Little Missouri Grassland Road Mileage
The Little Missouri National Grassland is often described as having roughly 1,000 miles of roads, but that figure is not the same as 1,000 miles of legal ATV or UTV riding. Some routes may be closed to motor vehicles, limited by season, or unsuitable for your machine. This guide explains what the mileage means and how to plan a ride using current route designations.
How much road mileage is in the Little Missouri National Grassland
What the roughly 1,000-mile figure tells you
The Little Missouri National Grassland has a large network of roads spread across western North Dakota. It is commonly described as having roughly 1,000 miles of roads. Think of that as an estimate of the broader road network—not a promise that every mile is open to every type of motor vehicle or available as a connected OHV route.
That distinction matters when you’re planning a day out. A road may appear on a general map but be closed to motorized travel, restricted to certain vehicles, or affected by a seasonal closure. Even a designated route can be a poor fit for a particular ATV or UTV if its surface, width, or condition is challenging.
The practical question is therefore not simply, “How many miles are there?” It is, “Which miles are open to my machine, during my trip, and can I connect them into a safe route?” The Forest Service’s Motor Vehicle Use Map, or MVUM, is the key document for checking designated motorized routes. For more on using one, see [Reading a Grassland Vehicle Use Map] and [North Dakota Grassland Motor Vehicle Use Maps].
Why legal rideable mileage is different
A large road network can include routes that are not open to recreational motor vehicles. The MVUM shows which roads and trails are designated for motorized use, along with applicable restrictions and seasonal information. A road’s presence on a navigation app or road atlas does not, by itself, establish that it is open to your ATV or UTV.
There is also a difference between a road and an OHV trail. Many routes on the grassland are roads, not purpose-built trails. Expect conditions such as gravel, dirt, ruts, washboarding, and changes in maintenance. Some routes may be shared with pickups, ranch vehicles, hunters, or other road users, so riding there calls for road awareness rather than the assumptions you might bring to a managed OHV trail.
Cross-country travel is not a substitute for a closed road. Stay on routes designated for motorized use and follow posted signs and closures. [Roads, Not Trails, on the Dakota Prairie Grasslands] and [Why Wheeled Cross-Country Travel Is Banned] explain why route designation matters.
| Mileage question | What to keep in mind |
|---|---|
| How much road network is commonly cited? | Roughly 1,000 miles across the grassland is a commonly used estimate. |
| Does that mean all roads are open to OHVs? | No. Check the MVUM and follow signs, restrictions, and closures. |
| Does a road shown in a navigation app count as an approved route? | Not on its own. Confirm motorized access on the official map. |
| Can every open route suit every ATV or UTV? | No. Surface, width, conditions, and vehicle capabilities all matter. |
| How should I estimate a planned ride? | Measure the connected, designated route you intend to travel, then allow for detours and return mileage. |
How to check which roads are open to your ATV or UTV
Start with the official Motor Vehicle Use Map
Before choosing a route, locate the MVUM for the part of the grassland you plan to visit. Read its legend carefully. Symbols and notes can identify designated routes, permitted vehicle types, and seasonal restrictions. If a map detail is unclear, don’t assume that a road is open simply because it looks like a usable track.
Check that your map covers the specific area you’re visiting. The Little Missouri National Grassland is extensive, and a map for one section may not show the roads you need elsewhere. It can help to note your intended access point, the route segments you plan to use, and where you expect to turn around before you leave.
Digital mapping tools can make route planning easier, especially when you want to compare a planned route with terrain or nearby roads. onX Offroad can help with viewing routes and building a ride plan, but use it alongside the official MVUM rather than treating an app display as the final word on access. Keep a copy of the official map available even if you normally rely on your phone.
Confirm restrictions and conditions before setting out
A route that is designated for motorized use can still be affected by a closure, temporary restriction, or changing ground conditions. Check current information before you travel, and pay attention to signs at the entrance and along the route. If posted information conflicts with a saved map or a route you planned earlier, follow the posted restriction and find another legal option.
Weather matters on the grassland. After rain, dirt roads can become soft or deeply rutted, and a route that was manageable in dry conditions may be difficult to travel. Mud can also tempt riders to go around a wet or damaged section, widening the track and creating new damage. Don’t create a bypass off the designated route; turn back or choose another legal road.
For trip planning that goes beyond road access, [North Dakota Grassland Campground Rules] can help you think through where you can stop or camp. And if your route passes through more remote country, [Cell Dead Zones in the Badlands] is a useful reminder not to rely on phone reception as your only backup.
How to estimate the mileage of your own ride
Measure the route you intend to travel
The broad grassland mileage figure is not a practical day-trip estimate. Instead, build your route from the individual roads you have confirmed as open. Add the distance from your starting point to each junction, then include the return trip unless you have a verified route that loops back to your starting area.
Loops can make mileage confusing. A map may show several roads in a small area, but the roads might not connect legally, or one segment may be closed to your machine. A route that looks like a circle on a screen could require riding out and back on the same road. Trace the legal connection from one segment to the next before counting on it.
Use an odometer or a mapping tool to estimate distance, and treat the result as a planning figure rather than a guarantee. Detours, wrong turns, closures, and road conditions can all change the actual distance. onX Offroad may be useful for measuring a proposed route, but compare the route against the official MVUM and leave room in your plan for changes.
Plan for the terrain, fuel, and navigation
Don’t plan a ride solely around the maximum distance your machine can travel on a tank. Wind, soft ground, repeated stops, low-speed travel, and carrying passengers or gear can all affect fuel use. Work out a conservative fuel plan before leaving and identify places to refuel in nearby communities where available. For a more detailed planning checklist, see [Fuel Range Between Small Towns].
Navigation deserves the same attention. A phone can lose service or power, and a digital map may not show every restriction clearly. Download the information you need before you lose reception, carry a paper map, and make sure everyone in the group understands the planned route. [Carrying a Paper Map Into the Badlands] covers why a paper backup still has value on remote rides.
If you’re comparing grassland roads with designated riding areas, remember that road mileage and trail mileage describe different experiences. Roads may take you across a broad area, but they are not necessarily a maintained, marked OHV trail system. [North Dakota OHV Trails: All Four Riding Areas] can help you compare other riding options in the state.
A practical mileage-planning routine
Before the ride
- Choose the general area and identify a legal access point.
- Get the MVUM that covers that area and check its legend.
- Mark only the roads designated for your type of motorized travel.
- Check for seasonal limits, closures, and posted restrictions.
- Trace the full route, including the return trip and any planned loops.
- Estimate fuel needs conservatively and identify a backup turn-around point.
- Download maps and carry a paper backup.
This routine may feel like extra work when you just want to load the machines and go. It can save a frustrating drive to a closed road or a ride that runs longer than expected, though. It also helps the group agree on a realistic plan before riders become separated or someone needs to turn back.
On the ride
Follow the designated route, watch for signs, and be prepared to stop if conditions have changed. If a road is blocked, muddy, or posted closed, don’t assume you can go around the obstacle through grassland terrain. Turn around where it is safe and use another route you have already confirmed.
Keep your mileage estimate flexible. A short detour can add distance, while a closure may eliminate a planned connection altogether. The useful takeaway is that the roughly 1,000-mile figure describes the scale of the road network, not a guaranteed amount of legal ATV or UTV riding. Your rideable mileage is the route you have verified for your machine, on the day you travel.
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.
