Beginner Off-Road Trails
Near Hackensack, Minnesota

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 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

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

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 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 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

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 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 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 begins as a wide, well-maintained gravel road, suitable for two vehicles, and soon reaches a clearing that can be used as a parking area or a spot to offload ATVs and side-by-sides. Beyond this point, the trail narrows considerably, becoming a two-track suited for single-vehicle passage....
Learn more about 3794

This trail begins as a well-maintained gravel road branching off from a paved route, but quickly narrows and becomes rougher as it winds south through a forested area. The trail is unmaintained for most of its length and features a mix of sandy and limited rocky surfaces, with noticeable water damag...
Learn more about FS 2108

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

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

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

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

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 is a simpler dirt bike trail with multiple pretty lakes and ponds. The trail is quite narrow but overall is a pretty mellow single track. If you are leaving Stompin' Grounds Campground or you parked at the campground trail lot, this dirt bike trail will quickly get you past most of the southern...
Learn more about Paul Bunyan Southern Single Track Bypass

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

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 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 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

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 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