North Dakota Trail Mileage Totals
North Dakota’s advertised ATV and UTV trail mileage can be confusing: some places publish a trail-mile figure, while others are open riding areas measured in acres or networks of roads. This guide compares the figures that can be added responsibly, explains why they do not create a complete statewide total, and shows how to plan around the difference.
North Dakota trail mileage totals at a glance
Three riding areas with published mileage figures
Three North Dakota riding areas have commonly cited trail-mile totals that can be compared: Pembina Gorge, Roughrider OHV Trail, and Turtle Mountain. Adding those figures gives 50 miles. That is a useful snapshot of mileage at these three destinations, but it is not a complete total for all motorized riding opportunities in the state.
| Riding area | Commonly cited mileage | How to interpret the figure |
|---|---|---|
| Pembina Gorge | 16 miles | A trail-system figure for the OHV area near Walhalla |
| Roughrider OHV Trail | 22 miles | A named trail corridor linking Fort Abraham Lincoln and Fort Rice |
| Turtle Mountain | 12 miles | A published figure for the riding area near Bottineau |
| Subtotal for these three areas | 50 miles | A combined snapshot, not a statewide inventory |
The figures describe different places and may not use exactly the same counting method. A published trail total might represent a system’s mapped trails, while a rider’s GPS track records the route actually traveled. Loops, connectors, closed segments, and out-and-back riding can all affect the distance a person experiences on a particular day.
That distinction matters when you are planning a trip. A 22-mile trail system does not automatically mean every rider can complete a 22-mile loop and return to the starting point without repeating ground. Before setting out, check the local map and current trail status, then plan for the route configuration rather than treating the headline number as a guaranteed ride distance.
Why 50 miles is not North Dakota’s complete total
The 50-mile subtotal leaves out Kimball Bottoms, an open riding area often described by acreage rather than a set number of marked trail miles. Its roughly 400 acres provide space to ride, but acreage cannot be converted into trail mileage without a defined route network and a consistent way to measure it. A rider’s distance there can depend heavily on where they travel within the area.
The total also does not fold in every road or route where motorized travel may be allowed. Parts of the Dakota Prairie Grasslands, for example, are managed as road-based riding opportunities. Those routes should not be counted as though they were a single, continuous, developed OHV trail system. For help understanding that distinction, see [North Dakota Grassland Motor Vehicle Use Maps].
For an overview of the four commonly discussed riding areas and how they differ, read [North Dakota OHV Trails: All Four Riding Areas]. It is a better starting point than relying on one statewide mileage number, because a destination’s character, access, and route layout can matter as much as its mileage.
How the mileage differs by riding area
Pembina Gorge near Walhalla
Pembina Gorge is often associated with 16 miles of OHV trail. Its setting in northeastern North Dakota makes it a different kind of destination from the open Missouri River riding areas farther south. The number is helpful for comparing trail systems, but riders should check the map and local status before traveling; the routes available for a particular outing can change with conditions and closures.
For planning, think about the difference between system mileage and the distance your group will cover. A rider who completes a loop may travel a different distance from someone who turns around early, repeats a favorite section, or has to adjust the plan because of trail conditions. If your group includes young riders or people new to off-highway riding, allow time for stops and avoid building the day around the assumption that everyone will ride the full advertised mileage.
The trail area is discussed in more detail in [Pembina Gorge: North Dakota's OHV Trail Park]. It is also worth checking [Pembina Gorge's 16 Miles in North Dakota] when comparing the published figure with the specific routes you hope to ride. Use the map as a planning tool, not as a promise that every segment will be open on arrival.
Roughrider and Turtle Mountain
The Roughrider OHV Trail is commonly described as a 22-mile route along the Missouri River, connecting the Fort Abraham Lincoln and Fort Rice areas. That makes its mileage easier to picture as a named corridor than a collection of unrelated routes. Still, the distance you ride depends on your start point, turnaround plan, and whether you travel the same path back. The article [Riding North Dakota's 22-Mile Roughrider OHV Trail] can help you think through the route as a destination rather than just a number.
Turtle Mountain, near Bottineau, is commonly listed at 12 miles. Its riding experience is distinct from the long corridor of Roughrider and the trail setting at Pembina Gorge. For that reason, it is useful to compare destinations by more than mileage: consider the type of route, available access, who is in your group, and whether the terrain suits the machines you plan to bring. See [Turtle Mountain's 12 Miles in North Dakota] for a closer look at that figure.
Adding the three published totals produces the 50-mile subtotal, but the math should not imply a continuous trail. These are separate riding areas, spread across different parts of North Dakota. A weekend itinerary that visits more than one would involve road travel between destinations, not a ride along one connected 50-mile route.
What mileage totals mean for trip planning
Match the number to the kind of riding you want
A mileage figure is most useful when you treat it as one planning detail, not a rating of how good a riding area is. A shorter trail system may suit a relaxed day with frequent stops, while a corridor with more mileage may appeal to a group wanting a longer point-to-point outing. Open areas measured in acres can offer a different kind of riding altogether, where the route is less about following a fixed trail from end to end.
Before choosing a destination, ask practical questions: Does the riding area have a defined route or a broader open-play layout? Will you need to return the same way? Are there width limits that affect which machines can use the trails? Does the route fit the experience and stamina of the least experienced rider in your group? Those answers can matter more than the difference between two mileage figures.
Kimball Bottoms is a good example of why the format of a published measurement matters. Its acreage describes the size of an open riding area, not a marked mileage total. The guide [Kimball Bottoms' 400 Acres in North Dakota] gives that figure its proper context. When comparing it with a trail system, avoid treating acres and miles as interchangeable measures.
Check maps and status before you haul
A map can help you understand where a trail begins, how a route connects, and whether your intended ride requires an out-and-back. Look for information specific to the riding area, rather than assuming an app or a general statewide map includes every current restriction. [North Dakota OHV Trail Map Downloads] is a useful place to start, and [North Dakota Trail Status by App and Phone] covers ways riders can check conditions before making the drive.
Some riders use onX Offroad to review route options and orient themselves before a trip. It can be one piece of a planning routine, alongside the riding area’s own information and signs on the ground. Do not assume a digital route line confirms that a segment is open or that riding is allowed there; check the rules and current status for the specific area.
Weather can also change the ride you actually get. Heavy rain may make a route unsuitable or prompt a closure, and riding wet ground can damage trails. Check [North Dakota Trail Closures After a Storm] before heading out after a storm. If a route is closed, respect the closure rather than trying to preserve your planned mileage by riding around a barrier or onto an unapproved route.
How to use a mileage figure responsibly
Build a realistic ride plan
Start with the route map, then estimate the distance your group will actually ride. If the route is out-and-back, account for the return leg. If you are riding a loop, confirm that the loop is open and connected rather than assuming the advertised system mileage describes one continuous circuit. Leave room for breaks, slower sections, and the possibility of turning around sooner than planned.
For example, a family traveling to Roughrider might see the 22-mile figure and assume it describes a simple one-way trip. Before loading the machines, the group should identify the trailhead, confirm the route’s endpoints, and decide whether the plan is to ride one direction, return along the corridor, or use another approved arrangement. That small bit of preparation can prevent a tiring ride from becoming a scramble to get back before dark.
A second example is a group comparing Pembina Gorge with Kimball Bottoms. The first has a commonly cited mileage figure; the second is described by acreage. Rather than asking which has “more miles,” decide whether the group wants a mapped trail experience or an open riding area. onX Offroad may help you examine potential routes, but it should not replace local trail information or on-site signs.
Keep the statewide picture in perspective
North Dakota has more to offer than the three mileage figures in the table, but the available opportunities do not all fit a single, apples-to-apples trail-mile total. A named OHV trail, an open play area, and a legal road route are different kinds of riding access. Combining them without explaining the difference would give readers a number that looks precise but is not especially useful.
That is why the 50-mile figure is best treated as a transparent subtotal: 16 miles at Pembina Gorge, 22 miles on Roughrider, and 12 miles at Turtle Mountain. It does not count Kimball Bottoms by converting acres into miles, and it does not include road-based routes as if they were dedicated OHV trails. It also should not be read as a promise that every mile is open on any given day.
For your own trip, use the mileage as a starting point, confirm the current route and conditions, and plan around the actual map. onX Offroad can help with orientation and route review, while official area information and posted signs help establish where riding is permitted. That combination is more useful than relying on a statewide total that cannot represent every kind of riding area on the same terms.
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.
