TRAVEL MANAGEMENT IS CHANGING
An entirely new approach to travel management is in the works following the adoption of the so-called National OHV Rule in 2005. The Clearwater National Forest Travel Guide will eventually be phased out to be replaced by a Motor Vehicle Use Map that will show roads and trails open to motorized travel. See the Travel Planning page to read more about the process to implement the new era of travel management on the Clearwater NF.
WHERE TO RIDE
The Idaho OHV Information Project provides a lot of good information about places to ride in Idaho and how to be be a responsible motorized user.
For the Clearwater NF, the Travel Guide contains maps for many of the motorized trail systems on the Forest. A few of these are available seperately below. Don't forget to check out motorized travel restrictions in the travel guide and information on vehicles and licensing.
| CLEARWATER NATIONAL FOREST OHV TRAIL SYSTEM MAPS | ||
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Palouse OHV - Note that parts of this system are still under construction. |
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| Musselshell | South Lochsa | |
PALOUSE DISTRICT CHANGES TO 2005 TRAVEL GUIDE (5/21/08)
A travel plan covering most of the Palouse District was completed after the 2005 Travel Guide was published. These restriction changes were implemented by a Forest Supervisors Order that supersedes the order in the 2005 Travel Guide. Highlights of the Palouse OHV Decision include:
- Motorized cross country travel is now prohibited. Vehicles must travel only on designated routes.Restrictions for some roads and trails have changed. See the Palouse OHV Supplement to the Travel Guide as these restrictions supersede information in the published Travel Guide and in the .pdf versions of it below.
- A number of new routes are being constructed or reconstructed to provide opportunities for ATV's and motorcycles.
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The 2005 Travel Guide is the latest version available. It identifies the roads and trails on the Clearwater National Forest including those available for motorized travel. It provides information for planning motorized trips and on areas, roads or trails where motorized travel is restricted. The Travel Guide also includes information on how to reduce your impact to the land, resources, wildlife and other users as you travel the Forest. Note that some restrictions have changed due to more recent travel decisions.
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The .pdf documents below reflect the Travel Guide as published in 2005. See new information for the Palouse District above for recent changes that supersede the 2005 restrictions.
Full Travel Guide ( 4327K .pdf)
This is the full 2005 Travel Guide in a single pdf document. It includes all the sections that are available as separate documents below.
Travel Guide Narrative (2697K .pdf)
This is the latest version of the main Travel Guide document, which includes some general visitor information as well as some background information on travel management. Some topics include: Travel on the Clearwater NF, Planning Your Trip, Motorized Travel, OHV Licensing Requirements, Miscellaneous Visitor Information, Some ATV Trip Ideas, Reasons for Restrictions, and a Guide to Recently Changed Trail Numbers.
Restriction Order (107K .pdf)
This is the official Forest Supervisor's Order that implements the restricted roads, trails, and areas described in the Travel Guide.
Restricted Travel Areas (1100K .pdf)
Areas where cross country travel with motor vehicles is specifically prohibited are listed here.
Restricted Roads (258K .pdf)
This document shows roads for the Clearwater NF including information on restricted roads. Instructions on how to read the codes in the table are found in the legend.
Restricted Trails (93K .pdf)
This document shows trails for the Clearwater NF including information on trail restrictions. See the legend for instructions on how to read the trails tables.
VEHICLES
Where you can ride on the Clearwater NF depends on what type of vehicle you have and whether or not you are a licensed driver. See the Travel Guide for information on restrictions and the Travel Guide Legend for info on how vehicles are defined.
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One area of confusion surrounds so-called utility vehicles like the one at left. Regardless of their width these vehicles do not meet the definition of an ATV - they are considered highway vehicles and can be driven only on roads that are open to highway vehicles. That means they are not permitted on trails or on roads where highway vehicles are restriced but ATV's are permitted. ATV's are defined as less than 50 inches in width, with a seat straddled by the operator and steered with handlebars. |
LICENSING and REGISTRATION (7/1/09)
Your motorcycle, ATV or UTV as well as your passenger vehicle all require some type of Idaho registration - either a license or a sticker before they can be operated on National Forest roads. Vehicle and operator licensing requirements for OHV's in Idaho are available at the Idaho OHV Public Information website. In a nutshell these are the registration and licensing requirements:
- For travel on roads open to highway vehicles state law requires a current year off-road sticker or license plate on the vehicle; a helmet if you are less than 18 years of age; and headlights, tail lights, and brake lights for nighttime use.
Parents - You are responsible for the actions of your children under 18 years of age while they are operating OHV's on the National Forest! FS Northern Region Order R1-2008-01
Aside from the fact that it's a legal requirement in the State of
Illegal trail construction, widening or clearing, primarily by ATV users, continues to be a problem on the Forest. When such illegal activity is discovered, the route involved is immediately closed to all motorized use.
Temporary restrictions for road construction, logging activity, etc. and emergency closures due to fires are not shown in the Travel Guide. See the Travel and Recreation page for this information.
To view the .pdf documents above, you will need Acrobat Reader. If you don't already have this program, it's available free at the following link:
