Beginner Off-Road Trails Near American Falls, Idaho

Sheep Canyon 2

This curvy and windy section of Sheep's Canyon hugs alongside the slope of the mountainside, offering beautiful views of the surrounding Sawtooth National Forest. There are loose rocky patches, especially around some of the corners.…
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Total Miles
3.8
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Fa / Su

Sheep Canyon 1

This section of trail is one continuous, long hill climb/descent depending which direction you're going. (West to East is uphill). There are some loose rocky patches scattered throughout and a few small mud ruts here…
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Total Miles
2.5
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Fa / Su

Springfield to Big Southern Butte

The route takes you from Springfield, Idaho to Big Southern Butte via part of Goodale's Cutoff. For a brief history of the cutoff see below. This trail is best ridden in the spring when the…
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Total Miles
25.1
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Fa

Heglar Canyon

This section of trail connects to a handful of other trails in the area. The northern half is more mountainous terrain as it winds its way up/down. There are mud ruts, erosion spots, and rocky…
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Total Miles
6
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Fa / Su

Lake Fork

If you're looking for an easy, scenic drive through the Sawtooth National Forest, then this trail is for you. As you drive through the little valley, beautiful views of the hills and ridges surround you.…
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Total Miles
5.7
Tech Rating
1 Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa

Scout Mountain

This trail is just outside of Pocatello. It goes into the National Forest. So there is some free camping in this area. Which is awesome. On this trail, you will gain 3,000ft in elevation. You…
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Total Miles
11
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa

Sublett

This easy dirt road starts at Sublett Reservoir, taking you around the Northern section of the lake, and leads to Sublett Campground. Other trails continue past that point. Beautiful views overlooking the reservoir. There are…
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Total Miles
2.9
Tech Rating
1 Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa

Big Southern Butte

This is an amazing ride. It is intermittently covered with decomposing granite for traction and can be fairly rough. It is well maintained as it still has a working tower. Sheer drop-offs are not for…
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Total Miles
13.5
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Wi / Fa

Pole Canyon Road

This road is easy and can be done by any AWD or 4WD vehicle, even 2WD in dry seasons; high clearance is not needed. The road can become muddy when wet, so be advised if…
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Total Miles
7.7
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa

East Dry Pole Canyon

Although short, this road is not short of great views. Enjoy the mountains in the distance and wide-open views as you twist and turn around the canyon road. This road is very easy and can…
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Total Miles
3.7
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa

Railroad Grade

Looking for a good bypass instead of taking the freeway? Well, this road is for you! Wake yourself up with a short drive through farmland, enjoy open views of the valley, and pass through cow…
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Total Miles
13.3
Tech Rating
1 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

Cotterel Mountain Road

Although this road is easy, a few small sections with some larger rocks require 4WD to get over and high clearance; it's doable with AWD and a skilled driver. Parts of the road are very…
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Total Miles
16.7
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa

Black Pine Canyon

This road is just beautiful. You can see incredible views from the desert, high mountains, thick forests, and open valleys. As for difficulty, this road can be done by pretty much any AWD or 4WD,…
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Total Miles
10.7
Tech Rating
1 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa

Arco Pass to Hurst Canyon

This 30-mile RT track takes you north out of Arco, Idaho, past the abandoned Potter Ranch, up Sheep Camp Road, and through Brier Canyon to Hurst Canyon. You gain 2000 feet in elevation, and if…
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Total Miles
14.5
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa

Arco Pass Road to Wood Canyon

This 10-mile track, each way, takes you into Wood Canyon, under the shadow of Howe Peak. Nearby peaks include the Howe Peak Ridge and Jumpoff Peak. Most of the trail is in the Challis National…
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Total Miles
9.3
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa

Idaho Falls to Wolverine Canyon

This route takes you from Idaho Falls up Bone Road, past the Bone Store, and up the Wolverine Canyon. It is a fun ride to take all year round for a Sunday drive or a…
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Total Miles
17.5
Tech Rating
1 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa

Wood Canyon to Arco Pass

This track connects the Arco Pass Road to Wood Canyon Trail to the Arco Pass to Hurst Canyon Trail. You are in the Challis National Forest at elevations between 6300 and 7800. If you're here…
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Total Miles
3.3
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa

King Mountain to King Border

This track gives you access to the hang glider launch on King Mountain, as well as to the numerous trails north of Moore, Idaho, and Arco, Idaho. Directions from each town are included below. You…
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Total Miles
8.1
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa

Beaverland Pass to Natural Arch

This trail leads to the Natural Arch, which is only visible if you hike up to it. The 2-hour completion time includes the hike at the end. You're in the Challis National Forest at about…
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Total Miles
3.1
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa

Arco Pass to Horsethief Canyon

Horsethief Canyon is roughly 20 miles out of Arco, Idaho, and if you follow Arco Pass, including all of the side spurs, this is a full-day trip round-trip track. You go deep into the Challis…
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Total Miles
1.4
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa

Arco Pass to Horsethief Spur #6

This 1.6-mile track takes you a little further into Horsethief Canyon and then down into Spur #6, deep in the Challis National Forest. Elk and deer are plentiful at different times of the year. The…
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Total Miles
1.5
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa

Beaverland Pass to Hang Glider Launch

This 4-mile track takes you to over 8000 feet on King Mountain in the Challis National Forest. The views are spectacular. This trail includes rocky steep inclines and declines. If hang gliders are using the…
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Total Miles
3.9
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa

Hammond Canyon To Appendicitis Hill

West of Arco, Idaho, Hammond Canyon Road takes you onto BLM lands around Appendicitis Hill. This 4-mile trail connects to Appendicitis Hill Spurs #1 - #6, and it generally follows Hammond Canyon Road into the…
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Total Miles
3.8
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa

Arco Pass to Horsethief Spur #5

This 2-mile track takes you deeper into Horsethief Canyon and out Spur #5. You are at about 6700 feet in the Challis National Forest, where the opportunities for wildlife viewing are abundant. This is an…
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Total Miles
2
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa

Arco Pass to Iron Creek

This 2-mile track takes you further down the Arco Pass Road to the Iron Creek Spur into Corral Canyon. The views are amazing, the wildlife is plentiful, and the scenery is hard to beat. You're…
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Total Miles
1.8
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa

Arco Pass to Horsethief Spur #3

This 3-mile track goes from Arco Pass to Hurst Canyon Trail further into the Challis National Forest. Opportunities to see wildlife increase the further into the National Forest you go. If you're here in the…
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Total Miles
2.8
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa

Hammond Canyon Spur

This trail takes you a little deeper into the Appendicitis Hill Wilderness Study Area and up to 6800 feet. Opportunities for backpacking, hiking, wildlife viewing, climbing, sightseeing, and photography are available here. The area is…
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Total Miles
3.2
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa

Timbered Dome - Hammond Spring Creek

This 8-mile RT trail takes you around Timbered Dome, out one spur trail, and then down into Hammond Spring Creek Canyon. It's a beautiful ride along the beautiful Hammond Spring Creek. In the fall, the…
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Total Miles
3.2
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa

Appendicitis Hill Spur 2

This half-mile spur into the Appendicitis Hill Wilderness Study Area takes you to 6381 feet. Opportunities for backpacking, hiking, wildlife viewing, climbing, sightseeing, and photography are available here. The area is steep and rugged, so…
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Total Miles
0.6
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa

Hammond Canyon to Appendicitis Hill

This trail takes you a little deeper into the Appendicitis Hill Wilderness Study Area and up to 7000 feet. Opportunities for backpacking, hiking, wildlife viewing, climbing, sightseeing, and photography are available here. The area is…
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Total Miles
3.6
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa