King of the Kastle: BLM Closes Oregon OHV Trails This Weekend for Side-by-Side Race

Jun 5, 2026

By Officialwebsite

King of the Kastle: BLM Closes Oregon OHV Trails This Weekend for Side-by-Side Race

Overview

The Bureau of Land Management Prineville District has issued a temporary closure for portions of the Millican Plateau and North Millican off-highway vehicle trail systems in Central Oregon. The closure runs from June 5 through June 7, 2026, to accommodate the annual King of the Kastle side-by-side racing event.

Trail Closure Details

The affected areas include the race course route and several access points into the Millican Plateau and North Millican OHV trail systems. Recreation riders planning trips to Central Oregon this weekend should check the BLM Prineville District website for specific closure maps and alternative access routes before heading out.

King of the Kastle Race

The King of the Kastle is an annual side-by-side (UTV) off-road racing event held in the Millican area southeast of Bend, Oregon. The race draws participants and spectators from across the Pacific Northwest and features multiple UTV classes competing on the Central Oregon desert terrain.

Reopening Schedule

Trails are expected to reopen by the end of day Sunday, June 7, following the conclusion of the race and cleanup of the course. The BLM closure order may be terminated early if conditions allow.

WOLFBOX Take: Closures Come and Go — the Desert Doesn't Get Easier

Short OHV closures like this one are just part of sharing public land with organized events; the smart move is to check the BLM Prineville District maps, ride the open areas, and circle back when the Millican systems reopen on June 7. But the King of the Kastle is also a good reminder of what Central Oregon's high desert does to a rig. Fine volcanic dust works into everything, sand and rock chew up tires aired up for pavement, and the Millican country is remote enough that a small problem becomes a long afternoon.

Whether you're racing a side-by-side or just exploring the trails after they reopen, a little desert prep is the difference between a great day out and a recovery story.

Desert OHV Gear Checklist

Air down for the terrain, air up for the drive home. Millican's sand and rock reward lower tire pressure — and punish you if you can't reinflate. A portable WOLFBOX tire inflator is the single most useful tool most desert newcomers leave at home.
Beat the dust. Central Oregon's fine desert dust gets into vents, screens, connectors and air filters. A cordless WOLFBOX electric air duster blows it out of your rig and gear at the end of the day so it doesn't ride home with you.
Hauling rigs out? Get the rear view back. Towing a trailer of side-by-sides blocks your rearview mirror completely. A WOLFBOX smart rearview mirror camera restores a live view past the trailer and records the haul out to Millican and back.

FAQ

When are the Millican OHV trails closed for the King of the Kastle?

The BLM Prineville District has temporarily closed portions of the Millican Plateau and North Millican OHV trail systems from June 5 through June 7, 2026, for the annual King of the Kastle side-by-side race.

When do the trails reopen?

Trails are expected to reopen by the end of day Sunday, June 7, 2026, after the race finishes and the course is cleaned up; the closure may be lifted early if conditions allow.

What is the King of the Kastle?

It's an annual side-by-side (UTV) off-road race held in the Millican area southeast of Bend, Oregon, drawing competitors and spectators from across the Pacific Northwest across multiple UTV classes on high-desert terrain.

How should I prep for riding Central Oregon's desert OHV trails?

Carry a tire inflator so you can air down for sand and rock and air back up for the highway, pack an air duster to clear desert dust from your rig and electronics, and if you're towing your side-by-sides, a mirror dash cam restores the rear view a trailer blocks.