Beginner Off-Road Trails
Near Mahtowa, Minnesota

Moose Lake to Kettle River on the Soo Line North is a section of converted rail grade that is 7 miles long and takes about 20 minutes with an average speed of 21.3 MPH. This converted rail grade is raised enough that it sheds water very well. Even after rain for several days, the water on the trail ...
Learn more about Moose Lake to Kettle River

Denham to Moose Lake on the Soo Line South is a section of converted rail grade that is 12.6 miles long and takes about 45 minutes with an average speed of 16.8 MPH. This section has a few muddy areas due to spring thaw and could be wet during rainy times later in the season. There are great views o...
Learn more about Denham to Moose Lake

Moose Lake to Nemadji (Carlton County Road 11 at Ballou Road) on the Soo Line South is a section of converted rail grade that is 9.2 miles long and takes about 30 minutes with an average speed of 19.6 MPH. This converted rail grade is raised enough that it sheds water very well. Even on a rainy day ...
Learn more about Moose Lake to Nemadji

Carlton County Road 3 to the Wisconsin border on the Soo Line South is a section of converted rail grade that is 7.3 miles long and takes about 30 minutes with an average speed of 15.2 MPH. This converted rail grade is raised enough that it sheds water very well. Even on a rainy day or after several...
Learn more about County Road 3 to Wisconsin Border

Nemadji to Carlton County Road 3 on the Soo Line South is a section of converted rail grade that is 9.4 miles long and takes about 30 minutes with an average speed of 16.4 MPH. This converted rail grade is raised enough that it sheds water very well. Even on a rainy day or after several days of rain...
Learn more about Nemadji to County Road 3

Kettle River to Lawler Loop Trails on the Soo Line North is a section of converted rail grade that is 9.6 miles long and takes about 25 minutes with an average speed of 23.3 MPH. This converted rail grade is raised enough that it sheds water very well. Even after rain for several days, the water on ...
Learn more about Kettle River to Lawler Loop Trails

This trail features forest-lined paths typical of Nemadji’s landscape, with a mix of packed dirt and occasional muddy patches depending on recent weather. Nemadji is known for its network of ATV and OHV trails, so Straight Arrows Trail could be a great starting point or a scenic detour.
Learn more about Straight Arrows Trail

This forest road connects the north and south ends of the forest and is an easy, sandy road about two vehicles wide in most places. There are a few spots where puddles form after rain, but 4x4 vehicles should have no issues crossing. This is a good road for accessing other trails and a nice drive, e...
Learn more about Dago Day Use - 0340D

This is a longer perimeter forest road that intersects with many other trails and forest roads along the way. This road is mostly a long sand track, but there are a few spots that can hold decent water after heavy rain or snowmelt. There are some hills that are blind, so be sure to stay on your side...
Learn more about Willow River North

As the name implies, Corduroy Trail is full of choppy roots throughout. Riders should also expect tight trees along the way (some narrower than bar length), several areas that hold water for most of the year, short but frequent climbs and descents, and a few old bridges crossing swampy sections. It'...
Learn more about Corduroy Trail

Take this route to return to the Dago Lake boat ramp/parking area or use it to connect up with other trails and forest roads in the system. This trail is a mix of sections that are multiple vehicles wide down to single vehicle width. There is one section that has had a tree across it for some time. ...
Learn more about Dago Lake Fork

South Extension is the main north/south forest road through Nemadji. It's a simple gravel road with gentle grades throughout, with several dispersed campsites all along the road. South Extension itself ends with a dirt turnaround, but just before that, there is a connection to Nemadji Hilton Trail, ...
Learn more about South Extension

Interstate Trail North is a sand track that carves through the pines and birch trees and is an out-and-back for 4x4 traffic. OHVs can continue further north. The terrain is mostly sand with some parts that hold water frequently. There is one steeper hill along the way. All riders should be mindful o...
Learn more about Interstate Trail North

Yellow Birch Trail is a winding sand track with water holes along the way. It connects the Matthew Loury State Trail to the Gandy Dancer Trail with the Harlis Road staging area in between. This trail is open to all OHVs and ORVs and is two-way, so be mindful of normal left/right traffic separation a...
Learn more about Yellow Birch Trail

Net Lake Forest Road is the main east/west road through Nemadji. There are tons of dispersed campsites along it and many trail crossings. Be mindful of OHV traffic as it's used as one of the busiest connecting routes in the forest. There are some slightly off-camber sections around blind corners whe...
Learn more about Net Lake Forest Road

This is a long, straight sand track forest road that connects the east and west sides of the state forest. This is one of the main roads used to transfer between the other roads and trails in the system. Beware of multiple intersections where other vehicle traffic can be difficult to see. There is s...
Learn more about East West Forest Road

This is a basic sandy forest road that connects Dago Lake Road to Willow River N Forest Road. Beware of the intersection with East/West forest road, where it can be hard to see other vehicle traffic, especially in the summer when the trees are filled out. Use this road to access other trails in the ...
Learn more about Freeway East FR

This is a fast, straight section with a lot of small sand whoops and braking bumps. Some of the whoops are big enough to double on a dirt bike if you carry speed. The trail runs parallel to the freeway for much of its length, with a fence on that side. The sand can get a little loose in dry conditio...
Learn more about Freeway View Trail

Harlis Bypass is a mix of gently loamy single track and some greasy, muddy sections with areas that stay wet year-round. You'll also find some medium-sized rocks and some step-up ledgy roots throughout. It's a shorter trail compared to the rest of the system, but it's a good way to get warmed up bef...
Learn more about Harlis Bypass

Straight Arrow Enduro Riders (SAER) maintains approximately 45 miles of single-track / ATV trail in the Nemadji State Forest. This 3-mile singletrack trail isn’t as tight as other trails and flows much faster with deep sweeping turns and fewer switchbacks. It does have a few bridges—when wet, be car...
Learn more about Tamarack Straight Arrow Blue Trail

Moose Lake to Kettle River on the Soo Line North is a section of converted rail grade that is 7 miles long and takes about 20 minutes with an average speed of 21.3 MPH. This converted rail grade is raised enough that it sheds water very well. Even after rain for several days, the water on the trail ...
Learn more about Moose Lake to Kettle River

Denham to Moose Lake on the Soo Line South is a section of converted rail grade that is 12.6 miles long and takes about 45 minutes with an average speed of 16.8 MPH. This section has a few muddy areas due to spring thaw and could be wet during rainy times later in the season. There are great views o...
Learn more about Denham to Moose Lake

Moose Lake to Nemadji (Carlton County Road 11 at Ballou Road) on the Soo Line South is a section of converted rail grade that is 9.2 miles long and takes about 30 minutes with an average speed of 19.6 MPH. This converted rail grade is raised enough that it sheds water very well. Even on a rainy day ...
Learn more about Moose Lake to Nemadji

Carlton County Road 3 to the Wisconsin border on the Soo Line South is a section of converted rail grade that is 7.3 miles long and takes about 30 minutes with an average speed of 15.2 MPH. This converted rail grade is raised enough that it sheds water very well. Even on a rainy day or after several...
Learn more about County Road 3 to Wisconsin Border

Moose Lake to Kettle River on the Soo Line North is a section of converted rail grade that is 7 miles long and takes about 20 minutes with an average speed of 21.3 MPH. This converted rail grade is raised enough that it sheds water very well. Even after rain for several days, the water on the trail ...
Learn more about Moose Lake to Kettle River

Denham to Moose Lake on the Soo Line South is a section of converted rail grade that is 12.6 miles long and takes about 45 minutes with an average speed of 16.8 MPH. This section has a few muddy areas due to spring thaw and could be wet during rainy times later in the season. There are great views o...
Learn more about Denham to Moose Lake

Moose Lake to Nemadji (Carlton County Road 11 at Ballou Road) on the Soo Line South is a section of converted rail grade that is 9.2 miles long and takes about 30 minutes with an average speed of 19.6 MPH. This converted rail grade is raised enough that it sheds water very well. Even on a rainy day ...
Learn more about Moose Lake to Nemadji

Carlton County Road 3 to the Wisconsin border on the Soo Line South is a section of converted rail grade that is 7.3 miles long and takes about 30 minutes with an average speed of 15.2 MPH. This converted rail grade is raised enough that it sheds water very well. Even on a rainy day or after several...
Learn more about County Road 3 to Wisconsin Border