Beginner Off-Road Trails
Near Akeley, Minnesota

Minnesota 34 Ditch Trail between Akeley and Nevis runs along the north side of Minnesota State Highway 34. This section of trail is 6.1 miles long and takes about 30 minutes at an average speed of about 12.2 MPH. Very easy to follow, please be aware of residential areas and keep speeds low for safet...
Learn more about Minnesota 34 Ditch Trail 6.1

This trail is quite close to the Stompin Grounds campground but appears rather untouched. There is a really beautiful section of tall evergreens. The trail has typical roots to cross, some inclines and decline with rocks, and some narrow washed-out areas that require some concentration and engine br...
Learn more about Paul Bunyan South Border

Dirt road with a scenic route. Very easy trail. Surrounded by trees with a good interest point with some benches to sit at. The trail was not demanding at all. Did this in 2WD. No steep grades or water crossings. Trail says accessible by full-width and high-clearance 4x4. I would definitely leave th...
Learn more about Howard Lake Spur - FS 2803

The Paul Bunyan Southern Single Track Bypass is an approachable and scenic 1.8-mile dirt bike trail designed for riders looking to quickly bypass the southern forest roads and access deeper single-track networks east of State Highway 64. Starting near the Stompin' Grounds Campground trail lot, this ...
Learn more about Paul Bunyan Southern Single Track Bypass

Parkway Forest Road is a gentle gravel forest road that splits the eastern section of Paul Bunyan State Forest in half. It stretches over 8 miles, connecting County Road 39 and County Road 23. There are many dispersed campsites along the road, with several large enough for groups to spread out on. R...
Learn more about Parkway Forest Road

Really nice cruising trail with some rocks and roots but overall tame. The trail widens and narrows to about the size of a SxS. Some technical spots on other trails to access this one from the parking lots but this trail is good fun with nice views of water and northern Minnesota forest. General Not...
Learn more about Paul Bunyan South River Rd

This trail is set near the southwestern area of the Paul Bunyan Forest trail system. There is a large trail loop people often do, but this trail could be used to shorten said loop or hit a dirt bike trail along the way. There were no overly complicated obstacles, just washed-out regions that any veh...
Learn more about South Round River Drive Cut Through

This trail borders the far east side of the Paul Bunyan Trail System. This trail appeared to be marked with SxS and ATV only in some areas. It seems that certain clubs in the area have tried to create natural loops for equipment with either 2 or 4 wheels. Be on the lookout for these instances. Other...
Learn more about Paul Bunyan Far East Loop

East Steamboat Lake Road is one of the main arteries in the eastern half of Paul Bunyan State Forest. It is a gentle, wide, and well-maintained gravel road. Use it to cruise the forest or to connect to several of the single-track or ATV trails along the way. There are several dispersed campsites alo...
Learn more about East Steamboat Lake Road

Nice wide forest road with pretty fall colors and pine trees. Some occasional ponds or water but it's more woodsy than water views. Multiple spots to disperse camp along this road and great access to many SxS, ATV, and dirt bike trails.General Note on Trail Riding in MN: Many trails heavily change i...
Learn more about Paul Bunyan West Steamboat Forest Road

This trail is quite smooth and flowy as we call it. You are able to go somewhat fast without many bumps. The trail is narrower in spots but overall a wider trail with the occasional roots and rocks but nothing nagging. Not much water. A few challenging spots and a few inclines and declines but overa...
Learn more about Paul Bunyan's Smooth Backwoods Cruise

This trail is a really nice edge of the park trail. This area feels removed from the rest of the trails. It is not overly narrow but there are plenty of spaces to pass other vehicles on the trail. A few technical spots like a small "rock garden" type obstacle hill. Overall really pretty with some ...
Learn more about Paul Bunyan West River Rd Loop

This trail is about one SxS wide and that is overall quite easy. There are a few rocky sections but these are short-lived. When starting the trail, it will feel a lot like a forest road but it gets narrower as you continue on. General Note on Trail Riding in MN: Many trails heavily change in difficu...
Learn more about Paul Bunyan Round River Dr

This is a really short jaunt that dirt bikers are required to take because some of the trails in this area are pretty well specified for certain types. Some water and close trees on this root but overall easy. There are a fair number of roots so when wet these could be slippery and tippy. A couple o...
Learn more about Round River Dr. Dirt Bike Short Cut

Inner Forest Road between Hubbard County Road 2 and Spur I Forest Road is 4.6 miles long and takes about 1 minute to travel at an average speed of 15. MPH. This section of trail is on part of Paul Bunyan Forest Road 14. Inner Forest Road continues on past the intersection mapped here but per the Dir...
Learn more about Inner Forest Road 4.6

Highway 2 Ditch Trail between Nevis and where Hubbard County Road 2 turns west just south of Paul Bunyan State Forest. This section of trail runs along both sides of County Road 2 once you get out of the Nevis City Limits. This section of trail is 5.4 miles long and takes about 18 minutes at an aver...
Learn more about Highway 2 Ditch Trail 5.4

This is a nice smooth trail that gets a bit windy and steep in spots. The switchback portion which is farthest from the large parking area is not too technical but can be washed out and quite rocky depending on the weather. The bulk of the trail feels like an ATV/SxS forest road. General Note on Tr...
Learn more about Round River Dr Cut Through

This is a short, easy forest road with maintained gravel, pretty views, and nice fall colors. This road takes you back to some dispersed camping, other forest roads, and trails for ATVs and Dirt Bikes. Very manageable and appears to be kept up routinely. General Note on Trail Riding in MN: Many trai...
Learn more about Paul Bunyan Round River Dr. Forest Road

This trail is on the narrower side with really nice mature trees, some small rocks, and small water puddles. This trail could be quite wet in the spring after snowmelt or after a large storm. The puddles are not very deep, probably 6 inches. Narrow areas of the path have roots that could pose diffic...
Learn more about Round River Drive Western Loop Cut Through

This trail offers a scenic drive through the forest and features a surprising amount of infrastructure for the area. As it winds through the woods, it runs mostly parallel to both a paved cycling trail and a designated snowmobile route, creating a shared-use corridor that supports a variety of outdo...
Learn more about Bachelor Road Northwest

Minnesota 34 Ditch Trail between Akeley and Nevis runs along the north side of Minnesota State Highway 34. This section of trail is 6.1 miles long and takes about 30 minutes at an average speed of about 12.2 MPH. Very easy to follow, please be aware of residential areas and keep speeds low for safet...
Learn more about Minnesota 34 Ditch Trail 6.1

Dirt road with a scenic route. Very easy trail. Surrounded by trees with a good interest point with some benches to sit at. The trail was not demanding at all. Did this in 2WD. No steep grades or water crossings. Trail says accessible by full-width and high-clearance 4x4. I would definitely leave th...
Learn more about Howard Lake Spur - FS 2803

Parkway Forest Road is a gentle gravel forest road that splits the eastern section of Paul Bunyan State Forest in half. It stretches over 8 miles, connecting County Road 39 and County Road 23. There are many dispersed campsites along the road, with several large enough for groups to spread out on. R...
Learn more about Parkway Forest Road

Really nice cruising trail with some rocks and roots but overall tame. The trail widens and narrows to about the size of a SxS. Some technical spots on other trails to access this one from the parking lots but this trail is good fun with nice views of water and northern Minnesota forest. General Not...
Learn more about Paul Bunyan South River Rd

Minnesota 34 Ditch Trail between Akeley and Nevis runs along the north side of Minnesota State Highway 34. This section of trail is 6.1 miles long and takes about 30 minutes at an average speed of about 12.2 MPH. Very easy to follow, please be aware of residential areas and keep speeds low for safet...
Learn more about Minnesota 34 Ditch Trail 6.1

Dirt road with a scenic route. Very easy trail. Surrounded by trees with a good interest point with some benches to sit at. The trail was not demanding at all. Did this in 2WD. No steep grades or water crossings. Trail says accessible by full-width and high-clearance 4x4. I would definitely leave th...
Learn more about Howard Lake Spur - FS 2803

Parkway Forest Road is a gentle gravel forest road that splits the eastern section of Paul Bunyan State Forest in half. It stretches over 8 miles, connecting County Road 39 and County Road 23. There are many dispersed campsites along the road, with several large enough for groups to spread out on. R...
Learn more about Parkway Forest Road

Really nice cruising trail with some rocks and roots but overall tame. The trail widens and narrows to about the size of a SxS. Some technical spots on other trails to access this one from the parking lots but this trail is good fun with nice views of water and northern Minnesota forest. General Not...
Learn more about Paul Bunyan South River Rd