Get Off The Road IN LOTW
Considering an ATV-riding destination. Come explore all Lake of the Woods has to offer. Nestled in Northwest Minnesota, where western prairie and farm fields merge with the forests of the east. Home to all-terrain vehicle manufactures Polaris and Arctic Cat. It’s no surprise 270,000 ATVs are registered with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Lake of the woods boasts 1,400 miles of ATV trails and accessible roads.
Beltrami Island State Forest West of Baudette spans 66,903 acres, it’s Minnesota’s second largest state forest. It’s the water source of five rivers—the Roseau, Warroad, Rapid, Winter Road, and Moose. Contains seven scientific and natural areas (SNAs), the state’s largest WMA, Hayes Lake State Park, and Big Bog State Recreation Area.
Trails in the Beltrami State Forest mostly travel along pine-covered ridges, large flatland’s and look out over peat bogs. You will also travel through the heart of blueberry country-Krull, Nelson, Faunce-Butterfield, Hogsback-Obrien forest roads.
Carp’s Pit Recreation Area–a popular picnic and resting area for trail riders.
The Bankton Road–south of Williams and Roosevelt it provides 238 miles of trails. Much of this trail system follows county roads, township roads, ditch banks and existing trails.
Pine Island State Forest is east of Baudette and is the largest of Minnesota’s 58 state forests, encompassing 878,040 acres.
The forest contains numerous rivers and streams, including the scenic and historic Big Fork State Water Trail. An old Indian portage from the Tamarac River to the Sturgeon River is yet visible, as are well-defined trails between islands.
- There are several small day-use areas within the forest.
- Cedarwood, along the Frontier/Famer Road, offers a picnic table and fire ring.
- The Pines Day-Use Area, along the Indian Pines Forest Road, offers a fire ring, lean-to shelter, picnic table and vault toilet.
- Old Pine Island Ranger Station Day-Use Area, along Twomey Williams Forest Road, offers a picnic table and a point of interest.
Northwest Angle State Forest is located at the north end of Lake of the Woods county and has 144,412 acres to explore. While motoring the roads of this state forest you will see tamarack, black spruce, white and red pine, cedar, and birch.
Getting on the trail can be the best way to leave civilization behind and witness wild places—not to mention the birds, deer and other creatures that call these areas home.
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