Capital Trail Vehicle Association

09/21/2026

😀

The Capital Trail Vehicle Association (CTVA) is one of several volunteer groups working on projects across the forest. This Helena-based club focuses on responsible motorized trail use and collaborates with our forest on access and trail-related projects. Their involvement on the Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest goes back to the 1990s!

Over the past decade, CTVA has applied for and received more than $250,000 in grant funding aimed at improving motorized trails and trailheads. In 2026, the club reported clearing ~20 miles of trail. Visitors can also thank them for the picnic pavilion and vault toilet at the Never Sweat trailhead and a vault toilet at Hellgate trailhead, as well as signage in the York area.

📸Vault toilet at the Never Sweat Trailhead courtesy of a grant CTVA was awarded in 2019.

05/22/2026

Have a fun weekend at the CTVA Fun Run

04/04/2026

Something to know about.

AVALANCHE GULCH (Helena area access issues)

Note: I have been asked to address this by quite a few people. I stomped my little feet and said NO many times. But if I am going to have to address this over and over anyway, I might as well get it done all at once. You win. lol - So, here goes. **********

What's UP: A couple of tracks of private land changed hands recently in the Avalanche Gulch area (east of Helena). The new landowner is trying to prevent public access to historical trails and roads that pass through their properties. These are public easement issues that could even close the western side of the main access road into Avalanche Gulch. He cannot close the entire road, just potentially, the part passing through his land. This is NOT an all-or-nothing situation.

So far, these issues have sadly affected hiking and ATV trails, but this latest lawsuit seeks to close or alter Avalanche Gulch Road, affecting ALL access to this area.

I am not sure what the answer is to this particular access issue, let alone the general problem of new owners closing historically accessible routes, but I believe something must be done. Likely by the Montana Legislature. It is too late to intervene in this particular lawsuit. It is currently stayed by the court while negotiations occur. This indicates it has already gone too far to stop or, likely, have any effect on, at all. However, we need to do something about new (yes, often out-of-state) owners closing long-standing access roads and trails that were there long before they purchased a property. It will be a VERY complicated issue and, I think, can only be cured by changes in Montana law. That is where we ALL can do something. We can, and should, demand that our legislators address this issue.

For more information on the potential process and this particular situation, as well as a couple more access situations currently happening in Montana, here (link in the comments) is a great report by the Public Land Water Access Association (PLWA).

I know... It's kind of long, but please take the time to read this (via the link in the comments).

Don't tell me you care and then refuse to read anything longer than 50 or 100 words. We stand no chance if you don't care more than that.

The Avalanche Gulch situation starts at the end of page 5, but there is valuable information throughout the document, so please take the time to read the entire thing. It is one of the best explanations of the problem and process I have seen.

(link in the comments...if you share this, please share the link as well.)

NOTICE: Before you go blowing up on the wrong people (any more than some already have), this is not about the Galt family or Galt Ranch property.

03/24/2026

Friends,
The Fish Creek Collaborative trail proposals have been released and are out for public comment. A special thanks to those whose served on the Collaborative and Advisory Panel. They worked very hard to get important points into the document.
Here is the link to the FWP Press Release.
https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/MTFWP/bulletins/40ebf3d
Click on the yellow box at the bottom. This will take you to the FWP Fish Creek State Park website. Scroll down the page to "Fish Creek Trails Collaborative: Recommendations" click to view. The yellow "Submit Public Comment" will open the comment form.

Your voice is important. I urge everyone to submit comments. This should include responses from individuals as well as organizations.

The comment deadline is April 17.

The document is fairly lengthy. Pages 9-11 contain the majority of OHV (multiple-use) proposals. Here are a few key points in the document that need our support:
• There are two requests on page 10 for FWP to utilize the Fish Creek Alternative map for trail development. Our Fish Creek Coalition submitted the Fish Creek Alternative map, Multiple-Use Management Plan, and Project Phasing documents. It would be helpful if comments on the project supported all three of these documents.
• Specific route additions and connections to neighboring public lands. Pg.9
• "Use the existing road system to create 66" riding trails" & "OHV riders prefer riding on trails vs roads" pg. 9-10. This is crucial. The conversion of roads to trails would greatly improve the riding experience. This would also qualify the area for grant funds available for trail construction and maintenance.
• For the trail system to be considered a destination, there needs to be adequate mileage for several days of riding consisting of loops and destinations with options in the 100-200 mile range. This would bring economic benefits to local communities as well.
• "Provide a network of single-track trails for motorcycles and e-bikes to share." Proposal suggests trails 20-40 miles in length, utilizing existing roadbeds showing regrowth to provide a single-track experience.
• It's important to note all of these multiple-use routes, funded by motorized users, would be open to ALL types of uses.
• Develop OHV education facility. Page 11, Recommendation #30. An FWP supported facility or area designated for OHV training, safety and education would demonstrate to the public a proactive approach to responsible recreation management and establish a partnership between FWP and the OHV community. Serving as a classroom with access to a recreational trail system, the area could be utilized by other groups as well. FWP regularly receives complaints from landowners enrolled in the Block Management program concerning irresponsible OHV use on their land. The FWP Hunter Education program would have an excellent facility to educate the public on ethical OHV use.

Thanks to the Coalition and supporters of multiple-use recreation!
• Capital Trail Vehicle Association
• Citizens for Balanced Use
• Great Falls Trail Bike Riders Association
• Ravalli County Off Road User Association
• Scenic Montana Trails
• Montana Trail Vehicle Association
• West End ATV Association
• Western Montana Trail Riders Association

FWP seeking public input on recommendations from the Fish Creek Collaborative trail planning effort Montana FWP sent this bulletin at 03/17/2026 02:33 PM MDT View as a webpage / Share FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 17, 2026 FWP seeking public input on recommendations from the Fish Creek Collaborative....

03/03/2026

A REMINDER:
Montana State Conservation License

Yearly conservation license annual renewal is March 1st of each year.

Who needs a Conservation License?
March 1 is the start of a new license year. Everyone ages 12 and older needs a Montana Conservation License to access most state lands. This includes all types of recreation—launching watercraft, hiking, biking, wildlife viewing, parking, unloading, etc.

Where do you need a Conservation License?
The FWP tells us:
𝘈 𝘊𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘦𝘳𝘷𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘓𝘪𝘤𝘦𝘯𝘴𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘳𝘦𝘲𝘶𝘪𝘳𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘢𝘤𝘤𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘮𝘰𝘴𝘵 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘴, 𝘪𝘯𝘤𝘭𝘶𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘧𝘪𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘤𝘤𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘴𝘪𝘵𝘦𝘴 (𝘍𝘈𝘚), 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘥𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘦 𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘢𝘨𝘦𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘢𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘴 (𝘞𝘔𝘈), 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘥𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘦 𝘩𝘢𝘣𝘪𝘵𝘢𝘵 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘵𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘢𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘴 (𝘞𝘏𝘗𝘈). 𝘔𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘢 𝘚𝘵𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘗𝘢𝘳𝘬𝘴 𝘥𝘰 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘳𝘦𝘲𝘶𝘪𝘳𝘦 𝘢 𝘊𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘦𝘳𝘷𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘓𝘪𝘤𝘦𝘯𝘴𝘦.

𝘗𝘦𝘰𝘱𝘭𝘦 𝘳𝘦𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘰𝘯 𝘔𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘢 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘵𝘳𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘴 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘪𝘰𝘶𝘴𝘭𝘺 𝘣𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘳𝘦𝘲𝘶𝘪𝘳𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘱𝘶𝘳𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘴𝘦 𝘢𝘯 𝘢𝘥𝘥𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘭 𝘚𝘵𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘓𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘴 𝘙𝘦𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘭 𝘜𝘴𝘦 𝘓𝘪𝘤𝘦𝘯𝘴𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘢𝘤𝘤𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘴𝘦 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘵𝘪𝘦𝘴. 𝘞𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘯𝘦𝘸 𝘭𝘢𝘸, 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘶𝘳𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘴𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘢 𝘊𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘦𝘳𝘷𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘓𝘪𝘤𝘦𝘯𝘴𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘪𝘴 𝘳𝘦𝘲𝘶𝘪𝘳𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘢𝘤𝘤𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘴.

How does that affect us as Off-Road Enthusiasts?
Do you use Fishing Access Sites to load and unload or as air-down/up points? Then you need this license. You need this license, even if you are not fishing. Same for just stopping at one to eat lunch.

Are you recreating on State Trust Lands?
Yes, that includes just driving through or parking in Fishing Access Sites, Wildlife Management Areas, wildlife habitat protection areas (WHPAs), and Montana state trust lands. All require a Conservation License. Montana State Parks do not.

So, just as some local examples where this can apply: If you access the popular McCarty Creek Trail (near Boulder), you drive through Montana State Trust Lands. The Boulder side parking area is on Trust Lands. Many people and clubs use the Salmonfly Fishing Access, just outside Melrose, Montana, to load, unload, and/or air up/down. A Conservation License is required for both examples as they are considered "recreating".

A Conservation License is NOT required to access State Parks, such as Elkhorn State Park (ghost Town) or Missouri Headwaters State Park.

𝙄𝙛 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙥𝙪𝙧𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙨𝙚 𝙖 𝙛𝙞𝙨𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜, 𝙝𝙪𝙣𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜, 𝙤𝙧 𝙩𝙧𝙖𝙥𝙥𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙡𝙞𝙘𝙚𝙣𝙨𝙚, 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙖𝙡𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙙𝙮 𝙜𝙚𝙩 𝙖 𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙨𝙚𝙧𝙫𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙡𝙞𝙘𝙚𝙣𝙨𝙚 𝙖𝙨 𝙥𝙖𝙧𝙩 𝙤𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙥𝙧𝙤𝙘𝙚𝙨𝙨.

CORRECTION: I erroneously posted that you need this permit to use the restrooms at FWP sites...that is not correct. You are, in fact, "good to go" without a permit.

Logo is the property of the State of Montana & FWP

01/02/2026

Join us on Sunday, January 11 to learn about forest products and recreational opportunities on the Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest. The open house will take place at Moose Creek Cabin just west of Helena near Rimini. Visit: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r01/helena-lewisclark/newsroom/releases/helena-lewis-and-clark-national-forest-hosts-public-event to learn more. Hikes depart at 1 p.m., 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. - visit: https://forms.office.com/g/pjTgKVh3EK to register.

📸Moose Creek Cabin in winter (USDA Forest Service photo by C. Cipriano)

01/01/2026

Have a Happy New Year.

Safe travels and trails to you all!!

11/07/2025

After a lot time spent getting the Neversweat pavilion completed it is ready for all to use. It has taken a good crew to get this accomplished. Sure hope the public will enjoy it and take care of it.

10/01/2025

09/19/2025

Acting Irresponsibly Out on the Trail Is Dangerous

(By Doug Russell | Colorado SxS Adventures)

We all love a good ride—the wind in your face, the hum of your machine, and that feeling of freedom you just can’t get sitting at home. But let’s be real: acting irresponsibly out on the trail doesn’t just put you at risk—it endangers everyone around you.

The Ripple Effect of One Bad Decision

When someone decides to ride beyond their ability, ignore trail etiquette, or show off for the wrong reasons, it doesn’t stop with them. Their mistake can cause wrecks, shut down a trail, or leave others scrambling to clean up the mess. I’ve seen it too many times: the guy blasting around blind corners, the group tearing through meadows, or the driver with nine people crammed into a four-seater like it’s a clown car at the circus. It takes one bad move, and suddenly it’s an ambulance ride instead of a trail ride.

Respect the Machine, Respect the Trail

These rigs are capable, but they’re not invincible—and neither are we. Respect your machine’s limits and your own. Respect the trail by staying on it, slowing down when you need to, and remembering that the folks behind you, in front of you, or even hiking nearby deserve to go home in one piece too.

Your Reputation Rides With You

The off-road community already fights enough battles with land managers, closures, and public perception. Every time somebody acts like a fool on the trail, it reinforces the worst stereotypes about SxS riders. If we want to keep access open and show that we belong out here, we need to police ourselves. Ride with pride, not recklessness.

Irresponsibility isn’t cool. It isn’t tough. It’s dangerous—for you, for your passengers, and for everyone else sharing the outdoors. Next time you hit the trail, ask yourself: am I riding in a way that helps keep the trails open, safe, and fun for everyone?

Because the truth is, the good times only keep rolling if we take responsibility out there.