Cedar River and Grand River Roads
Cedar River and Grand River riding can be confusing to plan because the names refer to grassland country, not a single marked ATV trail. The key is to identify roads that are open to motorized travel, confirm current restrictions, and avoid treating open prairie or a visible two-track as permission to ride. This guide explains how to plan a responsible ATV or UTV outing in the area.
Understand the Cedar River and Grand River riding area
These are road-based rides, not a single OHV trail
The Cedar River and Grand River names are associated with National Grassland country in the northern Great Plains. Riders may use the roads that are specifically open to motorized vehicles, but that does not mean the surrounding grassland is open for free riding. A track visible on a phone map, a worn path across a pasture, or a route used by another vehicle is not enough to establish that an ATV or UTV may travel there.
That distinction matters because a trip can look like trail riding while actually taking place on a network of public roads with separate access rules. You may encounter gravel, dirt, or rough two-track surfaces, but the surface alone does not tell you whether the route is open to your machine. Check the official motor vehicle use map for the specific grassland unit and follow its designations. For background on how those routes work, see North Dakota Grassland Roads Open to OHVs and Reading a Grassland Vehicle Use Map.
Think of your ride as a route-planning outing rather than an unstructured exploration. Pick roads shown as open, connect them only where the map confirms access, and turn around if a road is closed or conditions make it unsafe. That approach is less spontaneous than following every tempting track, but it helps protect access for future riders and avoids conflicts with landowners, livestock, and other grassland users.
Check the geography before you set out
The Cedar River and Grand River names can lead to a mistaken assumption that they identify neighboring trails in one compact riding area. In practice, they refer to separate grassland country, and a trip between named areas may involve a substantial drive on public roads. Confirm which unit your chosen route enters, where your starting point is, and whether the roads you plan to use connect as you expect.
This is especially important when planning from towns or trailheads that look close on a small-scale map. Prairie roads can be widely spaced, and a direct-looking line may cross private land or a closed route. Before leaving, identify a legal staging area, the route’s entry and exit points, and a safe way back to your trailer. If you are unfamiliar with the region, save the map for offline use and tell someone your general plan.
A navigation app such as onX Offroad can help you see your position and organize a route, but it should not replace the official motor vehicle use map or posted signs. Use it as a planning aid, then confirm that each intended road is open under the managing agency’s map and current notices.
Confirm that each road is open to your machine
Use the official map, not just a basemap
Motor vehicle use maps are the essential planning tool for riding on National Grassland roads. They identify routes designated for motorized travel and may show vehicle restrictions, seasonal limits, or other conditions. Read the map legend carefully: a line that appears on a general-purpose map may represent a non-motorized route, a private road, or a route that is not open to your vehicle.
Check the map for the specific grassland unit you intend to visit. Then trace your proposed route from the staging area to the turnaround point and back. Pay attention to junctions, dead ends, and connecting roads. A short-looking gap between two open segments does not mean you can legally cross it; there may be private property, a closed road, or a natural feature between them.
Map boundaries and route markings can be hard to interpret on a phone screen, so zoom in before you ride. Save the official map to your device or carry a paper copy. For more on the restrictions that apply away from designated roads, read North Dakota Cross-Country Travel Is Banned and Why Wheeled Cross-Country Travel Is Banned.
Treat signs, gates, and closures as part of the route
A road that was open on a map when you planned your trip may be affected by a closure, construction, fire danger, weather damage, or another temporary restriction. Look for current notices from the land manager before leaving, and obey signs at the road itself. If a gate is closed or a sign says the route is restricted, do not go around it, even if your map still shows a road beyond it.
A gate can control livestock movement rather than indicate a permanent road closure, but that is not a reason to guess. Follow posted instructions, close gates behind you when directed, and do not leave them open. Be alert for cattle guards, animals near the road, and ranch activity. For practical reminders, see Gates on a Grassland Road and Cattle Guards and Open Range.
If you reach a junction that does not match your map, stop somewhere safe and reassess rather than making a hopeful turn. A navigation app such as onX Offroad may help you locate yourself, but it cannot authorize travel on a road that is closed or not designated for your machine. When the route’s status is unclear, turn back or contact the responsible land office for clarification.
| What you are checking | Why it matters | Practical step |
|---|---|---|
| Official motor vehicle use map | Shows designated motorized routes and restrictions | Use the map for the grassland unit you will visit |
| Posted signs and gates | May reflect closures or access instructions | Follow signs on the ground and never bypass a closed gate |
| Current road conditions | Dirt and gravel can become difficult after rain | Check conditions and be ready to shorten the ride |
| Your machine and registration | Road access rules can depend on the vehicle and location | Confirm the applicable state and land-manager requirements |
| Fuel and communications | Services and cell coverage may be limited in rural areas | Start with enough fuel and save offline navigation |
Prepare your ATV or UTV for prairie roads
Expect changing surfaces and limited services
Grassland roads can shift from firm gravel to loose dirt, ruts, washboard, or soft ground. A road that feels easy in dry conditions may become slick or deeply rutted after rain. Prairie wind can also carry dust across open stretches and make it harder to see approaching vehicles. Leave more stopping distance than you would on a familiar groomed trail, slow down near bends and junctions, and keep a safe gap between machines.
Plan for a ride that may take longer than the map suggests. You may need to stop to check a junction, wait for livestock to clear, or turn around because of a closure or poor surface. Avoid assuming that a nearby town means fuel, food, or repairs will be available exactly when you need them. Before heading out, check your fuel range, bring water, and make sure everyone knows where the group plans to regroup if it gets separated. Fuel Range Between Small Towns offers useful planning context for remote prairie travel.
A basic ride kit should include a first-aid kit, tire repair supplies suitable for your machine, a tow strap, water, and a charged phone or other communication device. Wear eye protection and gear appropriate for dust and changing weather. Before departing, inspect tires, brakes, lights, steering, and any cargo straps. A quick check at the staging area is much easier than discovering a problem several miles into a quiet stretch.
Bring more than one way to navigate
A phone can be useful for locating yourself, but cell service may be unreliable in remote areas. Download maps for offline use before you leave home, confirm that your device is charged, and consider carrying a paper map as a backup. Record your intended route and the location of your starting point, especially if your group is unfamiliar with the area.
Use onX Offroad or another navigation tool to keep track of your position, but compare your route with the official motor vehicle use map. Check the display before each turn rather than watching a screen while moving. If the app suggests a shortcut that does not appear as an open motorized route on the official map, do not take it. A few minutes spent checking is preferable to reaching a fence, private property, or a closed road.
Agree on simple group rules before riding: who leads, who follows at the back, where you will stop, and what to do if someone loses sight of the group. Keep the group together at confusing intersections and avoid speeding ahead to “check” a route without telling anyone. In open country, a wrong turn can separate riders faster than it might on a compact, clearly marked trail system.
Ride responsibly and build a safer route plan
Respect land, livestock, and other road users
These roads are part of a working landscape. You may encounter ranch vehicles, farm equipment, livestock, wildlife, hunters, hikers, or other visitors. Reduce speed when visibility is limited, give larger vehicles room, and avoid stirring up dust around homes, livestock, or people on foot. Do not approach or chase animals, and leave gates as you found them unless posted directions say otherwise.
Stay on designated roads. Driving around a muddy patch or rut can widen the route and damage grassland vegetation, while crossing a field may create a conflict with a landowner or manager. If the road is too muddy or damaged for your machine, turn around rather than making a new track. For more on keeping vehicles on authorized routes, see North Dakota Grassland Motor Vehicle Use Maps.
Use a practical before-you-go checklist
A little preparation makes a remote ride feel far less stressful. Before loading up, confirm the grassland unit and staging location, review the official map, and check for restrictions or closures. Share your route with someone who is not riding, and agree on when you will check in after the trip. If plans change, update that person rather than assuming your phone will have service.
At the staging area, make sure every rider understands the planned route and knows what to do if the group has to turn around. Confirm that each machine is suitable for the route and that riders have the required paperwork and safety equipment for the places they will travel. Rules can differ between public grassland roads and state or county roads, so do not assume that permission to ride one segment automatically covers the next.
A useful route plan is conservative: choose a manageable out-and-back or loop only where the official map clearly supports it, identify a turnaround option, and leave enough fuel and daylight for delays. If the road is closed, muddy, or unclear, changing the plan is part of responsible riding. For a broader overview of the region’s riding options, see North Dakota OHV Trails: All Four Riding Areas. A little less mileage is a good trade for a ride where everyone gets home safely and the route remains open to others.
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.
