Deschutes & Ochoco National Forests
Crooked River National Grassland

COHVOPS

Welcome! to the Deschutes N.F.'s East Fort Rock OHV Trail System

General Information

The East Fort Rock OHV trail system lies on the east side of the Bend/Fort Rock Ranger District of the Deschutes National Forest. Trails are well signed and mapped and provide a full range of difficulty from easiest to most difficult. There are two staging areas, two trailheads, and four designated play areas. It provides 318 miles of trail for casual and competitive use covering about 110,000 acres and ranging in elevation from 4400 to 6400 feet.

The trail system is designed for Class I and Class III ATVs which are quads or three-wheelers and motorcycles less than 50" in width. East Fort Rock is not an OHV park. Off-highway vehicles are allowed on designated routes and areas only. Non-street legal motorcycles and ATV's are only permitted to ride roads designated as Shared Use. If it is not signed as open, it is closed. The trails are open to horses, mountain bikes, and other recreationists, so please watch for others and ride sharefully.

The trail system is open all year, however hot, dusty conditions normally inhibit riding from mid-July through September and cold, snowy conditions inhibit riding from mid-December through March. About half of the project area is within the Fox Butte Green Dot Area which restricts access to designated roads during the general deer hunting season. This is roughly a two-week period form late September to mid-October, and any roads or trails within the Green Dot Area will be subject to Green Dot restrictions. Individual trails may be temporarily closed for maintenance, reconstruction, or to provide resource protection.

These trails and facilities are being developed and maintained for your enjoyment through a cooperative effort by the Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, Oregon ATV Fund, Central Oregon Motorcycle and ATV Club, and many other volunteers.

How To Get There

From Bend: Follow Hwy. 20 east about 20 miles. After crossing the Horse Ridge Summit, turn right on the second road, Spencer Well Road (paved Road 23). Proceed south for 5.5 miles until the road forks. Take paved Road 25 to the right and follow the signs to the Camp II Trailhead.

From La Pine: Take the Finley Butte Road (paved Road 22) east about 24 miles and follow the signs to the South Lava Trailhead.

Know Before You Go. Call Ahead For Information.

For any questions relating to trails, closures, conduct, rules, regulations and/or concerns please contact...

• OHV Hotline -- 24 hour recorded information, (541) 383-4010
• OHV Specialist -- Bend/Fort Rock Ranger District, 1230 NE 3rd St., Suite A-262, Bend, OR, 97701, (541) 383-4004
• District Ranger -- Bend/Fort Rock Ranger District, 1230 NE 3rd St., Suite A-262, Bend, OR, 97701, (541) 383-4000

Maps, Signs, and Photos

• Trail Maps
  • Small Map - 150 K jpg file - 8.5" x 11"
  • Large Map - 1.95 M pdf file
• East Fort Rock Signing
• East Fort Rock Photos

Camping

Road 2510 Staging Area, 25 Staging Area, Camp II Trailhead and South Lava Trailhead all have vault toilets and information kiosks with maps. In addition, there are two primitive campgrounds, China Hat and Sand Springs. Both have vault toilets and maps are available. All camp areas can accommodate large motor homes and fifth wheel trailers. Additionally, all areas have areas for groups to park. The staging areas are primitive with no water. There is no garbage collection so, please PACK IT OUT! The closest RV park with hook-ups is at East Lake Resort in Newberry Crater, however, there is no legal OHV access to trails in East Fort Rock. Access to the staging areas all requires travel on gravel or dirt roads. The staging area closest to pavement is the 25 Staging Area but it is located on a dusty dirt road about 1/4 mile from road 25. Camping is also allowed at any of the many dispersed campsites throughout the riding area.

Fire

Campfires are permitted, but please keep them small and don't leave them unattended. High winds and dry conditions can fuel a wildfire even at unlikely times of the year. Spark arrestors are required on your OHVs, chainsaws, and generators year round.

Later in the summer, there may be restrictions on campfires, smoking, BBQs, and off-road use, so please check at the Bend/Fort Rock Ranger District office or watch for regulations posted at trailheads, staging areas and major access roads.

Safety

The East Fort Rock area is remote and visitors should be equipped to be self-sufficient. Riders should wear appropriate safety gear, carry a first aid kit, and never ride alone. Most Forest Service personnel have radios and can give assistance. Telephones are located at the East Lake Resort in the Newberry National Volcanic Monument. East Butte Lookout is operational from late May to mid-October. There is a cellular phone repeater on the east end of Pine Mountain and coverage is fair for most of the project area.

All trails in East Fort Rock are two-way. Many of the trails are tight and narrow and are maintained in a manner to provide a primitive trail experience. Thus, there are numerous blind turns, hikers, other riders, horses or mountain bikes should be anticipated around every turn. Rocks and logs will be slippery when wet. Riding fast is hazardous and not recommended.

Tips For Forest Trails

• Ride defensively
• Keep to the right
• Watch for other recreationists
• Single file traveling
• Don't ride in the dust of others
  

Soils

The dry, loose soils in East Fort Rock can be easily impacted and displaced. However, proper alignment, construction, and maintenance can minimize these impacts. Our task is to bring these trails up to standard and keep them there, which may mean temporary trail closures while work is being performed. Your task is to stay on the designated trails and areas and, as always, Tread Lightly!

Plants

Plant life on the High Desert is sparse and fragile which makes its role in the ecosystem even more critical. Not only do plants dazzle us with delicate beauty, they also help stabilize the soil, provide needed nutrients, retain moisture, and provide food and shelter for all forms of wildlife. Some of the plants are listed as Sensitive Species and are mandated to be protected. You can help protect these plants and maintain a healthy ecosystem by staying on the designated trails and areas.

Noxious weeds are plants that are not natural residents of this ecosystem. Some are poisonous, spread rapidly, and can out-compete native plants for light and water. Seeds from noxious weeds can lodge in tires or tight places on your OHV and other vehicles and can easily be transported from place to place. The spread of these weeds can be reduced by thoroughly washing your equipment before leaving home.

Wildlife

There are many forms of wildlife in East Fort Rock. Please remember that this is their home seven days a week and that you are a visitor. You can avoid being an intruder by keeping your noise down and staying on the designated trails. When you encounter wildlife, slow down, watch and enjoy them, but keep moving.