Meander among the rolling forested hills of the Egan Range and enjoy views of Ward Mountain and the White River Valley. Located just 10 miles west of Ely, the Ward Mountain Recreation Area provides easy access for equestrians into a large network of beautiful mountain trails. The Recreation Area is split into a north and south section, with Highway 6 as the divider. This listing is for the north side of the Recreation Area, which is managed by the Bureau of Land Management.
Equestrians can access this non-motorized trail system through a trailhead for the Ward Mountain Disc Golf Course. There are four loop trails and one connector trail, totaling about 10 miles. These are uncomplicated trails with little to no elevation change, perfect for those looking for a few hours of mild riding.
The trail system is made up of single track and two track trails along with old wide roads. They weave through thick pinyon and juniper forest, with some mountain mahogany in the higher elevations. There is nothing technical about these trails. Any elevation change is minimal and there are no obstacles. This is just a really nice spot for a quiet ride through the trees with some good views of the surrounding mountains and valley.
All the trails are relatively well signed (though some of the signs are getting pretty faded) and easy to follow. However, along with the designated trails there are lots of old side roads to explore too. It’s obvious that the trails aren’t used terribly often as there is some grassy overgrowth. Overall, the footing is pretty nice with a few rocky sections. There is no water on these trails. Keep an eye open for deer!
Due to the amount of snow this area gets, these trails are best to ride in the late spring, summer, and fall.
Getting Here
Where to Park: The trailhead has a large gravel parking area that can fit several rigs. There is a vault toilet along with several shaded picnic tables and grills.
Trail Maps
