Blacktail Motorized Trailhead

Bighorn National Forest covers 1.1 million acres of mountain terrain in north-central Wyoming between the Big Horn Basin and the Powder River Basin, and its OHV network — over 1,200 miles of roads and 92 designated OHV trails — makes it one of the most extensive motorized recreation areas in the Rocky Mountain West. The system spans multiple ranger districts and elevation zones from 4,000 feet in the foothills to over 13,000 feet on the Cloud Peak summit plateau. The Little Goose and Red Grade Road area east of Sheridan is particularly popular for ATVs, side-by-sides, and dirt bikes during summer months, offering a mix of wide forest road riding and singletrack loops through aspen and pine forest with views of the Cloud Peak Wilderness to the southwest. OHVs are restricted to 50 inches wide across the designated system; vehicles wider than 50 inches are not permitted on OHV-designated trails (though some forest roads may accommodate wider vehicles under different designations). A Wyoming ORV registration decal is required. Multiple campgrounds throughout the forest support multi-day trips. Motor Vehicle Use Maps are the essential navigation resource — download from the Forest website or pick up at the Bighorn NF Supervisor's Office in Sheridan (307-674-2600).

Killpecker Sand Dunes OHV Area is a BLM open-riding zone within one of the largest active dune fields in North America, located in Sweetwater County near Rock Springs, Wyoming, accessed via Tri-Territory Road (County Road 4-17) off US-191 approximately 12 miles north of Rock Springs. The Killpecker Dunes extend over 100 miles in length — the OHV-open area covers roughly 11,000 acres of the central dune complex, with dunes reaching 100 feet in height and providing the kind of large-scale dune riding terrain more commonly associated with Oregon's Oregon Dunes or California's Glamis. Novice riders explore the flatter interdune areas and smaller dune faces; experienced riders tackle the large dune crests and steep face descents. All OHV types are permitted at no charge; Wyoming OHV registration is required. All OHVs must display a 8-foot safety flag whip for visibility over dune crests — this rule is non-negotiable and enforced. No permanent facilities on site; Rock Springs (12 miles) provides fuel, food, and camping supplies. Dispersed camping is allowed within the BLM area. High winds are frequent and can create blowing sand conditions; check weather forecasts before extended trips. Contact the BLM Rock Springs Field Office (307-352-0256) for current conditions.

Pole Mountain OHV Area encompasses approximately 55,000 acres of the Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest in Albany County, Wyoming, positioned directly off Interstate 80 between Laramie and Cheyenne at the Happy Jack Recreation Area exit. The I-80 corridor location makes Pole Mountain one of the most highway-accessible national forest OHV systems on the entire Front Range — riders from Denver, Fort Collins, Cheyenne, and Laramie can reach primary trailheads with minimal driving. The terrain is high-altitude Wyoming: large Sherman granite outcrops, rolling pine forest, open meadows, and wind-exposed ridgelines at elevations from 7,000 to 9,000 feet. Over 150 miles of designated ORV roads and trails crisscross the area, ranging from maintained forest roads accessible to most high-clearance vehicles to technical single-track and off-road routes. The area sees heavy recreational use from both Cheyenne and Laramie markets and is one of the more actively maintained OHV areas in the Medicine Bow district. A Wyoming ORV permit is required. Camping is available at several developed sites within the Happy Jack Recreation Area complex. The elevation and Wyoming latitude mean riding season peaks from June through September; early and late season snow is common.