Deschutes & Ochoco National Forests
Crooked River National Grassland

COHVOPS

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

General Information

The South Millican Valley OHV Trail System lies south of Highway 20 about 22 miles east of Bend. And is managed by the Prineville District of the BLM. It provides 43 miles of trails ranging in difficulty from easiest to more difficult. South Millican is an ancient lake bed so the terrain is flat to rolling hills with sagebrush, grasses and widely scattered juniper trees for vegetation. The soils are very sandy with rock outcrops and the best riding is in the fall when there is moisture. Elevation ranges from 4200-4500 feet. Three trailheads provide parking and staging areas. All trails are well signed and mapped.

The trail system provides opportunities for Class I, Class II, and Class III ATVs. About 32 miles of trails are specifically designed for Class I and Class III ATVs, which are ATVs (quads or three-wheelers) and motorcycles less than 50" in width.  The remaining 11 miles are open to Class II OHV's as well as Class I & III.  South 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 roades are closed. The trails are open to horses, mountain bikes and other recreationists so please ride sharefully.

South Millican Valley is open August 1 through November 30. It is closed the rest of the year to protect sage grouse. During the late summer months, it may also close due to extreme fire conditions. Hot dusty conditions may inhibit riding in the late summer as well.

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 about 22 miles. To get to Horse Camp South Trailhead, turn right on the Evans Well Road (County Rd 2015), continue south about ½ mile and turn right on dirt road and proceed one mile to wood corral in juniper trees. The other trailheads are located along Spencer Wells Road (County Rd. 23), turn right off Highway 20 just past Evans Well Road on to Rd 23.

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
• South Millican Valley Signing
• South Millican Valley Photos

Camping

Official parking and camping areas are located at Ford Road Trailhead, Horse Camp South Trailhead and the Evans Well Cut-off Road Trailhead. These areas are all large enough for fifth wheel trailers, motor homes and groups. Camping is allowed in dispersed sites as well. The Ford Road and Evans Well Cut-off Trailheads are right next to the paved road. Horse Camp South Trailhead requires traveling on gravel roads that are marginal. The established parking and camping areas are very primitive and none of them have water, toilets or garbage collection. Wherever you camp, please PACK IT OUT! Kiosks with maps and information are available at both the Ford Road Trailhead and the Evans Well Cut-off Road Trailhead.

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 South 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 South 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, 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 South 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 South 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