Beginner Off-Road Trails
Near Askov, Minnesota

If you’re trying to get onto dirt (or sand) as soon as you’re off the freeway, run this instead of taking Old Hwy 61 into the rest of the state forest. It’s an easy trail overall, but in dry conditions the sand can get pretty loose. Not a problem with 4x4 and decent tires. After rain, there are a fe...
Learn more about Freeway West FR

This trail is a long, mostly straight sand track with some hills, braking bumps, small whoops, and a few areas that collect water after rain, particularly as you get closer to Doc's Sports Bar. This is a great connector if you're tired after a day of riding and want to sit down for a hot meal at Doc...
Learn more about Doc's Trail

This is a long, straight sand track forest road that connects the east and west sides of the state forest. This is one of the main roads used to transfer between the other roads and trails in the system. Beware of multiple intersections where other vehicle traffic can be difficult to see. There is s...
Learn more about East West Forest Road

This is one of the more fun ATV-type trails in this system. On the freeway side, there is a section with some taller whoops before it enters the forest. The rest of the trail is a faster, flowy sand track that weaves through the pines. There are many blind corners on this trail, so be sure to respec...
Learn more about Sandy Pines Trail

This trail is meant to take you to Zalesky Lake as an out-and-back; however, there is significant deadfall across the southern part of the trail that makes it impassable. In its current state, it is still useful as it provides access to a dispersed campsite. It's not clear whether the end of this tr...
Learn more about Zalesky Lake Trail

This is a basic sandy forest road that connects Dago Lake Road to Willow River N Forest Road. Beware of the intersection with East/West forest road, where it can be hard to see other vehicle traffic, especially in the summer when the trees are filled out. Use this road to access other trails in the ...
Learn more about Freeway East FR

This is a fast, straight section with a lot of small sand whoops and braking bumps. Some of the whoops are big enough to double on a dirt bike if you carry speed. The trail runs parallel to the freeway for much of its length, with a fence on that side. The sand can get a little loose in dry conditio...
Learn more about Freeway View Trail

This is a longer perimeter forest road that intersects with many other trails and forest roads along the way. This road is mostly a long sand track, but there are a few spots that can hold decent water after heavy rain or snowmelt. There are some hills that are blind, so be sure to stay on your side...
Learn more about Willow River North

Take this route to return to the Dago Lake boat ramp/parking area or use it to connect up with other trails and forest roads in the system. This trail is a mix of sections that are multiple vehicles wide down to single vehicle width. There is one section that has had a tree across it for some time. ...
Learn more about Dago Lake Fork

This forest road connects the north and south ends of the forest and is an easy, sandy road about two vehicles wide in most places. There are a few spots where puddles form after rain, but 4x4 vehicles should have no issues crossing. This is a good road for accessing other trails and a nice drive, e...
Learn more about Dago Day Use - 0340D

McGrath to Denham on the Soo Line South is a section of converted rail grade. It's 19 miles long and takes about 40 minutes with an average speed of 28.5 MPH. This section has a few muddy areas due to spring thaw and could be wet during rainy times later in the season.
Learn more about McGrath to Denham

This is a short spur trail off the main trail that leads to a small clearing. There are often a number of grouse in the middle of the trail. There are many birch trees that line this route, which fall across the trail frequently and may be in the way if they haven't been cleared recently.
Learn more about Hunter's Spur

Tamarack River Forest Road is a smooth gravel road with gentle grades. It serves as one of the main roads through St. Croix State Forest with many trail crossings along the way. It begins at Grace Lake Road and ends at Boulder Campground and Rock Lake. Note that OHVs are not permitted inside the cam...
Learn more about Tamarack River Forest Road

Moose Lake to Kettle River on the Soo Line North is a section of converted rail grade that is 7 miles long and takes about 20 minutes with an average speed of 21.3 MPH. This converted rail grade is raised enough that it sheds water very well. Even after rain for several days, the water on the trail ...
Learn more about Moose Lake to Kettle River

Denham to Moose Lake on the Soo Line South is a section of converted rail grade that is 12.6 miles long and takes about 45 minutes with an average speed of 16.8 MPH. This section has a few muddy areas due to spring thaw and could be wet during rainy times later in the season. There are great views o...
Learn more about Denham to Moose Lake

Moose Lake to Nemadji (Carlton County Road 11 at Ballou Road) on the Soo Line South is a section of converted rail grade that is 9.2 miles long and takes about 30 minutes with an average speed of 19.6 MPH. This converted rail grade is raised enough that it sheds water very well. Even on a rainy day ...
Learn more about Moose Lake to Nemadji

Churchill Lake Trail is a fairly relaxed route that connects Grace and Churchill Lakes via Tamarack Forest Road and Grace Lake Road. It's mostly sand and has fewer rocks than most of the trails in this system. There are a few shallow water crossings, most of which have by-passes. There is one sectio...
Learn more about Churchill Lake Trail

Norsemen Pass, named after the club that builds and maintains this trail system, is an easy-flowing trail with some tighter sections that wind through tight trees. It runs along the ATV stem trail for much of the way. Expect mostly dirt for the trail surface with some embedded and loose rocks, narro...
Learn more about Norsemen Pass

Hay Creek Trail is mostly a tame route with several mud holes along the way but there is a creek crossing at Longstrem Brook that can be a little intimidating. It's not deep but the steep approach makes it seem worse than it is. It can be used as a low consequence confidence booster for newer riders...
Learn more about Hay Creek Trail

Greenwald Run is a classic Minnesota woods trail featuring a narrow dirt track winding through a mix of dense forest and open straight sections. Mostly smooth dirt tread allows for good flow with enough embedded rocks/roots, occasional downed trees, and ruts to keep the ride engaging. Visibility can...
Learn more about Greenwald Run

If you’re trying to get onto dirt (or sand) as soon as you’re off the freeway, run this instead of taking Old Hwy 61 into the rest of the state forest. It’s an easy trail overall, but in dry conditions the sand can get pretty loose. Not a problem with 4x4 and decent tires. After rain, there are a fe...
Learn more about Freeway West FR

This trail is a long, mostly straight sand track with some hills, braking bumps, small whoops, and a few areas that collect water after rain, particularly as you get closer to Doc's Sports Bar. This is a great connector if you're tired after a day of riding and want to sit down for a hot meal at Doc...
Learn more about Doc's Trail

This is a long, straight sand track forest road that connects the east and west sides of the state forest. This is one of the main roads used to transfer between the other roads and trails in the system. Beware of multiple intersections where other vehicle traffic can be difficult to see. There is s...
Learn more about East West Forest Road

This is one of the more fun ATV-type trails in this system. On the freeway side, there is a section with some taller whoops before it enters the forest. The rest of the trail is a faster, flowy sand track that weaves through the pines. There are many blind corners on this trail, so be sure to respec...
Learn more about Sandy Pines Trail

If you’re trying to get onto dirt (or sand) as soon as you’re off the freeway, run this instead of taking Old Hwy 61 into the rest of the state forest. It’s an easy trail overall, but in dry conditions the sand can get pretty loose. Not a problem with 4x4 and decent tires. After rain, there are a fe...
Learn more about Freeway West FR

This trail is a long, mostly straight sand track with some hills, braking bumps, small whoops, and a few areas that collect water after rain, particularly as you get closer to Doc's Sports Bar. This is a great connector if you're tired after a day of riding and want to sit down for a hot meal at Doc...
Learn more about Doc's Trail

This is a long, straight sand track forest road that connects the east and west sides of the state forest. This is one of the main roads used to transfer between the other roads and trails in the system. Beware of multiple intersections where other vehicle traffic can be difficult to see. There is s...
Learn more about East West Forest Road

This is one of the more fun ATV-type trails in this system. On the freeway side, there is a section with some taller whoops before it enters the forest. The rest of the trail is a faster, flowy sand track that weaves through the pines. There are many blind corners on this trail, so be sure to respec...
Learn more about Sandy Pines Trail