Beginner Off-Road Trails
Near Gem Lake, Minnesota

Cattail State Trail: Amery to Turtle Lake is an 11.8-mile point-to-point trail rated 2 of 10 located in Polk County. The Amery to Turtle Lake section of the Cattail State Trail is a packed gravel rail-to-trail that has a gentle elevation gain of 200 feet over the length of the trail. Departing Amery...
Learn more about Cattail State Trail: Amery to Turtle Lake

Beautiful easy dirt road. Great views year-round, especially in the fall or in the winter after a light snow. This is an easy-maintained gravel road meandering through the driftless area of east central Minnesota. Close to many other beautiful gravel roads to explore. There are many nice small towns...
Learn more about East Central Scenic Trail

Cattail State Trail: Turtle Lake to Almena is a 6.4-mile point-to-point trail rated 2 of 10 located in Barron County. The Turtle Lake to Almena section of the Cattail State Trail is a packed gravel rail-to-trail that has a gentle descent, losing about 75 feet over the length of the trail. Departing ...
Learn more about Cattail State Trail: Turtle Lake to Almena

This is a simple dirt road serving as the main avenue to the rest of the forest. Along the way, there are some nice views, especially where it opens up to the main bog/marshland. Keep in mind, this road sits very close to the waterline in several spots, so the ground may get soft in those sections d...
Learn more about Chengwatana Forest Road

This trail is one of the few in the whole forest that does not have any deep water crossings. There are a few shallow puddles that you'll encounter, but nothing extreme. Overall, this route is a nice break from the boggy trails in the rest of the system. It also smells wonderfully of pine.
Learn more about High Ground

This is a short section of the Matthew Lourey State Trail that's accessible to OHVs in the summertime. Note that this is an out-and-back trail because OHV access ends at a dirt turn-around while the snowmobile trail continues north. Expect some smaller whoops, braking bumps, a few mud holes, and roc...
Learn more about Matthew Lourey State Trail

A relaxing drive through the Driftless area north of Pepin, Wisconsin. There is nothing technical;this is a gravel county road drive with a few tar sections. You can take a hike at Five Mile Bluff Prairie State Natural Area. This trail would be extra beautiful in the fall and after a fresh snowstorm...
Learn more about Sand Road Driftless Loop

This is an easy trail with sections of red rock gravel base. Plenty of wetter areas to keep the ride interesting, and many winding trails through the trees and edges of farmers' fields. This segment is bookended by picnic areas at Anderson Park in Barron and a pavilion just off the Red Cedar River o...
Learn more about Barron to Cameron - Blueberry Trail Extension

Narrow and winding trails travel through this 40-acre parcel of woods. There is a youth training area on site, as well as a picnic shelter area, restroom facilities, and plenty of parking. There is a constructed mud pit area and good cell service. Standard Minnesota ATV permits/licenses are required...
Learn more about Meeker County OHV Park Outer Loop

The Minnesota portion of the Gandy Dancer trail is an easy 30-mile ride. The trail is open year-round to ATV/UTV/ORV and bikes. In winter, the trail is groomed and shared with snowmobiles. The trail connects to other trails in the Danbury area, Nemadji State Forest, and Douglas County, WI. The trail...
Learn more about Gandy Dancer Trail

Tamarack Sandway is a long sand track that runs adjacent to the Lower Tamarack River. The trail begins at the end of St.Croix High Line South and is OHV only. Expect rolling terrain with deep, sugary sand that's loose and dusty in dry conditions. There are lots of blind corners and hills, so be sure...
Learn more about Tamarack Sandway

Cattail State Trail: Amery to Turtle Lake is an 11.8-mile point-to-point trail rated 2 of 10 located in Polk County. The Amery to Turtle Lake section of the Cattail State Trail is a packed gravel rail-to-trail that has a gentle elevation gain of 200 feet over the length of the trail. Departing Amery...
Learn more about Cattail State Trail: Amery to Turtle Lake

Beautiful easy dirt road. Great views year-round, especially in the fall or in the winter after a light snow. This is an easy-maintained gravel road meandering through the driftless area of east central Minnesota. Close to many other beautiful gravel roads to explore. There are many nice small towns...
Learn more about East Central Scenic Trail

Cattail State Trail: Turtle Lake to Almena is a 6.4-mile point-to-point trail rated 2 of 10 located in Barron County. The Turtle Lake to Almena section of the Cattail State Trail is a packed gravel rail-to-trail that has a gentle descent, losing about 75 feet over the length of the trail. Departing ...
Learn more about Cattail State Trail: Turtle Lake to Almena

This is a simple dirt road serving as the main avenue to the rest of the forest. Along the way, there are some nice views, especially where it opens up to the main bog/marshland. Keep in mind, this road sits very close to the waterline in several spots, so the ground may get soft in those sections d...
Learn more about Chengwatana Forest Road

Beautiful easy dirt road. Great views year-round, especially in the fall or in the winter after a light snow. This is an easy-maintained gravel road meandering through the driftless area of east central Minnesota. Close to many other beautiful gravel roads to explore. There are many nice small towns...
Learn more about East Central Scenic Trail

This is a simple dirt road serving as the main avenue to the rest of the forest. Along the way, there are some nice views, especially where it opens up to the main bog/marshland. Keep in mind, this road sits very close to the waterline in several spots, so the ground may get soft in those sections d...
Learn more about Chengwatana Forest Road

This is a short section of the Matthew Lourey State Trail that's accessible to OHVs in the summertime. Note that this is an out-and-back trail because OHV access ends at a dirt turn-around while the snowmobile trail continues north. Expect some smaller whoops, braking bumps, a few mud holes, and roc...
Learn more about Matthew Lourey State Trail

A relaxing drive through the Driftless area north of Pepin, Wisconsin. There is nothing technical;this is a gravel county road drive with a few tar sections. You can take a hike at Five Mile Bluff Prairie State Natural Area. This trail would be extra beautiful in the fall and after a fresh snowstorm...
Learn more about Sand Road Driftless Loop