Railroad Buttes OHV Area

Railroad Buttes Shooting Prohibition

Prohibits shooting of firearms in the Railroad Buttes OHV area.

U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Forest Service
Nebraska National Forests and Grasslands
Fall River Ranger District
Occupancy and Use Prohibitions

PROHIBITIONS
Pursuant to 16 U.S.C. § 551 and 36 C.F.R. § 261.50 (a), the following is prohibited on the National Forest System (NFS) lands in the Fall River Ranger District, Nebraska National Forests and Grasslands, described below and shown on the attached map incorporated into this Order as Exhibit A (the “Described Area”): Buffalo Gap National Grasslands – Railroad Buttes Shooting Closure Area.
1. Discharge of a Firearm in Restricted Area. 36 C.F.R. § 261.58 (m)
EXEMPTIONS
Pursuant to 36 C.F.R. § 261.50(e), the following persons are exempt from this Order:
1. Any Federal, State, or Local Officer, or member of an organized rescue or firefighting resource in the performance of an official duty.
DESCRIBED
The area on the Buffalo Gap National Grassland designated in the Nebraska National
Forest Land and Resource Management Plan as Management Area 4.32 - Dispersed
Recreation: High Use and includes approximately 5,500 acres within the following
described lands in the County of Pennington, State of South Dakota: T2S, R10&11E, 5th PM.

PURPOSE
The purpose of this Order is to provide public safety and the protection of property.
IMPLEMENTATION
1.    This Order shall be in effect from October 18th, 2026 at 12:00am MT through November 17th, 2026 11:59pm MT, unless rescinded.
2.    A map identifying the Described Area is attached and made part of this Order as Exhibit A. For a digital version of this Order and Exhibit A, go to https://www.fs.usda.gov/r02/nebraska/alerts
3.    Unless otherwise expressly defined in this Order, the terms used in this Order are defined by the regulations of the Secretary of Agriculture, 36 C.F.R. Chapter II, Parts 200-299. If there are terms in this Order that are not expressly defined in the Order or 36 C.F.R. Chapter II, Parts 200-299, their meaning shall be determined by their plain language definitions.
4.    A violation of the above prohibitions is punishable as a Class B misdemeanor by a fine of not more than $5,000 for individuals and $10,000 for organizations, or by imprisonment for not more than six months, or both. 16 U.S.C. § 551; 18 U.S.C. §§ 3559, 3571, and 3581.
5.    Contact the Fall River Ranger District in Hot Springs, SD, (605) 745-4107, and Nebraska National Forests and Grasslands Supervisor’s Office in Chadron, NE (308) 432-0300, for more information about this Order.
6.    This Order supersedes any previous Orders prohibiting the same or similar acts in the same Described Area

Railroad Buttes area is one of a few large, open off-road riding areas on Forest Service lands, covering approximately 3 square miles. The open play area includes hill climbs, multiple trails and makeshift motocross tracks. Most of the terrain is hard packed and can get dusty and there is little to no shade. There is a large parking/staging area with plenty of space.

Dispersed camping is allowed but there is no potable water. Fireworks and shooting are prohibited. There are no fees or permits required at this time. Please recreate with respect and pack out all trash.

Fees

No fee

Rules

Fireworks and shooting are prohibited. Pack it in, Pack it out

Directions

From Rapid City, SD head east on Highway 44 about 21 miles then turn south on 160th Avenue and travel approximately 3.5 miles. The main parking lot and hill climb area are on the west side of the road.