Blue Mountain/South Fork OHV Trails

Motorcycle rider of forested OHV trailThe OHV trails in the Blue Mountain area are located in the South Fork Burnt River watershed west of Unity, Oregon and extend north towards Sumpter, Oregon. The main trail is the Blue Mountain OHV Trail #O-1972 with shorter side and loop trails (#O-1972A to O-1972D) which add some challenge and other experiences along the way. Although these trails have been designated for OHV use since the early 1990s, they are also open for use by hikers, mountains bikes and equestrian visitors. In 2013, the Forest began to develop the South Fork OHV trails which are centred around the South Fork Burnt River area and connect to the Blue Mtn OHV Trails.

 

Development History

Early development efforts for this OHV trail system began in the early 1990s with the idea to provide OHV trail riding from campgrounds and trailheads in the South Fork Burnt River area north to the Blue Mountain Summit west of Sumpter. Although some new trails would be constructed, much of the original 70 mile system would be developed by converting decommissioned roads into trails. To provide for these riding opportunities, an Environmental Assessment was completed in 1992. Next construction grants were submitted by local recreation managers on the Unity Ranger District to the Oregon Department of Transportation that managed the grants at that time.  Construction grant funds were awarded in late 1990s.

In 2007 additional ATV trails were approved with the South Fork Burnt River Watershed Travel Management Plan. The decision approved the construction of over 40 miles of new trails. To implement the construction, a grant from the Oregon Department of Parks and Recreation was awarded in 2006, and development completed in 2007.

Riding Opportunities

There are about 56 miles of trails in this area. All of the Blue Mountain/South Fork OHV trails are designed and maintained for vehicles less than or equal to 50 inches wide. An Oregon ATV Permit is required to operate an OHV on this area, and other public lands in Oregon.

Trail Maps

Start with this Blue Mtn/South Fork OHV Trail Index Map (549 KB) to locate the section of trail and access points or trailhead you are interested in riding from. The trail map numbers go from north to south along the trail. The wall size trail map (8,056 KB) is also available and is georeferenced.

Access

Main access points from north to south for these trails include;

Trails

Trail No.

OHV Trail Name

Miles

Index Map

 Level

 O-1972

 Blue Mtn OHV

50.6

 1-6, 8-9

 Easy

 O-1972A

 Blue Mtn OHV-A

0.7

 8 & 9

 Mod

 O-1972B

 Blue Mtn OHV-B

2.0

 4

 Easy

 O-1972C

 Blue Mtn OHV-C

0.6

 4

 Mod

 O-1972D

 Blue Mtn OHV-D

1.2

  3 & 4

 Easy
 O-1972E  Blue Mtn OHV-E 0.5  4 Mod
 O-1972F  Blue Mtn OHV-F 0.2   Easy
 O-1972G  Blue Mtn OHV-G 0.5   Easy
 O-1972H  Blue Mtn OHV-H 0.6 6 Easy
         
 O-4010  FS road 6010 to Amelia TH 2.6  9 Easy
 O-4025  South Fork-Barney Cr OHV 3.8 8 & 9 Easy
 O-4037  Flat Top OHV 0.8 8 Easy
 O-4040  Stevens Creek OHV 1.8 8 & 9 Easy
 O-4050  Barney Ridge South OHV 1.0 9 Easy
 O-4058  Stevens-Barney OHV 3.0 9 Easy
 O-4060  Pole Springs OHV 7.4 6 & 7 Easy
 O-4065  5 Mile Loop OHV 5.4 9 Easy
 O-4072  Halls Hill OHV 3.6 8 & 9 Easy
 O-4155  South Fork OHV Spur A 0.7 8 & 9 Easy
 O-4210  Bear-Stevens OHV 1.4 8 & 9 Easy
 O-4400  Thirsty Rail OHV 4.9 8 Easy
 O-4425  Rail Gulch OHV 1.7 8 Easy
 O-4500  Barney Forks OHV 3.0 9 Easy

(* Trail shown but not labeled on map. Difficulty riding levels are based on trail grades, slopes, and technical features: Easy = Easiest, Mod = More Difficult, and Diff = Most Difficult. )

 

Partners

The Blue Mountain OHV trails are managed in part by grant funds received from the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department.