Vermont’s Class IV roads are more than just forgotten routes — they are threads of history, winding through our forests, farmlands, and old homesteads. They connect us to our past and, if we steward them properly, to each other. But right now, that connection is at risk of being lost.
At a recent town meeting in Chester, the Select Board began the process of developing a policy for the town’s 16+ miles of Class IV roads. Currently, Chester has no formal Class IV policy — only the vague default of state statute. The town is considering adopting a custom policy based on models from VLCT and the town of Barnard, with help from the Chester Conservation Committee (CCC).
This is a big moment — and a critical one — for those of us who love, explore, and respect these roads.
Why These Roads Matter
By law, Class IV roads are still public roads. They’re not abandoned. They’re not trails. They are legally recognized public rights-of-way that belong to everyone — including hikers, bikers, horseback riders, snowmobilers, and yes, 4×4 vehicle owners.
During the Chester meeting, multiple residents highlighted their love for these roads — especially for hiking, biking, and snowmobiling — while also sharing concerns about damage caused by motorized users, particularly out-of-state off-road clubs. One landowner recounted waking up to a crew of jeeps staging on private land, noting the destruction left behind.
These are legitimate frustrations, and they can’t be ignored. But the answer isn’t to shut everyone out. It’s to create clear, enforceable policy — and to involve the responsible 4×4 community in that process.
Responsible Use Is Possible — and Already Happening
Many townspeople agreed that a clear policy should include guidelines for preservation, signage, landowner communication, and enforcement. That’s something the responsible 4×4 community can absolutely support. Across Vermont, off-road groups are already working with towns and landowners to promote education, trail maintenance, and seasonal closures.
Responsible users don’t want to damage roads. We want to preserve access for the long term. But without a seat at the table, we risk being defined by the worst actors.
A Balanced Approach
The town’s conversation showed that most people want the same thing: protection of natural and historic resources, respect for private landowners, and public access that doesn’t come at a destructive cost.
That means taking a few smart steps: collaborative policy development, including input from hikers, conservationists, landowners, and responsible 4×4 users; clear signage and mapping, so everyone knows where Class IV roads are and what the expectations are.
Let’s Lead, Not Erase
Chester’s approach — inviting community input, recognizing competing interests, and asking the CCC to help draft a tailored policy — is the kind of thoughtful leadership other towns could follow. But it’s essential that this process doesn’t default to exclusion.
Because once a road is de facto closed, it’s almost never reopened. We lose not just access, but also a living piece of Vermont’s rural identity.
Let’s not let that happen.
Instead, let’s preserve these roads the right way — with clarity, fairness, and a commitment to shared use. That includes everyone who’s willing to treat them with the respect they deserve.
