Update (26 July 2024):
- Trail #462 Hidden Vista Loop
- Trail #457 Buckskin Morgan
- Trail #459 Pine Loop
Until summer of 2024, there were miles upon miles of developed trails for use by mountain bikers, cross country skiers, dirt bikes, ATVs, hikers, etc. The US Forest Service who owns much of the public land in the Big Hole range is now cracking down on use of trails that are not officially designated and mapped by them, regardless of infrastructure that has been put in place for these trails by the forest service or what exists on TrailForks, Free Arenas, Mountain Bike Project, Singletracks, ONX, All Trails or any other mapping platform. They are threatening up to $5000 in fines and a misdemeanor for those caught using these trails and the forest service has been up there on the trails to make those threats. As of 7/15/2024, I don’t know of anybody that has been fined yet but you probably don’t want to be the first.
NOTE: This website is not an official resource and is not providing legal advise. Do your own research on what trails are usable. Hopefully, this makes it easier to understand.
Making Sense of It
There are three main land owners in the Big Holes: Idaho Department of Lands (IDL), the Forest Service (FS), and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM).
Essentially, anything in the green USFS area that does not have a dashed line is not designated for use and could result in a large fine.
You can find an interactive map like the one shown here at TrailForks.com, adding layers for Land Owners and USFS.
Note: The July 26, 2024 Updates were not yet reflected as of July 30, 2024.
Some Popular Trails' Designations
All names are coming directly from Trailforks and I just included trails on the Western Section of the Big Holes that are commonly ridden by me or people I ride with.
Open
- Cranky Cowboy — IDL
- Randy’s Trail — IDL
- Fun Trail — IDL
- Chalupa — IDL
- Cowboy Trail — IDL
- Cabin Climb — IDL
- Mad Cow — IDL
- Buckskin Morgan Ridge Trail #457 – FS
- Hidden Vista Loop Trail #462 – FS
- Pine Loop Trail #459 (Including Hawley Gulch Connector) – FS
- Glen’s Grunt trail #288 — FS
- Trail #290 — FS
- Wolverine – Hawley Gulch — FS
- Lookout Mountain — FS
- Cold Springs — FS
- Wolverine Creek — FS
- Old Ranger — FS
- Leaning Fir — FS
- Upper Fish Creek ATV — FS
- Sidewinder — BLM
- Little Kelly’s — BLM
Closed
- River View
- McCarthy
- Fish Creek / Windy Ridge Trails
- Bubble Guppy
- $300 Haircut
- Dragonfish
- Cutthroat
- Just for the Halibut
- Stargazer
- Fishbone
- Blue Tang
When you’re actually on the trail, you will see numbered carsonite trail signs posted for officially designated trails.
What about the BLM and IDL Lands?
Both land owners have similar restrictions that basically come down to the directive to ride only on existing trails. They do have official trail designations and official trails are still designated with numbered carsonite signage but there isn’t an easily accessible and accurate map to determine what is what when planning your trip. Neither agency is cracking down on mountain bikes on their land right now. Please just be very respectful in your use of this land.
Join the Conversation
The Snake River Mountain Bike Club facebook group has had several threads about the new restrictions. If you’re looking for more information, a place to ask questions, or want to find more ways to get these restrictions lifted.
As a follow up to my earlier post today and some comments I read on other threads: …
Craig Stoddard – 7/5/2024 10:42PM
Since there are multiple threads on the restrictions to mountain biking in the forest near Kelly canyon, here is the document that explains the issues…
Ken Durstine – 7/5/2024 11:01am
My name is Craig Stoddard, I am the Trail Liaison for the SRMBC and I serve on the Board of Directors for the Snake River Trail Alliance (SRTA) representing the mountain biking community…We are working on coming up with a a petition…
Craig Stoddard – 7/5/2024 11:34am
While I’m sharing bad news, might as well show this photo from the Luthy Corrals trailhead.
Ken Durstine – 7/5/2024 11:10am
Write Your Public Officials
Caribou-Targhee National Forest Palisades Ranger District
Attn: District Ranger: Tracy Hollingshead
3659 E Ririe Hwy
Idaho Falls, ID 83401
Caribou-Targhee National Forest Palisades Ranger District
Attn: Colby Jacobson
3659 E Ririe Hwy
Idaho Falls, ID 83401
U.S. Senator Mike Crapo
Idaho Falls
410 Memorial Dr., Suite 204
Idaho Falls, ID 83402
https://www.crapo.senate.gov/contact/email-me
Eastern Idaho Regional Office
Congressman Mike Simpson
1075 S Utah Avenue West #240
Idaho Falls, ID 83402
Phone: 208-523-6701
https://simpson.house.gov/contact
U.S. Senator James E. Risch
901 Pier View Drive, Suite 202A
Idaho Falls, Idaho 8340
https://www.risch.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/email
State representatives:
If you are not sure who your representative is put your zip code in this link: https://legislature.idaho.gov/legislators/membership/…
You can find a version of the letters I wrote in this Google Doc. One simple approach would be to copy and paste that letter into ChatGPT and say you want to reword it. Also, tell ChatGPT anything that you would like different and make it your own.
