Beginner Off-Road Trails
Near Walker, Minnesota

This trail begins as a wide, two-vehicle gravel road that is well-maintained at the start but quickly narrows into a single-vehicle two-track. The surface shifts between sand and gravel, with muddy patches and potholes appearing as the trail winds deeper into the forest. Elevation changes bring stea...
Learn more about Hungry Gulch Road

This trail is a wide, well-maintained two-vehicle track. The surface is a mix of gravel and sand, and the route winds its way through forested terrain with steady ascents, descents, and several sharp curves that require careful driving. The setting is scenic, with wooded stretches broken occasionall...
Learn more about Saubtine Road Northwest

Hammer Handle is a trail with sweeping climbs and descents that has some loose rocks mixed in. The northern part of the trail has active logging, which can make the route a little confusing at first, but the orange arrows put out by Paul Bunyan Forest Riders will show you the way. If the site is act...
Learn more about Hammer Handle

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 is a really short jaunt that dirt bikers are required to take because some of the trails in this area are pretty well specified for certain types. Some water and close trees on this root but overall easy. There are a fair number of roots so when wet these could be slippery and tippy. A couple o...
Learn more about Round River Dr. Dirt Bike Short Cut

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

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 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

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 trail is quite smooth and flowy as we call it. You are able to go somewhat fast without many bumps. The trail is narrower in spots but overall a wider trail with the occasional roots and rocks but nothing nagging. Not much water. A few challenging spots and a few inclines and declines but overa...
Learn more about Paul Bunyan's Smooth Backwoods Cruise

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 is a short, easy forest road with maintained gravel, pretty views, and nice fall colors. This road takes you back to some dispersed camping, other forest roads, and trails for ATVs and Dirt Bikes. Very manageable and appears to be kept up routinely. General Note on Trail Riding in MN: Many trai...
Learn more about Paul Bunyan Round River Dr. Forest Road

This is a nice smooth trail that gets a bit windy and steep in spots. The switchback portion which is farthest from the large parking area is not too technical but can be washed out and quite rocky depending on the weather. The bulk of the trail feels like an ATV/SxS forest road. General Note on Tr...
Learn more about Round River Dr Cut Through

East Steamboat Lake Road is one of the main arteries in the eastern half of Paul Bunyan State Forest. It is a gentle, wide, and well-maintained gravel road. Use it to cruise the forest or to connect to several of the single-track or ATV trails along the way. There are several dispersed campsites alo...
Learn more about East Steamboat Lake Road

Nice wide forest road with pretty fall colors and pine trees. Some occasional ponds or water but it's more woodsy than water views. Multiple spots to disperse camp along this road and great access to many SxS, ATV, and dirt bike trails.General Note on Trail Riding in MN: Many trails heavily change i...
Learn more about Paul Bunyan West Steamboat Forest Road

The Paul Bunyan Southern Single Track Bypass is an approachable and scenic 1.8-mile dirt bike trail designed for riders looking to quickly bypass the southern forest roads and access deeper single-track networks east of State Highway 64. Starting near the Stompin' Grounds Campground trail lot, this ...
Learn more about Paul Bunyan Southern Single Track Bypass

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

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 is about one SxS wide and that is overall quite easy. There are a few rocky sections but these are short-lived. When starting the trail, it will feel a lot like a forest road but it gets narrower as you continue on. General Note on Trail Riding in MN: Many trails heavily change in difficu...
Learn more about Paul Bunyan Round River Dr

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 begins as a wide, two-vehicle gravel road that is well-maintained at the start but quickly narrows into a single-vehicle two-track. The surface shifts between sand and gravel, with muddy patches and potholes appearing as the trail winds deeper into the forest. Elevation changes bring stea...
Learn more about Hungry Gulch Road

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 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

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 begins as a wide, two-vehicle gravel road that is well-maintained at the start but quickly narrows into a single-vehicle two-track. The surface shifts between sand and gravel, with muddy patches and potholes appearing as the trail winds deeper into the forest. Elevation changes bring stea...
Learn more about Hungry Gulch Road

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 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

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