Description
Tucked in the high desert of the Owyhee Front near Melba in Owyhee County, Hemingway Butte OHV Trailhead (often called Hemingway Butte OHV Park) is a favorite desert playground for dirt bike and dual-sport motorcycle riders.
Just 45 minutes southwest of Boise, this BLM-managed area offers a large staging lot, loading ramps, restrooms, and access to hundreds of miles of moderate-to-difficult trails, sand washes, hill climbs, and a 200-acre open play area with jumps and motocross-style tracks.
Motocross, enduro, and ADV riders enjoy the rocky, sandy terrain for fun, technical riding—especially popular in winter when higher trails are snowed in. Respect BLM rules, watch for other riders/ATVs, pack in/pack out, and ride safe in the loose desert conditions.
More Information
Coordinates: 43.329077, -116.649548
Elevation: 2500 ft
Difficulty: 2
What to Expect:
Check In
Use the form below to check in. Check-ins must include a photo of you or your bike at the challenge site with the 2026 bandanna. All participants must be registered IAMC Challenge Members. Leave a description of your ride and share road conditions — snow, water, obstacles, and tips for future riders are all appreciated.
Replying to another person's check-in is encouraged, but take care not to accidentally create your own check-in.
The stated difficulty is an estimate. Rating your experience helps future riders stay safe. You alone are responsible for the safety of your ride.
11 Check-Ins
I've had a lot of learning on a dirt bike here at Hemingway and the surrounding Murphy area. Paved except to the gravel parking lot.
From the top. Easy ride in. We left taking the dirt path to the north and then turned to the west. Filleed the dirt road out to the power lines then take the first right. It runs you into the back of a neighborhood that wind up back on the highway
Only went up the first one. Havent done much out here on the bine bike.
Another site for today. This looks like a great place to take kids to get some riding practice. Would have liked to climb some of these hills but didn't want to embarrass myself on front of all the 15 year old on dirt bikes
Lots of families out in the dirt today. I like to see the little kids hitting the whoops on their 50s having a blast.
