OHV Riding

BLM OHV recreation & travel management

In the Challis Field Office area, 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 (WSAs). 

The OHV travel management plan for the Challis Field Office allows 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 ¼ 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 (gross vehicle weight) and is traveling on at least 6 inches of continuous snow cover.

Where to RIDE, CAMP and RECREATE

Area travel maps in detail
Ellis - North Pahsimeroi | Challis South | Pahsimeroi South | Herd Lake Area | Mackay Area

Regional travel maps 
Challis North  | Challis South

Trail Ideas:

Challis Bridge Rider Education Trail 

Jimmy Smith (ATV): East Fork Salmon River Area
This short ¼-mile trail accesses Jimmy Smith Lake.  Much of the trail to the lake is under jurisdiction of the Idaho Department of Fish and Game (IDFG).  Beyond the lake, trails are managed by the IDFG and the U.S. Forest Service.  As of 2008, there is no motorized access around or beyond the lake. 

Pennal Gulch (ATV): Round Valley (Challis) Area
This 6-mile (one way) winding old jeep trail takes you along the foothills of the Pahsimeroi range on the east side of the Salmon River and is a great trail for ATVs, motorcycles and mountain bikes.  You might even see mule deer, antelope and big horn sheep along this trail. 

Bayhorse Mine Area (multiple trails): Salmon River, Southwest of Challis
These old mining roads provide the perfect place to ride an ATV.  More designated trails will be added in the future. 

Snake Ridge ATV Trail (begins near East Fork of Salmon River)

What does this mean for 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.

In the seven WSAs in the Challis Field Office, OHV use is allowed 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.

Everywhere else, motorized travel is limited to existing roads. 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, hard copy versions of the Challis Travel Map is available for purchase for $1 at the Challis Field Office, the Eastern Idaho Visitor Center in Idaho Falls, and the BLM Idaho State Office in Boise.