Protect your public

lands and resources by 

staying on designated 

routes and trails!

For more information contact:

Bureau of Land Management 

Eagle Lake Field Office

2950 Riverside Dr.

Susanville, CA 96130

Phone: (530) 257-0456

www.blm.gov/ca

BLM/CA/GI-2011/001+8300

Let someone know 

where you are going 

and when you expect

to return!

Hospital Information

Banner Lassen Medical Center

Emergency Room

1800 Spring Ridge Dr.

Susanville, CA 96130 

Phone: (530) 252-2000

Directions: From the Fort Sage

OHV area, take US 395 N toward

Susanville, California. US 395 turns 

into CA 36. Turn right onto 

Ash Street/CA 139, and continue

on CA 139. Turn right onto

Spring Ridge Dr. The building is

on the right. 

North Eastern Rural Health 

Clinic - Urgent Care 

1850 Spring Ridge Dr.

Susanville, CA 96130

Phone: (530) 251-5000 

Call for hours of operation

and directions.

Renown Regional Medical

Center Emergency Room 

1155 Mill St.

Reno, NV 89502

Phone: (775) 982-4100

Directions: From the Fort Sage

OHV area, take US 395 South

toward Reno, Nevada. Take

exit 66, Mill St., and keep right

at the fork to stay on Mill St.

The building is on the right. 

Contact Information:

•	 Lassen County Sheriff’s

Department Non-Emergency 

(530) 251-8013

•	 California State Parks

Off-Highway Vehicle 

Recreation Division 

(916) 324-4442

•	 California Department of 

Fish and Game, Lassen County

(530) 254-6808

•	 ATV Safety Institute

(800) 887-2887

•	 Motorcycle Safety Foundation

(877) 288-7093

•	 Police,	Fire,	Ambulance,	

Emergencies: DIAL 911

Welcome

The Fort Sage Special Recreation Management 

Area (SRMA), located in the high-desert region of 

northeastern California, is about 45 miles north of 

Reno, Nevada, and 45 miles south of Susanville, 

California. The Bureau of Land Management 

(BLM) Eagle Lake Field Office has designated 

90 miles of routes within the recreation area to 

be used for off-highway vehicles (OHV), such as 

motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles (ATV), and fourwheel drive vehicles. Vehicle use is limited to 

designated routes and trails to ensure that such 

use remains compatible with other uses for years 

to come. 

The routes traverse a wide variety of terrain. The 

northern end of Fort Sage is mostly open desert 

consisting of flat and sandy terrain with some 

high-desert sagebrush; the southern end consists 

of a mixture of sandy terrain, hard-packed soil, 

rock, and steep canyons.

Fort Sage is managed and used for multiple 

activities, such as OHV use, hiking, hunting, 

equestrian use, rock climbing, and wildlife 

photography. Visitors are attracted to the 

area because of its unusual weathered granite 

boulders, volcanic outcrops, expansive desert 

vistas, and abundant opportunities for viewing 

wildlife and wild horses. 

Operation and maintenance of the facilities, 

roads, and trails within the recreation area are 

provided by the Eagle Lake Field Office through 

funds provided, in part, by the California OffHighway Motor Vehicle Recreation Division. For 

more California State Parks information, visit their 

website at www.ohv.parks.ca.gov.

Camping

Please note, camping and campfires are 

prohibited within the Doyle Wildlife Area. 

However, the Fort Sage Trailhead is the most 

developed area for camping and includes picnic 

tables, fire rings, and space for recreational 

vehicle (RV) parking (no RV hookups). Since 

camping near springs or guzzlers will prevent 

wildlife and livestock from using the water 

source, visitors must camp at least 300 yards from 

any water source. 

Campfires

Campfires are permitted with a current campfire 

permit, but seasonal fire restrictions may prohibit 

campfires during periods of high fire danger. 

Wildland fires can occur at Fort Sage, so be sure 

your campfire is completely out! To obtain a 

campfire permit or check fire restrictions, call or 

visit the Eagle Lake Field Office.

Water

Potable water is not available. Bring plenty of 

drinking water, and be prepared for harsh desert 

conditions. Also, the dumping of grey or black 

wastewater is illegal.

Wildlife

Wildlife will eat and scatter unattended trash left 

in staging and camping areas. If trash cans are 

full, please pack your trash out with you. Also, 

watch out for pack rats as they have been known 

to chew vehicle wires.

Livestock

Range cattle may be encountered at Fort Sage 

year-round. When riding near livestock, don’t 

expect the cattle to move for you. Use caution 

and approach slowly.

Private Land

By respecting the rights of private landowners 

and obeying posted regulations, the trails 

through these areas can remain open.

Firearms

Hunting and target shooting are allowed 

throughout the Fort Sage SRMA; however, 

shooting is prohibited within one fourth of a mile 

of developed trailheads. Remember, targets and 

casings are considered litter too, so please pick 

them up.

Right Rider Etiquette

The future availability of the OHV trail system 

in Fort Sage depends on you! Always yield to 

other users. Show your respect when meeting 

others by slowing down or stopping. Use hand 

signals to indicate how many riders are behind 

you. The trails within Fort Sage are managed for 

multiple uses and run both ways, so anticipate 

horseback riders, mountain bikers, and other OHV 

riders coming from the opposite direction. If you 

approach a horseback rider, follow directions 

from the rider, and use caution when passing. 

Please ride responsibly, and share the trails!

Tips on Leaving a Good Impression!

•	 Respect	wildlife	and	plant	species	–	the	area	

is their home. Help keep the area open by 

staying on roads and trails. 

•	 Keep	your	machine	as	quiet	as	possible.	

Noise is one of the biggest complaints by 

landowners and other recreationists. 

•	 Do	not	destroy	or	remove	cultural	and	

historical resources. 

•	 Be	conscientious	and	minimize	your	impact	

by avoiding plants and wildlife, taking your 

trash home, and respecting other users on the 

trail. 

For more information about the tread lightly! 

program, visit www.treadlightly.org/.

Regulations

This guide does not include every California OHV 

law. Please remember, it is your responsibility to 

know the laws. For more information, contact the 

California Department of Motor Vehicles or visit 

www.dmv.ca.gov. 

•	 Visitors	are	responsible	for	knowing	area	rules	

and regulations, which are enforceable under 

the Code of Federal Regulations. Violations 

are punishable with fines up to $1,000 and/or 

imprisonment for up to 12 months.

•	 Vehicle	use	is	limited	to	designated	routes.

•	 All	OHVs	must	have	a	California	green	or	red	

sticker. 

•	 Out-of-state	vehicles	must	be	legally	

registered in another state and display a 

nonresident sticker. For information or to 

purchase a sticker, visit www.ohv.parks.

ca.gov, or contact them directly at 

(916) 324-4442.

•	 All	off-road	vehicles	must	have	a	properly	

installed spark arrestor that is approved by 

the U.S. Forest Service and has not been 

modified.

•	 It	is	illegal	to	ride	or	drive	under	the	influence	

of alcohol, narcotics, or other drugs.

•	 State	law	requires	the	use	of	helmets	while	

riding ATVs.

•	 State	law	prohibits	passengers	on	ATVs	unless	

the ATV was specifically designed for two or 

more people.

•	 All	vehicles	must	meet	state	and	federal	noise	

standards.

Trail Riding and Safety Tips 

PLAN SMART! 

•	 Purchase	and	use	required	safety	gear!	

•	 Let	others	know	where	you	are	riding	

and when you plan to return.

•	 Always	plan	ahead.	Obtain	all	required	

maps, and bring overnight emergency 

supplies. 

•	 Never	ride	alone!

•	 Stay	on	designated	trails.	Restoration	of	

damaged areas is often paid with tax 

dollars and can lead to trail closures.

•	 Maintain	vehicles	and	equipment	in	safe	

and optimal operating condition.

•	 Act	responsibly	and	have	respect	for	

other recreation users and natural and 

cultural resources.

•	 Ride	cautiously.	Trail	conditions	change	

constantly, so be ready for anything!

Sound Compliance 

Information: 

If your OHV was

manufactured: Noise Limit

Before January 1, 1986 101 dbA

On or after

January 1, 1986 96 dbA

If your competition*

OHV was

manufactured:

Noise Limit

Before January 1, 1998 101 dbA

On or after

January 1, 1998 96 dbA

*Competition OHVs are not manufactured 

to comply with Environmental Protection 

Agency noise or California emission 

standards. Refer to your owner’s manual, 

or contact your local dealer to determine 

the designation of your OHV. If you would 

like to set up an appointment to have 

your ATV or motorcycle tested for sound 

compliance, contact the Eagle Lake Field 

Office at (530) 252-5303. 

Doyle Wildlife Area

Some sections of trails pass through the Doyle 

Wildlife Area. Please obey signs, and stay on the 

designated routes and trails. The Doyle Wildlife 

Area is managed by the California Department 

of Fish and Game in Lassen County. This area 

is made up of 10,740 acres of foothills and 

scrub, with riparian habitat along Long Valley 

Creek. Vegetation includes bitterbrush, curlleaf mountain mahogany, big sagebrush, and 

California juniper. Many of these plant species 

are important for the diet of the local deer 

population. Hunting for deer, rabbit, waterfowl, 

quail, and dove is permitted during appropriate 

seasons. There are many opportunities to view 

wildlife and birds, to include bobcats, coyotes, 

badgers, waterfowl, and various raptor species.

Burrowing Owl 

The burrowing owl (Athene cunicularia) is a small 

ground-dwelling owl that can often be observed 

during the day in the high desert. Burrowing 

owls nest in and use abandoned rodent or 

mammal burrows and can often be seen standing 

on one leg or perched on fence posts, branches, 

or dirt mounds. They have yellow eyes, long 

unfeathered legs, and rounded heads with no 

ear tufts. Burrowing owls are a BLM 

sensitive species. Please protect the habitat 

of the owls as well as other wildlife habitat 

by staying on designated roads and trails. 

Burrowing owls are surprisingly bold and 

approachable; however, please observe 

them and other wildlife from a distance, 

and do not harass or chase animals away. If 

you do observe any burrowing owls or other 

interesting wildlife species, please call the 

Eagle Lake Field Office at (530) 257-0456 or 

the local Department of Fish and Game at 

(530) 254-6808.

Indian Ricegrass 

Look around and you will probably see 

Indian ricegrass (Oryzopsis hymenoides). 

This native plant is a perennial cool-season 

bunchgrass found in the sandy soils of Fort 

Sage. Ricegrass is known for its ability to 

reseed and establish itself on sites damaged 

by fire. The nutritious Indian ricegrass seeds 

were a staple for the American Indians. 

The seeds were once gathered and ground 

into meal or flour and made into bread. 

Because the seeds produced by the ricegrass 

are abundant, plump, and nutritious, it is 

considered an excellent food source for 

wildlife. 

Fort Sage

Off-Highway

Vehicle

Area Guide