Injunction Stops Activities at 170-Acre Property
A First Judicial District Court injunction has forced the closure of Panhandle Bike Ranch, suspending all riding activities and scheduled events at the 170-acre facility in Sagle pending resolution of a protracted land use dispute with Bonner County.
Co-founder Jennifer Kalbach announced the temporary shutdown on July 8 following court proceedings that day, stating the ranch would remain closed “until we get more clarity relative to the scope of such injunction (and perhaps thereafter as well), and all scheduled riding, events and programs are canceled during this time.”
The closure culminates months of legal conflict between the ranch operators and county officials over whether the property’s zoning permits commercial recreational use. The property is zoned Rural 10, which requires a conditional use permit for commercial activity.
History of Permit Disputes
Kalbach and her co-founders obtained a conditional use permit in 2024, but a county court vacated that authorization in 2025. The judge found that the Bonner County Board of Commissioners had “failed to list facts supporting its decision” when approving the permit, according to court records.
Following the permit’s vacation, the ranch transitioned to nonprofit status as a 501(c)(3) organization and requested that the county change the land use designation from recreational facility to park. County officials denied that request and advised the operators to reapply for a conditional use permit instead.
Panhandle Bike Ranch filed a petition for legal review in January 2026, and the facility opened its gates to riders on May 22. However, Bonner County issued a cease-and-desist letter on May 27, ordering operations to halt. The ranch continued hosting riders until the July 8 court injunction forced closure.
Both the ranch and the county met in First Judicial District Court on June 30 and again on July 8. The injunction was issued following those proceedings, though both parties are awaiting publication of the judge’s complete written ruling.
What Comes Next
The court’s final decision will determine whether Panhandle Bike Ranch can resume operations under its current nonprofit structure, must pursue a fresh conditional use permit application, or faces permanent closure. Until the judge issues a detailed written ruling, the facility remains shuttered and all events remain suspended indefinitely.