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The Elk City Wagon Road (Forest Service Road #284) is a historic 53-mile route that connects Harpster to Elk City, Idaho. This is not a single-track trail system, but rather an old, unmaintained mining and wagon road. The main route is generally hard-packed with some loose, chunky rocks and features narrow sections, rough terrain, and tight switchbacks. While the road is open to motorcycles, it is best suited for high-clearance vehicles and is not recommended for large RVs or vehicles with trailers. The route offers a scenic journey through diverse landscapes, from rolling fields to dense forests, and has a few side trails for additional exploration.
The trail system is open year-round, but snow at higher elevations can restrict travel until mid-to-late summer. In the winter, the route is popular with snowmobilers. The road is marked at each mile and road junction with "Elk City WR" markers, but riders should be prepared for a long journey, as the drive can take 4-6 hours. As this is a primitive, remote route, it is essential to contact the Red River Ranger District for current road conditions before attempting the ride.Dirt Bike Trail System
Elk City Wagon Road
AKA: Nez Perce And Clearwater National Forests, Red River Ranger District, Newsome Creek, Southern Nez Perce Trail, Mountain House Way Station, Newsome Campground, Pilot Knob, Pilot Rock, Nugget Peak Trail, Sing Lee Campground
Elk City, ID
Off-Road Trails
Trail System Statistics
Braaply Rating
Good
Miles of Trail
50 miles
Elevation Range
1600 to 6200 ft.
Operating Season
All Year
About Elk City Wagon Road
The Elk City Wagon Road (Forest Service Road #284) is a historic 53-mile route that connects Harpster to Elk City, Idaho. This is not a single-track trail system, but rather an old, unmaintained mining and wagon road. The main route is generally hard-packed with some loose, chunky rocks and features narrow sections, rough terrain, and tight switchbacks. While the road is open to motorcycles, it is best suited for high-clearance vehicles and is not recommended for large RVs or vehicles with trailers. The route offers a scenic journey through diverse landscapes, from rolling fields to dense...
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Terrain Details
Surface Types
Loose Dirt
Little
Hard Pack
Mostly
Sand
None
Rocks
Few
Natural Features
Trees
Lots
Steep Hills
Few
Water Crossings
Few
Trail Features
Small Jumps
None
Large Jumps
None
Berms
None
Pits
None
Trail Types
Singletrack
None
Roads
Lots
Traffic & Safety
Hazards
Few
Difficulty Levels
Novice Terrain
Mostly
Amateur Terrain
Little
Expert Terrain
None
Terrain Difficulty
Mostly beginner-intermediate terrain.
Trail Maintenance
Trails are marked, though not rated for difficulty, and somewhat maintained.
Terrain Hazards
Watch out for a few areas with hazards (assumed marked but use caution).
Getting Here & Info
Parking
No parking fees reported.
Camping
Camping is allowed in developed sites only.
Permit Required
Yes
Permit Info
Idaho OHV Registration Sticker
Operating Season
All Year
Trailhead Coordinates
45.8251577, -115.4436421
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Events at Elk City Wagon Road(Loading...)