Public Lands – Owyhee Canyon Lands

02. April 2026 · Write a comment · Categories: Around The Campfire, Public Lands

For many travelers, a summer adventure means photographing or traversing some of Mother Nature’s incredible works of art. Unfortunately, many of the iconic National Parks are so crowded that they require reservations in advance. If you’re looking for challenging hikes, excellent fishing, breathtaking canyon views, and epic whitewater without the crowds, consider the spectacular Owyhee Canyonlands, locally known as “The Big Quiet.” This largely untouched area covers nearly 9 million acres of Eastern Oregon, Southwestern Idaho, and Northern Nevada, beckoning visitors with an incredibly diverse range of geologic features, desert life, and adventurous experiences.

As the Owyhee Canyonlands stretch for hundreds of miles, there are several points of entry. The closest major metropolitan area with an airport is Boise. If you’re flying in, you’ll need to rent a 4×4 with high ground clearance and drive nearly 90 minutes to get to the edge of the wilderness area. Double-check that your rental car agreement permits off-road driving, or consider a specialty company such as Ribik.  READ MORE

 

E-bikes on Idaho Trails (Boise)

02. April 2026 · Write a comment · Categories: BCHI /BCHA, Current Events, Safety

Watch VIDEO

On a quiet foothills trail, the hum of an electric bike is becoming a more common sound.

E-bikes are growing in popularity nationwide and are increasingly showing up across the Ridge to Rivers trail system in Boise. But Trail Manager David Gordon says many riders are using them in places where they are not allowed.

Despite signage posted throughout the system, Gordon said riders continue to bring e-bikes onto nonmotorized trails.

“Even though we’ve got our trails signed everywhere, we’re finding people riding e-bikes all over the place,” Gordon said.

Under current federal guidelines, e-bikes are classified as motorized vehicles. Because of that, they are only permitted on two motorized trails within the Ridge to Rivers system: Eighth Street Motorcycle Trail No. 4 and Femrites Patrol Trail No. 6.

“They’re really still only allowed on our two motorized trails, because federally, they’re still classified as a motorized vehicle,” Gordon said.

Gordon said the technology allows riders to travel farther and access areas that may otherwise be difficult to reach, which can lead to unintended impacts.

He said a growing concern goes beyond traditional e-bikes to include electric motorcycles, which are heavier and capable of higher speeds.

“They’re heavier, they go a lot faster,” Gordon said.

He said many of the riders using electric motorcycles are younger, including junior high and high school students. Some of the bikes can reach speeds of up to 30 miles per hour, creating safety risks on narrow, multi-use trails.

“There’s lots of people out there — little kids, dogs, older people — anyone that can be out there not expecting something coming around like a little motorcycle at a high rate of speed,” Gordon said.

In addition to safety concerns, officials say the vehicles can cause damage when riders leave designated trails.

“Thirty miles an hour is not uncommon, and they’re heavier, and those are really a safety concern, as well as the fact that they can easily travel off trail,” Gordon said.

As the busy trail season approaches, Ridge to Rivers officials say enforcement and signage will continue, but they emphasize that protecting the system ultimately depends on users.

“It takes the community to manage our trail system,” Gordon said.