Challis Field Office

OHV Riding

See How BLM Manages OHV Recreation

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 (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 (gross vehicle weight) and is traveling on at least six inches of continuous snow cover.

WHERE TO RIDE (or not to ride), camp and recreate-Area Travel Maps in detail
Ellis - North Pahsimeroi /Challis South /Pahsimeroi South /Herd Lake Area / Mackay Area

Regional Field Office Travel Maps Challis North and Challis South

 

Trail Ideas:

Jimmy Smith (ATV): East Fork Salmon River Area
This short 1/4-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 United States 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. 

 

WHERE TO RIDE (or not to ride) Maps in detail
Ellis - North Pahsimeroi /Challis South /Pahsimeroi South /Herd Lake Area / Mackay Area

Regional Maps Challis North and Challis South

Recreation Sites & Activities

OHV Riding near Challis, Idaho

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.

Everywhere else 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, 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.


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