The Overland Expo Foundation is proud to announce the awarding of a $3,500 grant to the Mountain West Recreation Alliance (MWRA) for Creeks, Trails, & Community: The Challis Project. Mountain West Recreation Alliance fosters responsible recreation through education, service and advocacy.
ABOUT Mountain West Recreation Alliance
Mountain West Recreation Alliance (MWRA) has worked tirelessly to protect and enhance access to Idaho’s public lands. What began as grassroots clean-up days has evolved into a powerful coalition of volunteers, land managers, and community leaders committed to long-term stewardship and sustainable recreation.
They’ve completed dozens of impactful projects across the state—opening new trails, restoring damaged ecosystems, and constructing critical infrastructure like trail connectors and backcountry bridges. Their work, in partnership with Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation, Bureau of Land Management, Idaho Fish and Game, and the U.S. Forest Service, ensures Idaho’s wild places remain open, safe, and accessible for generations to come.
In addition to on-the-ground work, MWRA is deeply invested in education and outreach. They host a variety of educational events, public workshops, and youth engagement programs that promote land ethics, trail safety, and responsible recreation. Through these efforts, they are growing a culture of stewardship and building the next generation of public land advocates.
The Impact
Mountain West Recreation Alliance (MWRA) is in collaboration with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation, Tread Lightly, Trout Unlimited and the Challis Ranger District. The project builds on successful work completed in 2024 and will further expand trail connectivity and resource conservation in the Custer County region.
These improvements will protect fisheries and water quality in the Challis Creek drainage, provide sustainable access for larger OHVs, and open up new looping trail opportunities into Bayhorse State Park—a long-sought recreational connection for the region. This project aligns with MWRA’s mission to promote multi-use trail access while stewarding the public lands that make Idaho exceptional.
A key achievement of this project is the establishment of a new 80-inch connector trail, offering long-awaited access for full-size off-highway vehicles (OHVs). This upgrade—made possible through collaboration with the BLM and Challis Ranger District—represents a major step forward in trail inclusivity, expanding recreational opportunities for a broader range of users. The 80″ designation not only supports responsible motorized access but also creates a critical looping connection into Bayhorse State Park, something that previously did not exist from the Custer Motorway. This connector will serve as a model for future trail planning in the region.
Learn more about Mountain West Recreation Alliance
For more information about Mountain West Recreation Alliance and their efforts to protect and preserve Idaho’s public lands visit their website: https://mwralliance.org/.