ATV Parks In Minnesota
Iron Range OHVA – Gilbert MN
Overview
- Riding Fees:
- MN Residents: Free (with a registered machine)
- Out of State Visitors: Must purchase a trail pass or register vehicle in MN
- Trail Miles: 38 miles (3,600 acres)
- Camping: Yes, Sherwood Forest Campground
- Open: Year round (except for deer season)
- Vehicles Allowed: ATVs, SxS, ORVs, dirt bikes
Iron Range OHVA is one of the best ATV parks in Minnesota.
There are trails for all vehicles, ages and skill sets, they range from easy to challenging. Motorcyclists can enjoy 3 motorcycle only trails.
Mesabi Mountain
Although there is no campground directly in the OHVA, there is one in nearby Gilbert. Sherwood Forest Campground is located on the Mesabi Trail which provides easy access to both the OHVA as well as Mesabi Mountain.
At Mesabi Mountain, ORVs, Jeeps and 4x4s looking for a challenge will find four miles of challenging crawls dedicated to ORVs. ATVs and motorcycles are not allowed at Mesabi. These trails are rated most difficult, expert level only.
Plus, Gilbert is an ATV friendly town with ATV routes through town. You can easily ride to gas, bathrooms, restaurants and motels.
These trails also link to the ATV friendly towns of Eveleth and Virginia where you can find additional restaurants, lodging and camping. The trail to Virginia takes you over Minnesota’s tallest bridge.
A vehicle wash station is available at the OHVA parking area.
Riding trails close during deer season. The exact dates varies from year to year, but it’s generally during the first three weeks of November.
Axtell Technical Riding Area – McGregor MN
Overview
- Riding Fees:
- MN Residents: Free (with a registered machine)
- Out of State Visitors: Must purchase a trail pass or register vehicle in MN
- Trail Miles: 40 acre park + 200 trail miles
- Camping: Yes
- Berglund Park Campground
- Jacobson Campground
- Snake River Campground
- Campsites: $15 – $20
- Open: 5/14 – 11/30, 8am-8pm
- Vehicles Allowed: ATVs, SxS, ORVs, dirt bikes
Access to the Axtell Riding Area is off of an OHV trail, the Soo Line North Trail. There is no road access or parking area.
Soo Line North Trail is part of the 200 mile Northwoods ATV Trail System, so riders have plenty of options for exploring the region.
Axtell is a technical OHV riding area with both natural and man made features. Riders will enjoy features such as: whoops, canyon crawl, bowls, stair crawl, log crawl, mud pit, rock crawl and an approximately 1 mile perimeter trail.
Even though this is a ‘technical’ riding area, there are rides for all skill levels. Features have difficulty level signs, so riders don’t bite off more than they can chew.
There are 3 rustic county campgrounds on the ATV trails that take you to Axtell: Jacobson Campground, Berglund Park Campground and Snake River Campground.
Berglund Park Campground is closest to Axtell riding area and the only one that has electricity and showers. Snake River Campground and Jacobson Campground are more rustic with pit toilets and water available. Jacobson Campground is the furthest away from Axtell. Aitkin County Campgrounds
Related Post: The Best ATV Trails In Minnesota
Appleton Area Recreational Park – Appleton MN
Overview
- Riding Fees:
- MN Residents: Free (with a registered machine)
- Out of State Visitors: Must purchase a trail pass or register vehicle in MN
- Trail Miles: 20 miles (330 acres)
- Camping: Yes
- Appleton Municipal Campground
- Prairie West RV Park
- Swift County Fairgrounds
- Campsites: $15 – $30
- Open: Year round
- Vehicles Allowed: ATVs, SxS, ORVs, dirt bikes
Appleton Area Recreation Park was built on the grounds of an old gravel mine that give it a unique terrain.
Everyone can have fun here, there’s adventure for all skill levels.
Experienced riders can tackle miles of narrow technical trails while beginners can cruise the sandy trails or try their luck on some fun hills.
ATVs and SxS registered in MN can ride the two miles from Appleton to the riding area, plus they can also ride in town. Unfortunately, dirt bikes aren’t allowed to ride from the park to town or in town even if they’re registered.
Appleton OHVA Features
- 330 acres
- 10 miles ORV trails
- 5 miles ATV/OHM trails
- 1.5 mile OHM practice track
- 3 enduro tracks
- Youth ATV training course
- Youth OHM practice track
- Groomed snowmobile trails
- Jumps, water hole, sand dunes, hill climbs, rock crawls
- Hiking path
- Play areas
- Shelter/Picnic areas
There are three camping areas in Appleton with easy access to town and the OHVA: Appleton Municipal Campground, Prairie West RV Park and Swift County Fairgrounds.
Appleton Area Recreational Park
Grant County Youth ATV Area – Elbow Lake MN
Overview
- Riding Fees:
- MN Residents: Free (with a registered machine)
- Out of State Visitors: Must purchase a trail pass or register vehicle in MN
- Trail Miles: 2.6 miles
- Camping: No
- Campsites: NA
- Open: 5/15 – 10/31
- Vehicles Allowed: ATVs, SxS, UTVs
Some of the larger ATV parks in Minnesota can be a bit intimidating/dangerous/scary for young riders. But, this course/training area was designed specifically with them in mind.
There is an open riding area for beginners and young riders just starting out. But, there are also moderate to difficult obstacles for young riders looking to improve their skills.
Some of these challenging obstacles include:
- 3 log crawls
- 2 off camber training turns
- 2 culvert crawls
- 2 low water crossings
- Boulder crawl
- Whoops
- Beam bridge
- Pole bridge
- Boardwalk crossing
- Elevated turn
- Technical turns
Grant County Youth ATV Area is open to both Class I & Class II ATVs. Dirt bikes and full sized vehicles are not allowed at Grant County Youth Park.
To find a map for this park on Google, do a search for ‘Grant Co. 4-H Safety Park & Botanical Learning Center’ – this is the ATV park.
Meeker County OHV Park – Darwin MN
Overview
- Riding Fees:
- MN Residents: Free (with a registered machine)
- Out of State Visitors: Must purchase a trail pass or register vehicle in MN
- Trail Miles: 4 miles (40 acres)
- Camping: No
- Open: Early June – early November
- Vehicles Allowed: ATVs, SxS, dirt bikes
Located on 40 acres with only 4 miles of ATV trails, this is one of the smallest ATV parks in Minnesota.
Narrow, winding trails take you through pretty shaded woods. All the trails here are rated as easy. Plus, there is a youth training area, so it’s ideal for families with young riders.
But, with such limited terrain, experienced riders might be better off looking elsewhere.
This park is open to Class I & Class II ATVs (SxS) as well as dirt bikes. ORVS such as Jeeps and 4x4s are not allowed.
- All ATVs in MN must be registered with the DNR
- If OHV is from another state, you must register it in MN or buy a MN trail permit
- Class I ATV = ride on top ATV 50″ wide or less
- Class II ATV = UTV/SxS more than 50″ wide, but not more than 65″ wide
- ORVs = Jeeps, trucks, 4×4, full size vehicles
- MN OHV Regulations Brochure
MN Rules For Child ATV Operators & Passengers
General Rules
Operators and passengers under 18 are required to wear a helmet
- A person less than 18 years of age must wear a seat belt when one is provided by the manufacturer
- Must ride a size appropriate ATV
Class I
Children under 10:
- Can only operate on private land
Children 10 to 15 Must:
- Complete the ATV safety online training course
- Attend a hands-on ATV course
- Exception: Children 10 – 12:
- Can operate on private land
- May operate an ATV with an engine capacity up to 110cc if the vehicle is a Class 1 ATV with straddle-style seating or up to 170cc if the vehicle is a Class 1 ATV with side-by-side-style seating if accompanied by a parent or legal guardian
- Exception: Children 10 – 12:
Children 12 – 17:
- Can only carry a passenger if the passenger is the person’s parent or legal guardian
EVERYONE 16 and older (born after July 1, 1987) Must:
- Successfully complete the online ATV Safety Course
- NOT REQUIRED to attend the hands-on ATV course
Class II (SxS, UTV)
Children under 15:
- Can can not operate a Class II ATV
Children 16 to 17:
- Must have a valid driver’s license
- Must have an ATV safety certificate to make a direct crossing of a roadway or operate on road rights-of-way
- Must wear a DOT rated helmet and seat belt (if equipped)
ATV Parks In Minnesota
Featured image Iron Range OHVA by Iron Range Tourism Bureau