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| Home > California > Buttermilk Country |
Buttermilk Country
Saturday, December 23, 2023
| Other Names | Inyo National Forest, Mcgee Creek, Birch Creek, Buttermilks |
| Last Known Status | Open |
This part of the Inyo National Forest offers a popular 4x4 road and some ATV and dirt bike loops. The terrain starts out as typical high desert but as you venture further towards the mountains the vegetation becomes more abundant and changes to various pine and cottonwood trees.
The ATV trails can be found about a half mile from the entrance of Buttermilk Road and Hwy 168. The trails form designated loops but can also be used to head north toward Tungsten Hills, which has additional trails and hill climbs to explore. This area is also home to some unique boulders that are used by rock climbers from all over the world.
If you stay on Buttermilk Road and head west about seven miles (street legal vehicles only), you will eventually tie into more forest service roads that wind through shallow creek crossings and grassy meadows.
This area also comes with a local legend. Back in 1870 there used to be a dairy farm off Buttermilk Road. The tale goes that the road from the dairy was so rough that that fresh milk could be churned into buttermilk by the time you reached Bishop.
REGULATIONS
| Permit Required | Yes | CA OHMVR stickers required |
| Dates Open | Year-Round | CA OHMVR red sticker vehicles permitted year round |
| Other ATV Stickers Accepted | Yes | Residents of any state not listed must purchase a Nonresident OHV Use Permit. (AR, AZ, CA, CT, DE, IA, ID, IN, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MT, ND, NH, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, TX, UT, VT, WA, WI, WY) |
| Spark Arrestor | Yes | A spark arresting exhaust silencer or end cap is required for all vehicles. |
| Noise Limit | Yes (96 dB) | CA OHMVR noise limits apply (1985/older limit 101 dB, 1986/newer limit 96 dB) |
| Whip Flags | Not Required | |
| Maximum Vehicle Width | No Restriction | |
 Motorcycles & Dirt Bikes | Permitted | CA OHMVR stickers required |
 ATVs | Permitted | CA OHMVR stickers required |
 UTV & SXS | Permitted | CA OHMVR stickers required |
 SUVs & Jeeps (registered) | Permitted | |
| Dune Buggy & Sand Rail 4x4 (unregistered) | Permitted | CA OHMVR stickers required |
| 2 Stroke Engines | No Restriction | CA OHMVR restrictions apply |
| MX Helmet Required | Yes | helmets required by state law |
 Camping | Some Areas | (camp in developed sites only) |
 Campfires | Some Areas | (permitted in developed campsites only) |
| Night Riding | Unknown | |
| Trail Blazing | Prohibited | stay on designated trails |
| Rule Enforcement |
TYPE OF AREA
| Area | Motorized Trails |
| Land | National Forest |
FEES & PASSES
| Parking | (None) |
| Entry | (None) |
| Riding | (None) |
| Camping | (None) |
RATINGS
| Our Rating |  Good |
| Recommended Stay | Full Day |
| Comments | (Scroll Down For Rider Reviews & Comments) |
DRIVING DIRECTIONS
| Nearest City | Bishop, CA | ||
| Address | Buttermilk Road, Bishop, CA 93514 | ||
| From: Bishop, CA
1) Take Hwy 168 West about 7 miles 2) Turn right onto Buttermilk Road, continue about .5 miles 3) Staging area is on the right (north). |
OFFICIAL CONTACTS
| Contact Info | Inyo National Forest - Forest Supervisor's Office 351 Pacu Lane, Suite 200 Bishop, CA 93514 (760) 873-2400 mailroom_r5_inyo@fs.fed.us www.fs.usda.gov |
ADD PHOTOS
TERRAIN
| Approx Size | 10,000 acres (16 sq mi) | |
| Miles Of Trail | 25 | |
| Climate Type | Forest | |
| Elevation | 5600 to 5800 ft. | |
| Trail Maintenance | Marked, Not Rated, Lightly Maintained | |
| Loose Dirt |  Some | |
| Hard Pack |  Mostly | |
| Sand | Some | |
| Mud |  Little | |
| Dust | Some | |
| Rocks | Some | |
| Trees | Some | |
| Steep Hills |  Few | |
| Water Crossings | Some | |
| Small Jumps | Some | |
| Large Jumps |  None | |
| Berms |  Many | |
| Sand/Gravel Pits | None | |
| Single Track | Few | |
| Roads | Some | |
| Shade | Some | |
| Hazards | Few | (hazards assumed marked but use caution) |
 Novice | Some | |
 Amateur | Mostly | |
 Expert | Little |
KEY SERVICES
 Gasoline | 5-20 Miles (NE) | Bishop Paiute Gas Station (760) 872-1224 |
| Diesel | 5-20 Miles (NE) | Bishop Paiute Gas Station (760) 872-1224 |
 Water | 1-5 Miles (N) | Browns Millpond Campground (760) 873-8522 |
 RV Hookup | 1-5 Miles (N) | Browns Millpond Campground (760) 873-8522 |
 RV Disposal | 1-5 Miles (N) | Browns Millpond Campground (760) 873-8522 |
| Campground | 1-5 Miles (NW) | Horton Creek Campground (760) 872-5000 |
 Conv Store | 5-20 Miles (NE) | Bishop Paiute Gas Station (760) 872-1224 |
RIDER COMMENTS & REVIEWS