Lewis & Clark National Forest

Projects & Plans - Motor Vehicle Maps

Links on this page:

Motor Vehicle Use Maps | Travel Management Information | More about the MVUM | Frequently Asked MVUM Questions (FAQs) | Info / Maps for Non-Motorized Trails

NOTE: These maps are in .PDF document format. If you do not already have a .PDF Reader, you can download a free copy at the Adobe Acrobat web site. Some of these files are large in size, and may not display quickly, particularly on dial-up internet connections. Paper copes of the maps are available free at Lewis and Clark National Forest Offices. See the FAQs section on how to print parts of these maps.

MOTOR VEHICLE USE MAPS

Jefferson Division

Little Belt Mountains West (Front) - 33" X 44", 2.16MB

Little Belt Mountains East (Back, with Tables) - 33" X 44", 1.77MB

Little Belt Mountains Tables - In stand-alone document (letter size for easy printing), 653kb

 

Crazy and Castle Mountains:

Crazy Mountain Map - (Front) 17" X 22", 572kb
Castle Mountain Map - (Back) 17" X 22", 347kb

Highwood and Snowy Mountains:

Highwood Mountain Map - (Front) 17" X 22", 377kb
Big & Little Snowy Mountains Map - (Back) 17" X 22", 347kb

Rocky Mountain Ranger District Maps

Index Map to MVUMs on the Rocky Mountain Ranger District - 8.5" X 11", 798kb

Badger-Two Medicine Area:

Badger-Two Medicine Map - (Front) 17" X 22", 1.45MB
Badger-Two Medicine Table ( Back) 17" X 22",78kb

Teton Canyon Area Map - 17" X 22", 427kb

Sun Canyon Area Map - 17" X 22", 393kb

Benchmark Area Map - 17" X 22", 562kb

Elk Creek Area Map - 17" X 22", 306kb

Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center Map - 8.5" X 11"
Note - There are no motorized roads or trails at the LCIC.

Travel Management

The Forest Service announced new travel regulations on November 2, 2005, governing motor vehicle use on national forests and grasslands. The new rule requires each National Forest or ranger district to designate those roads, trails, and areas open to motor vehicle use.

Motor Vehicles are defined as any vehicle which is self-propelled, other than a wheelchair or mobility device as defined in 36 CFR 261.2, including highway legal and non-highway legal terra vehicles. This definition excludes aircraft, watercraft, and over snow vehicles according to 36 CFR 212.51

In 2008, The Lewis and Clark National Forest published a Motor Vehicle Use Map for all of its lands, including the Rocky Mountain and Jefferson Divisions, as well as the Lewis and Clark National Forest Interpretive Center.

These maps are valid for one year, and reflect the 2007 Travel Plan decision for the Little Belt, Castle, and Crazy Mountains, and the 2007 Travel Plan decision for the Rocky Mountain Ranger District Birch Creek South, as well as previous decisions for the Highwood Mountains, Big Snowy Mountains, Little Snowy Mountains, and Badger-Two Medicine Area of the Rocky Mountain Ranger District.

Some decisions in the 2007 Travel Plans will not be implemented until certain requirements or projects have been completed. For example, roads identified in the travel plan as mixed-use routes are not yet open to mixed-use. Completion of a "motorized mixed-use analysis" which is currently underway will be reflected on future Motor Vehicle Use Maps. Motorized mixed use is a designation of a National Forest System Road which means that the road can be used by both highway-legal and non-highway-legal motor vehicles, as per state law. In the motorized mixed-use analysis, a qualified engineer will consider mitigation of observed safety risks through such measures as signs, speed controls, user education, modifications to road geometry, regulating the timing of commercial hauling, or other safety measures.

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More about the Motor Vehicle Use Map

The Motor Vehicle Use Map (MVUM) is a requirement of the Travel Management Final Rule. The MVUM displays those National Forest System roads, trails, and areas (if any) that are designated open to motor vehicles, by vehicle class (highway-legal vehicles, high-clearance vehicles, ATVs, and motorcycles), and any seasonal or time allowances. The MVUM also provides information on other travel rules and regulations. If a route is not shown on the MVUM, it is not open to public motor vehicle travel. Every reasonable attempt has been made to mark routes designated for motor vehicle use with route marker signs (showing the route number). However, some routes may not always be signed on the ground. It will be the public's responsibility to refer to the MVUM to determine designated routes for motor vehicle use. The MVUM will be updated annually to correct mapping errors or discrepancies, and to reflect any changes in route status.

Special orders may be issued at any time during the year to temporarily close certain routes for reasons such as safety concerns, resource damage, or due to fire or other emergency activity. These routes will be appropriately marked on the ground.

The MVUM is a black and white map with few topographic features. It is best used in conjunction with a Forest Visitor Map or other topographic map. The MVUM is free to the public at each local Ranger District office. Forest Visitor Maps are available at Forest Service offices, or through the National Forest Store on the web.

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Frequently Asked Questions:

Where can I get a Motor Vehicle Use Map?
How do I print the Motor Vehicle Use Map?
What does a Motor Vehicle Use Map show me?
Does the Motor Vehicle Use Map also show mechanized and non-motorized trails and over-snow uses?
Are there any ‘play areas’ or areas open to cross-country motorized travel?
What do you mean by vehicle class designation?
Why are some routes only open during certain times of the year?
Are there road and trails route marker signs on the ground?
How does the MVUM impact access to my favorite camping site?
How does the MVUM impact firewood gathering and other permit activities?
Where can I find State of Montana laws and regulations governing motorized vehicles?

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Where can I get a Motor Vehicle Use Map?

Maps are available on this website (above) or paper copies are available free of charge at each of the Forest Service offices in Choteau, Belt Creek, White Sulphur Springs, Harlowton, Stanford, and the Supervisor’s Office in Great Falls, Montana. Many sporting good stores in local communities may also have these maps available. Other partners and distribution locations may be developed over time to help disseminate maps.

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How do I print the Motor Vehicle Use Map(s)?

The Little Belt Mountain Motor Vehicle Use Map (MVUM) is 34" x 44" and cannot be printed on conventional home printers. The other maps are 17”x22”, and likewise cannot be printed on most home printers. A full-size version can only be printed from a large plotter.

To be readable, only a portion of the MVUM can be printed on 8 ½" x 11" paper using home printers. With Acrobat Reader, use the "Print Current View" (see picture below) function to print the view on your screen. Other .pdf viewers, such as for the Mac, may have additional ways of printing the current view. It is recommended that the legend box, as well as applicable special designations, be printed to aid in interpretation of the MVUM.

 

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What does the Motor Vehicle Use Map show me?

The Motor Vehicle Use Map (MVUM) shows all National Forest System roads, trails and areas designated for public motor vehicle use. Motor Vehicles are defined as any vehicle which is self-propelled, other than a wheelchair or mobility device as defined in 36 CFR 261.2, including highway legal and non-highway legal terra vehicles. This definition excludes aircraft, watercraft, and over snow vehicles according to 36 CFR 212.51

The MVUM shows what type or class of vehicles are allowed, and seasons or times of the year the use is allowed.

Administrative motor vehicle access may occur on routes not shown on the Motor Vehicle Use Map for the purpose of limited administrative access by Forest Service personnel; for fire and law enforcement or other emergency purposes and; by persons authorized by a written special use permit or contract from the Forest Service.

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Does the Motor Vehicle Use Map also show mechanized and non-motorized trails and over-snow uses?

No. The intent of the MVUM is to show only motor vehicle use. Mechanized, non-motorized, and over snow uses are not displayed on the MVUM.

A Forest Visitor Map or other opportunity map will provide information on mechanized routes such as bicycle trails, non-motorized routes such as hiking and horse trails, and winter recreation use (such as skiing and snowmobiling). The Forest does have trails that have restrictions to certain types of non-motorized travel, such as hiking-only trails, and trails that have restrictions to mountain bikes. Check with the Ranger District to see if any of the trails on which you plan to recreate with mechanized, non-motorized, and over-the-snow modes of travel have any restrictions. You can now also view and print maps showing restrictions to stock and bicycle, as well as non-motorized trails on our web site at Non-Motorized Use Trail Maps.

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Are there any ‘play areas’ or areas open to cross-country motorized travel?

No. The Lewis and Clark National Forest does not have any areas designated for cross-country motorized travel. All motorized travel must occur on designated routes as shown on the MVUM.

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What do you mean by vehicle class designation?

Vehicle class refers to certain categories of motor vehicles. The following are typical vehicle class route designations on the Lewis and Clark National Forest:

• Roads open to highway legal vehicles only

• Trails open to ATVs and motorcycles (two-track)

• Trails open to all vehicles, including highway legal vehicles

• Trails open to motorcycles only (single track)

It is important to understand that showing routes and areas as open to certain vehicle classes does not mean that they are maintained for, or suitable for, travel using those vehicles. It simply means it is legal to use them. For example, many low standard roads may be open to all motor vehicles. This designation includes passenger cars, although it may not be prudent to drive this type of vehicle on the route due to the condition of the surface or during inclement weather. Please check with the local Ranger District Offices for more information. Phone numbers, addresses and email addresses are listed on the maps, or at our Contact Us web page.

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Why are some routes only open during certain times of the year?

Some routes or areas may be open only during certain times of the year for various reasons such as to reduce wildlife disturbance, protect users from unsafe or impassable conditions, reduce conflict between users, and to reduce impacts to other resource values.

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Are there road and trail route marker signs on the ground?

Every reasonable attempt has been made that routes designated for motor vehicle use are appropriately marked with route marker signs. However, some routes may be missing route markers due to vandalism, severe weather, maintenance schedules, etc.

Travel management signs indicating motor vehicle closures, restrictions, or the prohibition of cross-country motor vehicle travel are not required for enforcement of the MVUM. Travel management signs may be used in addition to the MVUM to draw attention to the prohibition such as:

• In trespass or other problem areas with poor compliance from the public
• For educational purposes when the restriction or prohibition is new to the public
• When a route has been open historically to motor vehicles
• To avoid confusion with other prohibitions on non-motorized, mechanized or over snow use.
• To provide reassurance to the public as needed

Routes designated for motor vehicle use are identified on the MVUM. The MVUM is an enforcement tool to ensure that individuals are on the correct route. It is the responsibility of the user to determine if they are on a route designated for the motor vehicle being used, whether a route marker is present or not.

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How does the MVUM impact access to my favorite camping site?

Developed (including fee) campgrounds on the Lewis and Clark National Forest will continue to be open as in previous years. Most have gates that will be closed at the end of the summer-fall recreation season, and not re-opened until the next spring when facilities such as water pumps and toilets have received maintenance and are ready to use.

The Forest has made an effort to identify spur roads to dispersed (i.e., non-campground) campsites, and to show those roads on the MVUM. This effort is on-going, but in general, there has been no change in where and how you can access dispersed campsites when there is an existing road that accesses those sites – so your favorite ‘car camping’ site is still open for camping so long as there is a track accessing it off of a main road that is still open for public use. We encourage you to let the Forest know about those sites which might not be identified with an open route on the current MVUM, in order to help us to identify those roads, and keep your favorite campsites open for public use. If you have questions about camping, please contact the Ranger District on which you are planning on camping.

Please be aware that driving cross-country across non-disturbed ground to reach a campsite is now prohibited. Where, however, there are already established routes to campsites where natural resource damage is not taking place, we will identify those in future versions of the MVUM. Damaging Forest resources such as vegetation, streams, and riparian areas, as well as roads and trails has always been prohibited. Don’t pioneer new tracks, and be responsible when you camp so as not to disturb existing vegetation.

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How does the MVUM impact firewood gathering and other permit activities?

Activities taking place under a special permit, such as firewood gathering, mineral permits, Christmas tree cutting, range allotment activities, and others are managed by a permit system. If the permit does not specify that motor vehicles are allowed for that activity, then using a motor vehicle to carry out such activities is governed by the Motor Vehicle Use Map. If the permit specifies that motor vehicle use can occur in certain areas or on roads or trails closed to motor vehicle use by the public, the permit holder is authorized to use motor vehicles as required in the permit. Be sure that you are carrying the permit with you and abide by all stipulations outlined in the permit while carrying out that permitted activity.

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Where can I find State of Montana laws and regulations governing motorized vehicles?

Off-Highway Vehicles (OHV) traveling off-road on public lands falls under the State of Montana’s off-highway vehicle laws. For specific information about those laws, including required fees and decals required to travel off-highway on Montana public land, contact Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks State Headquarters at (406) 444-2535, or your local regional office. OHV Education information is also available at the web site..

Highway-legal vehicles (e.g, registered and licensed passenger cars and trucks, and licensed OHVs, ATV’s and motorcycles – driven by a licensed driver) are also defined by Montana law and the laws governing them must be followed on National Forest Service roads. This includes regulations such as driver licensing, child-seat use, seatbelt laws, and all other laws governing vehicles on roads within the state of Montana. Contact the Montana Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Division’s general information line at (406) 444-4536, or your local Sheriff or Highway Patrol office for information on these regulations.

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US Forest Service - Lewis and Clark National Forest
Last Modified: Monday, 14 July 2008 at 17:23:12 EDT