Beginner Off-Road Trails
Near Cottonwood, Idaho

Eagle Creek is a 17.3-mile out-and-back trail that starts in the Craig Mountains at an elevation of 4,959' before descending to the Salmon River at 1,080'. The first 11 miles make up the descent, as the trail winds down through a tight, steep canyon along a creek sharing its name. This section is a ...
Learn more about Eagle Creek - FS 35001

Buckhorn Overlook Spur is a short but rewarding 2-mile out-and-back trail that connects Forest Road 46 to one of the most breathtaking viewpoints in the region--Buckhorn Overlook, perched above the legendary Hells Canyon, the deepest river gorge in North America. The dirt road is mostly easy, but fe...
Learn more about Buckhorn Overlook Spur

Wellamockin Road North NF46 is a well-graded gravel route that threads through a scenic forested area just north of the Duncorn Overlook Road. The trail is lined with pine trees and lush green vegetation, making it especially vibrant in the spring when wildflowers bloom abundantly. Travelers will fi...
Learn more about Wellamockin Road North NF46

The Lolo Motorway(Forest Road 500) is a roughly 95-mile narrow, winding primitive road. The single-lane road, partially built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930, travels close to the Nez Perce Trail. Portions of this road are single-lane, and there are washouts. High clearance 4x4 onl...
Learn more about Lolo Motorway (aka FS Rd #500)

FR 441/Nut Basin Road is a sand road that meanders through the Nez Perce National Forest. Parts are lined with trees on both sides. The road gets rougher with ruts and some baseball-sized rocks when approaching the summit for the turn to the Nut Basin Lookout Ruins. There are places to dry camp alon...
Learn more about Nut Basin - FR 441

FS 536/Keating Ridge Road turns North off NF221 C/FDR Grangeville-Salmon Road approximately 9.4 miles from FDR 1614/Big Salmon Road. Keating Ridge is 3.8 miles long (one way) and ties into FR 441-Nut Basin. The road is a mix of sand and dirt. There are a few minor ruts. The scenery is beautiful as t...
Learn more about FS 536-Keating Ridge Road

Wellamockin Road South NF46 is a gravel route that offers a peaceful ride through open meadows, dense pine forest, and scenic riparian corridors. Though somewhat graded, expect typical washboards and potholes along the way. The road runs parallel to Chestnut Creek and leads you through the beautiful...
Learn more about Wellamockin Road South NF46

This route follows French Creek until it reaches Orogrande Creek. It continues along Orogrande Creek until it meets the north fork of the Clearwater River. This junction includes both the Bungalow Creek Ranger Station and Bungalow Creek Campground as well as several large dispersed camping sites. Th...
Learn more about Pierce to Superior FS 250

To connect to NF 221 - C/FDR Grangeville - Salmon Road, Turn East off Hwy 95 onto NFD 1614/Big Salmon Road and proceed 9.8 miles. This road is pavement. Before reaching Allison Creek Campground, there is a large sandy area on the right side of the road with ample room for unloading and loading offro...
Learn more about NF 221 - C/FDR Grangeville - Salmon Road

This route traces the Imnaha River between the scenic Wallowa Mountain Loop road and the small town of Imnaha. The road is wide in all but a few places and is pretty well maintained. This route passes trough a handful of scenic small ranches and farms but the main attraction is really the river itse...
Learn more about Imnaha to Wallowa Mountain Loop

Imnaha 676 is a scenic backcountry route that begins near Imnaha and winds north through a narrow canyon, eventually reaching the gate to the Zumwelt Prairie Preserve. The gravel road starts relatively smooth, passing cattle farms and open country before narrowing into a brush-lined corridor surroun...
Learn more about Imnaha 676 South

Hat Point is a scenic, graded road that climbs along cliff ledges overlooking vast valleys, ridges, and surrounding mountains. The route travels through lush pine forests and vibrant flora, especially spectacular in the spring when greenery flourishes. Along the way, the trail passes through several...
Learn more about Hat Point

This 14 mile road will take you to the Chair Point Lookout in the Nez Perce National Forest with amazing views of the Salmon River. The road is an easy gravel road that rises to an elevation of just under 7,000 feet. The lookout was constructed in 1931, with the present structure being remodeled i...
Learn more about Chair Point Lookout

Trailhead is off the highway with limited parking of about 200 feet of one-lane parking. Use caution when unloading, as this part of the highway can get busy during spring and early summer with rafters, kayakers, and others.The trail is not far from Lowell, Idaho. With a population of 23, it does no...
Learn more about Van Camp trail 16

This scenic route leaves Pierce via Snake Creek Road before turning off onto Calhoun Road. This is a very easy, well-maintained gravel road that is wide enough for two vehicles to pass. It is a lengthy route that snakes through the mountains and offers some premium views. There are several disperse...
Learn more about Pierce to Dworshak Reservoir/Grandad Bridge

This is a 1-mile trail up to a big butte fire lookout. If you are driving a dirt bike/SxS, you are able to drive continually up to the lookout. If you are in an SUV or full-sized vehicle, it is advised you park at the fence line and walk the remaining way.
Learn more about Big Butte Lookout

Wenatchee Big Butte is a 7-mile connection trail on the route to the Big Butte fire lookout. This is a well-groomed trail made mostly of compact dirt with the occasional loose gravel. This is approximately one vehicle wide. There are multiple pull-out and small offshoots, some of which were blocked ...
Learn more about Wenatchee Big Butte

The lower section of Crooked River or Forest Service Road 233, better known as Orogrande Summit, is a heavily traveled road that is part of the Nez Perce National Forest, but makes its way deep into the Gospel-Hump Wilderness as one of the only allowed motorized routes. The route is a gravelly and w...
Learn more about Orogrande Summit

Duckett Road 716 begins at the entrance to the Zenwelt Prairie Preserve, a protected stretch of historic grassland prairie that showcases the wide-open beauty and rich ranching heritage of the region. This area has been preserved to protect native grasses, wildlife habitats, and cultural landmarks--...
Learn more about Duckett Road 716

Endless Prairie Road stretches across vast open prairie lands, offering an iconic high-desert driving experience where you can literally see for miles and miles in every direction. This graded gravel road cuts through active cattle grazing country, with mountain ranges looming faintly in the far dis...
Learn more about Endless Prarie Road 697

Eagle Creek is a 17.3-mile out-and-back trail that starts in the Craig Mountains at an elevation of 4,959' before descending to the Salmon River at 1,080'. The first 11 miles make up the descent, as the trail winds down through a tight, steep canyon along a creek sharing its name. This section is a ...
Learn more about Eagle Creek - FS 35001

The Lolo Motorway(Forest Road 500) is a roughly 95-mile narrow, winding primitive road. The single-lane road, partially built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930, travels close to the Nez Perce Trail. Portions of this road are single-lane, and there are washouts. High clearance 4x4 onl...
Learn more about Lolo Motorway (aka FS Rd #500)

FR 441/Nut Basin Road is a sand road that meanders through the Nez Perce National Forest. Parts are lined with trees on both sides. The road gets rougher with ruts and some baseball-sized rocks when approaching the summit for the turn to the Nut Basin Lookout Ruins. There are places to dry camp alon...
Learn more about Nut Basin - FR 441

FS 536/Keating Ridge Road turns North off NF221 C/FDR Grangeville-Salmon Road approximately 9.4 miles from FDR 1614/Big Salmon Road. Keating Ridge is 3.8 miles long (one way) and ties into FR 441-Nut Basin. The road is a mix of sand and dirt. There are a few minor ruts. The scenery is beautiful as t...
Learn more about FS 536-Keating Ridge Road

Eagle Creek is a 17.3-mile out-and-back trail that starts in the Craig Mountains at an elevation of 4,959' before descending to the Salmon River at 1,080'. The first 11 miles make up the descent, as the trail winds down through a tight, steep canyon along a creek sharing its name. This section is a ...
Learn more about Eagle Creek - FS 35001

The Lolo Motorway(Forest Road 500) is a roughly 95-mile narrow, winding primitive road. The single-lane road, partially built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930, travels close to the Nez Perce Trail. Portions of this road are single-lane, and there are washouts. High clearance 4x4 onl...
Learn more about Lolo Motorway (aka FS Rd #500)

FR 441/Nut Basin Road is a sand road that meanders through the Nez Perce National Forest. Parts are lined with trees on both sides. The road gets rougher with ruts and some baseball-sized rocks when approaching the summit for the turn to the Nut Basin Lookout Ruins. There are places to dry camp alon...
Learn more about Nut Basin - FR 441

FS 536/Keating Ridge Road turns North off NF221 C/FDR Grangeville-Salmon Road approximately 9.4 miles from FDR 1614/Big Salmon Road. Keating Ridge is 3.8 miles long (one way) and ties into FR 441-Nut Basin. The road is a mix of sand and dirt. There are a few minor ruts. The scenery is beautiful as t...
Learn more about FS 536-Keating Ridge Road