Ellen Kietzmann
Freelance Writer at Searchshop Media Network
She grew Blue Ox's dealer network from 100 to 2,500 brand-loyal partners. That's 22 years of earned expertise.
Ellen Kietzmann brings more than 25 years of senior leadership in the RV and outdoor recreation industry. She spent 22 years at Blue Ox — rising from Vice President of Sales & HR to President — where she grew the dealer network from 100 to 2,500 brand-loyal partners, expanded annual RV sector sales by 800%, and earned both the Jim Barker Award and the Chairman Service Award for her lasting contributions to the RV industry. As President, she led strategic planning, market expansion, product partnerships, and a dealer certification and training program that became an industry standard. Following Blue Ox, Ellen served as Chief Operating Officer at Universal Group, Ltd., where she streamlined operations and led agency acquisition initiatives. Her product expertise — built through two decades of dealer training, channel development, and direct manufacturer partnerships — informs every review and buying guide she contributes to.
Awards & Recognition
Career Highlights
- ►Grew Blue Ox's dealer and distributor network from 100 to 2,500 active partners over 12 years
- ►Created the RV industry's first branded dealer certification and training program
- ►Jim Barker Award recipient — the RV industry's top honor for sustained industry contribution
- ►Led Universal Group as COO through strategic acquisitions and operational restructuring
How We Evaluate
- ✓Product specifications, compatibility claims, and performance ratings are verified against manufacturer documentation, service manuals, and category standards
- ✓Verified owner reviews from multiple platforms are analyzed to surface real-world reliability patterns, common failure modes, and use-case fit
- ✓Safety-critical claims — load ratings, electrical specs, recalls — are cross-referenced with manufacturer data and federal safety databases
- ✓Ellen is editorially responsible for every recommendation on this page — whether evaluated through direct use or thorough desk research — and updates picks when new information changes the ranking
Articles by Ellen Kietzmann 36 published
Buying Guides & Best Picks15 articles
Best ATV Trails in Colorado
Colorado delivers some of the most scenic ATV riding in the country, with high-elevation passes, mining roads, and rugged alpine terrain. We researched the best ATV trails in Colorado to help riders plan routes, gear up properly, and understand access rules before heading out.
By Ellen Kietzmann
Best ATV Riding in East Tennessee
East Tennessee delivers some of the South’s best ATV riding, with steep forest climbs, rocky routes, scenic ridge lines, and long trail networks near the Smokies. We researched the top legal riding areas, what permits you need, and the gear that makes these mountain trails easier to handle.
By Ellen Kietzmann
Best ATV Trails in West Virginia
West Virginia is one of the top ATV destinations in the East thanks to its coal country mountains, long trail mileage, and rugged mud-heavy terrain. We researched the state's top riding systems, permit rules, and gear needs to help you plan a better trip.
By Ellen Kietzmann
Best Coastal ATV Trails in Oregon: Dunes and Forest Riding
Oregon’s coast offers some of the most varied ATV riding in the West, from open sand at Winchester Bay to forest-edge routes near Florence and Coos Bay. This guide covers terrain, permits, seasonal conditions, and gear for riders planning coastal dune trips.
By Ellen Kietzmann
Best ATV Trails in Oregon
Oregon gives ATV riders three very different worlds: muddy Coast Range forest, massive coastal dunes, and fast high-desert trail systems east of the Cascades. We researched the top riding areas, permits, terrain, and gear to help you plan the right trip.
By Ellen Kietzmann
Family-Friendly ATV Trails: Best Systems for Beginners and Kids
We researched some of the best family-oriented ATV trail systems in the U.S. for beginners and younger riders. This guide covers easy terrain, permits, safety gear, and practical planning tips for low-speed, family-safe riding days.
By Ellen Kietzmann
Best ATV Trails for New Riders: West Coast and Desert Picks
We researched beginner-friendly West Coast OHV areas with flat desert terrain, open riding zones, and manageable trail networks. This guide covers where to ride, what permits you need, and which gear makes the most sense for sand, dirt, and heat.
By Ellen Kietzmann
Best ATV Cargo Boxes and Rear Rack Storage
A good rear storage box can turn an ATV from a short-trip machine into a practical trail, hunting, and work companion. We researched the best ATV rear rack cargo boxes on Amazon to help riders compare fit, durability, storage capacity, and value.
By Ellen Kietzmann
Best ATV Handguards and Bar Risers
The right handguards and bar risers can make an ATV more comfortable, better protected, and easier to control on rough trails. We researched popular Amazon-available options to help riders choose the best ATV handguards bar risers for trail riding, mud, woods, and utility use.
By Ellen Kietzmann
Best ATV Skid Plates for Rocky Trail Protection
Rocky trails can punish an ATV’s underside fast, which is why choosing the right skid plate matters. We researched the best options for rocky terrain, compared materials and fitment, and ranked the top ATV skid plates available on Amazon.
By Ellen Kietzmann
Best ATV Tow Straps and Recovery Ropes
A good recovery strap or kinetic rope can turn a bad day on the trail into a quick pull and a safe ride home. We researched the best ATV-friendly options on Amazon and broke down what matters most for sizing, safety, and real-world off-road use.
By Ellen Kietzmann
Best ATV Trail Apps and Navigation Tools 2025
Finding the right off-road navigation setup can make the difference between a smooth ride and a frustrating day on the trail. We researched the best ATV trail apps and navigation tools for 2025, including app subscriptions, rugged GPS units, and phone mounts that work for real-world off-road riding.
By Ellen Kietzmann
Best Beginner ATV Trails in Arizona
Arizona has several easy OHV areas where new riders can enjoy wide desert roads, gentle grades, and big scenery without tackling technical rock gardens. We researched the best beginner-friendly trail systems, plus the permits, gear, and planning tips that matter most in Arizona’s heat.
By Ellen Kietzmann
Best ATV Storage Bags and Soft Racks for Trail Riding
Choosing the right ATV cargo setup can make or break a day on the trail. We researched the best soft storage bags and rack systems for ATV riders who want secure gear storage, weather resistance, and easy access without adding hard boxes.
By Ellen Kietzmann
Best ATV Chest Protectors and Body Armor
A good chest protector can make a major difference when trail debris, branches, roost, or a sudden spill turn a normal ride into a painful one. We researched the best ATV chest protectors and body armor options on Amazon to help riders choose the right balance of coverage, comfort, and value.
By Ellen Kietzmann
More Articles20 articles
Prescott National Forest ATV Trails Guide
Prescott National Forest offers some of central Arizona’s most versatile ATV riding, with cool pine-country elevations, rocky two-track, and scenic mountain roads. This guide covers trail conditions, permits, difficulty, access points, and the gear we recommend for a better ride.
By Ellen Kietzmann
Sand Hollow ATV Trail Guide
Sand Hollow State Park offers one of the most recognizable off-road riding areas in the Southwest, with red sand dunes, slickrock, and open desert terrain. This guide covers Sand Hollow ATV trails, permits, difficulty, seasonal conditions, and gear we recommend for the area.
By Ellen Kietzmann
Gunnison National Forest ATV Trails Guide
Our Gunnison National Forest ATV trails guide covers high-elevation routes, rocky passes, alpine meadows, permits, and practical gear for Colorado riders. We researched the trail system to help you plan safer, smoother days in bear country.
By Ellen Kietzmann
Big South Fork ATV Trails Guide
Big South Fork delivers a rugged mix of forest roads, rocky climbs, creek crossings, and scenic sandstone country on the Tennessee-Kentucky line. Our guide covers trail difficulty, permits, gear, and practical riding tips so you can plan a safer, smarter trip.
By Ellen Kietzmann
El Mirage OHV Area ATV Trail Guide
El Mirage OHV Area is one of Southern California’s best-known open desert riding spots, combining a huge dry lakebed with sandy washes and easy exploratory routes. We break down the terrain, permits, gear, and practical riding tips so you can plan a safer, smoother trip.
By Ellen Kietzmann
St. George Utah ATV Trails: Best Systems Near Town
St. George is one of the best places in southern Utah to combine red rock scenery, quick trail access, and a wide mix of ATV terrain. We researched the top riding systems near town so you can plan a smoother day on the sand, slickrock, and desert two-track.
By Ellen Kietzmann
Chief Logan ATV Trail System Guide
Chief Logan is one of southern West Virginia’s best-known off-road systems, blending mountain riding, coal-country terrain, and quick access from Logan. This guide covers trail difficulty, permits, terrain, parking, and the gear we recommend for a safer, smoother ride.
By Ellen Kietzmann
Taos Area ATV Trail Guide
Taos delivers some of the most scenic high-country riding in northern New Mexico, with forest roads, alpine views, and big elevation swings. This guide covers Taos-area ATV trails, including conditions, permits, access, difficulty, and gear we recommend for mountain riding.
By Ellen Kietzmann
Croom OHV Trail System: Complete Florida ATV Guide
Croom is one of Florida’s best-known public OHV areas, with sandy trails, pine and palmetto forest, and enough variety for beginners and intermediate ATV riders. We researched the permits, terrain, seasonal conditions, and trail-specific gear to build a practical guide before you load up and ride.
By Ellen Kietzmann
ATV Safety Gear Checklist: What to Wear Before You Ride
The right riding gear can make the difference between a minor mistake and a serious injury. In this ATV safety gear checklist, we break down what to wear, how to fit it, and which Amazon-available products are worth considering before you hit the trail.
By Ellen Kietzmann
Sedona ATV Trail Guide: Red Rock Riding and What to Bring
Sedona delivers some of Arizona’s most scenic and technical ATV riding, with red rock shelves, loose stone, and steep climbs that demand skill and preparation. This guide covers Sedona ATV trails, permits, trail conditions, and the gear we recommend for a safer, smoother ride.
By Ellen Kietzmann
Royal Blue OHV Area: Tennessee ATV Trail Guide
Royal Blue OHV Area is one of Tennessee’s biggest off-road destinations, with more than 600 miles of trails through mountains, creeks, and forest. Our guide covers terrain, permits, difficulty, access, and the gear we recommend for a safer, smoother ride.
By Ellen Kietzmann
Glamis Sand Dunes ATV Guide
The Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area, better known as Glamis, is one of the most iconic off-road destinations in the country. This guide covers terrain, permits, difficulty, seasonal conditions, and the gear we recommend for a safe, fun ATV trip.
By Ellen Kietzmann
Lake Wales Ridge ATV Trail Guide
Our Lake Wales Ridge ATV trail guide covers what riders can realistically expect in this sandy Central Florida region, from scrub terrain and wildlife concerns to nearby legal OHV riding options. We also break down permits, gear, and practical tips for riding Florida sand safely year-round.
By Ellen Kietzmann
Sam Houston National Forest OHV Trail Guide
Sam Houston National Forest offers one of Southeast Texas' best-known public OHV riding areas, with sandy pine-forest trails, creek crossings, and a mix of easy and intermediate terrain. This guide covers what to expect on the trail, permit rules, rider difficulty, and the gear we recommend for hot, humid East Texas conditions.
By Ellen Kietzmann
Santa Fe National Forest OHV Trail Guide
Santa Fe National Forest offers high-elevation OHV riding with rocky climbs, cool summer temperatures, and long backcountry routes near Cuba, Jemez Springs, and Coyote. This guide covers trail conditions, permits, access, difficulty, and the gear we recommend for this demanding mountain terrain.
By Ellen Kietzmann
Browns Park ATV Trails Guide
Browns Park offers a remote, high-desert ATV experience on BLM land near the Colorado-Utah-Wyoming border. This guide covers terrain, access, permits, practical riding tips, and the gear we recommend for self-sufficient travel.
By Ellen Kietzmann
Umpqua National Forest OHV Trail Guide
Umpqua National Forest offers one of Oregon’s most scenic OHV settings, with volcanic rock, forested climbs, and a mix of moderate to technical trail segments. This guide covers trail conditions, permits, access, and the gear we recommend for riders heading into this wet, rugged Cascade terrain.
By Ellen Kietzmann
Coal Heritage ATV Trail Guide: Mining Country Riding in WV
The Coal Heritage Trail System delivers wide reclaimed mine roads, scenic ridge and valley views, and one of southern West Virginia’s most approachable Hatfield-McCoy rides. We researched the key trail facts, permit rules, terrain, and gear so riders can plan a smoother trip.
By Ellen Kietzmann
Barnwell Mountain Recreation Area ATV Guide
Barnwell Mountain Recreation Area is one of the best-known off-road parks in East Texas, with muddy red-clay climbs, rocky technical sections, and creek crossings that keep riders coming back year-round. Our guide covers trail conditions, permits, skill levels, and the gear we recommend for this demanding trail system.
By Ellen Kietzmann
Founding Reviewer Disclosure
Ellen Kietzmann is a Founding Reviewer of BestATVTrails. BestATVTrails earns affiliate commissions when readers buy through links on this site — this does not influence editorial decisions. All product recommendations are based on firsthand expertise and independent evaluation. See our Editorial Policy for full details.
