Shepherd Ah Nei Recreation Area

The Shepherd Ah Nei Recreation Area is about 5,060 acres of multi-use space to the northeast of Billings. About 4,000 acres of the property is purely for picnicking, bird-watching, wildlife watching, hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding. The other 1,062 acres has 50 miles of trails used almost exclusively for OHV riding. The only facilities on-site are an information kiosk and a restroom at the OHV area parking lot.

To get there, take SR 312 east for about 7.7 miles from the old K-Mart in Billings Heights to the flashing traffic light at Shepherd Road. Turn north on Shepherd Road and go about 4.8 miles to Scandia Road, then turn east (right) on Scandia Road and go about 2.6 miles to CA Road. At CA Road go left. The parking lot for the OHV area is about 4.6 miles. Parking areas for the non-motorized portions of Shepherd Ah Nei Recreation Area are another 1.5 miles and again at 3 miles beyond the OHV parking lot.

There are no fees for day use of the non-motorized area of Shepherd Ah Nei Recreation Area. Use of the OHV area requires purchase of a special recreation permit. You can buy multiple unit, family and single unit annual permits at the BLM Billings Field Office at 5001 Southgate Drive in Billings. Proof of vehicle registration is required for each permit. $5/vehicle day use passes are available at the information kiosk at the OHV parking area (and you'll want your vehicle registration paperwork with you, just in case...)

The OHV area is open for riding year-round from 7 AM to 9 PM, as long as the area is not closed due to fire danger or wet and muddy conditions. You might also want to be extra careful out there during hunting season.