Beginner Off-Road Trails
Near Fossil, Oregon

The Old Western Route is a 13.9-mile point-to-point gravel road connecting the west end of Wheeler Point with the Heppner-Spray Highway. Although the road appears to continue west to the town of Fossil, a private gate is located several hundred yards west of this route's western end. The road surfac...
Learn more about The Old Western Route - FS 21

This maintained gravel road will take you through part of the John Day Fossil Beds and Painted Hills National Monument. You can access the Painted Hills Overlook from this trail, which has several hiking trails as well. Be aware, as you continue down this trail it becomes a private road with no tres...
Learn more about Bear Creek Road (Painted Hills Trail)

This is a quick out-and-back trail, and though it may be short, the views are absolutely stunning, even on a cloudy day. The trail is straightforward aside from 1 or 2 slightly washboarded areas. There are ample opportunities for photo stops, and be sure to check out the Nature Trail walk at the end...
Learn more about Painted Cove Nature Trail Access

Wheeler Point is a 15.7-mile point-to-point gravel road connecting Heppner-Spray Highway with the west end of The Old Western Route. Starting from the east side, Wheeler Point descends before leveling out and continuing along the south edge of the Umatilla National Forest. This section offers stunni...
Learn more about Wheeler Point - FS 25

Starting from the north side at the intersection with FS 21, Wilson Creek Road is a 10.6-mile point-to-point gravel road. The trail is well-maintained for its entire length and provides access to a staging area for the Murrow-Grant OHV Park, located 1.2 miles from the start, as well as to park route...
Learn more about Wilson Creek Road - FS 2128

Trail 41 is a 0.8-mile point-to-point trail in the Morrow County OHV Park that connects Wilson Creek Road to Trail 40, before ending at an intersection with Trail 1. Starting from Wilson Creek Road, the trail is a narrow double track featuring a mix of embedded and loose rock before transitioning to...
Learn more about Red Rock Trail - 41

Trail 56 is a 0.8-mile point-to-point single-track trail in the Morrow - Grant County OHV Park. Starting from the lower intersection with Trail 54, the trail is fast and flowing, winding back and forth across what appears to be an old creek bed, with a few tight, brushy sections. After crossing Trai...
Learn more about Trail 56

Meat Pole Trail is a 3.1-mile point-to-point route that serves as an alternate to a section of Trail 1, while also providing access to Trails 56, 53, 52, and 51. The trail is fast and flowing, with a few steep climbs and occasional muddy sections. Meat Pole is well suited as a warm-up or access trai...
Learn more about Meat Pole Trail - 54

Trail G3 is a 2.5-mile point-to-point double-track trail that begins at an intersection with Trail 1, crosses Wilson Creek Road, and ends at an intersection with Trail G1. The trail is easy-going and provides access to several other trails within the Morrow County OHV Park. An 83-inch-wide cattle gu...
Learn more about Trail G3

FS 2407 is a 2.8-mile out-and-back trail climbing from Happy Jack to Tamarack Lookout. Starting as an easy gravel road, the route gradually becomes rougher toward the top, culminating in muddy and steep sections near the lookout. Those who navigate past these conditions can climb the 96-foot lookout...
Learn more about FS 2407

Trail 44 is a 1.5-mile point-to-point connector trail that starts at Trail 40 and ends at Trail 43, while also providing access to Trails 47, 55, 45, 58, and 42. Starting from Trail 40, the route winds through an open grassy meadow before beginning a steep, rocky descent down to Trail 43. Trail 44 i...
Learn more about Trail 44

Trail 86 is a 1-mile point-to-point trail that connects Trail 70 and Trail 1C. Starting from Trail 70, the surface is raw and grassy, making it difficult to follow at times. The trail then transitions to rocky and muddy sections before intersecting with Trail 1C. Trail 86 is open year-round. Signage...
Learn more about Trail 86

Trail 70 is a 1-mile point-to-point trail that serves as an alternative to a section of Trail 1. The trail is seldom used, resulting in a raw surface with significant grass growth, making it muddy and difficult to follow in places. Several deep potholes are present. Trail 70 is open year-round. An O...
Learn more about Trail 70

Trail 78 is a 1.1-mile point-to-point trail that serves as an alternative route to a section of Trail 1, while also providing access to Trails 79, 80, and 85. The trail is fast and flowing, with a few muddy sections and occasional tight, brushy areas. Trail 78 is open year-round. An Oregon State ATV...
Learn more about Trail 78

FS 23 West is a 9.2-mile point-to-point, well-maintained gravel road. Starting from the intersection with Wilson Creek Road and FS 23 East, the road crosses a bridge over Wilson Creek before beginning a consistent 1,600-foot climb. Occasional narrow sections occur in the first couple of miles before...
Learn more about FS 23 West

Happy Jack is an 18.3-mile point-to-point trail connecting FS 22 with the Heppner-Spray Highway. A wide gravel road for its entire length, Happy Jack offers stunning views looking north into the Umatilla National Forest. Starting from the east side, the trail crosses Big Wall Creek before climbing 2...
Learn more about Happy Jack - FS 24

This route transports travelers from Highway 26 north of Prineville Oregon into the middle of the Ochoco National Forest. Along the way you'll find yourself navigating well-groomed forest service roads, fairly narrow and rocky road surfaces and a few small obstacles. You'll be rewarded with wonderfu...
Learn more about Summit Road NF2630

Madison Butte Lookout is a 9.2-mile out-and-back trail (4.6 miles one way) that climbs from Road Canyon Road to the Madison Butte Lookout. The route features small rock steps, steep sections, and tight switchbacks near the summit. Several dispersed camping opportunities are available along the trail...
Learn more about Madison Butte Lookout - FS 2119033

The Starvation Lane River Access road to the John Day River is a gravel road that winds through wheat fields and sagebrush. The upper section of the gravel road can be anything from smooth to rough, or washboard to puddle-laden, depending on the time of the season. The lower section is a "primitive"...
Learn more about Starvation Lane River Access

Trail starts with a long dirt road through the farmland of Paulina Valley, then starts to climb into forest after a creek crossing. The trail can be rocky with some ruts, mud puddles in spring and the occasional small, but technical rocky section. There is a lot of wildlife to spot, fun creeks and g...
Learn more about Paulina Valley Rd / 4200 / 4250 / 1200

The Old Western Route is a 13.9-mile point-to-point gravel road connecting the west end of Wheeler Point with the Heppner-Spray Highway. Although the road appears to continue west to the town of Fossil, a private gate is located several hundred yards west of this route's western end. The road surfac...
Learn more about The Old Western Route - FS 21

Wheeler Point is a 15.7-mile point-to-point gravel road connecting Heppner-Spray Highway with the west end of The Old Western Route. Starting from the east side, Wheeler Point descends before leveling out and continuing along the south edge of the Umatilla National Forest. This section offers stunni...
Learn more about Wheeler Point - FS 25

Starting from the north side at the intersection with FS 21, Wilson Creek Road is a 10.6-mile point-to-point gravel road. The trail is well-maintained for its entire length and provides access to a staging area for the Murrow-Grant OHV Park, located 1.2 miles from the start, as well as to park route...
Learn more about Wilson Creek Road - FS 2128

Trail 41 is a 0.8-mile point-to-point trail in the Morrow County OHV Park that connects Wilson Creek Road to Trail 40, before ending at an intersection with Trail 1. Starting from Wilson Creek Road, the trail is a narrow double track featuring a mix of embedded and loose rock before transitioning to...
Learn more about Red Rock Trail - 41

The Old Western Route is a 13.9-mile point-to-point gravel road connecting the west end of Wheeler Point with the Heppner-Spray Highway. Although the road appears to continue west to the town of Fossil, a private gate is located several hundred yards west of this route's western end. The road surfac...
Learn more about The Old Western Route - FS 21

Wheeler Point is a 15.7-mile point-to-point gravel road connecting Heppner-Spray Highway with the west end of The Old Western Route. Starting from the east side, Wheeler Point descends before leveling out and continuing along the south edge of the Umatilla National Forest. This section offers stunni...
Learn more about Wheeler Point - FS 25

Starting from the north side at the intersection with FS 21, Wilson Creek Road is a 10.6-mile point-to-point gravel road. The trail is well-maintained for its entire length and provides access to a staging area for the Murrow-Grant OHV Park, located 1.2 miles from the start, as well as to park route...
Learn more about Wilson Creek Road - FS 2128

Trail 41 is a 0.8-mile point-to-point trail in the Morrow County OHV Park that connects Wilson Creek Road to Trail 40, before ending at an intersection with Trail 1. Starting from Wilson Creek Road, the trail is a narrow double track featuring a mix of embedded and loose rock before transitioning to...
Learn more about Red Rock Trail - 41