can help you remember the conditions and explain the arrangement if questions arise. It is not a universal pass: check that it names the route, dates, participants, and machine types relevant to your trip. If circumstances change, ask again rather than stretching the original permission.
A few simple habits help protect access:
- Stay on the marked route and avoid widening it to pass another machine.
- Do not bypass gates, signs, barriers, or closures.
- Keep noise and dust down near homes, farms, and other occupied areas.
- Leave gates as instructed and do not disturb property.
- Tell the club or route manager about unclear signs, fallen markers, or apparent closures.
- If you see another rider ignore a restriction, do not assume that makes the restriction optional.
Private-land access is a relationship, not just a line on a map. Clear permission and careful riding help maintain routes that landowners choose to share. If a sign’s meaning is uncertain, verify it before proceeding. When you cannot get a clear answer, choosing a confirmed route is the safer and more respectful decision.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does an “Access by Permission Only” sign always mean the trail is closed?
Not necessarily. The sign means you should not assume access is open without permission. A club or landowner may have authorized use for certain riders or routes, but you need confirmation that the arrangement covers your ride.
Does Maine ATV registration give me permission to cross private land?
No. Registration addresses the machine’s registration status; it does not, by itself, grant permission to ride on private property. Confirm both registration requirements and access permission before riding.
Can I rely on a trail map or a club marker?
Use maps and markers for navigation, but check for current access information and closures. Neither a mapped line nor a marker alone proves that permission is current or that it covers your machine and group.
What if I see the sign after entering the trail?
Stop safely, avoid continuing farther into uncertain territory, and contact the responsible club, landowner, or route manager if possible. If you cannot confirm permission, turn back or use a route with confirmed access.
Disclaimer
This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Laws, prices and regulations vary by location and change over time. Consult a qualified professional for guidance on your specific situation.
