Roughrider OHV Trail’s 22 Miles Along the Missouri River
The Roughrider OHV Trail can look straightforward on a map, but a 22-mile ride along the Missouri River takes more planning than simply unloading and following a track. Knowing where the route begins and ends, what to check before leaving, and how to prepare your ATV or UTV helps you avoid wrong turns, access surprises, and an exhausting return trip.
What to know about the Roughrider OHV Trail
Where the trail runs
The Roughrider OHV Trail follows a corridor along the Missouri River between Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park, near Mandan, and the Fort Rice area. Its roughly 22 miles make it a notable ride in south-central North Dakota, with the river landscape and changing views adding interest to the trip.
The route is often described as linking Fort Abraham Lincoln and Fort Rice, but that does not mean every visitor should assume the ride works like a single, uninterrupted loop. It is a point-to-point trail, so think through how you will handle the return journey before you set off. Review [Roughrider OHV Trail Links Fort Abraham Lincoln and Fort Rice] when planning where to start and how the two ends fit into your outing.
The Fort Abraham Lincoln side gives riders a recognizable place to orient themselves near Mandan. The Fort Rice end is farther south, so reaching it may require advance thought about pickup arrangements, a second vehicle, or riding back the way you came. For details about the northern access, see [Roughrider's New Trailhead at Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park] and [Riding From Fort Abraham Lincoln South].
What a 22-mile trail means in practice
A listed trail length is useful, but it does not tell you how long your ride will take. Surface conditions, stops, other trail users, weather, and the pace of the least experienced rider all matter. A trip that looks manageable on a mileage estimate can feel much longer when you factor in the return ride.
Before leaving, decide what your group considers the halfway point and agree on a turnaround time. If you are riding out and back, you may cover close to twice the trail’s one-way mileage. That can be a demanding day for a young rider, a new driver, or anyone on a machine with limited fuel range. A point-to-point plan may reduce backtracking, but only if you have a safe, legal way to arrange transportation at the far end.
The trail’s river setting is part of its appeal, but it also makes it important to stay on the designated route. Do not assume that a visible track beside the trail is an alternate route you can use. Stay alert for other riders, changing ground, and places where the path narrows or bends.
| Planning question | Why it matters | What to do before riding |
|---|---|---|
| Where will you start? | The trail connects two areas rather than forming an obvious loop. | Confirm your chosen trailhead and access plan. |
| How will you return? | An out-and-back ride adds substantial distance. | Set a turnaround time or arrange transportation. |
| Is the route open and suitable? | Weather and trail conditions can affect access. | Check current trail status before departure. |
| Does your machine qualify? | Width, registration, and equipment can affect where you may ride. | Confirm your machine and paperwork meet applicable requirements. |
| Can the whole group manage the trip? | Riders travel at different speeds and have different endurance. | Set a pace and distance that work for the least experienced rider. |
Planning your route and trailhead logistics
Choose the start and finish before you unload
The biggest planning mistake is arriving at a trailhead without agreeing on what kind of ride you are taking. A point-to-point trip and an out-and-back trip have different transportation needs, mileage, and timing. Decide which one you intend to do before anyone starts unloading machines.
If you plan to ride from Fort Abraham Lincoln south, identify where your group expects to stop and what you will do at the far end. A shuttle can be convenient, but it requires a driver and a vehicle that can reach the agreed pickup location. If you do not have that support, an out-and-back ride may be simpler, provided your group is comfortable with the added distance.
The Fort Rice side also deserves a little research. Do not rely on a vague pin or a route someone shared without checking that it matches the public trail access you intend to use. [Fort Rice Campground at the Far End] can help you think through the southern end of the corridor, while [Which Three Agencies Share the Roughrider Trail Corridor] is a useful reminder that trail management and nearby facilities can involve more than one public agency. Follow the posted signs and instructions at the site.
Use maps without letting the map replace trail signs
A map is valuable for understanding the route, estimating distance, and showing your group where it is in relation to nearby roads and facilities. A mapping app such as onX Offroad can be part of your planning toolkit, especially when you want to review the broader area before arriving. Treat it as a planning aid, not as permission to leave the marked route or as proof that every mapped line is open to OHVs.
Save or review the route before the ride and make sure everyone knows the agreed trailhead and turnaround point. If your group gets separated, a common reference point is more useful than several riders independently choosing what looks like the quickest way back. Keep the map available, but continue to follow trail signs and any official instructions on the ground.
Check the route using more than one source when you can. A basemap may show roads, property boundaries, or nearby tracks that are not part of the OHV trail. If the map display and a posted closure or direction disagree, follow the posted direction and verify the route with the relevant land manager before continuing. You can also use [North Dakota Trail Status by App and Phone] as a reminder to check trail conditions through current status channels before traveling.
Prepare your ATV or UTV and your group
Check access, registration, and machine fit
Before the trip, make sure the machine you plan to ride is suitable for the route and that its registration or permit situation is in order. North Dakota registration and trail access are related, but they are not interchangeable ideas: paperwork does not automatically mean every road or track nearby is open to riding. Review [North Dakota Registration and Trail Access] and confirm the requirements that apply to your machine and your residency.
Width is worth considering if you are bringing a side-by-side. A machine that feels comfortable on an open road can be harder to maneuver when a route becomes narrower, especially when traveling with a group. Measure or check the machine’s specifications rather than estimating by eye, and compare them with the trail’s applicable restrictions and posted conditions. If you are unsure whether your machine is appropriate, ask the responsible trail manager before making the drive.
A pre-ride check is not glamorous, but it can save a long day. Check tires, brakes, steering, lights, fuel, and any cargo attachments. Secure loose items so they cannot fall onto the route. Bring basic tools and a way to deal with a minor problem, such as a loose fastener or a tire issue. For a remote-feeling stretch, a charged phone and a backup plan are sensible even when you expect to have service.
Set a pace that works for everyone
A group ride is only enjoyable when riders agree on the basics before the engines start. Choose a lead rider and a sweep rider, and make sure no one is expected to keep up with a pace that feels unsafe. Agree on what to do at junctions or places where the group needs to stop. A simple rule—wait until the next rider is visible before moving on—can prevent a small gap from turning into a stressful search.
If you are riding with children or beginners, keep the first outing conservative. A new rider may need extra time to manage turns, loose surfaces, and other trail users. Build in breaks and make sure riders understand that stopping to regroup is not a failure or a delay; it is part of riding responsibly. If someone is tired, cold, overheated, or uncomfortable, reassess the plan rather than pushing on just to reach the far end.
Pack for the day you might actually have, not only the forecast you hope for. North Dakota weather can make an exposed ride feel different from a sheltered one, and wind can add fatigue even when temperatures seem comfortable. Water, snacks, suitable layers, and a basic first-aid kit are sensible additions. Use onX Offroad or another route-planning tool to discuss the ride in advance, but make sure every rider also understands the group’s meeting and turnaround plan.
Trail conditions, etiquette, and practical safety
Check conditions before making the drive
Trail access and surface conditions can change. Rain, wet ground, maintenance, or other management decisions may affect whether a route is open or pleasant to ride. A trail that was suitable on a previous visit may not be in the same condition today. Check for current notices before loading your machines, and confirm again if weather changes between your planning day and departure.
Do not assume that a trail is open simply because the general riding season has begun or because a map still displays the route. [North Dakota OHV Trails Have No Season] is useful context, but it should not be read as a promise that every trail is accessible in every condition. Seasonal access, weather-related closures, and site-specific directions are different questions; check the information for the Roughrider corridor itself.
If you arrive and find a closure, blocked access, or a condition that looks unsafe, do not improvise a route around it. Turn back or contact the appropriate managing agency for guidance. Riding around a closure can damage the landscape, create conflict with land managers, or take you onto land where you do not have permission to ride.
Share the trail and respect the surroundings
The Roughrider is a shared outdoor space. Give other riders room, slow down when visibility is limited, and leave enough space that dust or debris from the machine ahead does not obscure your view. When passing, do so cautiously and only where there is enough room to avoid pushing another rider toward an edge or uneven ground.
Stay on the established route and pack out everything you bring in. Avoid disturbing vegetation, wildlife, or nearby property. If you stop for a break, pull over only where it is safe and does not block the trail. These habits help protect both the trail and the experience for the next group. [North Dakota Trail Etiquette Locals Expect] offers a useful set of reminders for being considerate on a ride.
Be especially thoughtful around trailheads and nearby public facilities. Keep machines and trailers within designated parking areas, watch for pedestrians, and follow signs about where OHVs may travel. Do not assume that a campground, state park road, or nearby public road is automatically part of the OHV route. Check the rules for each area rather than extending your ride based on convenience.
A simple pre-ride checklist
Use this checklist the evening before your trip and again at the trailhead:
- Confirm the trail is open and check for recent condition notices.
- Decide whether the ride is point-to-point or out-and-back.
- Confirm the trailhead, parking, and any shuttle or pickup arrangements.
- Check your machine’s registration, permit status, width, fuel, tires, brakes, and lights.
- Pack water, food, weather-appropriate layers, a first-aid kit, and basic tools.
- Share the route and turnaround plan with everyone in the group.
- Keep to marked routes and follow closures or posted directions.
- Set a conservative pace and regroup regularly.
- Leave enough time to return before fatigue or changing conditions become a problem.
A little preparation makes the Roughrider OHV Trail easier to enjoy. Confirming your route, planning for the return, checking current conditions, and keeping the group together can prevent the most common hassles—getting turned around, running short on time, or discovering too late that your plan depended on access you had not verified. For riders who take those steps, the trail’s Missouri River corridor can make for a rewarding North Dakota outing.
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.
