Off Road Vehicle Riding LOW

Most people come to Lake of the Woods for the fishing.  This means opportunities for folks who enjoy trail riding using  off road vehicles.  Tens of thousands of acres of beautiful public forests abound in this region very few take advantage of.  There are many beautiful wooded trails for both ATV and UTV (side by side) use throughout available to the public.  These trails are amongst some incredible land in the north country loaded with wildlife.

One part of the equation for a fun and successful off road vehicle trip are the trails.  Check.  Another part is a nice variety of lodging or perhaps camping.  Check.  Another key to a great trip for many is a wide variety of restaurants and bars.  Check.  And finally, some groups like to mix up activities and let’s say catch a bunch of walleyes.  Whatever your equation for a fun ATV trip, Lake of the Woods might be a nice fit.

For those who really enjoy riding beautiful trails, ATV & Off Road enthusiasts will be happy to know there are over 1,400 miles of ATV trails and accessible roads within the greater Beltrami area and Carp Pit, a northern MN recreation area favored by ATV riders that features picnic tables and space for camping.

Off road vehicles can be driven on all state forest trails that are not designated as off limits for environmental or safety reasons.  Lake of the Woods area has literally has thousands of acres of prime ATV destinations, a variety of nice resorts and hotels and of course great places to eat and drink while on vacation.

Legislation effective August 1, 2005 allows a greater freedom for all-terrain vehicle riders choosing to ride in Minnesota state forests in our region. Off-highway vehicles can be driven on all state forest trails that are not designated as off limits for environmental or safety reasons.

• Beltrami Island State Forest is just west of Baudette and spans an area of 66,903 acres.
• Pine Island State Forest is just east of Baudette and encompasses 878,040 acres.
• Northwest Angle State Forest in the north end of Lake of the Woods county has 144,412 acres to explore.  

Many visitors come to experience the vast wilderness trails via recreational vehicles during the summer and fall months. Beltrami State Forest and the Bankton roads south of Williams and Roosevelt have hundreds of miles of trails, 238 to be exact; not to mention the great hunting that goes with it. Much of this trail system follows county roads, township roads, ditch banks and existing trails.