Dirt Bike Trails
Near Akeley, Minnesota

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

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 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

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

Really nice cruising trail with some rocks and roots but overall tame. The trail widens and narrows to about the size of a SxS. Some technical spots on other trails to access this one from the parking lots but this trail is good fun with nice views of water and northern Minnesota forest. General Not...
Learn more about Paul Bunyan South River Rd

This trail is set near the southwestern area of the Paul Bunyan Forest trail system. There is a large trail loop people often do, but this trail could be used to shorten said loop or hit a dirt bike trail along the way. There were no overly complicated obstacles, just washed-out regions that any veh...
Learn more about South Round River Drive Cut Through

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

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

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 trail is a really nice edge of the park trail. This area feels removed from the rest of the trails. It is not overly narrow but there are plenty of spaces to pass other vehicles on the trail. A few technical spots like a small "rock garden" type obstacle hill. Overall really pretty with some ...
Learn more about Paul Bunyan West River Rd Loop

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

Bird Watcher is a mix of fast, flowy sections with steep grades/technical spots. The trail darts in and out of open prairie and dense woods with tight trees and overgrown brush. One section in particular has a steep hill with large rocks on it. It's not a true boulder field by any means, but it does...
Learn more about Bird Watcher

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

Highway 61 winds through tall pines up and down the hilly terrain of Paul Bunyan State Forest. Riders should expect short but occasionally steep grades, tight trees, roots, and loose rocks throughout. Riders should proceed with the understanding that deadfalls in this system are much more common tha...
Learn more about Highway 61

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 trail is quite narrow at the time of riding with narrow trees and rutted-out narrow inclines and declines. Many areas are very thick woods or narrow passes with trees on both sides. Likely this trail is maintained by a dirt bike with a chainsaw mount. There were a few spots with large rocks but...
Learn more about Paul Bunyan Handlebar Nail Biter

This trail is on the narrower side with really nice mature trees, some small rocks, and small water puddles. This trail could be quite wet in the spring after snowmelt or after a large storm. The puddles are not very deep, probably 6 inches. Narrow areas of the path have roots that could pose diffic...
Learn more about Round River Drive Western Loop Cut Through

This trail is a very unique setting compared to the others at Paul Bunyan State Forest. There were a few spots that have a mountain biking switchback feel and one side had a bit of a drop-off. Some really old, dark evergreen-type feeling in spots that makes it feel somewhat ancient. Lots of pretty ...
Learn more about Neverland

Sandwinder is named after the long sand chute hill climb in the northern portion of the trail. Run the trail north to south in order to hit it in the uphill direction. The rest of the trail is a series of rolling climbs and descents with rocks and some sandy ruts along the way.
Learn more about Sandwinder

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

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

Really nice cruising trail with some rocks and roots but overall tame. The trail widens and narrows to about the size of a SxS. Some technical spots on other trails to access this one from the parking lots but this trail is good fun with nice views of water and northern Minnesota forest. General Not...
Learn more about Paul Bunyan South River Rd

This trail is set near the southwestern area of the Paul Bunyan Forest trail system. There is a large trail loop people often do, but this trail could be used to shorten said loop or hit a dirt bike trail along the way. There were no overly complicated obstacles, just washed-out regions that any veh...
Learn more about South Round River Drive Cut Through

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

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

Really nice cruising trail with some rocks and roots but overall tame. The trail widens and narrows to about the size of a SxS. Some technical spots on other trails to access this one from the parking lots but this trail is good fun with nice views of water and northern Minnesota forest. General Not...
Learn more about Paul Bunyan South River Rd

This trail is set near the southwestern area of the Paul Bunyan Forest trail system. There is a large trail loop people often do, but this trail could be used to shorten said loop or hit a dirt bike trail along the way. There were no overly complicated obstacles, just washed-out regions that any veh...
Learn more about South Round River Drive Cut Through