I've looked at the maps on line by the forest service. And now at 2-4 other places and the US forest service map that gives what roads are open and what type of rig can use them, it does not even show the road I would like to try. This is in Montana. The road I'm looking at even has a FS # on it. Why is it not on their road use map then?? The FS map of road use says its a 2016 version. Trying to scout a new area for this fall and trying to find access and then a trail thats closed during season to help get in a little deeper. What are some places to get a map that will show all the roads and trails and what can be used on them
road use maps
- Thread starter tom338
- Start date
TooLucky406
New member
PM me....i can help you out
rammac
Member
I know it's been a while but I've just got to say it. It's really pretty simple, if the maps that show what roads are open don't show the road you want to use then it's not an open road. I suspect that you are trying to read in to the situation what you want to see rather than what really is.
This is a common issue in Montana, the Forest Service has been closing road access quite a lot in the last few years, it's pretty common to find a road while scouting and not find it on any map. Take heart though, part of the reason that they are closing these roads is to protect the game animal's bedding and feeding areas, they are trying to reduce the traffic that disturbs the herds. What you should interpret from this is that the roads that aren't on the map become your hiking paths in to good feeding and bedding areas.
This is a common issue in Montana, the Forest Service has been closing road access quite a lot in the last few years, it's pretty common to find a road while scouting and not find it on any map. Take heart though, part of the reason that they are closing these roads is to protect the game animal's bedding and feeding areas, they are trying to reduce the traffic that disturbs the herds. What you should interpret from this is that the roads that aren't on the map become your hiking paths in to good feeding and bedding areas.
Brian in Montana
Well-known member
What rmmac said.
You might also go to the local field office. They usually have available maps that just show access. I've found those helpful a lot. I don't know how up to date they keep the websites, but the access maps are every year. And you can easily put them in your backpack.
You might also go to the local field office. They usually have available maps that just show access. I've found those helpful a lot. I don't know how up to date they keep the websites, but the access maps are every year. And you can easily put them in your backpack.
I actually sent a warden a message and he returned my call right away. I asked about 2 different roads that are not even on the road use map. He said yes they are always open to cars and trucks, the only time they are closed is if mother nature shuts them down with deep snow. I had the name of the road (forest service #) and where it went. He was familiar with both of them. The 3rd road I asked about he said was closed oct 14 thru January or something, so closed during the rifle season.
Dan O
Well-known member
In many cases if it does not say it's an open road/trail then it is closed. In the Seeley area they are removing many of the closed roads at a cost of from $2,000 to $20,000 per mile. Those costs were given by the USFS Ranger at a public meeting. Seems that's a huge cost when many projects are over looked due to lack of budget. Many of these decommissioned roads you would have issues traveling on since they are often re-contoured and covered with debris.
teamhoyt
Well-known member
A lot of the county roads dont show up very good on those maps that you look at online
