Motor Vehicle Use Maps
A Motorized Vehicle Use Map (MVUM) is a legal document that shows which National Forest System (NFS) roads and trails are open to public motor vehicle use. If a road or trail does not appear on the map, it means that it is not open to public motor vehicular use. MVUMs also display:
- allowed uses by vehicle class, such as highway-legal vehicles, vehicles up to 50 inches in width, and motorcycles;
- seasonal allowances;
- distance allowances; and
- information on other travel rules and regulations.
The MVUM is a black and white map with no topographic features. It is best used with a Forest Visitor Map or other detailed map. The MVUM will be updated as needed to correct mapping errors or discrepancies and update travel decisions.
If you plan on camping, driving off-highway vehicles, hunting, or exploring the backcountry; please make sure you review the appropriate MVUM to know which routes are open to motor vehicle use. For more information, please visit MVUM Frequently Asked Questions and KNOW BEFORE YOU GO!
Hard Copy Motor Vehicle Use Maps
Hard copy MVUMs are free to the public at each district or area office and at the Supervisor’s Office. The maps are also available for free through the Avenza app.
Motor Vehicle Use Map Frequently Asked Questions
Maps will be posted on this website and paper copies of these maps will be available free of charge at each of the Sawtooth National Forest offices. Maps are also available for free in the Avenza Maps Store in the Avenza Maps App.
There are two maps for the Minidoka Ranger District, East and Cassia. , and one map each for the Fairfield and Ketchum Ranger Districts, as well as the Sawtooth National Recreation Area. Currently all of the maps are available at Sawtooth National Forest Offices and posted to the website. The maps are also available for free through the Avenza app.
Hard copy motor vehicle use maps are free to the public at each district or area office and at the Supervisor’s Office. If you are not close enough to visit one of our offices, you may choose to print your own map. A full-size version of the motor vehicle use maps is 36” x 44” and cannot be printed at scale on conventional home printers. As government work products, the maps are public domain, so many local copy shops, engineering and survey businesses can print the map at full size.
Small portions of the motor vehicle use maps can be printed at home on Letter-sized paper. With Adobe Acrobat®, use the “Print Current View” function to print the view on your screen. It is recommended that the legend box be printed to aid in interpretation of the MVUM.
- The map displays all National Forest System (NFS) roads, trails and designated areas allowing public motor vehicle use. The level of use permitted is commonly referred to as a road's designation. The map also reinforces that driving off designated roads and trails is prohibited (36 CFR 261.13).
- Motorized use includes, but is not limited to, Motorcycles, ATV’s, and 4-wheel drive vehicles.
- Designation details include vehicle class, time of year use is permitted, and where motorized access for the purpose of dispersed camping (camping in established locations other than campgrounds).
- The MVUM also shows roads where only highway-legal vehicles are allowed because of user safety considerations.
Limited motor vehicle access may occur on routes not shown on the MVUM for the purpose of administrative access by Forest Service personnel; for fire and law enforcement; for emergency purposes; and by persons authorized by a written special use permit or contract from the Forest Service.
No, a visitor map or recreation opportunity map will provide information on over-snow and non-motorized routes, including mechanized trails, hiking, and horse trails.
Over-snow vehicle use is exempted from designations on the MVUM. Regardless of what other maps, including the Forest Visitor Maps, may show as motorized routes, only those routes identified on the MVUM are designated as open to public motorized use and legal for public motorized travel.
Vehicle classes refer to size or type of motorized vehicles. The following are typical MVUM vehicle class and route designations:
- Roads open to all vehicles (licensed and unlicensed)
- Roads open to highway legal vehicles only
- Trails open to all (full size) vehicles (trails may be rugged and narrow- intended for 4x4s)
- Trails open to vehicles 50 inches in width or less (ATV, motorcycle, etc.)
- Trails open to motorcycles only (single track)
It’s important to understand that routes and areas shown open to certain vehicle classes does not mean they are maintained for or suitable for travel using those vehicles. It simply means it is legal to use them. For example, many low standard roads may be open to all motor vehicles. This designation includes passenger cars, although it may not be prudent to drive this type of vehicle on the route due to the condition of the surface or during inclement weather.
Seasonal road designations on MVUMs show when roads are open and closed. Some routes or areas may only be open during certain times of the year. Reasons for these seasonal road designations include:
- reducing wildlife disturbance,
- protecting users from unsafe or impassable conditions, and
- reducing impacts to other resource values, like soil, water, and vegetation.
In some cases, a route marker may exist at the entrance of the road or trail with symbols indicating which classes of vehicles are allowed. While our goal is to maintain markers at the primary junctions of most, if not all, roads and trails, forest users are ultimately responsible for familiarizing themselves with road designations on MVUMS and ensuring their mode of travel is compliant. MVUMs are not only a tool for motorized users, but also a consistent and standardized law enforcement tool.
Law enforcement officers regularly patrol National Forest System lands. If they encounter someone in violation of the MVUM designations, they can issue a notice of violation anytime after a new MVUM is made publicly available.