Rice Canyon Off-Highway Vehicle Area
2024 Events
April 5th, 2024- Lassen College and the BLM Eagle Lake staff will hold a fire training field day at the Rice Canyon OHV area. Please watch for individuals on the trails during this time.
BLM Seeking OHV Public Input
The Eagle Lake Field Office is seeking public input on management needs and projects that would benefit from grant funds for off-highway vehicle recreation management on public lands. Staff will use public comments or suggestions submitted by Monday February 19th, 2024 to develop a preliminary grant application to the California State Parks Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Division. Public can email comments to mbwillia@blm.gov or contact via phone at 530-252-5303 prior to Feb 19.
The field office will then submit the grant request on March 1, 2024 after which the public can comment on the preliminary applications from March 5th to May 6th, 2024. Visit the California State parks website to comment on the preliminary applications. https://ohv.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=30524
Overview
The Rice Canyon off-highway vehicle (OHV) Open area lies within the Antelope/Shaffer/Bald Mountain Special Recreation Area (SRMA). The open area is about 8 miles east of Susanville, California, and consists of 120 acres of public land managed primarily for open OHV use. All OHV use beyond the open area is limited to designated routes and trails. The OHV open area is on the west side of Rice Canyon Road and is recognizable by the entrance sign, adjacent hill-climb area and large OHV staging and parking area.
Rice Canyon is open to all types of vehicles such as motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles (ATV), utility terrain vehicles (UTV) and four-wheel drive vehicles. The area provides excellent motorcycle hill-climb opportunities for the more experienced rider as well as loop track riding. Rice Canyon is also popular for training the more novice rider. Visitors can also access the OHV area by trail off Highway 139 at Antelope Mountain.
Although OHV riders do not have to stay on the trails, some of the more popular track loops are marked with numbered signs displaying difficulty rating and recommended vehicle type. The trails run both ways, so anticipate users riding in both directions.
The main trailhead has facilities such as BBQs and picnic tables, loading ramps, a vault toilet facility. Additional improvements will continue including construction of new trails and rock crawling areas. For comments or ideas for improvements to the Rice Canyon Open OHV area, contact the BLM Eagle Lake Recreation Planner at 530-252-5303.
See more photos of the Rice Canyon OHV Area.
Funding for the area has been through the California State Parks OHV green sticker grant program. For more information or to review current and past grants visit the: CA State Parks .
For information about ATV safety visit the: ATV Safety Institute.
For safety information or Recreational Vehicle training visit: Recreational Off-highway Vehicle Association
Visit these other BLM Managed Off-Highway Vehicle Areas:
TARGET SHOOTING
Target shooting is allowed on BLM lands except where prohibited. Shooting is prohibited on or across a road or trail, and/or within one-quarter of a mile of developed trailheads, including the Rice Canyon OHV area.
For target shooting opportunities visit the following areas:
- Byers Pass at Bald Mountain (www.blm.gov/visit/byers-pass).
- HWY 139 Antelope Pit (https://www.blm.gov/visit/hwy-139-antelope-pit).
- Sierra Sportsmen Shooting Range (www.sierrasportsmen.com).
- BLM Mineral Site just south of Rice Canyon OHV Area or anywhere on BLM lands along Rice Canyon Road. These areas are suitable for close range shooting.
All targets and casings are considered litter, so please dispose of them properly.
For questions on these areas or directions, contact the Eagle Lake Field Office at 530-252-5303.
FIREARMS
Hunting is allowed on BLM-managed lands under the California Dept. of Fish and Wildlife regulations.
CAMPING
Camping is allowed throughout the recreation area, however all vehicles must remain on designated routes and trails. The trailheads afford level parking, bbq's, fire pits, picnic tables and vault toilets.
Camping near springs or guzzlers will prevent wildlife from using the water source. To ensure you do not displace wildlife and livestock camp at least 300 yards from any water source. Camping is not allowed within the Doyle Wildlife Area.
No potable water is available within the recreation area.
Camping is limited to 14 days.
CAMPFIRES
Campfires are allowed within the Fort Sage Mountains provided you have a current campfire permit. Seasonal fire restrictions may prohibit campfires during periods of high fire danger. To check on fire restrictions call Susanville BLM at (530) 257-0456. Fires are not permitted within the Doyle Wildlife Area.
OHV REGULATIONS
Visitors are responsible for knowing area rules and regulations. The regulations are enforceable under U.S. Code of Federal Regulations and violations are punishable with fines up to $1,000 and/or imprisonment for not longer then 12 months.
- Vehicle use is limited to roads and trails designated by fiberglass sign posts and stickers showing vehicles allowed on the route. Please do not ride on routes that are not signed.
- All off road vehicles must have a CA Green Sticker, Red Sticker or be legally registered in another state.
- All off road vehicles must be equipped with a properly installed U.S. Forest Service approved spark arrestor that is not modified.
- It is illegal to ride or drive under the influence of alcohol, narcotics, or other drugs.
- State law requires the use of helmets while riding ATV's.
- State law does not allow passengers on ATV's unless the ATV was specifically designed for two or more people.
All vehicles must meet state and federal noise standards. If you would like to have your ATV or motorcycle tested for sound compliance, Please call the Eagle Lake Field Office at (530) 252-5303 to set up an appointment.
Phone
Activities
Geographic Coordinates
Directions
From Susanville, take CA-36 E/Main Street toward Reno, Nevada. Turn left onto County Highway A27/Johnsonville Road. Veer left onto County Highway A27/Center Road. Make a left onto Rice Canyon Road, and follow for 0.8 miles to the Rice Canyon open OHV area.
DEVELOPMENT
The Rice Canyon Development Project is funded in part by the California State Parks Off-Highway Grant Program to improve the area for open motorcycle, ATV, UTV and 4WD use.
The Open OHV area offers the following:
- Open area- users do not have to stay on the trails
- Signed popular trail loops –these trails were signed and numbered using past Motocross/Supercross racer numbers. Check out Trail 22 (Reed) for an easy kid loop and Trail 2 (McGrath) for a more difficult loop with hill climbs and downhill and jumps. Trail 199 (Pastrana) is the most difficult loop
- Construction of a kids/novice rider track
- Leveled parking area for picnicking, camping, OHV trainings, and riding
- Three developed camping/picnic areas that include picnic tables, BBQs, fire rings and shade structures
- A double vault toilet facility in the main parking area
- Graded entrance roads
- Safe and litter free, BLM and volunteers removed several pounds of litter such as tires, trigger trash, glass, and appliances!
- Shooting is prohibited within the Rice Canyon OHV Area trailhead and on or across any road or trail.
Volunteers are always welcome!
For more information about the Rice Canyon OHV Area contact the BLM in Susanville at 530-252-5303.
PUBLIC FORMAL SHOOTING RANGE - SIERRA SPORTSMEN
The Sierra Sportsmen Club, at 478-505 Briar Patch Road (off Rice Canyon Road), is a partner of the BLM and provides public access to shooting sports in Lassen County for a annual fee.
There is a fully operational range at the Rice Canyon Range that includes firing lines for 50 foot, 25, 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600 and 800-yard burms. There is a pistol range and a Cowboy Action Shooting range. A Trap range with a Skeet range is also available for use. There are three out buildings, toilets, and a public parking area. The Sierra Sportsmen Club runs different shooting disciplines that are open to the public almost every weekend from late April (early May depending on the weather) through October.
Contact the club at 530-257-3402 or visit their website at sierrasportsmen.com to sign up for your yearly membership today!