Off-Highway Vehicles (OHVs)

Seasonal Closure Map

The Shoshone Field Office implements seasonal motorized use closures in the Wood River Valley and periodic emergency closures in the Bennett Hills to protect wintering big game.

Deer and elk move onto lower elevation winter range areas and southern exposed slopes in search of forage. The motorized closures are intended to help wildlife survive the winter, when they can be easily stressed by disturbance. The seasonal closures are for BLM-administered land only.

These areas in the Wood River Valley are closed annually to motorized use, including snowmobiles, from December 1 through April 30:

• Martin/ Big Dry Canyon
• Croy Creek to south of Townsend Gulch
• Big and Little Beaver Drainages
• South slopes above East Fork
• Elk Mountain area
• Portions of Picabo Hills

During some winters, emergency motorized closure may also be in effect in the Bennett Hills. The BLM coordinates with the Idaho Department of Fish and Game to identify crucial big game winter range that should be to motorized travel. When emergency closures are in effect in the Bennett Hills, travel is restricted to designated routes and county roads that allow access to areas above 5,000 feet typically not used by wintering big game animals and therefore can remain open to over-the-snow vehicles.  Users are advised to avoid wildlife if encountered in these areas.

BLM patrols these areas to monitor and enforce closures. Free maps detailing these closures are available through the Shoshone Field Office at 400 West F Street in Shoshone, or by calling John Kurtz at (208) 732-7296.

Shoshone Field Office | 400 West F Street | Shoshone, ID 83352
208-732-7200 | Fax: 208-732-7317 | Office hours: 7:45am - 4:30pm, M-F