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| Home > Montana > Shepherd Ah Nei |
Shepherd Ah Nei Recreation Area
Saturday, December 23, 2023
| Other Names | Cotton Creek |
| Last Known Status | Open |
This popular recreation area has about 50 miles of designated multiple-use trails and a couple play areas. The terrain is mostly hard pack and crusty with light to moderate elevation changes.
The trail system has three access points but the lower staging area is the designated parking area for OHVs and offers visitors plenty of room for parking, a couple gazebos with picnic tables, an informational kiosk and restrooms. There is no running water so come prepared.
The lower section is open to offroad use while the upper portion is designated for non-motorized activities. A permit is required to access the area, which can be purchased onsite at one of the self-pay kiosks or by contacting the BLM or State office.
The trails are open for riding daily (weather permitting) from 7am to 9pm, but note that the staging areas close at 10pm. Check the trail hotline for current conditions before heading out.
REGULATIONS
| Permit Required | Yes | BLM recreation permit and Montana OHV Permit |
| Dates Open | Daily 7am-9pm | |
| Other ATV Stickers Accepted | No | A non-resident temporary registration sticker is required. (As of March 2020, Montana no longer honors stickers from any other states.) |
| Spark Arrestor | Yes | A spark arresting exhaust silencer or end cap is required for all vehicles. |
| Noise Limit | Yes (96 dB) | |
| Whip Flags | Not Required | |
| Maximum Vehicle Width | Yes (50 inches) | has entrance gate or posts |
 Motorcycles & Dirt Bikes | Permitted | |
 ATVs | Permitted | (maximum width 50 inches) |
 UTV & SXS | Permitted | (maximum width 50 inches) |
 4x4 & Jeeps (registered) | Prohibited | |
| Dune Buggy & Sand Rail 4x4 (unregistered) | Prohibited | |
| 2 Stroke Engines | No Restriction | |
| MX Helmet Required | Youth Only | required for persons under 18 by state law (RiderPlanet strongly recommends helmets for all riders.) |
 Camping | Prohibited | |
 Campfires | ||
| Night Riding | No | |
| Rule Enforcement |
TYPE OF AREA
| Area | Motorized Trails |
| Land | BLM |
FEES & PASSES
| Parking | (None) |
| Entry | (None) |
| Riding | Yes ($5.00 per OHV) |
| Camping | (None) |
RATINGS
| Our Rating |  Good |
| Recommended Stay | Full Day |
| Comments | (Scroll Down For Rider Reviews & Comments) |
DRIVING DIRECTIONS
| Nearest City | Billings, MT | ||
| From: Billings, MT
1) Take Hwy 312 NE 7.7 miles 2) Turn left (north) on Shepard Road, continue 4.8 miles 3) Turn right (east) on Scandia Road, continue 2.6 miles 4) Turn left (north) on CA Road, continue 4.6 miles 5) Staging area is on the left. |
OFFICIAL CONTACTS
| Contact Info | OHV Trail Hotline (406) 896-5014 |
| Contact Info | BLM - Billings Field Office 5001 Southgate Drive Billings, MT 59101 (406) 896-5013 blm_mt_billings_fo@blm.gov www.blm.gov |
| Contact Info | Montana Fish, Wildlife And Parks 1420 East 6th Avenue Helena, MT 59620-0701 (406) 444-2950 fwpgen@mt.gov fwp.mt.gov |
| Comment | Montana OHV Permit Info |
ADD PHOTOS
TERRAIN
| Approx Size | 1,062 acres (2 sq mi) | |
| Miles Of Trail | 50 | |
| Climate Type | Forest | |
| Elevation | 3300 to 3500 ft. | |
| Trail Maintenance | Marked, Not Rated, Lightly Maintained | |
| Loose Dirt |  Some | |
| Hard Pack | Some | |
| Sand |  Little | |
| Mud | Little | |
| Dust | Some | |
| Rocks | Some | |
| Trees | Some | |
| Steep Hills |  Few | |
| Water Crossings |  None | |
| Small Jumps |  Many | |
| Large Jumps | Some | |
| Berms | Some | |
| Sand/Gravel Pits | Few | |
| Single Track | Few | |
| Roads | None | |
| Shade | Few | |
| Hazards | Few | (hazards assumed marked but use caution) |
 Novice | Some | |
 Amateur |  Mostly | |
 Expert | Little |
KEY SERVICES
 Gasoline | 5-20 Miles (S) | Express Way (406) 348-9209 |
| Diesel | 5-20 Miles (S) | Express Way (406) 348-9209 |
 Water | 5-20 Miles (SW) | Lake Elmo State Park (406) 247-2940 |
 RV Hookup | 5-20 Miles (SW) | Billings KOA (406) 252-3104 or (800) 562-8546 |
 RV Disposal | 5-20 Miles (SW) | Billings KOA (406) 252-3104 or (800) 562-8546 |
| Campground | 5-20 Miles (SW) | Billings KOA (406) 252-3104 or (800) 562-8546 |
 Conv Store | 5-20 Miles (S) | Express Way (406) 348-9209 |
RIDER COMMENTS & REVIEWS