North Dakota Trails for Kids

Choosing an ATV trail for kids in North Dakota is not just about finding a short route. A child’s age, riding experience, machine size, trail surface, weather, and current access rules all matter. This guide compares family-friendly riding areas, explains how to make a first outing safer, and gives you a practical checklist before you load the trailer.

How to choose a North Dakota ATV trail for kids

A trail that feels easy to an experienced adult can be intimidating for a young rider. Before deciding where to go, think about the child’s ability to stop, steer, manage uneven ground, and stay calm when the route gets noisy or rough. Also consider whether the ride is on a defined trail or an open riding area, where it may be harder to keep everyone together.

Match the riding area to the child, not just the machine

A youth ATV that fits a child is only part of the decision. Your child should be able to reach and use the controls, sit comfortably, and understand how to stop. A beginner may do better with a short, familiar loop and frequent breaks than with a long trip to “see how far we can get.”

Look for a riding area where you can keep the outing flexible. A defined trail can make it easier to follow a route, while an open play area can give a family room to pause and practice—but open ground may also have changing surfaces, other riders, and places where children can become separated from the group. Neither type is automatically safer. The important question is whether the terrain and traffic match your child’s current skills.

For a first outing, set a modest goal: ride a little, stop, check in, and decide together whether to continue. If your child is gripping the handlebars tightly, falling behind, or getting overwhelmed by dust or engine noise, turning around is a sensible choice—not a failed trip.

Check the rules and the trail status before leaving

Trail access and riding conditions can change. Rain may make some routes muddy or vulnerable to damage, and a trail that looks manageable on a dry day can become difficult after a storm. Before you head out, check the managing agency’s current notices and any local restrictions. [North Dakota Trail Closures After Rain] is useful background for understanding why weather can affect access.

Plan for the legal requirements as well as the ride itself. North Dakota has safety-certificate rules that may apply to young riders, so check the requirements for your child’s age and situation before riding public areas. The article [North Dakota OHV Safety Certificates at Age 12] is a helpful starting point. Make sure required registration or permits are in order, too; the rules can differ for residents and visitors.

A mapping app such as onX Offroad can help you review route options and orient yourself, especially when you are unfamiliar with an area. Treat it as a planning aid, not a substitute for signs, official closure notices, or the land manager’s rules. Download or save what you need before arriving, since cell reception can be unreliable in some riding areas.

Use this quick comparison to narrow your options

The areas below offer different kinds of outings. They are not a ranking of “safest” to “most difficult”: conditions, selected routes, traffic, and a child’s experience can change the picture considerably.

Riding area	What families should consider	A practical approach with kids
Pembina Gorge	A designated OHV trail area with routes and access rules to check before riding	Review current trail information and width limits; choose a short outing rather than trying to cover everything
Roughrider OHV Trail	A longer trail corridor where distance, weather, and group pacing matter	Plan a turnaround point and carry water, basic tools, and a way to communicate
Turtle Mountain	Riding takes place in a shared-use setting, so watch for other trail users	Ride at a controlled pace and teach children to slow down and yield appropriately
Kimball Bottoms	An open play area where surface and route choices can vary	Set clear boundaries, keep the group in sight, and avoid unfamiliar ground or water edges

North Dakota riding areas to consider for a family outing

No riding area is perfect for every child. Your best choice depends on how much structure your family wants, how far you are willing to travel, and whether your young rider is ready for a trail, an open play area, or simply a short practice session.

Pembina Gorge

Pembina Gorge is a designated OHV riding area near Walhalla. Its trail system can be appealing to families who prefer riding on marked routes rather than choosing a direction across open ground. Start by reviewing current access information, route conditions, and the area’s width restrictions. [Pembina Gorge: North Dakota's OHV Trail Park] provides more detail about the riding area.

Do not assume that a child’s small machine can go everywhere a full-size ATV can. The size of the vehicle, the width of the route, and any posted limits all matter. If you are bringing a side-by-side, check the relevant restrictions before you travel. If you have different machines in the group, verify that the route is appropriate for every one of them rather than planning around the largest or smallest vehicle alone.

For a child who is new to riding, keep the first visit simple. Pick an outing that allows the group to stop easily, and avoid pressuring a young rider to keep pace with adults. Parents can also make a plan for what to do if someone takes a wrong turn: stop at a safe place, stay together if possible, and use your agreed meeting point or communication plan.

Roughrider OHV Trail

The Roughrider OHV Trail follows a longer corridor in the Missouri River area. Families should think about total distance, changing conditions, and how far the group may be from its starting point. A child who can comfortably ride around a local area may still find a longer trail tiring, especially when wind, dust, or uneven ground adds to the effort. For route context, see [Riding North Dakota's 22-Mile Roughrider OHV Trail].

Before starting, decide where you will turn around and how the group will handle a slower rider. Adults should not spread out so far that a child cannot easily get help or catch up. A lead rider and a sweep rider can make it easier to keep the group together, with the child riding between adults rather than at the front or back alone.

A longer route also makes basic preparation more important. Bring water, snacks, a small first-aid kit, and tools that fit your machine. Let someone who is not riding know where you plan to go and when you expect to return. If a child becomes tired or anxious, shorten the day rather than treating the planned mileage as a commitment.

Turtle Mountain

Turtle Mountain offers riding in a setting shared with other trail users, including horses. That makes awareness and considerate riding especially important for families. A child may be focused on steering and not notice someone approaching from the other direction, so explain in advance that riders should slow down and follow posted guidance when they meet other users. [Turtle Mountain Riding in North Dakota] offers more information about the area.

Practice a simple routine before you leave: slow down when visibility is limited, stay on the designated route, and wait for an adult’s direction when another user is nearby. Do not assume that a child understands how a horse or another trail user may react to an ATV. Give the other user room, keep noise and speed under control, and follow local instructions.

Shared-use trails can be a good opportunity to teach children that riding responsibly includes more than handling the machine. If your child is not yet comfortable stopping and waiting on command, choose a quieter place to practice those skills first.

Kimball Bottoms

Kimball Bottoms is an open riding area, which can suit families who want room to choose a manageable pace. Open ground can also make it easier to lose sight of other group members, and the surface may vary. Set a clear boundary before riding: identify where children may go, where they must not go, and what they should do if they lose sight of an adult. The guide [Kimball Bottoms: North Dakota's Open Play Area] can help you learn more about the area.

Stay cautious near river edges, sandbars, and any ground that looks wet or unstable. Water levels and surface conditions can change, and a child may not recognize a soft edge or hidden drop. Keep young riders within a distance where an adult can respond quickly. If you are riding as a family group, agree that nobody takes off alone to explore.

Open areas can be fun, but they are not the same as a controlled practice course. If your child is still learning basic throttle control or braking, use a clear, level place away from other riders when available, and keep the practice session brief.

Prepare kids for the ride before the engine starts

A little preparation can prevent the familiar family outing from turning into a stressful scramble: someone forgot gloves, a child is uncomfortable in a helmet, or the group discovers a closure after driving a long way. Take care of the essentials at home, when there is time to adjust plans.

Make safety gear comfortable and appropriate

A helmet should fit securely and meet the applicable safety standard. Check that it does not shift around when the child moves their head, and make sure the chin strap is fastened properly. [Helmets Meeting the DOT Standard] explains what to look for. Eye protection, gloves, long sleeves, long pants, and sturdy footwear also help protect against dust, branches, and flying debris.

Fit matters beyond the helmet. A child should be able to sit in a stable position and reach the controls without stretching or leaning awkwardly. If the machine feels too large, or the child cannot comfortably operate the controls, do not try to solve the problem by asking them to “grow into it” during a trail ride.

Pack clothing for the conditions. North Dakota wind and changing temperatures can make a ride feel colder than expected, while dust and heat can wear a child down. Bring an extra layer, water, and eye protection that works with the helmet. Check gear before loading up, not beside the trailhead when everyone is waiting.

Agree on simple riding rules

Children are more likely to follow safety expectations when they know what those expectations are. Keep the rules short and specific:

1. Stay where the adult can see you.
2. Stop when an adult gives the agreed signal.
3. Do not pass the lead rider.
4. Do not leave the route or boundary the group agreed on.
5. Tell an adult right away if you feel tired, scared, or uncomfortable.

Practice stopping and regrouping before riding somewhere unfamiliar. If you use hand signals or a radio, explain what they mean and try them out while stationary. A young rider should know the meeting point and what to do if the group gets separated. The safest response is generally to stop somewhere safe and wait for an adult rather than continuing to explore.

Make sure every rider understands that a ride can end early. That reassurance matters. Children sometimes keep going because they do not want to disappoint a parent or slow down the group. Tell them clearly that asking for a break—or saying they want to turn around—is always allowed.

Be careful about passengers and mixed-age groups

A child should not ride as a passenger unless the machine is designed to carry a passenger and the manufacturer’s instructions allow it. A seat that looks wide enough is not proof that it is a passenger seat. Review the rules and guidance in [North Dakota Rules for a Child Passenger] before making that decision.

Mixed-age groups need a pace that works for the least experienced rider. Adults should avoid racing ahead, creating pressure to catch up, or making a child ride in a position where they cannot see the route. If the family has both a beginner and an experienced teen, splitting into two supervised groups may be more comfortable than asking everyone to ride at the same pace.

For young riders, taking turns can also help. A child who is tired from walking, heat, or a long day may not be ready to operate a machine safely. Build in breaks, check how the child is feeling, and be willing to call it a day before fatigue starts affecting judgment.

A practical family checklist for the day

A good plan is not complicated. It just covers the details that are easy to overlook when everyone is excited to ride.

Before you leave home

• Check the riding area’s current access information, closures, and posted restrictions.
• Confirm that each machine is allowed on the route you intend to use.
• Check registration, permit, and youth safety-certificate requirements that apply to your family.
• Inspect the ATV or UTV, including tires, brakes, lights, fuel, and basic controls.
• Confirm that each child’s helmet and protective gear fit properly.
• Choose a realistic route and agree on a turnaround point.
• Tell someone where you are going and when you expect to return.

Keep route notes or a map available in case reception is limited. onX Offroad may be useful for reviewing your planned route, but confirm important details with official sources and on-site signs. The [North Dakota Trailhead Parking Limits] article is also worth checking if you are towing a trailer or arriving with a larger group.

At the trailhead

Pause before unloading. Look for signs, closures, and information that may not have been visible during planning. Set boundaries with the children and explain the group’s riding order. If the area is busier, dusty, or rougher than expected, adjust the plan rather than trying to force the original route.

Give each child a final check: helmet fastened, eye protection in place, gloves on, and a clear understanding of how to stop. Adults should also agree on who is leading, who is bringing up the rear, and what to do if the group becomes separated. Good trail habits matter for children and adults alike; [North Dakota Trail Etiquette Locals Expect] offers additional guidance for sharing riding areas responsibly.

During and after the ride

Keep the pace steady and leave enough space between machines for visibility and stopping. Stop in a safe place for breaks, and make sure everyone knows before the group starts moving again. If the weather turns, a machine develops a problem, or a child’s confidence drops, shorten the ride.

Afterward, check the machines for damage or debris and talk about what went well. Ask the child which part felt easiest and which part felt uncomfortable. That conversation helps you choose a better route next time and makes it easier for a young rider to speak up during future outings.

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.