Can You Ride a North Dakota Section Line?

A section line can look like a ready-made route on a map, especially when a gravel road or two-track seems to run straight across the prairie. But a surveyed line is not automatically an open ATV trail, and a public right-of-way does not give riders permission to cross nearby fields. This guide explains how to check the route before you ride.

What a North Dakota section line means for riders

A surveyed line is not automatically a riding route

Section lines are boundaries used to divide land into sections. Some have roads or other public rights-of-way along them; others may not have a usable road at all. Even where a section line appears on a map, that alone does not establish that an ATV or UTV may ride there.

The practical question is what lies on the ground and what access is legally available: a public road, a permitted ditch route, a designated trail, or private land. A line on a navigation app may show the boundary without showing whether the route is open, maintained, blocked, or subject to local restrictions.

That distinction matters when a straight line leads past a farmyard, through a gate, or across a planted field. The fact that a route follows a section line does not give you a general right to leave the public right-of-way. If the route is unclear, pause and confirm rather than assuming the map line grants access. For more on the distinction between the boundary and practical access, see [North Dakota Rules for Riding a Section Line].

A road on a section line is different from the section line itself

If a section line has a public gravel road, treat it as a road and follow the rules that apply to that roadway. Do not assume every road is open to every OHV in every circumstance: road surface, signs, machine requirements, and local restrictions can affect whether riding is allowed. [North Dakota Gravel Roads Open to Registered Machines] explains the road-specific considerations.

A section line may also have a right-of-way beside the traveled road. That does not mean the whole surrounding area is public riding ground. The adjoining land may be privately owned, and crops, fences, gates, livestock, or posted signs are all reasons to stay within the route you are entitled to use.

It helps to think of “section line” as a location reference, not permission. First identify the actual road or route. Then check whether OHV travel is allowed there and whether your machine meets the requirements for that type of riding.

How to check whether a route is open

Look for the actual road, route, and access limits

Before heading out, compare a route map with what you can see on the ground. Is there a road surface, a recognized trail, or a route through the ditch? Are there signs, gates, fences, or closures? A line that looks continuous on a screen may end at a field entrance or cross land where you have no permission to ride.

A mapping tool such as onX Offroad can help you plan and see route information, but a map should be treated as a planning aid rather than legal proof of access. Map layers can differ, and a displayed line may not tell you whether a road is currently open or whether a local restriction applies. Use onX Offroad to identify questions to verify, not as a substitute for signs, landowner permission, or local guidance.

If you are uncertain about a particular township or county road, check with the local authority responsible for it. A sheriff’s office or township contact may help clarify whether the route is open and whether any restrictions apply. [Calling a Sheriff Before You Ride] is a useful next step when the map and the conditions on the ground do not match.

Check posting, gates, and landowner permission

Posted land rules still matter when a route runs close to private property. Do not pass a closed gate or treat an open gate as an invitation to ride beyond the road or right-of-way. Gates may be open for farm work or livestock movement, and a road crossing private land may have access conditions that are not obvious from a map.

Posting can take different forms, so look for signs and other notices at access points and along the route. Electronic posting may also be relevant when checking whether land is closed to public entry. [North Dakota Posted Land Rules for Riders] and [North Dakota Electronic Posting and Riders] cover those issues in more detail.

When a route appears to leave the public road or right-of-way, get permission before continuing. A quick conversation with a landowner can prevent an uncomfortable encounter and avoid damage to crops or property. Keep any permission specific: confirm where you may ride, when access applies, and whether gates must be left as found.

Check local restrictions, not just statewide rules

A route that appears usable on a map may be affected by county, city, or township restrictions. Rules can vary by location, and conditions may change because of maintenance, construction, weather, or a temporary closure. A route that worked on a previous ride should not automatically be assumed open today.

When planning a longer ride, check the rules for each jurisdiction you will cross rather than relying on a single county-level answer. [North Dakota County and City ATV Ordinances] provides more context about local rules, while [North Dakota OHV Trail Map Downloads] can help with planning around established riding areas.

onX Offroad may help you trace a route and spot possible access questions before you leave, but do not treat a colored line or route label as final permission. Confirm the legal status through reliable local information, especially if the route crosses a boundary, passes a gate, or depends on a ditch or unmaintained road.

Road riding and ditch riding are not the same

Riding the gravel road

If the section line follows an actual gravel road, the road-riding rules apply. Registration and required equipment may be part of the picture, and the rules can depend on the machine and the road. A road route is not automatically an OHV route simply because it is unpaved.

For example, requirements that apply to road operation can differ from those for riding on a designated off-highway trail. Check whether your ATV or UTV is eligible for the road you intend to use, and confirm the relevant speed, equipment, and roadway restrictions before setting out. The rules around engine size are covered in [North Dakota's 350cc Minimum for Road Riding].

When a road crossing is part of the route, plan it as a separate maneuver. Stop where you can see, check traffic in both directions, and cross only when safe and permitted. Do not assume that a section-line route gives you a right to ride along or across any adjoining highway. See [North Dakota Rules for Crossing a Highway] for more on crossing requirements.

Riding in a ditch beside a road

Ditch riding is a separate activity from riding the gravel road surface. North Dakota has rules that describe where OHVs may travel in a highway ditch and where they must not go. The ditch route is not simply “anywhere beside the road”: the shoulder, inslope, ditch bottom, and backslope are different parts of the road corridor, and the rules treat them differently.

A ditch can also conceal hazards that are hard to spot from the road, including culverts, approaches, deep water, erosion, and tall grass. Travel slowly enough to respond to changing ground conditions, and do not use a ditch route as a reason to enter private land or bypass a closure. [Can You Ride an ATV in the Ditch in North Dakota?] explains the separate rules and practical boundaries.

If a section-line road is impassable or the ditch appears to offer a way around it, do not assume that detour is legal. Check whether ditch riding is allowed at that location and whether the terrain lets you stay within the permitted part of the right-of-way. A ditch that narrows at a driveway or disappears at a culvert can make a planned route unsafe or inaccessible.

A practical pre-ride checklist

Verify the route before loading up

Before you leave home, identify the road or trail you intend to use, not just the section line. Confirm the route is open, note where it crosses private land or meets another road, and check for local restrictions. If the access is uncertain, contact the relevant local authority or landowner rather than relying on assumptions.

A simple comparison can help you decide what to verify:

What you see on the map or ground	What it may mean	What to check before riding
A marked gravel road along a section line	A road route may exist	Whether OHV travel is allowed and what road rules apply
A straight line with no visible road	It may be a boundary or mapping feature	Whether a public right-of-way or permitted trail exists
A ditch beside a road	It may be a possible route in some circumstances	Which parts of the ditch are allowed and whether local restrictions apply
A gate, fence, or posted notice	Access may be limited or conditional	Whether you have permission and whether the route is closed
A line crossing a field	The route may leave the road or right-of-way	Obtain landowner permission before entering

Take a second look at conditions on the day of the ride. Recent rain can make a road or ditch difficult to travel, and a closure or obstruction may not be shown on a map. If you use onX Offroad to plan, save the route for reference but keep an alternative route in mind in case the road is closed or the ground is unsuitable.

Keep your ride within the access you can confirm

Once you are out, follow the traveled road or permitted route and avoid cutting across fields to stay on a straight line. Keep a respectful distance from homes and livestock, slow down around farm equipment, and leave gates as you found them only when you have a clear right to pass. If a sign or barrier indicates that the route is closed, turn around rather than trying to find a way around it.

If the road becomes unclear, stop in a safe place and reassess. A route that disappears into grass or turns toward cultivated ground is not a reason to continue by guesswork. You can check the map again, contact someone local, or choose a known open road or designated trail instead.

The safest answer to “Can I ride a North Dakota section line?” is therefore: sometimes, if the section line has an accessible route and that route is open to OHV travel. The name or map line by itself is not enough. Confirm the road or right-of-way, follow the rules for road or ditch riding, respect private land, and check local restrictions before you go.

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.