Off-Highway Vehicles

See How BLM Manages Off-Highway Vehicles

The Challis Field Office designations were established with the signing of the RMP in 1999, basically limiting OHV use as follows:

OHV use is limited to existing roads, vehicle ways, and trails except in:

• areas with expanded limitations;
• areas designated closed to OHV use;
• or Wilderness Study Areas (WSA). 

 OHV limitations within the Challis Field Office allow motorized vehicle travel away from existing roads, vehicle ways, and trails under the following circumstances (except in WSAs, where these exceptions do not apply):

1. within 1/4 mile of existing roads, vehicle ways, and trails to retrieve downed big game;
2. within 100 feet of existing roads, vehicle ways, and trails for direct access to campsites or to cut firewood;
3. immediately adjacent to existing roads, vehicle ways, and trails for purposes such as parking, turning around, or passing another vehicle; and
4. if the vehicle weighs 1,500 lbs or less GVW and is traveling on at least six inches of continuous snow cover.

What does this mean to you?

Basically there are three areas closed to OHV use: Lone Bird ACEC (Area of Critical Environmental Concern), East Fork Salmon River Bench ACEC, and Sand Hollow ACEC.

There are nine areas with expanded limitations (mostly closed with some specific routes open for motorized travel, or closed on a seasonal basis): Malm Gulch/Germer Basin ACEC, Summit Creek ACEC, Herd Creek Watershed ACEC, Birch Creek ACEC, Donkey Hills ACEC, the Old Stage Road, Carlson Hills, Willow Creek Summit elk winter range, and Second Spring Basin.

There are seven WSAs which allow for OHV use on routes that existed at the time of inventory (1980): Jerry Peak, Jerry Peak West, Corral Horse Basin, Boulder Creek, Goldberg, Borah Peak, and Burnt Creek.

And there are three routes limited to vehicles weighing 1,500 lbs or less and 50 inches in width or narrower: Bluett Creek Road, French Creek Road, and Shay Line Trestle.

There are no open designations (no cross country vehicle use is allowed). Due to the obvious complexity of these vehicle restrictions, and the sheer volume of roads, trails, and ways (approximately 2,500 miles), an electronic map depicting the Challis BLM travel plan is of limited value except in the broadest sense. However, a hard copy version of the Challis Travel Map is available for purchase for $1 at the Challis Field Office, the East Idaho Visitor Center in Idaho Falls, and the Idaho BLM State Office in Boise. Please contact the Challis Field Office at (208) 879-6200 for more information.

Challis Field Office  |  1151 Blue Mountain Road |  Challis, ID 83226
208-879-6200  |  Fax: 208-879-6219 |  Office hours: 7:45am - 4:30pm, M-F