Roughrider OHV Trail’s 2025 Expansion in North Dakota
The Roughrider OHV Trail can be confusing to plan because its route, trailheads, and connections to nearby recreation areas are easy to mix up. This guide explains what the 2025 expansion means for riders, how to plan a ride between Fort Abraham Lincoln and Fort Rice, and what to check before loading up your ATV or UTV.
What the Roughrider OHV Trail expansion means
How the expanded route fits together
The Roughrider OHV Trail follows a corridor along the Missouri River between Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park and Fort Rice. Its roughly 22-mile route gives riders a longer, connected ride than a short loop at a single staging area. The 2025 expansion is especially relevant to riders planning around the Fort Abraham Lincoln end of the corridor, where a newer trailhead helps make the route more accessible.
A useful way to think about the trail is as a point-to-point riding corridor, rather than a compact trail park where every route circles back to the same parking lot. Before heading out, decide whether you intend to ride one portion and return the way you came, arrange a pickup at the other end, or ride the full route as an out-and-back. That choice affects your fuel, timing, and the space you need to leave in your schedule.
The route’s connection to two historic sites adds character to a ride, but it does not mean OHVs can travel freely through every part of either site. Stay on signed or designated routes, respect barriers, and check the rules for the trail and the parks separately. For a broader view of the area’s riding options, see [North Dakota OHV Trails: All Four Riding Areas].
What riders should not assume about an expansion
A trail expansion can mean a longer route, improved access, a new trailhead, or changes to the way riders connect to the existing corridor. It does not automatically mean every new section is open every day, suitable for every vehicle, or connected to every nearby road. Trail access and conditions can vary, so check the official trail status before you leave home rather than relying on an old map or a past visit.
It is also easy to confuse a new trailhead with a new riding area. A trailhead is a place to stage, park, and begin a ride; it does not necessarily come with the same services, parking capacity, or facilities as a full recreation complex. If you are bringing a long trailer, meeting a group, or counting on restrooms or fuel nearby, confirm those details separately.
The most reliable plan is to treat the expansion as an improved way to access the Roughrider corridor while verifying the day’s practical details before travel. If you want a route-level overview of the corridor, [Roughrider OHV Trail's 22 Miles Along the Missouri River] and [Roughrider's New Trailhead at Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park] are useful companion topics.
Planning a ride between Fort Abraham Lincoln and Fort Rice
Choose a ride format before you unload
The full corridor can be approached in several ways, and the best choice depends on your group. An out-and-back ride is simple to organize because everyone finishes where they parked, but it means covering the same ground twice. A one-way ride can make for a satisfying point-to-point trip, but only if you have a practical way to retrieve machines or transport riders and gear at the far end.
For a first visit, consider riding a shorter portion and turning around at a sensible point. That gives you a chance to learn the surface, pace, and access points without committing the whole group to a long outing. It is especially helpful if you are riding with children, newer operators, or machines with limited range. Build in time for stops and unexpected delays; a trail’s mileage alone does not tell you how long the ride will take.
Groups should agree on a turnaround point and a regrouping plan before starting. If one rider needs to stop, the rest of the group should know whether to wait at the next safe pull-off or return to the last agreed meeting place. On a corridor-style trail, that small conversation can prevent riders from becoming separated while each assumes the others are just ahead.
Think through staging and the return trip
A trailhead is more than a pin on a map. Before setting out, confirm where you can legally park and unload, whether your trailer will fit, and whether your group can leave vehicles there for the length of your ride. If your plan involves ending at the opposite end, confirm that your vehicle or pickup can access the destination and that your group has permission and a safe place to stage there.
The Fort Abraham Lincoln and Fort Rice ends may offer different logistics, so do not assume the two trailheads have identical amenities. A large group arriving in several trucks can quickly fill a limited parking area, particularly when trailers are involved. Agree on a meeting location in advance, arrive with enough time to unload safely, and avoid blocking gates, access roads, or other users’ parking.
Use a current navigation map to help you follow the route, but do not treat a phone’s map line as permission to ride beyond a designated trail. Tools such as onX Offroad can help you orient yourself and keep track of your location, especially when riders are unfamiliar with the corridor. Pair digital navigation with official trail information and signs on the ground. For a closer look at the southern end, see [Fort Rice Campground at the Far End].
| Planning choice | What it means for your ride | What to confirm |
|---|---|---|
| Out-and-back | Start and finish at the same trailhead, riding part or all of the route twice | Your turnaround point, daylight, and fuel range |
| One-way ride | Start at one end and finish at the other | Vehicle access, pickup plan, and parking at both ends |
| Short exploratory ride | Ride a manageable section and return before reaching the far end | Where a safe turnaround is possible and whether the route is open |
| Group outing | Multiple machines travel together with planned stops | Parking capacity, regroup points, and a lead and sweep rider |
Preparing your ATV or UTV for the trail
Match the machine and gear to the route
Before loading up, check your ATV or UTV’s condition rather than assuming a machine that performed well on a familiar farm track is ready for a longer recreational ride. Inspect tires, brakes, steering, lights, and any required safety equipment. For a UTV, confirm that seat belts and doors or nets are in working order; for an ATV, check that the controls and tires are sound and that the machine is suitable for the terrain and conditions you expect.
A longer ride also makes basic supplies more important. Carry water, a first-aid kit, a charged phone, and a way to handle a minor mechanical problem. A tow strap can be useful, but it is not a substitute for riding within your machine’s limits or staying on a route that is open to your vehicle. If you are bringing multiple machines, make sure the group has compatible expectations about pace and stopping.
Fuel planning deserves its own check. Do not assume that fuel will be available at a trailhead or along the route. Start with a full tank, consider how far your machine can travel under the conditions you expect, and leave a cushion for slower riding, detours, or a return trip over the same section. A windy day, heavy load, or frequent stops can change consumption compared with a quick local ride.
Plan for changing conditions and shared use
Trail conditions can change after rain, wind, or a busy weekend. A route that felt easy on a dry day may become slick or rutted when the surface is wet. If conditions look poor, avoid forcing a ride through soft ground. Turning around protects both your machine and the trail, and it can prevent a manageable outing from becoming a recovery job.
Give other trail users room and keep your group together without crowding. Slow down when approaching people, animals, parked vehicles, or a blind section. If you meet another group, communicate clearly and pass only when it is safe. Keep noise and dust in mind, particularly near trailheads and places where visitors may be enjoying the area for reasons other than OHV riding.
Navigation helps, but it cannot replace attention to posted signs and route markings. onX Offroad may help you see where you are in relation to a planned route; still, compare what you see on your screen with the trail on the ground and any current official notices. Carrying an offline map or screenshot can also help if cell service is weak. For more on planning a full ride through the corridor, see [Fort Abraham Lincoln to Fort Rice].
Trail access, maps, and local rules
Use official information alongside navigation apps
Before leaving, look for the latest information from the agencies responsible for the trail and its access points. Check whether the trail is open, whether weather has affected conditions, and whether there are temporary restrictions or construction-related changes. An old social post or a map saved from a previous season may show a route that is no longer available in the same way.
Digital tools can make a ride easier to follow, especially when a group is new to the area. onX Offroad is one option for viewing routes and location context, but it should be used as a navigation aid—not as the final authority on access. Map layers can be helpful for orientation, yet official notices and posted signs determine what is open and where riders are allowed to go.
It is also sensible to save key information before driving out. Download any available maps for offline use, save the trailhead locations, and share the route plan with someone who is not riding. If your group splits up or a phone battery fails, knowing the agreed meeting point and return plan is more useful than trying to reconstruct the route from memory.
Keep trail access separate from nearby park access
Roughrider is associated with Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park and Fort Rice, but a ride on the OHV trail and a visit to a state park can involve different access rules. Confirm whether your vehicle needs an entrance permit for the park, whether there are designated parking areas, and which routes are open to OHVs. Do not assume that a park entrance permit grants permission to ride any road or path on the property.
Make the same distinction when planning camping or an overnight trip. A campground close to the trail does not necessarily permit OHV operation throughout the campground, and a nearby road is not automatically an approved route between your campsite and the trail. Ask about local rules before riding out of a staging area, and trailer the machine when that is the required or safest way to reach the trailhead.
Riders looking for other destinations should compare access rules and terrain rather than treating every North Dakota riding area as interchangeable. [North Dakota Trailheads With Trailer Parking] can help with practical staging questions, while [North Dakota OHV Trail Map Downloads] is a useful subject to explore when building a map plan. For broader guidance about choosing another destination, see [Best North Dakota OHV Trails for Beginners].
Making the expansion work for your group
A simple pre-ride checklist
A short checklist helps catch the details that are easy to overlook when everyone is excited to get moving. Confirm the trail status, choose your start and turnaround points, and decide whether the outing is an out-and-back or a one-way ride. Check parking and trailer access, then make sure every rider knows the meeting location and what to do if the group becomes separated.
Next, check machines and supplies. Look over tires, brakes, steering, lights, and protective equipment. Fill the tanks, pack water and basic repair supplies, and make sure phones are charged. If you plan to rely on navigation, download the map for offline use and bring a backup plan. Tell someone your intended route and approximate return time, particularly if you are riding a quieter section or planning a long day.
Finally, set expectations that fit the least experienced rider in the group. A ride that feels leisurely to a confident operator can be tiring or stressful for a beginner. Agree on a conservative pace, take breaks before anyone is worn out, and be willing to shorten the route if weather, fatigue, or trail conditions change.
What makes the expansion useful
The value of an expanded trail connection is not just additional mileage. Better access at the Fort Abraham Lincoln end can make it easier for riders to plan a visit around the corridor and its nearby attractions. The connection between Fort Abraham Lincoln and Fort Rice also gives groups a clearer route to organize around than a scattered set of unrelated riding spots.
That benefit is strongest when riders plan carefully. A clear staging plan, current trail information, and realistic expectations about mileage help turn the route into a satisfying day rather than a scramble to solve parking or pickup problems. The corridor may suit riders who enjoy a longer point-to-point outing, but a shorter section can be the better choice for families, first-time visitors, or groups with mixed riding experience.
Treat the expansion as an invitation to explore responsibly, not as a reason to assume all nearby land is open to machines. Stay on the designated trail, respect signs and closures, and check local rules before riding beyond the corridor. Those habits help protect access for future riders and make the Roughrider OHV Trail a more enjoyable destination for everyone.
Disclaimer
This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Laws, prices and regulations vary by location and change over time. Consult a qualified professional for guidance on your specific situation.
