Central Oregon OHV Trails
Central Oregon offers a variety of Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) trails that wind through sagebrush, forested hillsides, and vibrant wildflower meadows. To ride on these trails, an OHV permit is required which can be purchased at L&D Race Tech. Recently, District Court Judge Marco A. Hernandez overturned a Forest Service plan to construct 137 miles of off-highway vehicle (OHV) trails within Ochoco National Forest in central Oregon.
The Green Mountain OHV Trail is an extremely popular Central Oregon riding area located northeast of Prineville. Spanning 8.5 miles between two trailheads on either side, this popular ride travels along open ridgelines before dropping down into forests of Ponderosa pine trees and offers panoramic views. There is also plenty of variety in terrain such as hillsides, steep grades, loose surfaces, and drop-offs with breathtaking ledges/drop-offs; during spring and summer, this path is strewn with vibrant wildflower blooms!
An off-highway vehicle (OHV) with high clearance is recommended to access this challenging OHV trail system that winds through some challenging terrain and sand dunes. While open throughout the year, portions may be closed in winter for wildlife protection purposes.
Mt. Fanny/Breshears Off-Highway Vehicle Trail System lies to the east of La Grande and Cove and features 20 miles of easy to moderate trails for riders of all experience levels. Riders traverse single and double track trails through forested areas on single- and double-track singletrack; it is also popular for huckleberry picking during summer. These trails are open both to motorized users as well as non-motorized users; to operate legally in this area OHV drivers must possess either class II operator license or instruction driver permit from their state government authorities.
Prineville BLM, Deschutes National Forests and motorcycle clubs and organizations have collaborated to maintain an excellent OHV trail system at Millican Valley in Central Oregon. Fees collected through registration stickers contribute towards this effort. Campsites offer dispersed camping options as well as eight distinct staging areas. Bend is nearby offering hotels, restaurants and bars for comfort during your ride.
Cline Buttes may be your perfect place to explore on ATVs and side-by-sides - year round network of trails stretching southwest from Prineville to Maston is perfect for this type of recreation, offering 22 miles of equestrian and biker trails as well as six miles of hiking trails that traverse Tumalo Canal. Most trails run parallel with one another so as not to disrupt winter habitat for wintering elk and deer; yet still provide stunning vistas from its rocky peaks, dense stands of old growth junipers, and volcanic formations carved from rock formations carved out by volcano.
Easy to Very Difficult trails give riders a chance to appreciate these breathtaking vistas at their own pace. Experienced mountain bikers may want to try their skills out on Rim Butte Jeep Trail, which features 14 miles of Class II Off Highway Vehicle Trail rated Difficult to Extreme terrain that's best suited for modified vehicles with high ground clearance.
There is an assortment of dispersed camping sites equipped with primitive fire rings available here, in addition to day-use parking areas at two staging areas and day use parking at both locations. Please be aware that during winter, wildlife protection measures and snowbird migration requirements require this area be closed down for protection purposes and snowbird arrivals.
Other nearby OHV trail systems also provide ample opportunity for motorized recreation, including the Millican Plateau and North Millican OHV Trail Systems -- both southwest of Prineville -- featuring easy, moderate, and challenging trails suitable for all classes of OHVs.
Edison Butte Off-Highway Vehicle Trails in Deschutes National Forest, west of Bend and Sunriver, offer trails that wind through forests of ponderosa pine, manzanita and hemlock trees, while volcanic features like lava rocks and cliffs add an exciting element. Unfortunately, December through March is closed to this destination while summer months can get dusty; for optimal riding conditions plan to visit in spring or fall months.
Before embarking on your OHV journey, download an OHV trail map and GPS app for Android or iOS to record and track your adventures and track where you are. Avenza Maps offers this functionality, enabling users to create maps, mark points of interest, take photos, share them and more without needing WiFi or cell service - it even works offline!
Central Oregon offers an abundance of thrilling adventures, whether navigating forested hillsides or winding desert trails. Oregon's off-highway vehicle trail systems are an excellent way to experience these diverse terrains and showcase Oregon's unparalleled beauty; and with so many OHV options to choose from it is essential that you know what awaits you in advance so as to be fully prepared.
Just east of Bend lies the Winom-Frasier Off-Highway Vehicle trail system. Open year round and offering trails ranging in difficulty from easy to advanced, this complex offers plenty of opportunities to explore the high desert with abundant sagebrush, wildflowers, and other desert vegetation along the trails.
Head west from Winom-Frasier OHV complex and explore Lemolo Lake and its trails. This year-round OHV area includes campgrounds and a staging area; its trails range in difficulty from easy single track, through double track to sandy sections - so be sure to arrive early each day in order to secure a good spot at its staging area!
Jordan Creek OHV Trail System in Wallowa-Whitman National Forest offers another great option. Open year-round, this trail system provides single and double track trails ideal for more experienced riders with access to both single- and double-track options as well as sand dunes, large training area, scenic loops and numerous scenic loops - though its challenges make it somewhat more challenging than its two competitors; spark arrestor exhaust silencers are required when riding here.
If you plan on visiting any of these OHV trail systems, make sure you bring along a valid license and permit as well as an Oregon safety education card. Also ensure your vehicle meets street legal criteria; quads and side-by-sides aren't allowed on Forest Service roads regardless of surface material (gravel, dirt or asphalt).
Wallowa-Whitman National Forest offers over 250 miles of Off-Highway Vehicle trails ranging in difficulty level from beginner to expert. Dirt bike riders will enjoy Browns Camp, Jordan Creek, Diamond Mill and Trask OHV areas while side-by-side ATV enthusiasts will have their needs fulfilled at Nicolai Mountain OHV area. All trails within these OHV areas require valid Oregon State Parks and Recreation Department motorized OHV permits as well as free Northwest Area OHV Map Guides which can be obtained at local businesses or staging areas.
Millican Valley OHV Trail System near Prineville provides more excitement for riders looking for adventure. Here, they will find numerous campsites and staging areas, and an abundance of campsites and staging areas, where riders can traverse wide-open juniper stands, ascend and descend steep slopes to reach breathtaking viewpoints of Cascade peaks and the high desert. Alternatively, Henderson Flat OHV Trail System offers riders more casual riding experiences with 18 miles of rolling hills that speed along colorful rimrock formations while Edison Butte Trails near Bend and Sunriver present more volcanic features like lava rocks and ridges that challenge less experienced riders.
However, some OHV industry lobbyists funded by their gas tax still oppose conversion of the Badlands Wilderness Study Area into a Congress-mandated Wilderness, which would ban ATV's from entering natural ponderosa forests and native grasslands for peaceful enjoyment of life. Hopefully, most OHV riders will continue to support peaceful coexistence between hikers, horseback riders, and non-motorized recreationalists in this beautiful de-facto wilderness and motorized vehicles. Oregon law mandates that all OHV riders, regardless of age or ability level, wear an approved helmet with fastened chin strap while riding on public land. A spark arrestor should also be used on all vehicles as it helps catch sparks that could start forest fires - for more information please visit Oregon Department of Transportation website.