Beginner Off-Road Trails
Near Backus, Minnesota

Typical narrow minimum maintenance forest road. Some areas of rough mud and gravel. Overall nothing to really be worried about even in a stock SUV. There may be extra water or down branches depending on the weather. Typically 1-2 cars wide or space to pull off to get around other vehicles. Pine Moun...
Learn more about Thompson Minimum Maintenance Forest Road

This is a smooth well maintained forest road with access to some small lakes and dispersed camping. This road continues on to connect with perch lake minimum maintenance forest road which has some other really pretty lakes and camping spots. The road is primarily sand and gravel and seems to be grad...
Learn more about Spider Lake North State Forestry Rd

This is a narrower tame trail with views of many small lakes. This trail is not overgrown but feels natural. It's not overrun and feels like a backwoods trail. There are not any large obstacles to get past. Note on Trail Riding in MN: Many trails heavily change in difficulty depending on the time of...
Learn more about Foot Hills North Lake Loop

This trail is the continuation of the Narrow Bull Moose Trail. A small jaunt across the paved road will get you here. The trail does not allow SUV/lifted 4x4 rigs but is wide in some areas. Five or more years ago, this used to be much more open and clear; logging will cause different changes to thes...
Learn more about Narrow Foothills Highway

This trail connects forest roads from Spider Lake to Foot Hills State Forest. This minimum maintenance road is a little narrower in spots, overgrown with grass in spots, and I presume pretty fun in the winter. You will see lots of Northern Minnesota scenery. Note on Trail Riding in MN: Many trails h...
Learn more about Bull Moose Trail

This trail could basically be a forest road, granted it is ATV, SxS, and dirt bike only. It is really wide in spots and is primarily gravel, with some loose sand spots, water puddles to cross, and smaller rocks. It is a fun trail but primarily for cruising, nothing too technical. Some spots are roug...
Learn more about The Narrow Bull Moose Trail

This section of road seems to be tended to on occasion. Regardless, its a fairly wide trail with a few shoot off trails and campsites. One trail shoots off and connects up with a very long dirt bike/ATV trail. Overall the trail is tame with some pretty evergreens and small lakes. Note on Trail Ridin...
Learn more about Bull Run Trail Extension

This is one of the best trails in the Spider Lake, Foot Hills Park area. Don't ruin this gem! You drive off a beach and drive on small hills next to the lake with an incredible view. You'll experience some nice rolling spots within the trail. It is overall smooth and some areas with water but super ...
Learn more about Cut Lake Scenic Drive

Bull Moose Trail is an incredibly beautiful forest road with access to many activities besides trail riding. This road provides fishing access to two different backwoods lakes and plenty of dispersed camping. One lake has a small beach and appears to be fairly deep. The drive out to the two lakes at...
Learn more about Bull Run Trail

This narrow dirt trail winds through a quiet forest and is only minimally maintained, with sections of deep sand, uneven bumps, and areas of surface damage caused by recent storms. The route includes climbs and descents and passes a small lake before continuing on toward a peaceful boat launch. At t...
Learn more about FS 2687

This trail offers a bit of a surprise for those relying on maps, which suggest a narrow and overgrown path through the forest. In reality, the route is mostly smooth and well-maintained, aside from a few potholes and areas showing signs of water damage. The surface varies between gravel, sand, and m...
Learn more about FS 3759

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

This trail is a long and winding gravel route that is relatively well-maintained as it travels through a forested area. Running parallel to the main trail is a multi-use path designated for hiking, biking, and snowmobiling, which adds to the accessibility of the area. Despite the natural setting, th...
Learn more about County Road 50

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

This U-shaped off-road trail travels through a scenic area lined with attractive lake houses and private residences before eventually connecting to the paved State Highway 200. The surrounding landscape is quiet and picturesque, with views of the lake appearing at various points along the way. The t...
Learn more about 124

This forested trail offers a pleasant drive along a mostly smooth route, although drivers should be prepared for occasional potholes and some water damage in certain areas. The surface is a mix of gravel and sand, which can become uneven after rain. The trail passes through wet areas and is surround...
Learn more about FS 3790

Trail 2107, also known as the Woodtick Auto Route, is a long, scenic route that winds through forested terrain and past a number of lakes. The trail begins near the town of Walker, where it is wide and well-maintained with smooth gravel. This northern section features multiple access points to hikin...
Learn more about Woodtick Auto Route - FS 2107

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 appears relatively new to the Huntersville Trail System. There are really small, close bumps that are hard to bridge;you feel them without going fast. The trail has many tight spots throughout the loop that add difficulty. The northern section, however, is much more open. Compared to near...
Learn more about Huntersville Eastern Loop

This trail is just one possible loop through the Huntersville Trail System;there are so many different sub-trails that it's hard to know which to take. These trails are all typically narrow with whoops and some roots. There are no major rocks or other obstacles. Compared to nearby singletrack Paul B...
Learn more about Huntersville East Wooded Free for All Trail

Typical narrow minimum maintenance forest road. Some areas of rough mud and gravel. Overall nothing to really be worried about even in a stock SUV. There may be extra water or down branches depending on the weather. Typically 1-2 cars wide or space to pull off to get around other vehicles. Pine Moun...
Learn more about Thompson Minimum Maintenance Forest Road

This is a smooth well maintained forest road with access to some small lakes and dispersed camping. This road continues on to connect with perch lake minimum maintenance forest road which has some other really pretty lakes and camping spots. The road is primarily sand and gravel and seems to be grad...
Learn more about Spider Lake North State Forestry Rd

This is a narrower tame trail with views of many small lakes. This trail is not overgrown but feels natural. It's not overrun and feels like a backwoods trail. There are not any large obstacles to get past. Note on Trail Riding in MN: Many trails heavily change in difficulty depending on the time of...
Learn more about Foot Hills North Lake Loop

This trail is the continuation of the Narrow Bull Moose Trail. A small jaunt across the paved road will get you here. The trail does not allow SUV/lifted 4x4 rigs but is wide in some areas. Five or more years ago, this used to be much more open and clear; logging will cause different changes to thes...
Learn more about Narrow Foothills Highway

Typical narrow minimum maintenance forest road. Some areas of rough mud and gravel. Overall nothing to really be worried about even in a stock SUV. There may be extra water or down branches depending on the weather. Typically 1-2 cars wide or space to pull off to get around other vehicles. Pine Moun...
Learn more about Thompson Minimum Maintenance Forest Road

This is a smooth well maintained forest road with access to some small lakes and dispersed camping. This road continues on to connect with perch lake minimum maintenance forest road which has some other really pretty lakes and camping spots. The road is primarily sand and gravel and seems to be grad...
Learn more about Spider Lake North State Forestry Rd

This is a narrower tame trail with views of many small lakes. This trail is not overgrown but feels natural. It's not overrun and feels like a backwoods trail. There are not any large obstacles to get past. Note on Trail Riding in MN: Many trails heavily change in difficulty depending on the time of...
Learn more about Foot Hills North Lake Loop

This trail is the continuation of the Narrow Bull Moose Trail. A small jaunt across the paved road will get you here. The trail does not allow SUV/lifted 4x4 rigs but is wide in some areas. Five or more years ago, this used to be much more open and clear; logging will cause different changes to thes...
Learn more about Narrow Foothills Highway