Idaho Off-Road Trails

This trail is an overland traverse between the stunning Swan Valley on the Wyoming border and Idaho Falls. The trail leads through the beautiful Caribou range of hills and mountains. It is a busy stretch of trail with large group campsites and HOV trails from Swan Valley. There are no technical challenges on this road, only a very dusty, gradual 1400-foot ascent and scenic views before linking up with the Kepps Crossing road to complete the journey to Idaho Falls. Be aware that area farmers and ranchers use this road. You may occasionally come across a large water truck or farming equipment heading up and down this road that does include private parcels of land.

Loon Creek Road, designated as NF-007, winds its way through the backcountry of Idaho, beckoning adventurous spirits to delve deep into the untamed heart of this region. This trail is an open invitation to explore the natural beauty, the remnants of a bygone mining era, and the profound serenity that defines the vast expanse of the Salmon-Challis National Forest and the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness.

While journeying along this road, you'll encounter remarkable landmarks. These include the ghostly echoes of Casto, an abandoned mining settlement, the historical Oro Grande mining community, the Upper Loon Creek Airfield, the well-appointed Tin Cup Campground, and the Philips Creek Transfer Camp. Each of these destinations adds a unique facet to the captivating tapestry of this wild and remote landscape.

Crow Creek Road runs as a long arterial route through the Montpelier Ranger District and, if run in its entirety out of the national forest, takes you from Montpelier Reservoir across the border into Afton, WY. Camping along this route is mainly limited to the reservoir campground, a couple of sites around Giveout Camp (roughly 6 miles from the reservoir), and a couple more near the final spurs (roughly 1.5 from the end of the route).

This historic single-lane road winds along the crest of West Mountain for an impressive stretch of more than 20 miles. Traversing the ridge reveals breathtaking panoramic vistas of the valley below, with Cascade Reservoir gracing the backdrop. Additionally, you'll discover access points to numerous alternative routes along the journey.

This trail isn't tailored for those seeking an easy, smooth forest service road. Instead, it beckons to adventurers who relish the challenge of an authentic jeep trail that demands vehicle clearance, precise tire placement, and the occasional off-camber moment. The payoff, however, is an unforgettable memory of the awe-inspiring views along the mountain ridge.

Be prepared for the possibility of pinstriping, particularly in the narrow stretches alongside the treeline. You'll also encounter boulders, especially on the inclines, and there's an abundance of washouts to navigate. This is not a trail to do when it's wet or muddy, as it would be impassable in places. While designated campsites may be scarce, ample pull-off spots and spur routes are ideal for dispersed camping. Always bear in mind the essential principle of Leave No Trace.

The southern entrance to Deadwood Reservoir runs through the Boise National Forest on Scott Mountain Road, NFSR 555, a graded dirt road that any high-clearance 2WD can handle. The trail has scenic forest views that occasionally open up, providing glimpses of the rugged Sawtooth Mountain Range in the distance to the east. 

Deadwood Reservoir is a medium size lake with lush trees and mountains surrounding it. There are campgrounds on the south, east, and north sides. Cozy Cove Campground is on the south side of the reservoir and has amazing spots right on the water.

Embarking on Rowland Road unveils a vital route to the secluded mining town of Jarbidge. Beginning in the Owyhee Desert and stretching into the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, the trail enchants with its diverse landscape. From sprawling plateaus serving as free-range cattle grazing grounds to panoramic views of the Jarbidge Mountain Range, the journey culminates in ghostly remnants of buildings and mining activities, whispering tales of a bygone era.

Kepps Crossing is one part of a two-part route linking up with Fall Creek Road from the incredible Swan Valley area to Idaho Falls over the Caribou range. Kepps Crossing is tame and easily traversed by 2WD vehicles. The road brings travelers through rolling hills, small creeks, farmland, and wind farms before dropping into the southeastern edge of Idaho Falls. No technical or terrain challenges outside of a few wide switchbacks and gradual elevation changes. There is no camping along this part of the route.

Tucked into the sagebrush wilds of Clark County, Idaho, Skull Canyon winds into the Bitterroot Range, revealing dramatic limestone walls formed over 325 million years ago. Even if you're not a geology buff, it’s hard not to be captivated by the canyon's sculpted rock faces, with hardy desert plants gripping the walls and weathered formations that look like the backdrop of a lost frontier.

From the outset, the road into Skull Canyon is unconventional. The narrow two-track cuts straight through the field of an old ranch once run by the Kaufman family in the 1890s. That alone sets the tone for the remote and untamed experience that lies ahead. Ben Lyons, the Kaufman’s foster son, is said to have stumbled upon a cave filled with human skulls here, giving rise to the canyon’s foreboding name. Whether the remains were from ancient tribal conflicts or something else entirely, the canyon’s eerie energy fuels the imagination. One look at the steep, shadowy walls and it’s easy to picture this place as a hiding ground or sacred refuge. A dispersed camping site is nestled within the canyon.

Eventually, the canyon releases you into the rolling, open foothills of the Lemhi Range, where the trail splits and options for further exploration or remote camping open up. One such fork leads you up toward the old Skull Mine, also known as the Weimer Mine, a relic of Idaho’s boom-and-bust mining days. First tapped in the 1880s, this rugged site produced lead, silver, copper, and zinc, with ore once shipped to the smelters at Nicholia and Hahn. Today, the mine lies dormant, but remnants of its past remain scattered across the slope.

The climb up to the mine is steep, washed out, and littered with loose, soccer-ball-sized rocks. It’s the kind of pitch where you’ll want to air down and lock in 4Lo.

Whether you come for the old mines, the ghostly legends, or the canyon’s raw beauty, Skull Canyon is a place where Idaho’s wild past and rugged terrain still echo loud and clear. Bring a capable rig, a sense of curiosity, and maybe a friend, because Skull Canyon is the kind of place that might leave you with more questions than answers.

Bachman Grade Road, also called Triangle Road, is an easy and scenic excursion south from the little town of Oreana. Bachman Grade is a well-maintained, mostly two-lane, gravel road suitable for any vehicle. The trail starts in the relatively flat sagebrush steppe and climbs to about 6000 feet at Toy Pass. There are views of the mountains across the open sagebrush from the steppe. As you climb towards Toy Pass, views of the steppe and the mountains to the north of the Snake River Plain emerge.

In 2019, the BLM started the Bruneau-Owyhee Sage-Grouse Habitat (BOSH) Project to improve sage-grouse habitat in 617,000 acres. The project includes cutting down many of the juniper trees that crept into the sage-grouse breeding areas. Piles of cut juniper trees are waiting to be burned or removed.

While there are no designated camping areas along the road, dispersed camping is available. Few places scream “Camp Here!” but ample spots for a quick camp exist. When camping, avoid the private land along the road.

Unfortunately, the road is gated at a private property boundary around mile 23.

Owyhee County in Southwest Idaho has over 5000 square miles of desert, canyons, and mountains. There are no services in the entire area, and cell coverage is spotty. Being adequately prepared for any contingency is a must.

East Heise Road runs along the picturesque Snake River just a half hour northeast of Idaho Falls. This trail is an easy, well-graded dirt road with plenty of opportunities for camping, fishing, and boating. The area is beautiful and popular, particularly before the Wolf Flats Recreation Area. Travel farther down for a little more solitude. The trail deadends at ATV and Hiking trailheads, but there is a small loop with room to turn around.

The trail passes through a section of BLM land at the start. Camping in the BLM land is only allowed at designated sites identified by metal fire rings. There is a limit of 5 days. Once entering the Caribou-Targhee National Forest there are additional dispersed campsites with rock fire rings.

At its westernmost point, Kelly Canyon starts at the Kelly Canyon Ski Resort at the Caribou-Targhee NF border. This long trail briefly leaves the national forest, crossing into Idaho Dept. of Lands territory before dropping back in as Long Hollow Road. Plentiful dispersed camping is available with a 5-day limit. The road is easy and well-maintained. Long Hollow Road can even be taken all the back to Highway 33, east of Rexburg.

The Landmark-Stanley Road is an easy gravel road suitable for any vehicle. There are a few small washouts and potholes. Three campgrounds are along the road, and there are ample places for dispersed camping. Landmark-Stanley has a little something for everyone: sections of wide open meadows, picturesque streams, dense forests, and open rocky hillsides. The primary hazard is dust, which can be blinding at times.

Landmark-Stanley is one of the access routes to Deadwood Reservoir and is part of the access to Yellow Pine, Stanley, and Cascade.  

Deadwood Reservoir is a huge engineering marvel that you wouldn't expect to find at the end of a long dirt road. The graded road passes through a nice forest until the lake suddenly appears. Since boating and camping are popular here, expect slow-moving traffic pulling boats and trailers. There are multiple campgrounds around the lake, as well as dispersed camping.