Idaho Off-Road Trails

 Owyhee County, Idaho, is home to many spectacular ravines, gullies, and rock formations. Little Horse Basin Gap Road, while not very long, provides interesting and awesome examples of many of these spectacular formations. The trail is on BLM land and borders the Little Jack’s Creek Wilderness Area. This area is at a low enough elevation that snow is rarely a problem—but portions of the trail become treacherously slippery when wet. Although the trail is relatively easy to drive, rough spots do require clearance.

While fairly easy to access from Highway 51, Little Horse Basin Gap Road is located in an area of approximately 5000 square miles with no services, limited cell phone coverage, literally thousands of trail segments, and at least five wilderness areas. Travelers should treat the entire area with respect and should not enter it unless well prepared for whatever contingencies may occur.

While dispersed camping is allowed along the trail, there were no obvious locations to set up a camp.

Blackrock Canyon South Ridge is a shortcut connector between Chinese Peak and Blackrock Canyon West. It is less than a mile long and primarily an easy, hard-packed dirt road. However, the trail is one vehicle wide, cutting across a steep, exposed slope, making passing oncoming traffic extremely difficult. It offers expansive views of the area but no camping opportunities.

This is a popular trail system for all user types, as there are over 40 miles of trails for motorized, equestrian, mountain biking, and hiking users. The trail system is seasonally closed from November 16th to April 15th each year.

West Hatchery Ford is an easy, 1.5-mile dead-end trail taking you through the Targhee National Forest. Although there are no obstacles or specific sights, it is still a nice trail with lush vegetation and fresh air. Mud puddles may stick around in the shaded areas but are never more than a few inches deep and have a firm bottom. There were a few camping options sprinkled throughout the trail.

Situated in the northeast corner of the Chinese Peak-Blackrock Trail System and partially on Idaho State land, trail 0319 provides amazing views of the surrounding mountain range, especially so during the fall season when the hillsides erupt with vibrant color. The trail offers several steep hill climbs covered in hard rocks, making the ride quite rough. The trail begins at 0302, travels past 03113, and dead ends for any vehicle wider than 50". 50" or less vehicles can continue on, using several other ATV trails to loop back to the staging areas. Full-size users will need to use 0302 to create a full loop through Blackrock Canyon.

Along the trail, there are a limited few campsites, that are fairly large and level, suitable for any camp setup.

Pierce Canyon serves as a rugged connector between South Fork Worthing and the surrounding high-country terrain. It is an offbeat path that winds through scattered tree stands, mellow hillsides, and slopes of exposed rock scree.

The trail itself is rough and rattly, with loose rocks ranging from softball to soccer-ball size scattered across much of the route. You’ll need to pick your line carefully as your rig bounces and flexes through this rocky stretch. Though nothing overly technical, it is enough to keep you alert behind the wheel.

While there aren't any clear camp sites along the route, the rugged scenery and transitional feel of the canyon make it a satisfying leg of the journey

Although nothing overly difficult, Parallel had much more mud and bigger ruts than other trails in the area. Running parallel to Highway 20, this trail is tight in the trees, making the puddles stick around a tad longer. Due to the limited use, there's encroaching vegetation. Low-hanging branches could scratch your paint, so be on the lookout. Camping on this trail is possible in a few locations and is rather large and flat despite the confined nature of the trail itself.

Goose Creek Road is a well-maintained, two-lane, gravel road starting near Oakley, Idaho, going southwest through a corner of Utah, and then ending in Nevada, where it connects with Jackpot Little Goose Road going north and Rock Springs Road going south. Much of the road follows along creeks where large fields of grass hay are grown for cattle feed. Where there is no grass hay, the landscape varies from a sagebrush steppe to a juniper forest. Because the route generally follows along the creek bottoms, there are many expansive views across the fields to the distant mountains. The junipers grow where the road lifts away from the bottoms to cross small mountain passes and shoulders.

The road is an easy drive suitable for any vehicle with moderate ground clearance. In Idaho and Utah, the road is generally maintained better than in Nevada. However, in the better-maintained areas, mild to severe washboards are a significant problem. In Nevada, there are fewer washboards, but there are some ruts and washes from spring moisture.

Dispersed camping is allowed on all of the public land along the road; however, there is only one established site, near the south end of the road. There are ample wide spots and pullouts along the road where a quick overnight camp could be established. Much of the bordering land is privately held; please be respectful of private land and avoid camping in those areas.

Summit Creek Road, often referred to as Pahsimeroi Road, is the main unpaved artery running through the heart of Idaho’s remote and stunning Pahsimeroi Valley. This rugged backroad serves as a key connector to a variety of off-road routes and scenic byways, linking adventurous travelers to places like Sawmill Canyon and Pass Creek Road, which crosses over the Lost River Range.

Just off the road lies the Summit Creek Recreation Site, a lush oasis fed by a network of natural springs and winding creeks. The recreation site features a peaceful campground complete with picnic tables and three vault toilets, offering a comfortable place to rest before the next leg of your journey.

Across the road, Summit Creek beckons anglers with populations of Rainbow, Brook, and Bull Trout in its calm, clear waters. And just a stone’s throw away, Barney Hot Springs offers a scenic and somewhat hidden escape, perfect for those looking to soak in a wild and off-the-beaten-path experience.

Whether you’re passing through on a longer overland route or settling in to explore the valley and surrounding ranges, Summit Creek Road delivers a blend of rugged adventure and serene high desert beauty.

If you love a good desert landscape you may like this area. It's a nice easy drive through the desert with some mild challenges along the way. Being on Bureau of Land Management land you can camp along this trail, but don't expect to find any good camping spots. It's also not unusual to see fire restrictions in this area due to how dry it gets. For more details on camping on BLM land see their website.

The Grangeville Salmon Road is a well-maintained, mostly two-lane, gravel road suitable for any vehicle with reasonable ground clearance. There are sections with moderate washboards and potholes. The most significant hazards are dust and blind curves. The road climbs from the Salmon River to about one-third of the way to Grangeville, where it becomes paved for the rest of the way to town. Much of the road provides excellent, panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and valleys.

There are no dispersed campsites along this dirt road. However, there are campgrounds down along the Salmon River and along the paved section of road heading to Grangeville.

Sheep Falls Spur 1 is a bumpy dirt road that follows the powerlines to the river. Although there are no major challenges, mud puddles appear often and can be over a foot deep. There is not much in the way of views other than trees and powerlines, but the wildflowers between the poles can be quite vibrant. No camping was found anywhere along this trail, but nearby trails have multiple options.

Lyle Springs Road, also known as FR170, is a packed dirt road that connects North Antelope Flat with Green Canyon Road. There are no obstacles along this trail, so it can be accessed by any high clearance vehicle. There are several established campsites along this route, with a few even large enough for trailers or multiple vehicles.

Kane Kappa Road offers a refreshing Jeep trail that escapes the busy, dusty Trail Creek. Caution is advised for passenger vehicles on this trail, where unexpected washouts and imposing rocks pose challenges. This straight-through trail leads you to the serene Kane Creek. While no established campsites dot this route, explorers can find promising offshoots offering ideal spots for dispersed camping.

Old Fish Haven is a lesser-traveled, out-and-back trail that offers a more rugged and private backcountry experience. Right out of the gate, it has a rocky technical section made up of protruding basketball-sized rocks. After the initial rock garden, the trail has a few other smaller rock sections but mellows out and winds its way through dense forest. Fish Haven Creek cuts across the trail, adding to the remote mountain charm and offering a refreshing stop. Dispersed campsites are limited but peaceful, tucked off the trail and ideal for one or two rigs looking for solitude.

FR 465, also known as West End Campground Road, is a compacted, unmaintained dirt road that follows the southern shoreline of Island Park Reservoir. Occasionally, ruts and small washes in the road may accumulate water after heavy rain. Along this route are numerous free dispersed campsites, with several being large enough for multiple RV trailers. Many of these campsites are also within a short walking distance of Island Park Reservoir's shoreline, providing ample opportunity for shore fishing. This route passes by the West End Campground, with additional free dispersed campsites and a vault toilet. Also along this route is the West End Boat Ramp to Island Park Reservoir, which also has vault toilets and nearby camping.

TePee Creek Road is a one-lane, mostly dirt road that runs from Stull Saddle to FS 422. At one time, the road was graveled, but most of the gravel has disappeared from the surface. The lower sections of the road are dotted with potholes, but it is still drivable by any vehicle with moderate ground clearance. Although much of the road goes through dense forest, there are ample opportunities for big, expansive views.

Dispersed camping is permitted; however, there are no established dispersed camping sites. There are a few wide spots and pullouts where an overnight camp could be established, but better options are available on nearby roads.

Olds Ferry Road is a scenic, easy-going drive that hugs the shoreline of Brownlee Reservoir, part of the Snake River, with golden hills of the Snake River Valley rising to the Hitt Mountain Range in the distance. The road is well-suited for high-clearance vehicles, with only a few rocky patches along the way, and rewards drivers with remarkable views and access to outdoor recreation. Steck Park, a developed campground right on the water, offers picnic tables, fire rings, a boat ramp, and reservable sites, making it a great basecamp for exploring the area. At the southern end, the road connects to the Weiser Sand Dunes OHV area, while the northern end is blocked by private property and a locked gate, so access is only possible from the town of Weiser. Whether you’re out for a leisurely drive or setting up camp by the reservoir, Olds Ferry Road delivers a quiet slice of Idaho’s high-desert beauty.

Although generally dry, this trail can provide quite an exciting time if storms have been rolling through. This packed dirt trail turns to slick mud and deep puddles during the peak of the monsoon season. Providing access to the Targhee National Forest, this trail departs right off Highway 20 and jogs 3 miles west, taking you far enough away to enjoy the peace and quiet that this area has to offer.

O’Brien Gulch is a scenic and straightforward gateway into the lower Bitterroot Range, linking Highway 28 to a network of rugged canyons and off-road routes, including the climb up South Fork Worthing. The drive eases you into the backcountry with a relatively mild trail that winds through rolling terrain and open stretches of sagebrush-covered hills.

There are no noticeable spots for setting up camp. Instead, O’Brien Gulch functions as a solid connector. This inviting entry point gradually transitions you from pavement to the high-country vistas and deeper adventures waiting farther up the trail.

Acting as a jumper, Antelope Cutoff gets you from North Antelope Flat to South Antelope Flat very quickly, providing access to the main feeder trails from Highway 20 to this portion of the Targhee National Forest. Just like its bigger brothers, there are no major obstacles shy of a shallow mud puddle. Although camping is legal, there are no established sites, and you may be joined by a herd of cows if you choose to pitch a tent along this short trail!

Trapper Creek Road is a well-maintained, one to two-lane gravel road that runs from the Oakley Rogerson Road to Goose Creek Reservoir, near the town of Oakley, Idaho. It is an easy drive suitable for any vehicle with moderate ground clearance. The surface ranges from dirt two-track to large gravel, with some areas where the base rock is exposed, making for a rough ride.

From the Oakley Rogerson Road, Trapper Creek Road goes mostly south through the Sawtooth National Forest before turning east and heading towards the reservoir. The first section is a patchwork of forest and open areas, offering numerous expansive views of the surrounding mountains. Once the road turns east, the forest sections thin out, and the landscape becomes more dominated by sagebrush desert. At the turn to the east, the road enters a deep, narrow canyon with spectacular rock formations and cliffs. As one approaches the reservoir, the canyon bottom opens up, providing views of the currently snow-capped mountain in the distance.

Dispersed camping is allowed along the length of Trapper Creek Road; however, established sites are not available until near the reservoir, where several very nice sites can be found. There is some private land in this area, so please, be respectful!

Located only an hour from Boise, Summit Flat Road (FSR 380) stretches from just north of Idaho City on its eastern end to the historic mining town of Pioneerville on the west. Pioneerville was one of the main mining towns during the Boise Gold Rush of 1862.

This tree-lined dirt and rocky road traverses the Boise National Forest, offering spectacular views of the rugged Sawtooth Mountains to the northeast and the Boise Mountains to the south. Be sure to take the short spur up to Pilot Peak; it offers the best views, and the spur is located at the southeastern end of the trail. Grimes Creek runs alongside most of the trail.

Towards the east of the trail, there are bumpy rocky sections with a mild incline that will keep your speeds low, but any high-clearance vehicle can make it. 4WD is recommended but not necessary. Along the drive, you will find only a few pullouts suitable for camping.

Eight Mile Creek Road is a scenic mountain valley trail near Soda Springs, Idaho, offering nearly 10 miles of backcountry exploration. The route follows Eight Mile Creek for much of the drive, with the stream adding both beauty and character to the trail. Early portions of the route include several good dispersed camping opportunities, making this a great option for setting up camp and spending the day exploring nearby roads and trails. Eight Mile Creek Road also connects to several other trails making it a great access point for adventure in the Caribou National Forest.

The trail is suitable for stock 4x4 vehicles in dry conditions, though drivers should expect a moderate experience. In places, the creek has eroded portions of the road, creating narrow and uneven sections that require careful tire placement. The most notable challenge is a steeper rocky climb that adds some fun without making the trail overly difficult. Eight Mile Creek Road is less of a destination route and more of an enjoyable mountain trail to drive, camp, and ride while taking in the tranquil scenery of southeast Idaho.