Deschutes & Ochoco National Forests
Crooked River National Grassland

COHVOPS

Welcome! to the Prineville BLM's North Millican Valley OHV Trail System

General Information

The North Millican Valley lies north of Highway 20, about 24 miles east of Bend and is managed by the Prineville District of the Bureau of Land Management. The 102 miles of trails are well signed and provide a full range of difficulty from easiest to most difficult. Three trailheads/staging areas provide access to the trails. The terrain is typical of the High Desert, with rolling hills covered with sagebrush and juniper trees. The soils are sandy with scattered rock outcrops. The best riding is in the spring or fall when there is moisture. Elevation in the North Millican Valley ranges from 3300-4200 feet.

The trails system provides opportunities for Class I, Class II and Class III ATVs. Of the 102 miles of trails, 24 are open to all three classes of ATV's the rest are specifically designed for Class I and Class III ATV's which are ATV's (quads or three-wheelers) and motorcycles less than 50" wide. North Millican Valley is not an OHV park. Off-highway vehicles are allowed on designated routes and areas only. If it is not signed as open, it is closed. Non-street legal motorcycles and ATV's are only permitted on Shared Use Roads. All other roads are closed. The trails are open to horses, mountain bikes and other recreationists so please ride sharefully.

North Millican Valley OHV Area is part of the Deer Winter Range and therefore is closed from December 1 through April 30. During the summer, hot, dry conditions may close the area due to extreme fire conditions. Individual trails may be temporarily closed for maintenance and reconstruction or to provide resource protection.

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

How To Get There

From Bend: Follow Highway 20 east 25 miles. The ODOT Pit OHV Play Area is about one mile east of Millican on the North side of Highway 20. To get to the other staging areas, continue about 2 miles on Highway 20 and turn left on West Butte Road. OHV trails and routes are located from Highway 20 to Kitchen Hill along and across West Butte Road.

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 -- Prineville District BLM, 3050 NE Third, Prineville, OR  97754, (541) 416-6700
• Field Manager -- Prineville District BLM, 3050 NE Third, Prineville, OR  97754, (541) 416-6700

Maps, Signs, and Photos

• OHV Trail System Map for Millican Plateau, North Millican Valley, and South Millican Valley
  • Full Map - 1367 K
  • Full Map - on 8.5" x 11" - 376 K
  • Larger Maps - on four 8.5" x 11" pages
    • NW Quarter of Large Map - 144 K
    • NE Quarter of Large Map - 182 K
    • SW Quarter of Large Map - 185 K
    • SE Quarter of Large Map - 181 K
  • Partial Maps - will fit on 8.5" x 11" page
    • South Millican Area Map - 146 K
    • North Millican Area Map - 179 K
    • Millican Plateau Area Map - 181 K
    • Map Legend - 31 K
• North Millican Valley Signing
• North Millican Valley Photos

Camping

Camping is allowed at any of the many dispersed sites throughout the Millican Valley. There are parking and camping areas at the West Butte Road Staging Area, the Horse Camp North Trailhead, the Cinder Pit OHV Play Area and the Millican/ODOT Play Area. All sites are large enough to accommodate groups, fifth wheel trailers and motor homes. All sites are primitive with no water or garbage collection. The ODOT Play Area is the only one with facilities. There are two portable toilets and kiosks located within the Millican/ODOT Play Area. With the exception of the Millican/ODOT Play Area, all areas require traveling on gravel roads to reach them. During the riding season the roads can get "wash-boarded". The Millican/ODOT Play Area is located along Highway 20 and is easily accessible.

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 from April 1 to October 31.

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

Safety

The North Millican Valley 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 and BLM personnel have radios and can give assistance.  There is a cellular phone repeater on the east end of Pine Mountain and coverage is fair for most of the area.

All trails in North Millican Valley area 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 and 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.

• 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 North Millican Valley 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 the North Millican Valley. 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.