Beginner Off-Road Trails
Near Gonvick, Minnesota

Waptus Forest Road is an easy to navigate Forestry Road near Itasca State Park. The Trail is mostly wide open with some narrow sections with low overhead clearance. Wildlife and scenery are abundant, making it a perfect fall color trail. This trail connects to many others in the area. Closed Decembe...
Learn more about Waptus Forest Road

Heart Lake Trail is a narrow forestry road near Itasca State Park. The trail is very narrow in spots with overgrown vegetation. The fall colors and Wildlife along this trail are definitely worth the travel. In the Spring thaw and heavy rain periods, some of the trail can have some overflow and ruts....
Learn more about Heart Lake Trail

This trail is a well-maintained gravel road that runs dead straight and is two vehicles wide for its length. Drivers should be cautious of slippery sections and keep an eye out for local traffic, which may appear without much warning. The route passes through areas of forest and farmland, including ...
Learn more about Thorhult Road NW

The Otterkill trail is a gravel forestry trail with some tight vegetation in spots. This trail is easy to navigate but may get overgrown depending on the year. It is located near Itasca State Park, making it a beautiful Fall color tour trail to take. Closed December 1 to March 31.
Learn more about Otterkill Trail

This trail begins as a well-maintained gravel route that is only wide enough for a single vehicle. It runs between a wildlife management area and open fields, with private property bordering sections of the WMA and marked with no trespassing signs. After crossing another gravel road, the route narro...
Learn more about Loberg Road

This trail is a well-maintained gravel road that runs dead straight and is wide enough for one vehicle for most of its length. The surface can be bumpy in places, and drivers should take care on loose sections and remain alert for local traffic. The route passes through a mix of forest and farmland,...
Learn more about Van Pelt Road NW

The 413/Lamon trail runs between Powers Dam Road NE and eventually comes to a dead end at private property. The route is surfaced with well-maintained gravel and is very wide, making it easy to navigate. It features large corners and sweeping curves, with gentle ascents and descents that give the dr...
Learn more about 413

This trail winds through a forested area with a series of gentle ascents and descents, passing by several homesteads along the way. The surface is well-maintained and mostly smooth, with only a few minor bumps to navigate. Drivers should be cautious of local traffic and deer, which are commonly seen...
Learn more about County Road 307

Jelle Road is a well-maintained gravel route that runs dead straight between Beltrami Island State Forest, Saw-Whet Wildlife Management Area, Fireweed Wildlife Management Area, Gun-Dog Wildlife Management Area, and Wolf Trail Wildlife Management Area, with farmland interspersed along the way. Driver...
Learn more about Jelle Road

Oman Road Northeast is a straightforward forest trail that begins by crossing Birchmont Road, which is paved. From there, the route continues into wooded terrain, remaining wide enough for two vehicles. The surface is well-maintained gravel, and the trail runs mostly straight, with occasional ascent...
Learn more about Oman Road Northeast

This trail is one of the main arteries in the area and is long, wide, and made up mostly of well-maintained gravel. It travels through a mix of open fields, forested stretches, and past a few rural homesteads. While the route is generally straight, there are occasional twists and turns. Drivers shou...
Learn more about County Road 22

This trail is long, wide, and mostly made up of well-maintained gravel. It passes through a mix of open fields, forested areas, several homesteads, and runs alongside a lake. The route is popular with off-roaders, and during our drive, we encountered members of the local ATV club using the trail. It...
Learn more about County Road 55

The trail is an easy-going Forestry Road, with lots of great scenery and wildlife. Narrow in spots and some washouts depending on the time of year. The trail follows the West edge of Itasca State Park with many great camping opportunities. Fall colors are amazing with the mix of Northwoods Pine and ...
Learn more about Waptus-Mckenzie Lake Road

This trail begins at Highway 219 Northeast, starting on a paved road before transitioning to a smooth gravel surface. While generally easy to travel, drivers should use caution in slippery sections, particularly after rain. The route runs along an elevated stretch through open fields before entering...
Learn more about 330 Avenue NE

This trail is made up of well-maintained gravel, though it can be bumpy in spots due to corrugation, especially near the many homesteads in the area. It provides access to a lake with a boat launch and travels through forested terrain with a series of rolling hills. The combination of trees and elev...
Learn more about FS 2420

This long, straight trail is well-maintained and wide enough for two vehicles for most of its length. It passes through a mix of forest and open fields, with stretches of woodland broken up by views of rural properties. Along the way, it passes the Wildwood Cemetery and runs near several residences ...
Learn more about County Road 44

Anchor Mattson Trail is an easy-going Forestry Road near Itasca State Park. The trail can be narrow in spots and has lots of vegetation. Fall colors are stunning along this route. Wildlife is abundant, with lots of Deer, Grouse, Turkey, and the occasional bear and wolf. The trail is easy to navigate...
Learn more about Anchor Mattson Road

This trail begins with a smooth, wide surface but soon narrows and becomes noticeably bumpier, with sections of exposed round, small rocks and some mud. As the route continues, drivers will encounter a relatively steep and uneven ascent followed by a descent just before reaching the boat launch and ...
Learn more about Hales Road Northeast

This trail is a bumpy two-track with a sandy surface in places, making for a slower and more uneven drive. Drainage ditches and standing water run alongside parts of the route, so caution is advised, especially after rainfall. Wildlife is common in this area, with deer, bears, and beavers frequently...
Learn more about Mertz Road

This is a long trail with a well-maintained, two-vehicle-wide surface that remains generally smooth, though drivers should be cautious of slippery areas and keep an eye out for local traffic. Much of the route passes through residential areas and alongside private property, with Beltrami Island Stat...
Learn more about Malcolm Road NW

Waptus Forest Road is an easy to navigate Forestry Road near Itasca State Park. The Trail is mostly wide open with some narrow sections with low overhead clearance. Wildlife and scenery are abundant, making it a perfect fall color trail. This trail connects to many others in the area. Closed Decembe...
Learn more about Waptus Forest Road

Heart Lake Trail is a narrow forestry road near Itasca State Park. The trail is very narrow in spots with overgrown vegetation. The fall colors and Wildlife along this trail are definitely worth the travel. In the Spring thaw and heavy rain periods, some of the trail can have some overflow and ruts....
Learn more about Heart Lake Trail

The Otterkill trail is a gravel forestry trail with some tight vegetation in spots. This trail is easy to navigate but may get overgrown depending on the year. It is located near Itasca State Park, making it a beautiful Fall color tour trail to take. Closed December 1 to March 31.
Learn more about Otterkill Trail

This trail is long, wide, and mostly made up of well-maintained gravel. It passes through a mix of open fields, forested areas, several homesteads, and runs alongside a lake. The route is popular with off-roaders, and during our drive, we encountered members of the local ATV club using the trail. It...
Learn more about County Road 55

Waptus Forest Road is an easy to navigate Forestry Road near Itasca State Park. The Trail is mostly wide open with some narrow sections with low overhead clearance. Wildlife and scenery are abundant, making it a perfect fall color trail. This trail connects to many others in the area. Closed Decembe...
Learn more about Waptus Forest Road

Heart Lake Trail is a narrow forestry road near Itasca State Park. The trail is very narrow in spots with overgrown vegetation. The fall colors and Wildlife along this trail are definitely worth the travel. In the Spring thaw and heavy rain periods, some of the trail can have some overflow and ruts....
Learn more about Heart Lake Trail

The Otterkill trail is a gravel forestry trail with some tight vegetation in spots. This trail is easy to navigate but may get overgrown depending on the year. It is located near Itasca State Park, making it a beautiful Fall color tour trail to take. Closed December 1 to March 31.
Learn more about Otterkill Trail

This trail is long, wide, and mostly made up of well-maintained gravel. It passes through a mix of open fields, forested areas, several homesteads, and runs alongside a lake. The route is popular with off-roaders, and during our drive, we encountered members of the local ATV club using the trail. It...
Learn more about County Road 55