Roads through private to national forests

[jstone]

Ok,
Looking on google earth and my onx. There is areas I want to get to public roads that go from public to private property then back to national forest. How do I find out besides driving the road if there is access through the private

[10thmountainarcher]

Are the roads Forest Service roads? A lot of places I’ve hunted have public roads punching through private land.

[Stein]

You can check a map to see if it's a county road, sometimes it is easy to tell and sometimes not.  You can also pick up road use maps or call the ranger's office and ask.

[Hillbilly Zen]

Howdy,

I live in an area where the situation you describe is common and can tell you with certainty that a road on onX is not necessary public.  My home is on a very short private road that ends in an old national forest dozer grade.  On onX it looks like you should able to turn onto my road and drive right into the Okanogan-Wenatchee NF.  It is a private road however, and I would certainly come out to greet you and see how your day is going.  The opposite is also seen here in many places: forest service roads pass right through private ranches or peoples yards as public rights of way.  If a road sign is blue it is generally private.  Gates without signage may or may not indicate private and closed access.  Mostly they are just to keep cattle on grazing land.

If you knock on a door and say “My Apologies for bothering you, I just wanted to make sure I was not trespassing”...you may get a dirty look or you may get access.  Just don’t do it on opening day holding a weapon 

If it’s a numbered forest service road without a locked and signed no trespassing gate  I would go for it!

[KFhunter]

 


There's a lot of easements through private property so FS/DNR/BLM etc can log, fight fires or use for official business purposes, but it's not for public access. 

[DOUBLELUNG]

Ranger district office is your best bet.