Beginner Off-Road Trails
Near Soudan, Minnesota

This off-road trail, designated for ATV, SXS, and highway-legal vehicles, begins just off Highway 1 and follows a wide, well-maintained gravel route through dense forest. The initial section of the trail is broad and smooth, winding gently until it intersects a private road marked clearly with a sto...
Learn more about Murray Road

This trail is accessed directly from Highway 1 and starts off as a wide, well-maintained gravel road with moderate corrugation. As you move farther from the highway, the trail gradually narrows. It includes a public water access point, and a few ATV trails branch off from the main route. Due to the ...
Learn more about Trygg Road

This wide, well-maintained gravel road winds through rolling terrain with gentle ascents, descents, and curves, so drivers should watch for local traffic and residents along the way. The route passes through beautiful Northwoods forest and provides public water access to Lake Vermilion, a known loon...
Learn more about Mud Creek Road

This forest trail follows a winding route with a series of mostly gentle ascents and descents. The surface is generally smooth gravel, though there are occasional rough patches along the way. Several smaller trails branch off from the main route, including the Bear Run Trail, which is designated for...
Learn more about FS 451

This trail, also known as the Bear Run Trail, is accessed from Route 451 and begins as a mostly smooth gravel road with a few gentle ascents and descents. As you travel farther in, the terrain changes noticeably—becoming narrower, rockier, and more uneven. The trail transitions into a rugged two-tra...
Learn more about FS 451A

This trail begins off Highway 21 and follows a wide, well-maintained gravel road that winds through a scenic forested area. The route features a series of ascents and descents and is generally easy to drive, though there are occasional mild corrugations and potholes along the way. A few smaller trai...
Learn more about Rivard Road

This trail is generally wide and surfaced with fine gravel that has been mostly well graded, though it can become slippery when wet, especially after rain. It winds through a quiet stretch of forest without any residences or signs of regular habitation along the way. Wildlife is common here, and it'...
Learn more about County Road 361

This trail begins as a rocky and uneven two-track that winds through dense forest, featuring a series of ascents and descents along its route. It is well-used by local ATV and side-by-side riders, and its popularity is due in part to the presence of several dispersed campsites scattered along the wa...
Learn more about Whisper Lake

This trail branches off from Heino Trail and begins as a well-maintained gravel road that gently winds through a dense section of forest. The surface is smooth and suitable for most vehicles, offering an easy and scenic drive. Early along the route, a spur trail appears on public maps, but access ha...
Learn more about Brown Road

This trail begins with a rough, rocky surface and continues as a narrow two-track winding through scenic forest. It features a series of ascents and descents and is composed of a mix of gravel and exposed rock. Vegetation is dense throughout much of the route, and overgrowth along the trail makes pi...
Learn more about Muckawa

This trail begins as a wide, well-maintained gravel road that passes several residential properties and provides access to others further along the route. The terrain includes a number of steep climbs and descents, as well as some sharp curves, so it’s important to remain cautious of local traffic t...
Learn more about Niles Bay Forest Road

The first part of the trail splits between private property and national forest land and is smooth and well-maintained. The second portion of the trail is a rough and rugged route designed for off-road vehicles, including ATVs, side-by-sides, and 4WD trucks or Jeeps. While it starts off relatively s...
Learn more about FS 248

This trail is primarily straight, though it does curve gently in some areas as it passes through a mix of open fields and forest. The surface is well-maintained gravel, though there are occasional bumps caused by frequent use. Local traffic is common, so it's important to stay alert, especially arou...
Learn more about Hill Road

This forest trail is accessed from Highway 1 and begins as a well-maintained gravel road. It winds through wooded terrain with a series of gentle ascents and descents, offering a straightforward drive. Local traffic is common along this route, so it’s best to proceed with caution, especially around ...
Learn more about County Road 403

This trail begins as a long paved road before transitioning into a busy gravel road that sees frequent use, particularly due to the presence of YMCA facilities near the lake, including the Du Nord Lodge, as well as several private residences. Motorized recreational vehicles such as ATVs and side-by-...
Learn more about North Arm Road

This trail begins where County Road 403 ends, at a bend in the road, and immediately narrows as it continues into the forest. We found no evidence of beaver or even a beaver farm. The surface remains smooth, primarily gravel, though there are sections with frequent potholes and mild corrugations. Th...
Learn more about Beaver Farm

Approaching the trail from Hulum Road, the route quickly reveals its more challenging character. It is narrow, twisting, and features rocky, off-camber sections, with occasional steep climbs and muddy patches that can become slick after rain. Vegetation grows tightly along the sides, and drivers of ...
Learn more about Old Angora Road

This trail is a well-maintained gravel route that winds through a dense forest landscape, with occasional climbs and descents. It's a fairly long trail and sees a moderate amount of traffic, including recreational users and local residents. The forested surroundings are scenic, and there are a coupl...
Learn more about Hulum Road

This trail is accessed from the paved section of the Echo Trail and begins near a well-maintained campground that features large, private sites along with water access, toilets, and a log shelter. This trail winds through a forested landscape with steady ascents and descents. The surface is mostly r...
Learn more about High Lake Road

This trail begins at Highway 1 and runs past a handful of well-kept homesteads before winding its way through a mix of open and wooded terrain. The surface is generally well-graded gravel, making for a comfortable drive, though there are several gentle ascents, descents, and curves along the way tha...
Learn more about Burghardt Road

This off-road trail, designated for ATV, SXS, and highway-legal vehicles, begins just off Highway 1 and follows a wide, well-maintained gravel route through dense forest. The initial section of the trail is broad and smooth, winding gently until it intersects a private road marked clearly with a sto...
Learn more about Murray Road

This trail, also known as the Bear Run Trail, is accessed from Route 451 and begins as a mostly smooth gravel road with a few gentle ascents and descents. As you travel farther in, the terrain changes noticeably—becoming narrower, rockier, and more uneven. The trail transitions into a rugged two-tra...
Learn more about FS 451A

This trail begins as a rocky and uneven two-track that winds through dense forest, featuring a series of ascents and descents along its route. It is well-used by local ATV and side-by-side riders, and its popularity is due in part to the presence of several dispersed campsites scattered along the wa...
Learn more about Whisper Lake

This trail begins with a rough, rocky surface and continues as a narrow two-track winding through scenic forest. It features a series of ascents and descents and is composed of a mix of gravel and exposed rock. Vegetation is dense throughout much of the route, and overgrowth along the trail makes pi...
Learn more about Muckawa

This off-road trail, designated for ATV, SXS, and highway-legal vehicles, begins just off Highway 1 and follows a wide, well-maintained gravel route through dense forest. The initial section of the trail is broad and smooth, winding gently until it intersects a private road marked clearly with a sto...
Learn more about Murray Road

This trail, also known as the Bear Run Trail, is accessed from Route 451 and begins as a mostly smooth gravel road with a few gentle ascents and descents. As you travel farther in, the terrain changes noticeably—becoming narrower, rockier, and more uneven. The trail transitions into a rugged two-tra...
Learn more about FS 451A

This trail begins as a rocky and uneven two-track that winds through dense forest, featuring a series of ascents and descents along its route. It is well-used by local ATV and side-by-side riders, and its popularity is due in part to the presence of several dispersed campsites scattered along the wa...
Learn more about Whisper Lake

This trail begins with a rough, rocky surface and continues as a narrow two-track winding through scenic forest. It features a series of ascents and descents and is composed of a mix of gravel and exposed rock. Vegetation is dense throughout much of the route, and overgrowth along the trail makes pi...
Learn more about Muckawa