North Dakota Trails With Big Views
North Dakota’s best riding views come with an important catch: a scenic landscape is not automatically an open ATV or UTV route. The state’s most memorable rides range from wooded Pembina Gorge to Missouri River country and the Badlands, but access rules differ sharply. This guide helps you match the scenery you want with a legal route and a practical plan.
Where to Find North Dakota ATV and UTV Views
Pembina Gorge for wooded overlooks and deep valleys
In the northeast corner of the state, Pembina Gorge offers a very different backdrop from the wide-open prairie most people picture. The trail system winds through wooded hills and a deep valley near Walhalla, giving riders a chance to see changing terrain, tree-covered slopes, and glimpses across the gorge. It is one of the strongest choices if you want a ride where the landscape feels enclosed and varied rather than flat and exposed.
The scenery is part of the appeal, but the trail itself should guide your expectations. You are riding a managed off-highway vehicle trail, not freely exploring every hillside or overlook you can see. Stay on marked routes, observe any width limits, and avoid entering closed sections. For an overview of the riding area, see [Pembina Gorge: North Dakota's OHV Trail Park] and [North Dakota's 60-Inch Trail Width Cap].
Pembina Gorge is especially appealing for riders who like a mix of forest, elevation changes, and a quieter north-country feel. It can also be a good option for a group with mixed experience, provided everyone is comfortable with the trail conditions and follows the posted route. Before loading up, check the trail status and weather. Wet conditions can affect access and make clay or dirt sections difficult to ride, even when the route looks manageable on a map.
Roughrider OHV Trail for Missouri River scenery
The Roughrider OHV Trail follows a striking stretch of Missouri River country between Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park and Fort Rice. The river corridor, open prairie, and broad views make this a natural pick for riders who want a landscape that feels expansive. Rather than a single dramatic overlook, expect the scenery to unfold as you travel along the route, with changes in river terrain and open country along the way.
The trail is also a good reminder that a long route needs more planning than a short loop. Decide where your group will start and finish, confirm access at the trailheads, and think through how everyone will get back to their vehicles. Learn more about its route in [Roughrider OHV Trail's 22 Miles Along the Missouri River]. If you are riding from the Fort Abraham Lincoln end, check which trailhead and connecting sections are open before setting off.
A scenic ride can become stressful if you are watching the clock, running low on fuel, or unsure where the next exit is. Bring a paper or offline map, keep your phone charged, and agree on a turnaround plan before anyone rides ahead. For route planning, an app such as onX Offroad can help you review mapped access and organize a track before leaving home. Treat any digital map as a planning aid, not as permission to ride a road or trail that is signed closed.
Turtle Mountain for forested uplands
Turtle Mountain, northwest of Bottineau, offers wooded terrain and a more sheltered riding experience than the open grasslands farther west. Riders looking for a change from prairie roads may appreciate the trees, rolling ground, and cooler feel of a forested route. The riding area is comparatively modest, so it works best when your goal is a scenic outing rather than a full-day expedition across a vast trail network.
Because trails and nearby land uses can vary, keep your route focused on the signed OHV area. Turtle Mountain is shared with other recreational users, including horseback riders in some places, so slow down around blind corners and give other trail users room. [Turtle Mountain's 12 Miles in North Dakota] offers more detail about the riding area and its scale.
A good plan here is to arrive with enough time to ride without rushing, especially if you are unfamiliar with the trail layout. If your group includes young or first-time riders, choose a manageable route and set clear regrouping points. The views may be less sweeping than in the Badlands, but the wooded scenery and change in terrain can make this a rewarding ride in its own right.
| Riding area | Scenery to expect | Best fit | Planning point |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pembina Gorge | Wooded slopes, a deep valley, and changing terrain | Riders who want forested trails and elevation changes | Check closures and trail conditions, especially after wet weather |
| Roughrider OHV Trail | Missouri River country, open prairie, and a long corridor ride | Groups planning a point-to-point or extended ride | Plan trailhead access, fuel, and how to return to your vehicle |
| Turtle Mountain | Forested uplands and rolling terrain | Riders seeking a shorter, sheltered outing | Confirm the route and share the trail courteously |
| Little Missouri National Grassland roads | Open Badlands country and broad prairie views | Riders comfortable navigating designated roads | Use the official motor vehicle use map; cross-country riding is not allowed |
How to Choose a Scenic Ride That Fits Your Group
Match the landscape to the kind of ride you want
“Big views” can mean very different things in North Dakota. Pembina Gorge gives you wooded slopes and a sense of depth. Roughrider offers a river corridor and open horizons. Turtle Mountain gives you a greener, more enclosed ride. In the western part of the state, designated roads in the Little Missouri National Grassland can provide expansive Badlands scenery, but that experience is different from riding a developed OHV trail.
Think about what your group enjoys before choosing a destination. A rider who likes narrow forest trails may find a long open route less engaging. Someone who wants to photograph distant buttes may prefer the western grasslands to a tree-covered route. If children or newer riders are coming along, the most beautiful option is not necessarily the best one if the route is too long or technical for them.
It also helps to set realistic expectations about “overlooks.” Many scenic rides offer views as you travel rather than a marked viewpoint where everyone can park and linger. Avoid stopping where you block the trail or create a hazard. If your group wants time for photos, plan a safe place to pull over where the route and local rules allow it.
Treat grassland roads differently from OHV trails
The Little Missouri National Grassland is known for dramatic Badlands scenery, but riders need to understand the difference between a road open to motor vehicles and an open riding area. In these grasslands, a designated road may be available to travel, while cross-country riding is prohibited. Do not assume that an open gate, tire tracks, or a visible ridge means you may ride there.
Before heading out, use the applicable motor vehicle use map to confirm which roads are open to your machine and where seasonal or other restrictions apply. The map is especially useful in remote areas, where an unmarked turn can quickly take you away from the route you intended to follow. Read [North Dakota Grassland Motor Vehicle Use Maps] and [North Dakota Cross-Country Travel Is Banned] before planning a Badlands ride.
The Maah Daah Hey Trail is another place where scenery and motorized access can be confused. Its famous Badlands views do not make it an ATV or UTV route. Check the rules for each specific trail or road rather than assuming a popular recreation route allows motorized use. For a wider look at designated riding destinations, start with [North Dakota OHV Trails: All Four Riding Areas].
Plan for Access, Weather, and Navigation
Check conditions before you load the trailer
A route that was open and enjoyable on your last trip may not be suitable after heavy rain or other changing conditions. Wet soil can turn a scenic ride into a muddy recovery exercise, damage trails, or lead to closures. This is particularly important in areas with clay or soft ground. If conditions look questionable, delaying the trip is often better than risking a stuck machine or leaving deep ruts.
Check for trail or road notices close to your departure, and do not rely on an old social media post or a friend’s memory as the final word. Trail information can change, so use the relevant park or managing agency’s updates. [North Dakota Trail Status by App and Phone] is a useful starting point for checking how to find status information. For Pembina Gorge, you can also review [Pembina Gorge Closing After Rain].
Weather changes can affect more than traction. Wind, blowing dust, sudden showers, and temperature swings matter on exposed routes, particularly in western North Dakota. Bring layers, drinking water, a basic first-aid kit, and enough food for a longer-than-planned ride. If you are far from a town, plan fuel conservatively rather than assuming you will find a convenient stop nearby.
Use maps as a backup, not just a screen
A mapping app can make trip planning easier, especially when you want to save a route or share a meeting point with your group. onX Offroad may be useful for reviewing a route before the ride, but check that the route aligns with official access information and on-the-ground signs. A digital track can be outdated, incomplete, or difficult to interpret where roads and property boundaries meet.
Download or save map information before you enter an area with weak service. Carry a paper map or a written route plan as a backup, and make sure at least two people in the group know how to use it. Before starting, identify the trailhead, intended route, turnaround point, and any places where the group can regroup safely.
Navigation is not only about avoiding wrong turns. It also helps you keep your ride within the area you are allowed to use. In grassland country, a tempting side route can lead onto a closed road or private land. Stop and check the map rather than following tracks simply because they look well used.
Ride Responsibly and Keep the View Worth Protecting
Stay on marked routes and respect shared spaces
Scenic areas are often shared by many people, including hikers, horseback riders, landowners, campers, and other vehicle users. Slow down when visibility is limited, give other trail users room, and avoid spinning tires or cutting around wet sections. Staying on the established route protects vegetation and reduces damage to the very places that make the ride memorable.
Pay attention to signs, gates, and posted land boundaries. A gate is not an invitation to continue unless the route is clearly open to public motorized travel. When you are unsure, turn around and check the official map or ask the managing office before continuing. [North Dakota Trail Etiquette Locals Expect] covers practical ways to share riding areas respectfully.
Build a realistic day around the ride
The best scenic trip is not always the one with the most miles. Give your group time to unload, check machines, discuss the route, and stop safely when the landscape calls for it. A short ride with time to enjoy the setting can be more satisfying than pushing through a long route while worrying about daylight or fuel.
Before leaving, confirm that every machine is appropriate for the route, that riders have required registration or permits, and that everyone understands the plan. Tell someone who is not riding where you are going and when you expect to return. Then leave the area as you found it: pack out trash, keep noise reasonable, and avoid riding through soft or closed sections.
North Dakota’s scenery rewards riders who plan with care. Whether you choose the wooded gorge, Missouri River country, Turtle Mountain, or designated grassland roads, the key is to match the route to your group and confirm that access is open. Good preparation leaves more time to enjoy the views and less time solving preventable problems.
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.
