Non-Motorized Trails You Will Pass
When you ride an ATV or UTV in North Dakota, a hiking, biking, or horseback trail may appear just beyond the route you’re following. That can make it hard to tell whether you’re looking at a shared trail, a nearby non-motorized route, or a place where machines aren’t allowed. This guide explains how to recognize the difference and avoid riding somewhere you shouldn’t.
Why non-motorized trails can be easy to mistake for OHV routes
One landscape can hold very different kinds of trails
North Dakota’s riding areas sit among landscapes used for many activities. Hikers, mountain bikers, horseback riders, hunters, and OHV riders may all visit the same broader region, even when they use separate trails or routes. From a distance, a narrow track through grass or trees can look much like a machine trail, especially if you’re approaching it from a wider road or trailhead.
The important distinction is that being near an OHV riding area does not automatically make every visible path open to motorized use. The route you’re permitted to ride may be a signed trail, a designated road, or a specifically mapped area. A footpath branching off it may have a different purpose and different rules. Don’t assume that tire marks, an open-looking entrance, or a trail on a general recreation map means motorized travel is allowed.
That distinction matters in places such as the Little Missouri National Grassland, around the Badlands, and near North Dakota’s established OHV areas. Some nearby routes are intended for hiking or other non-motorized recreation, while vehicle travel may be limited to designated roads. For a broader picture of the state’s riding opportunities, start with North Dakota OHV Trails: All Four Riding Areas. Then check the rules for the specific area you plan to visit.
A famous trail nearby may still be closed to machines
The Maah Daah Hey Trail is a well-known example of a non-motorized route in the Badlands. It attracts hikers, mountain bikers, and horseback riders, but it is not an OHV trail. The fact that a machine route may pass through the same general region does not give riders permission to use the Maah Daah Hey itself.
This can be confusing when planning a trip around Medora or the Little Missouri River. The Badlands have broad views, branching routes, and changes in terrain that can make trails appear to connect. A rider may see a single-track path leading toward a scenic overlook and think it is a shortcut or an unofficial spur. If the route is marked as non-motorized, or it is not shown as an authorized machine route, stay on the route designated for your vehicle.
Before riding in that region, review Why North Dakota’s Maah Daah Hey Bans Machines and North Dakota Grassland Roads Open to OHVs. Together, they help clarify the difference between a non-motorized trail and roads where OHV travel may be allowed. They’re especially useful when a trip includes both scenic stops and riding.
How to tell which route you’re allowed to ride
Read signs at the entrance and at every junction
Trailhead signs and junction markers are more useful than guessing from the ground. Look for signs that identify the route, indicate permitted uses, show a closure, or direct motorized traffic to a particular trail. Read the whole sign rather than relying on one symbol or a familiar-looking trail name. A sign may apply to one route or section without changing the rules for an adjacent path.
Pay attention when a road or trail divides. A marked OHV route may continue straight while a narrower hiking or equestrian trail branches away. If the machine route isn’t clearly marked, pause and check your map before choosing a direction. It’s much easier to take a moment at a junction than to discover later that you’ve ridden onto a closed trail and need to turn around in a tight or fragile area.
Signs may be obscured, damaged, or difficult to spot in tall grass and brush. Don’t treat the absence of a sign as proof that a route is open. When markings are unclear, use the trail map and contact the land manager or local office if you need clarification. General riding habits and shared-use courtesy are covered in North Dakota Trail Etiquette Locals Expect.
Use maps as a planning tool, not as permission by themselves
A map can help you see the difference between a mapped OHV route and a hiking or biking trail, but no single map should replace posted rules. Check the map for the area you’re visiting, confirm that it covers the right land manager’s property, and compare it with signs on the ground. A route that appears close to a machine trail may still cross land with separate access rules.
Digital mapping tools, including onX Offroad, can help you review route lines and plan where to stop before you reach a confusing junction. Use them to prepare, not to overrule a closure sign or an official map. Cell service can also be limited in remote places, so download or save useful information before you leave town. Keeping a paper map or a saved route as a backup can help when your phone loses service or its battery runs low.
For additional planning help, see North Dakota OHV Trail Map Downloads. If your ride includes public grassland, also review Reading a Grassland Vehicle Use Map. Those resources can help you distinguish designated vehicle routes from the nearby trails and open ground that may not be available to machines.
| What you see | What to do | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| A marked OHV route | Follow its signs and mapped alignment | Designated routes show where motorized travel is allowed |
| A narrow footpath branching off | Stop and check the map and signs before proceeding | A nearby hiking trail is not automatically open to OHVs |
| A sign showing a closure or non-motorized use | Do not enter with your machine | The sign may apply even when the route looks rideable |
| An unmarked track with tire impressions | Don’t assume it is an authorized route | Existing tracks do not establish legal access |
| A junction with unclear markings | Pause, compare maps, and seek guidance if needed | A short check can prevent an accidental route violation |
Sharing an area with hikers, bikers, and horseback riders
Slow down and give other trail users room
If you encounter people on a route that permits multiple uses, slow down well before reaching them. Give hikers, cyclists, and horses time to notice you and decide where they feel comfortable moving. On a narrow trail, stop in a safe place and allow others to pass rather than trying to squeeze by. Avoid revving the engine or accelerating sharply near people or animals.
Horseback riders may need extra space because a horse can react unpredictably to engine noise or a sudden approach. Stop, keep your machine under control, and follow the rider’s directions about how to pass. If you’re riding with a group, let the person at the front handle the interaction and make sure the rest of the group knows to wait. A hurried pass can spook an animal or force another trail user toward a ditch, steep edge, or loose surface.
On designated OHV trails, courteous riding helps make encounters calmer even when other trail users are not present. Keep to the marked route, manage dust where practical, and avoid blocking junctions while your group regroups. For broader riding-area details, consult North Dakota Trail Difficulty Ratings and North Dakota Group Ride Planning. They can help you choose routes and organize a group in a way that leaves room for other people to use the area.
Don’t create a new route around a closure or obstacle
A tempting shortcut can cause lasting damage. Riders sometimes leave a marked trail to get around a muddy patch, a fallen branch, a gate, or a crowded section. But riding around the obstacle can widen the disturbed area, damage vegetation, or lead onto a non-motorized trail. If a route is closed or blocked, don’t make a new path through the grass or brush.
When a trail is muddy, consider turning back or waiting for conditions to improve rather than carving a bypass. Wet ground can rut easily, and a shortcut may turn into a visible track that encourages other riders to follow. You can learn more about how conditions affect riding in North Dakota Trails Closed by Wet Weather and Tread Lightly on Wet Clay.
If the obstacle appears to be a temporary maintenance issue, note its location and report it to the appropriate land manager when practical. Don’t move barriers or ignore a closure because the route looks passable. A closure can protect the trail, nearby habitat, or the safety of visitors, and the reason may not be obvious from the junction.
Plan a ride that stays on motorized routes
Check the specific area before you unload
Before leaving home, identify the riding area and the land manager responsible for it. Confirm which roads or trails allow your type of machine, whether there are width limits or seasonal closures, and where the trailhead or legal staging area is located. Rules can differ between an OHV park, a state-managed riding area, national grassland, wildlife area, and land managed by another agency.
This is particularly important if your route passes through more than one type of public land. A road that is open in one section may end at a boundary where different rules apply. Don’t assume that a route stays open because it has been open on a previous visit; check current posted notices before riding. For access issues beyond trail designation, North Dakota Wildlife Areas Closed to OHVs is a useful reminder that public land does not always mean machine access.
If you’re relying on onX Offroad or another mapping tool to plan, compare the route with official maps and the information posted at the trailhead. Save the route for offline use, identify a reasonable turnaround point, and make sure everyone in your group knows the plan. A good route plan includes not only where you intend to ride, but what you’ll do if a trail is closed or a junction is confusing.
Use a simple decision process at uncertain junctions
When you reach an unclear fork, stop somewhere that does not block other users. Look for a trail marker, a posted use restriction, or a closure notice. Compare the junction with your map, and make sure the route you’re considering is actually designated for motorized use. If the information conflicts or remains uncertain, don’t take the questionable trail.
A quick check before turning can prevent the common mistake of treating a visible path as a legal route. If you’ve already entered a route and then realize it is not open to OHVs, turn around carefully and return the way you came. Avoid widening the trail while maneuvering, and don’t continue farther in search of a more convenient exit.
The goal is not to avoid every place where hikers or cyclists might be nearby. It’s to know which trails are intended for your machine, respect any shared-use rules, and leave non-motorized routes undisturbed. With clear maps, careful attention to signs, and a willingness to pause when something doesn’t look right, you can enjoy North Dakota’s riding areas without turning a scenic trail encounter into an access problem.
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.
