ATV Capital of the West ATV Tours
Some hundreds of miles of ATV trails can be accessed from Mackay to take you through the Lost River Valley, also known as the ATV Capital of the WestTM. There are five ATV tours available:
Mackay ATV Tour
Ore was discovered here in 1884 and over the years miners recovered 42,000 ounces of gold, 2,000,000 ounces of silver and 62,000,000 tons of copper. This tour takes through the historic mining district above Mackay. You’ll be treated to stunning panoramic views of the Lost River Range and the White Knob Mountains as you travel up winding switchbacks and pass through remnants of the old mining operations. At the top of the hill, you can explore historic mining structures and take in even more breathtaking views. Photographers will find unlimited opportunities to record with their cameras. Adjoining the tour are endless miles of back roads to explore. The hill is an adventure for ATVs and mountain bikes, with many portions of the tour not accessible to standard automobiles. Due to ongoing mining operations, some trails and interpretive sites are no longer accessible to the public, along with other temporary closures of various trails and points of interest that are possible from time to time.
The Pahsimeroi Valley: A Little Switzerland Adventure ATV Tour
Named by the Shoshone as the “shining waters and grove by the stream,” this ATV tour begins at the site of the 1983 Mount Borah Earthquake Fault north of Mackay and climbs over Double Springs Pass. The route then drops into the Pahsimeroi Valley, home to pioneers who arrived in the late 1880s. As you travel, you’ll be treated to expansive views of the snowcapped peaks of Mount Borah , Leatherman Peak, and Mount Breitenbach.
Copper Basin: An Alpine Lakes Adventure ATV Tour
This tour enables you to explore a remote valley with cattle grazing, ponds, streams, wildflowers, and wildlife that spans over 500,000 acres between the Pioneer Mountains and White Knob Mountain Range at over 8,000 feet above sea level. There is also an 11-mile loop trail to Lake Creek, which ascends to five Alpine Lakes, each stocked with a different type of trout. Bring a picnic and enjoy it in the forest.
Little Lost River Valley: An Enchanted Forest Adventure ATV Tour
The first European fur trappers arrived in what was once the home of the Lemhi and Shoshone tribes who were family to Chief Sitting Bull, from Scotland in 1819. Captain Bonneville wrote extensively about his journey through the valley extending for about 50 miles between 4,800 and 6,100 feet about see level between the Lost River Range and Lemhi Mountain Range. It is here that the Lost River disappears into the ground before reaching the Snake River, giving the area its name. The high desert and densely forested areas landscapes are dotted with old mines and the remnants of historic buildings from days gone by.
Arco Pass: Gateway to Adventure ATV Tour
Pictographs sketched into the rocks and archeological evidence including stone tools and ancient campsites, point to people living on the land surrounding Arco Pass for more than 10,000 years. The Shoshone migrated here from Pocatello to locate a good source of water and hunting grounds and fur trappers who were part of the British North West Company and the Hudson Bay Company encountered the Blackfoot tribe here when they arrived in 1820.
Lost River Adventures
Lost River Adventures offers ATV rentals and adventure equipment including paddle boards, kayaks, canoes, and tents.
4255 N. US Highway 93, 4255 US-93, Mackay, ID 83251