Dirt Bike Trails
Near Hackensack, Minnesota

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

Typical narrow minimum maintenance forest road. Some areas of rough mud and gravel. Overall nothing to really be worried about even in a stock SUV. There may be extra water or down branches depending on the weather. Typically 1-2 cars wide or space to pull off to get around other vehicles. Pine Moun...
Learn more about Thompson Minimum Maintenance Forest Road

This is a narrower tame trail with views of many small lakes. This trail is not overgrown but feels natural. It's not overrun and feels like a backwoods trail. There are not any large obstacles to get past. Note on Trail Riding in MN: Many trails heavily change in difficulty depending on the time of...
Learn more about Foot Hills North Lake Loop

This forested trail offers a pleasant drive along a mostly smooth route, although drivers should be prepared for occasional potholes and some water damage in certain areas. The surface is a mix of gravel and sand, which can become uneven after rain. The trail passes through wet areas and is surround...
Learn more about FS 3790

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 smooth well maintained forest road with access to some small lakes and dispersed camping. This road continues on to connect with perch lake minimum maintenance forest road which has some other really pretty lakes and camping spots. The road is primarily sand and gravel and seems to be grad...
Learn more about Spider Lake North State Forestry Rd

This trail is the continuation of the Narrow Bull Moose Trail. A small jaunt across the paved road will get you here. The trail does not allow SUV/lifted 4x4 rigs but is wide in some areas. Five or more years ago, this used to be much more open and clear; logging will cause different changes to thes...
Learn more about Narrow Foothills Highway

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

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 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

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 connects forest roads from Spider Lake to Foot Hills State Forest. This minimum maintenance road is a little narrower in spots, overgrown with grass in spots, and I presume pretty fun in the winter. You will see lots of Northern Minnesota scenery. Note on Trail Riding in MN: Many trails h...
Learn more about Bull Moose Trail

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 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

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 could basically be a forest road, granted it is ATV, SxS, and dirt bike only. It is really wide in spots and is primarily gravel, with some loose sand spots, water puddles to cross, and smaller rocks. It is a fun trail but primarily for cruising, nothing too technical. Some spots are roug...
Learn more about The Narrow Bull Moose Trail

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 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

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 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

Typical narrow minimum maintenance forest road. Some areas of rough mud and gravel. Overall nothing to really be worried about even in a stock SUV. There may be extra water or down branches depending on the weather. Typically 1-2 cars wide or space to pull off to get around other vehicles. Pine Moun...
Learn more about Thompson Minimum Maintenance Forest Road

This is a narrower tame trail with views of many small lakes. This trail is not overgrown but feels natural. It's not overrun and feels like a backwoods trail. There are not any large obstacles to get past. Note on Trail Riding in MN: Many trails heavily change in difficulty depending on the time of...
Learn more about Foot Hills North Lake Loop

This forested trail offers a pleasant drive along a mostly smooth route, although drivers should be prepared for occasional potholes and some water damage in certain areas. The surface is a mix of gravel and sand, which can become uneven after rain. The trail passes through wet areas and is surround...
Learn more about FS 3790

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

Typical narrow minimum maintenance forest road. Some areas of rough mud and gravel. Overall nothing to really be worried about even in a stock SUV. There may be extra water or down branches depending on the weather. Typically 1-2 cars wide or space to pull off to get around other vehicles. Pine Moun...
Learn more about Thompson Minimum Maintenance Forest Road

This is a narrower tame trail with views of many small lakes. This trail is not overgrown but feels natural. It's not overrun and feels like a backwoods trail. There are not any large obstacles to get past. Note on Trail Riding in MN: Many trails heavily change in difficulty depending on the time of...
Learn more about Foot Hills North Lake Loop

This forested trail offers a pleasant drive along a mostly smooth route, although drivers should be prepared for occasional potholes and some water damage in certain areas. The surface is a mix of gravel and sand, which can become uneven after rain. The trail passes through wet areas and is surround...
Learn more about FS 3790