Fort Abraham Lincoln to Fort Rice

The ride from Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park to Fort Rice is a memorable way to explore the Missouri River corridor south of Mandan, but it takes more than loading up and following a line on a map. This guide explains how to plan the Roughrider OHV Trail outing, prepare your machine and group, manage trailhead logistics, and ride with care.

Understand the Fort Abraham Lincoln to Fort Rice route

What the Roughrider OHV Trail connects

The Roughrider OHV Trail links the Fort Abraham Lincoln area with Fort Rice along the Missouri River corridor. It’s a point-to-point ride, so your logistics matter: unlike a loop, you’ll need to plan how your group and machines will get back to the starting point. The trail’s route, access points, and conditions can also affect how long your day takes, so don’t build your schedule around mileage alone.

The trail is often described as roughly 22 miles long, but that figure is best treated as a planning reference rather than a promise of exact riding distance. Your actual trip can vary with the route you take to reach a trailhead, trail access and conditions, and any sections that are closed or temporarily unavailable. For a closer look at the corridor, see [Roughrider OHV Trail's 22 Miles Along the Missouri River] and [Roughrider OHV Trail Links Fort Abraham Lincoln and Fort Rice].

The Fort Abraham Lincoln end is associated with Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park, south of Mandan. The other end is near Fort Rice. Those names can make it sound as if the trail simply runs between two historic sites, but the ride is better understood as a motorized trail outing through a landscape shaped by the Missouri River and its surrounding prairie. Don’t assume every historic site, road, or nearby parcel is open to OHV use.

Why a point-to-point ride needs extra planning

Before choosing your direction, decide how you’ll handle the return trip. One option is to arrange a second vehicle and trailer at the destination. Another is to have someone shuttle riders between trailheads. If everyone arrives in one truck, you’ll need a plan that gets the group and the machines back together without leaving anyone stranded at the far end.

A point-to-point plan can become complicated if a rider has a mechanical problem or the group reaches the destination later than expected. Consider which vehicle has the trailer, who has the keys, and whether the person driving the shuttle knows the correct access point. Agree on a meeting place and a latest check-in time before the group separates. A simple plan can prevent a long wait at Fort Rice while the rest of the party tries to find the right turnoff.

It’s also sensible to treat the trail’s endpoints as access areas, not as guarantees of unlimited parking or services. Verify where you may stage a truck and trailer, and whether any park access requirements apply to the vehicle carrying your OHV. The separate planning questions for each end are covered in [Roughrider's New Trailhead at Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park] and [Fort Rice Campground at the Far End].

Choose your direction and organize your group

Starting at Fort Abraham Lincoln

Starting near Fort Abraham Lincoln can be convenient if your group is already visiting the Mandan area or wants to explore the state park before riding. Keep the OHV outing separate from your sightseeing plans, though. A park visitor’s vehicle, an OHV, and a trail ride may have different access rules, and being inside a park boundary does not automatically mean every track or road is open to motorized use.

Before you unload, confirm the designated staging area and the trail entrance you intend to use. Make sure your trailer is parked where it won’t block other visitors, park roads, or access for emergency vehicles. If you’re bringing a larger group, arrange the parking plan in advance rather than assuming everyone can unload at the same place. [North Dakota Trailhead Parking Limits] is a useful related read when you’re planning space for trucks and trailers.

A group starting from the Fort Abraham Lincoln end should also account for the time spent checking machines, fitting helmets, and reviewing the route. It’s tempting to count that as part of the ride, but a rushed departure can mean a missed item or a rider who doesn’t understand the return plan. Have the lead rider confirm that everyone knows the destination, regroup points, and what to do if the group gets separated.

Finishing near Fort Rice

The Fort Rice end needs the same care as the start. Confirm how you’ll identify the correct destination access point, where the trailer will be waiting, and whether the group can safely gather without blocking traffic or other users. Don’t rely on a vague instruction such as “meet near Fort Rice.” Share a specific map pin or written directions with the shuttle driver and every rider.

If you’re using a campground or other nearby facility as part of your plan, check its access and use rules separately from the OHV trail rules. A place that works as a convenient landmark may not be an authorized staging area, and camping access does not necessarily include permission to unload or ride on adjacent ground. The related guide [Fort Rice Campground at the Far End] can help you think through that endpoint as a separate part of your trip.

Set a clear arrival procedure before anyone leaves the starting area. For instance, decide whether riders will wait together at the trail end or head to the trailer in small groups, and agree on what happens if a machine arrives late. Keep a phone number for the shuttle driver and a backup contact with each rider. Those small details are especially helpful when cell service is unreliable or the group’s arrival time slips.

Ride as a group rather than as scattered machines

Choose a lead rider and a sweep rider, and make sure both know the intended route. The lead sets a manageable pace and watches for route changes; the sweep stays behind the last rider and checks that no one is left behind. This works better than relying on a fast rider to periodically look back, particularly when dust, uneven terrain, or bends in the trail limit visibility.

Agree on regroup points before leaving. If riders become separated, the group should know whether to stop at the next obvious safe place or return to the last agreed meeting point. Avoid having everyone improvise a different search plan. A route shared in advance through a mapping app such as onX Offroad can help riders understand the general corridor and mark a planned meeting location, but use it as a navigation aid—not as proof that a route is currently open or authorized.

A group ride also calls for realistic spacing. Leave enough room to see dust and react to a sudden stop, but keep the next rider in sight when conditions allow. If your group includes children, new riders, or machines with very different capabilities, set the pace for the least experienced person. The goal is to complete the route safely together, not to turn a scenic ride into a race.

Prepare your machine, documents, and navigation

Check the OHV and required paperwork

Give each machine a practical pre-ride inspection. Check the tires, wheels, brakes, throttle return, steering, lights, fluid levels, and fuel. Look for loose fasteners or damage from the last ride, and make sure any cargo is secured. On a side-by-side, check that occupants have suitable seat belts and that the machine is carrying only the number of passengers it was built to carry.

Confirm that your registration or permit is appropriate for the machine and where you intend to ride. Requirements can differ for North Dakota residents and visiting riders, and a vehicle’s registration at home doesn’t automatically answer every question about riding in the state. Review [North Dakota Registration and Trail Access] before you travel, and check the current trail and agency instructions for any additional requirements. Keep relevant documents accessible rather than buried under gear in a locked trailer.

Pack basic tools and recovery items that match your machine and the ride. A tire repair kit, air source, tow strap, small tool roll, and first-aid supplies can be more useful than a heavy box of equipment you don’t know how to use. Tell the group who carries which essentials. If one machine has the only first-aid kit or tow strap, make sure everyone knows which rider has it.

Plan for navigation without depending on a single device

Download or save the route information before leaving an area with reliable service. A phone map can be useful, but batteries drain faster in cold weather, bright sunlight, or long outings. Bring a charging option, protect the phone from dust and moisture, and make sure at least one other person can access the route if the lead rider’s device stops working.

onX Offroad can help a group review a planned route, save map information for offline use, and share locations before setting out. Those features are useful when riders need a common reference, but an app display should never be treated as permission to ride across land or as a live confirmation that a trail is open. Confirm route access through the appropriate official channels, and follow posted signs and barriers even if a digital map appears to show a line continuing beyond them.

Use more than one navigation cue. Note the trailhead names, your intended direction, the planned endpoint, and a few recognizable landmarks. If a junction or access road looks different from what you expected, stop somewhere safe and check before proceeding. A paper map or written directions can be a useful backup, especially for the shuttle driver who may not be riding with the group.

Pack for North Dakota conditions

Conditions around the Missouri River can change how a ride feels over the course of a day. Wind, dust, sun exposure, and sudden weather shifts can all affect comfort and visibility. Bring water, weather-appropriate layers, eye protection, and gloves. A forecast that looks mild at home may not feel mild on an exposed stretch of trail with wind blowing across the prairie.

Think about how the ground may respond to recent rain. Wet or soft sections can be more difficult to ride, and tires can carry mud onto sensitive areas or into places where it creates a hazard. Don’t assume that a machine’s size or tire tread makes every surface passable. Review [North Dakota Trail Closures After Rain] before heading out, and postpone the ride if conditions or closures make travel inappropriate.

Pack food and water for longer than your best-case estimate. A minor repair, a slower rider, a wrong turn, or a shuttle delay can add time. Keep a small amount of extra water accessible rather than stowed where it is hard to reach. For group rides, ask each rider to carry personal essentials even if the leader brings shared supplies.

Ride responsibly along the river corridor

Respect the trail and nearby land

Stay on the designated route and follow signs, closures, and barriers. A visible two-track or a line on a mapping app does not automatically make a route open to OHVs. River corridors include public and private land, managed recreation areas, roads, and other access points; boundaries can be easy to misunderstand when you’re focused on following a trail.

Avoid widening the trail by riding around mud, puddles, or obstacles. Going around a wet patch can create a new track and damage vegetation, while repeated detours can turn a narrow route into a broad, eroded area. If the route is too wet or blocked, stop and confirm whether there is an authorized alternative. Don’t cut across a field or follow another rider’s tracks unless you have verified that the route is open.

Keep noise, dust, and speed in mind around other trail users and nearby communities. Slow down when passing people, give them room, and avoid kicking up dust toward groups or vehicles. The practical habits in [North Dakota Trail Etiquette Locals Expect] are worth reviewing before a group ride, particularly if your party includes riders who are new to shared trails.

Check access and conditions before leaving home

Trail access can change because of weather, maintenance, land-management decisions, or other temporary conditions. Check the trail’s status shortly before your trip, not only when you first put the ride on your calendar. If an official update reports a closure, follow it even if the route appears rideable or someone in your group says they rode it earlier.

Use official trail or land-management information for final access decisions. A GPS track, social post, older printed map, or friend’s recollection may help you understand the route, but none should overrule a current closure notice or a posted restriction. For practical ways to verify conditions, see [Checking Roughrider Trail Status by Phone]. If information is unclear, contact the relevant office before hauling your machine to the trailhead.

Keep a flexible backup plan. If weather closes the route or the trail is unsuitable, choose another legal activity rather than trying to improvise an alternate path across unverified land. Nearby riding options may have different rules, access points, and conditions, so check each one on its own. A backup plan is only useful when it’s legal and available for your machine and group.

Use this practical planning table

Planning item	What to confirm	Why it matters
Direction	Whether you’re riding from Fort Abraham Lincoln toward Fort Rice or the reverse	Sets your shuttle and arrival plan
Trail access	Current status, designated entry points, closures, and posted restrictions	Prevents riding into a closed or unauthorized area
Parking	Where trucks and trailers may stage at each end	Avoids blocking access or arriving without a workable unload area
Machine readiness	Tires, brakes, steering, fuel, lights, and basic recovery gear	Reduces the chance of a preventable breakdown
Paperwork	Applicable registration or permit, plus any required documents	Helps ensure the machine is eligible for the ride
Group plan	Lead and sweep riders, regroup points, and emergency contact	Keeps the party coordinated if riders become separated
Navigation	Saved route information, backup power, and a second navigation option	Helps when service or a device is unavailable
Weather	Wind, rain, temperature, and ground conditions	Supports safer decisions about timing and whether to ride

Build a smoother day from staging to return

Use a pre-ride check-in

Before unloading, gather the group for a short briefing. Point out the lead and sweep riders, confirm the destination, share the shuttle plan, and review the expected pace. Ask riders to mention anything that could affect the day, such as low fuel, a machine that has been acting up, or a passenger who may need more frequent stops. A candid check-in is better than discovering a problem several miles into a point-to-point ride.

Have each rider check their own gear and machine rather than assuming someone else has covered it. A useful final scan includes helmet fit, eye protection, gloves, water, phone or communication device, and fuel. For a side-by-side, check that everyone is seated correctly and using the required restraint equipment. If a rider is uncomfortable or a machine seems unsafe, fix the issue before setting off.

Set a turnaround or decision time that leaves room for the return logistics. Even if the route itself seems manageable, loading, waiting for a shuttle, and reuniting the group can take longer than expected. Agree that the lead rider can slow or stop the trip if conditions change, without pressure to “make up time” by riding faster.

Keep the endpoint and return plan simple

At the end of a point-to-point ride, avoid turning the last few minutes into a scramble. The shuttle driver should know where to park and how the group will communicate when it arrives. Riders should know whether to stay with their machines, move to a designated meeting point, or wait for the trailer. If the plan changes, tell everyone before they leave the trail rather than relying on one person to pass the message along.

Build time into the schedule for loading machines carefully. Secure each OHV with appropriate tie-downs, check that ramps are stable, and verify that the trailer is ready for the load before riders begin driving up. If your group has several machines, assign a person to help direct loading and confirm that straps are attached properly. Fatigue and impatience at the end of a ride can lead to avoidable mistakes.

After the ride, take a moment to check the machines and the area where you staged. Pick up trash, secure loose gear, and make sure no one has left a document, tool, or phone behind. If you noticed a hazard, damaged section, or confusing sign, report it through an appropriate channel. Leaving the trailhead tidy and sharing useful observations helps make the next outing easier 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.