Beginner Off-Road Trails
Near Ionia, Iowa

This Turkey River backcountry trail is one of those hidden Iowa routes that most people would never notice unless someone local pointed them toward it. Used mainly by farmers, hunters during the fall season, and those looking for a quiet way to access the river, this Class 8 road offers a laid-back ...
Learn more about Big Springs Old Log Road

Dolphin Avenue is a great example of traditional Iowa back road travel, winding through fields, wooded areas, and hunting country while following a small creek along part of the route. The road has a few rocky sections and can become more challenging when wet, with access points leading toward field...
Learn more about Dolphin Avenue

Trail is a point-to-point 1-mile bidirectional trail located in the southwest section of the Chatfield ATV trail complex. The trail can be accessed from either Minnesota Hwy 30/74 or from Hillside Drive SW. Both Class 1 (50” or less) and Class 2 (50-65”) ATVs are allowed on the Chatfield ATV trails....
Learn more about Chatfield SW ATV Loop

Chatfield Southeast is a 5-mile bidirectional trail located in the southwest section of the Chatfield ATV trail complex. The trail can be accessed from the parking lot just off Minnesota Hwy 30/74. There are several other access points along the trail, but they do not have any available parking. Bot...
Learn more about Chatfield Southeast ATV Loop

Fortune Road is a true hidden gem in Iowa, winding through a rugged valley that feels like a road time forgot. The trail can be started from either Edgewood or the north side and follows a rocky, two-lane road as it meanders down from the ridge, passing dramatic cliffs and beautiful wooded scenery a...
Learn more about Fortune Road

Imperial Avenue, just west of Marquette, Iowa, is a great example of the rugged terrain carved by rivers and glaciers throughout this part of the state. The trail starts as gravel, passing a few farms before gradually dropping into the fields and woods on a two-track that turns to dirt and rocks. As...
Learn more about Imperial Avenue

Icehouse Road is a good trail that can be done fairly quickly while exploring the area. The trail can be traveled from either end and winds alongside Elk Creek, with woods surrounding much of the route. After a good rain, the road can become muddy and water-filled, with plenty of puddles to splash t...
Learn more about Icehouse Road

Nicholson Ford is all river bottom ground. Besides a couple of drainage ditches and previous flood levees, the terrain is very flat and open. This particular trail is fairly short, flat, and with some curves. The trail surface has some sandy content due to its proximity to the river. 4x4 machine tra...
Learn more about A2

The majority of this trail is on an old flood levee from before this was a legal riding area. This trail can connect you to the MX track, High Line trail, Main road, and Perimeter trail at both ends. The main surface is dirt with multiple bypass options depending on rider preference.
Learn more about Dike Trail

Nicholson Ford is all river bottom ground. Besides a couple of drainage ditches and previous flood levees, the terrain is very flat and open. This particular trail is fairly short, flat, and with some curves. The trail surface has some sandy content due to its proximity to the river. 4x4 machine tra...
Learn more about A1

Nicholson Ford is all river bottom ground. Besides a couple of drainage ditches and previous flood levees, the terrain is very flat and open. This particular trail is fairly short, flat, and with some curves. The trail surface has some sandy content due to its proximity to the river. 4x4 machine tra...
Learn more about A3

This is the main motocross/ Jump track at Nicholson Ford. The intended direction for this track is counter-clockwise. Most of this track is in the open grass area, but it does go into the woods for some natural jumps. The surface is generally hard-packed dirt, but the club will resurface this track ...
Learn more about Woods Track A

This area of the park is one of my favorites in the park. There is a system of old levees throughout here that make for some fun ups and downs that do a great job of making this river bottom park more fun. Between the trails, there are some old remnants of the old landfill that used to be in this ar...
Learn more about C2

This area of the park is one of my favorites in the park. There is a system of old levees throughout here that make for some fun ups and downs that do a great job of making this river bottom park more fun. Between the trails there are some old remnants of the old landfill that used to be in this are...
Learn more about C1

This trail is a mostly flat dirt trail. It is Part of the Nicholson-Ford trail system. It is a great way to make a loop around the park if you want to avoid the straight line paths and enjoy one of the more curvy trails in the park. This trail connects from the Main road, Highline trail, Dike Trail,...
Learn more about B1

Nicholson Ford is all river bottom ground. Besides a couple of drainage ditches and previous flood levees, the terrain is very flat and open. This particular trail is very open and straight. The Trail Surface is mostly dirt. This trail has many intersections, allowing the connection of almost every ...
Learn more about High Line Divider Trail

This trail is mostly a flat dirt trail. It is Part of the Nicholson-Ford trail system. It is a great way to make a loop around the park if you want to avoid the straight line paths and enjoy one of the more curvy trails in the park. This trail connects from the Main road, Highline trail, Dike Trail,...
Learn more about B2

This trail is mostly a flat dirt trail. It is Part of the Nicholson-Ford trail system. It is a great way to make a loop around the park if you want to avoid the straight line paths and enjoy one of the more curvy trails in the park. This trail connects from the Main road, Highline trail, Dike Trail,...
Learn more about D1

This is the outer most trail at Nicholson Ford OHV park. It is bordered by our perimeter fence, the Iowa River, and Linn Creek. It will have the best views from the park. It is a fairly flat trail but you will encounter drainage ditches that are passable by all accepted machines. (up to 65" SXS) Mos...
Learn more about Perimeter Trail

This is the main entrance road from the parking lot all the way to the river. This trail divides the park in half. It used to be the main road into Marshalltown a long time ago. It a flat and level gravel road stretching all the way from the parking lot, comes to a T with our perimeter trail, and we...
Learn more about Main Road

This Turkey River backcountry trail is one of those hidden Iowa routes that most people would never notice unless someone local pointed them toward it. Used mainly by farmers, hunters during the fall season, and those looking for a quiet way to access the river, this Class 8 road offers a laid-back ...
Learn more about Big Springs Old Log Road

Trail is a point-to-point 1-mile bidirectional trail located in the southwest section of the Chatfield ATV trail complex. The trail can be accessed from either Minnesota Hwy 30/74 or from Hillside Drive SW. Both Class 1 (50” or less) and Class 2 (50-65”) ATVs are allowed on the Chatfield ATV trails....
Learn more about Chatfield SW ATV Loop

Chatfield Southeast is a 5-mile bidirectional trail located in the southwest section of the Chatfield ATV trail complex. The trail can be accessed from the parking lot just off Minnesota Hwy 30/74. There are several other access points along the trail, but they do not have any available parking. Bot...
Learn more about Chatfield Southeast ATV Loop

Imperial Avenue, just west of Marquette, Iowa, is a great example of the rugged terrain carved by rivers and glaciers throughout this part of the state. The trail starts as gravel, passing a few farms before gradually dropping into the fields and woods on a two-track that turns to dirt and rocks. As...
Learn more about Imperial Avenue

This Turkey River backcountry trail is one of those hidden Iowa routes that most people would never notice unless someone local pointed them toward it. Used mainly by farmers, hunters during the fall season, and those looking for a quiet way to access the river, this Class 8 road offers a laid-back ...
Learn more about Big Springs Old Log Road

Dolphin Avenue is a great example of traditional Iowa back road travel, winding through fields, wooded areas, and hunting country while following a small creek along part of the route. The road has a few rocky sections and can become more challenging when wet, with access points leading toward field...
Learn more about Dolphin Avenue

Trail is a point-to-point 1-mile bidirectional trail located in the southwest section of the Chatfield ATV trail complex. The trail can be accessed from either Minnesota Hwy 30/74 or from Hillside Drive SW. Both Class 1 (50” or less) and Class 2 (50-65”) ATVs are allowed on the Chatfield ATV trails....
Learn more about Chatfield SW ATV Loop

Chatfield Southeast is a 5-mile bidirectional trail located in the southwest section of the Chatfield ATV trail complex. The trail can be accessed from the parking lot just off Minnesota Hwy 30/74. There are several other access points along the trail, but they do not have any available parking. Bot...
Learn more about Chatfield Southeast ATV Loop