Rinker Rock Creek Ranch

Rinker Rock Creek Ranch (RRCR) is free and open to the public for a variety of recreation opportunities including hiking, horseback riding, biking, picnicking, cross-country skiing, fishing and more. The ranch is located at Rock Creek Road in Blaine County, Idaho.

View the public access map

Motorized uses and parking — Motorized uses (ATVs, UTVs, dirt bikes, snowmobiles) are allowed on Rock Creek Road, Glendale Road, Hatty Gulch Road and East Fork Rock Creek Road. For hiking, hunting, biking and other activities, park in pull-outs along the main roads. Do not park on dry grass or in meadows. Do not drive on non-motorized roads.

Hours — Sunrise to sunset year-round. (Roads are closed in winter and early spring.)

Several areas of the property are used for ranch and research operations and as such are closed to the public. Visitors are required to respect all No Trespassing signs.

Public use guidelines

We welcome the public to enjoy RRCR and all it has to offer. To provide public access, we require that visitors follow our public use guidelines:

• Hiking and horseback riding: allowed throughout the property.
• Mountain biking: please use established routes.
• Hunting: permitted in season on foot or horseback throughout the property. Truck and ATV access is permitted on motorized-use roads only. Firearms allowed for hunting only. No target or recreational shooting.
• Not Allowed: Trapping of any kind, hunting out of season, sage-grouse hunting, camping or campfires.
• Keep in mind there are ongoing research projects and ranching operations throughout the property. Close gates behind you. Report wildfires immediately.

This property does not have potable water or bathrooms; cell phone service is limited. Access to some areas may be suspended while research is ongoing or for habitat improvement.

To enjoy learning about Idaho’s rangelands, consider the following:

• Wear closed-toe shoes and long pants (there are ticks and snakes)
• Layer with jackets and hats year-round
• Bring water, sunscreen and lip balm
• Stay on trails — Pack In, Pack Out
• Use your camera; “Click-Don’t Pick” flowers
• Park in pullouts; do not drive over dry grass

Warning: Under Idaho law, there are risks associated with agritourism, which could lead to injury or death. You are assuming these risks. Section 6-3004, Idaho Code.

For further information contact the Rinker Rock Creek Ranch Operations Manager at 208-721-4134. 

From Hailey: From the traffic light in town center, go west on Bullion Street. This becomes Croy Creek Road. Follow this 4.5 miles to Rock Creek Road on the left (keep your eye out for a large metal sculpture of a male elk — turn left there). Follow Rock Creek Road 6.5 miles to the barn. Park in pullouts along Rock Creek Road.

From Hwy 75 and Hwy 20 Junction: Go west on US-20 for just over 5 miles to Rock Creek Road on the right (a dirt road between mile marker 172 and 173). Follow Rock Creek Road 4.5 miles to the barn. Park in pullouts along Rock Creek Road.

From Boise: Head east on 1-84 to Mountain Home. Take Exit 95 onto US20 N, then turn left after Magic Reservoir on Rock Creek Road (a dirt road between mile marker 172 and 173). Follow Rock Creek Road 4.5 miles to the Barn. Park in pullouts along Rock Creek Road.

The following products and publications are related to the research at Rinker Rock Creek Ranch.

Peer-reviewed articles

• Snow, J.C., C.A.B Zajchowski, and J.L Karl. 2025. A systematic review of recreation ecology in rangeland settings: A call for interpretive investment. Journal of Interpretation Research Online First: 1-24. https://doi.org/10.1177/10925872251327578.
• Hall, J. B., M. K. Bloomsburg, J. E. Sprinkle, S. E. Stratton and J. B. Glaze. 2024. Relationship between feed efficiency and reproductive measures in beef heifers. Journal of Animal Science:102 (Suppl 3): 301-302, https://doi.org/10.1093/jas/skae234.345.
• Stratton, S. E., T. W. Geary, G. E. Chibisa, J. C. Dalton, A. L. Zezeski, J. E. Williams, and J. B. Hall. 2024. Impacts of rumen protected omega-6 fatty acid supplementation on cow reproduction and calf growth. Journal of Animal Science, 102 (Suppl 3): 290–291, https://doi.org/10.1093/jas/skae234.332.
• Sprinkle, J. E., L. T. Sullivan, K. S. Jensen, M. J. Ellison, J. B. Hall, C. M. Willmore, J. K. Sagers, J. V. Yelich, J. B. Glaze, Jr., J. R. Brennan, R. M. Lewis, J. B. Taylor, B. M. Murdoch, M. R. Stegemiller, D. R. Tolleson, P. E. Clark, M. C. Roberts-Lew, and J. B. Lamb. 2024. Unlocking the Mysteries of Cow and Calf Grazing Behavior on Rugged Rangeland Pastures Using GPS and Accelerometer Sensor Technology. Journal of Animal Science, Volume 102, Issue Supplement_3, September 2024, Pages 195–196, https://doi.org/10.1093/jas/skae234.229. (Invited).
• Harrison, G. R., Jones, L. C., Ellsworth, L. M., Strand, E. K., & Prather, T. S. (2024). Cheatgrass alters flammability of native perennial grasses in laboratory combustion experiments. Fire Ecology, 20(1), 103. https://doi.org/10.1186/s42408-024-00338-z.
• Harrison, Georgia R., Abhinav Shrestha, Eva K. Strand, and Jason W. Karl. 2024. “ A comparison and development of methods for estimating shrub volume using drone-imagery-derived point clouds.” Ecosphere 15(5): e4877. https://doi.org/10.1002/ecs2.4877.
• De Stefano, A., B.A. Mealor, L.C. Jones, E.A. Lehnhoff, J.M. Mangold, T. Prather, C.V. Ransom, L.J. Rew. 2024. Plot-measured variables indicate landscape-scale patterns of annual grass invasion in northwestern United States rangelands. Rangeland Ecology & Management 92: 90-99. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rama.2023.10.003.
• Prather, T, L. Jones, E. Strand, G. Harrison, K. Johnston. 2023. Answering complex questions as we make headway on annual grasses and fire. International Grassland Congress Proceedings XXV: 50. https://uknowledge.uky.edu/igc/XXV_IGC_2023/Sustainability/50/.
• Wold, A., A.J.H. Meddens, K.D. Lee, and V.S. Jansen. 2023. Quantifying the effects of vegetation productivity and drought scenarios on livestock production decisions and income. Rangelands 45: 21-32. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rala.2023.03.001.
• Randall, K.J., M.J. Ellison, J.V. Yelich, W.J. Price, and T.N. Johnson. 2023. Changes in forage quality and cattle performance with short-duration grazing of mesic meadows in the intermountain West. Rangeland Ecology & Management 87: 13-21. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rama.2022.10.005.
• Hall, J. B., M. R. Bloomsburg, and S. A. Goddard. 2022. Effect of a Lactobacillus fermentation product on postweaning heifer performance. Translational Animal Science, 2022, 6, 1-7. https://doi.org/10.1093/tas/txac015.
• Randall, K.J., Ellison, M.J., Yelich, J.V., Price, W.J., and Johnson, T.N., 2022. Managing forbs preferred by greater sage-grouse and soil moisture in mesic meadows with short-duration grazing. Rangeland Ecology & Management 82, 66-75. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rama.2022.02.008.
• Jansen, V., A.C.E. Traynor, J.W. Karl, N. Lepak, and J. Sprinkle. 2022. Monitoring grazing use: Strategies for leveraging technology and adapting to variability. Rangelands, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rala.2021.07.005.
• Cunliffe, Andrew M., Karen Anderson, Fabio Boschetti, Richard E. Brazier, Hugh A. Graham, Isla H. Myers‐Smith, Thomas Astor, et al. “Global Application of an Unoccupied Aerial Vehicle Photogrammetry Protocol for Predicting Aboveground Biomass in Non‐forest Ecosystems.” Edited by Temuulen Sankey and A Carter. Remote Sensing in Ecology and Conservation, July 7, 2021, rse2.228. https://doi.org/10.1002/rse2.228.
• Jansen, V.S., C.A. Kolden, H.J. Schmalz, J.W. Karl, and R.V. Taylor. “Using Satellite-Based Vegetation Data for Short-Term Grazing Monitoring to Inform Adaptive Management.” Rangeland Ecology & Management 76 (May 2021): 30–42. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rama.2021.01.006.
• Allred, B.W., B.T. Bestelmeyer, C.S. Boyd, C. Brown, K.W. Davies, L.M. Ellsworth, T.A. Erickson, S.D. Fuhlendorf, T.V. Griffiths, V. Jansen, M.O. Jones, J. Karl, J.D. Maestas, J.J. Maynard, S.E. McCord, D.E. Naugle, H.D. Starns, D. Twidwell, D.R. Uden. 2021. Improving Landsat predictions of rangeland fractional cover with multitask learning and uncertainty. Methods in Ecology and Evolution 00: 1-9. https://doi.org/10.1111/2041-210X.13564.
• Sprinkle, J.E., J.K. Sagers, J.B. Hall, M.J. Ellison, J.V. Yelich, J.R. Brennan, J.B. Taylor, J.B. Lamb. 2021. Predicting cattle grazing behavior on rangeland using accelerometers. Rangeland Ecology and Management 76: 157-170. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rama.2020.10.001.
• Wardropper, CB, Angerer J, Burnham M, Fernandez-Gimenez M, Jansen V, Jason K., Lee K, Wollstein K. 2021. The use of climate decision-support tools for rangeland: Social science insights on influences from individual to institutional levels. Current Opinion in Environmental Sustainability 52: 82-91. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cosust.2021.07.001.
• Sprinkle, J. E., M. J. Ellison, J. B. Hall, J. V. Yelich, C. M. Willmore, and J. R. Brennan. 2021. Grazing behavior and production for lactating cows differing in residual feed intake while grazing spring and summer rangeland. Translational Animal Science 5: txab063. https://doi.org/10.1093/tas/txab063.
• McCarley, T.R., T.M. Ball, J.L. Aycrigg, E.K. Strand, L.K. Svancara, J.S. Horne, T.N. Johnson, M.K. Lonneker, M. Hurley. 2020. Predicting fine-scale plant species distribution to inform ungulate nutrition. Ecological Informatics 60: 101170. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoinf.2020.101170.
• Sprinkle, J.E., M.J. Ellison, J.B. Hall, J.V. Yelich, C.M. Willmore, J.R. Brennan. 2019. Are low residual feed intake cows adapted to rangelands? Transl. Anim. Sci. 3:1797-1801. https://doi.org/10.1093/tas/txz101.
• York, K.J., T.N. Johnson, J.V. Yelich, W.J. Price, M.J. Ellison. 2019. Mesic meadow response to varying levels of grazing utilization in south-central Idaho. Translational Animal Science; Volume 3(1): 1658-1663. https://doi.org/10.1093/tas/txz050.

Popular articles

• Ellison, M. J. 2017. Grazing mesic and riparian areas in sage-grouse habitat. Idaho Cattle Association Line Rider Magazine. December.

Other Extension material

• Sprinkle, James. 2024. Grazing Behavior of Efficient Vs. Non-Efficient Cattle on Rangeland. Edited by Justin Mills. Working Ranch Rodeo Show Podcast Episode 184. September 28, 2024.
• Sprinkle, J. and J. Brennan. 2019. Using 3-axis accelerometers to determine grazing activity. 16 pp. Available online at https://maine.box.com/s/g8vkkrjaexyzi9r6w0xn2gw62c5lm63u
• Sprinkle, J. (Author) and S. A. Arispe. 2017. Developing your own utilization curve. [4:56 min video; Cattle Producer’s Handbook]. In S. A. Arispe (Producer). Ontario, OR: Oregon State University Extension Service. Available at: https://media.oregonstate.edu/media/t/0_25gnl4to . Accessed Nov. 30, 2017. (Peer Reviewed).
• Sprinkle, J. (Author) and S. A. Arispe (Director). 2017. Using the utilization gauge. [16:40 min video; Cattle Producer’s Handbook]. In S. A. Arispe (Producer). Ontario, OR: Oregon State University Extension Service. Available at: https://media.oregonstate.edu/media/t/0_l77e37h5. Accessed Nov. 30, 2017. (Peer Reviewed).
• Sprinkle, J. (Author) and S. A. Arispe (Director). 2017. Introduction to utilization monitoring. [5:55 min video; Cattle Producer’s Handbook]. In S. A. Arispe (Producer). Ontario, OR: Oregon State University Extension Service. Available at: https://media.oregonstate.edu/media/t/0_cg6amo81. Accessed Nov. 30, 2017. (Peer Reviewed).
• Sprinkle, J. (Author) and S. A. Arispe (Director). 2017. Calculating stocking rate. [3:23 min video; Cattle Producer’s Handbook]. In S. A. Arispe (Producer). Ontario, OR: Oregon State University Extension Service. Available at: https://media.oregonstate.edu/media/t/0_hdsaho08. Accessed Nov. 30, 2017. (Peer Reviewed).
• Prescott, W. (Speaker), J. Sprinkle (Co-Director), and S. A. Arispe (Director). 2017. A rancher’s perspective on determining stocking rates. [7:30 min video; Cattle Producer’s Handbook]. In S. A. Arispe (Producer). Ontario, OR: Oregon State University Extension Service. Available at: https://media.oregonstate.edu/media/t/0_66jvmsb5. Accessed Nov. 30, 2017. (Peer Reviewed).
• Sprinkle, J. (Author) and S. A. Arispe (Director). 2017. How do you collect forage production data? [8:57 min video; Cattle Producer’s Handbook]. In S. A. Arispe (Producer). Ontario, OR: Oregon State University Extension Service. Available at: https://media.oregonstate.edu/media/t/0_jm8idopu. Accessed Nov. 30, 2017. (Peer Reviewed).
• Sprinkle, J. (Author) and Arispe, S.A. (Director). 2017. Where do you collect forage production data? [4:34 min video; Cattle Producer’s Handbook]. In S. A. Arispe (Producer). Ontario, OR: Oregon State University Extension Service. Available at: https://media.oregonstate.edu/media/t/0_082db43c. Accessed Nov. 30, 2017. (Peer Reviewed). 

• Avian species list
• Meadow plant list
• Upland plant list
• General site description
• Monitoring data portal (requires username & password)
• RangeSat tool
• Rinker Rock Creek Ranch research flyer