Roseburg-area trail riders are so lucky — the 6,000-acre North Bank Habitat Management Area is in their backyard. This beautiful expanse of BLM land provides protected habitat for Columbian white-tailed deer, as well as year-round recreational riding on an extensive network of ranch roads.
The Riding
The North Bank area's ranch roads gain significant elevation as they climb steep hills (elevations range from 700 to 2,000 feet), providing panoramic views of the North Umpqua Valley below. You won’t need to worry about drop-offs despite the steep terrain because the roads that climb these hills are comfortably wide and cut well into the hillsides.
Spring is a beautiful time to ride at the North Bank Habitat Area. The hills offer excellent opportunities to get your horse in condition for the summer riding ahead, and the seasonal wildflowers are exceptional.
The North Bank is open for hiking, mountain biking, equestrian use, and hunting in season. Dogs must be on a leash or under voice command. (No chasing the wildlife, please!)
While much of the North Bank is open grassland, the area is dotted with oak, madrone, cedar, and fir trees. You’ll also find poison oak here, but it’s easy to avoid if you stay on the ranch roads.
You can access the North Bank trails from the Comstock trailhead or the West Access parking area. Just pick a road and follow it, and you are guaranteed to end up climbing a hill and enjoying a view. The road junctions are signed with trail names and distances, so explore!
The North Bank Habitat Area is open year-round. The trails are maintained in summer but may be muddy or have standing water at times in winter. Please avoid using them during very wet weather to prevent damage to the trails.
Trailhead Facilities
The Comstock trailhead has pull-through parking for 4-8 trailers, a group pavilion, barbecue grill, picnic tables, vault toilet, and manure bin. The Comstock gate is open for vehicle access from Friday through Monday. The West Access trailhead is always open and has parking for many trailers but no other facilities. Dispersed camping is permitted within the North Bank Habitat, but no overnight camping is allowed at Comstock trailhead.
More Information: Denman Wildlife Area is featured in Riding Southern Oregon Horse Trails, by Kim McCarrel, available at www.nwhorsetrails.com.
