Unmarked Routes and Getting Turned Around
A route that looked obvious on the map can disappear into grass, split at an unmarked two-track, or lead somewhere you didn’t expect. That’s unsettling when you’re riding unfamiliar North Dakota country and the wind is picking up. This guide explains how to prepare for poorly marked routes, stay oriented, and make a safe decision when you realize you’re turned around.
Why North Dakota routes can be hard to follow
A line on a map is not always a marked trail
North Dakota offers very different riding experiences, from developed OHV trails to roads across open grassland. On some routes, signs or trail markers help confirm where you are. Elsewhere, the “route” may be a road or two-track with few visible markers, and intersections can be easy to mistake for part of the same track.
That difference matters. A line shown on a map doesn’t automatically mean you’re allowed to ride it, and tracks across open ground can look like tempting shortcuts without being legal routes. On the Dakota Prairie Grasslands, motorized travel is generally tied to designated roads shown on the applicable motor vehicle use map. Cross-country travel is not a safe assumption. Before heading out, review [North Dakota Grassland Motor Vehicle Use Maps] and [Why Wheeled Cross-Country Travel Is Banned].
Terrain and weather can make route-finding harder, too. Tall grass can hide ruts and approaches; rain can make clay surfaces difficult to travel; and prairie wind can muffle sounds you might otherwise use to orient yourself. In the badlands, a bend or rise can block your view of the track ahead. A route that feels easy to follow in a truck may look less obvious from an ATV seat, especially when several tracks converge.
Trails, roads, and informal tracks are not interchangeable
A developed riding area is not the same as a rural road network. At a designated OHV area, trailheads, route markings, and posted rules can provide useful cues, though you still need to watch for closures, route changes, and shared-use areas. On a grassland road, the key question is whether the road is authorized for motor vehicle use—not simply whether tire marks are visible.
A useful starting point is to learn the character of the specific place you plan to ride. The state’s main riding areas have different layouts and access conditions; [North Dakota OHV Trails: All Four Riding Areas] is a good overview. For a grassland trip, check the relevant map and land manager’s information rather than relying on a general recreation map alone.
When you’re planning a route, mark the intended trailhead or road entrance, the turnarounds you might use, and any places where you expect to make a decision. That simple preparation can help you recognize when you’ve passed the correct junction instead of continuing farther in the wrong direction.
Prepare before you leave the trailhead
Save maps and identify your key waypoints
Do your route research while you have reliable service and enough time to compare information. Use the applicable official map for access and restrictions, then create a simple route plan with a start point, intended turns, and a return point. Apps such as onX Offroad can be useful for reviewing a route and saving map information for offline use, but an app should support—not replace—official land-use information and signs on the ground.
Before leaving, check that the map area you need is actually available offline on your device. Open it while you still have service and make sure you can see your planned route, nearby roads, and saved waypoints. A screenshot of the key map area can be a helpful backup, as can a paper map. Don’t assume that a phone will load a map once you’re in a cell dead zone.
Keep your waypoints simple and recognizable. A trailhead, a major junction, a bridge or culvert, a gate, or a distinctive landform can be easier to identify than a long list of tiny turns. If you’re riding with others, agree on what counts as the group’s main route and where everyone will stop if separated.
Check access, conditions, and your ride plan
A route can be difficult to follow because conditions have changed, not because you missed something obvious. Rain may make a trail or road muddy enough that continuing is unwise. Flooding may affect low-lying areas. A seasonal or temporary closure can also change where you’re allowed to ride. Check the area’s current notices before departure, and don’t treat an old track recorded on a device as proof that it remains open.
Share your plan with someone who isn’t riding with you. Tell them where you expect to start, what area you intend to cover, and when you expect to check in. Give them a clear instruction about what to do if you miss that check-in. It’s also worth agreeing on a latest return time with your group before the ride begins. People are more likely to make poor navigation decisions when they’re tired, hungry, or trying to squeeze in one more loop before dark.
Think through the basics of a self-supported ride: water, appropriate clothing, a charged phone, a way to contact help, and enough fuel to return rather than just reach the far end of the route. In open country, wind and sun can wear you down without making the ride feel dramatic at first. A spare charging source and a paper backup map take little room compared with the frustration of a dead device and no clear way back.
What to do when you realize you’re turned around
Stop, regroup, and avoid guessing
The first useful move is often to stop. Continuing while uncertain can carry you farther from a known point and create more confusing tracks to interpret later. Choose a safe place well clear of other riders or vehicle traffic. If you’re with a group, count riders and check whether anyone is hurt, low on fuel, or separated.
Take a moment to settle down before trying to read the map. Fatigue and embarrassment can make it tempting to pick the most inviting-looking track and hope it reconnects. Instead, compare your surroundings with your saved route: the direction you’ve been traveling, the last junction you remember, and any visible landmarks. If your device has a location marker, use it to understand your position, but don’t confuse a location dot with proof that a particular track is open to motorized travel.
If you’re using onX Offroad, check your position against the map you saved before leaving service. Confirm that the displayed area is available offline and compare the route with any official restrictions or notices you reviewed earlier. If the map suggests that the route continues but ground signs or a closure notice say otherwise, follow the posted direction and choose a lawful alternative. A map is a navigation aid, not permission to ride wherever a line appears.
Retrace only when it is safe and clear
If you can identify the last point where you were certain of your route, returning to that point may be the simplest option. Move slowly, keep the group together, and avoid creating a new route across land that isn’t designated for riding. If the track forks, pause at the junction and compare it with your route plan instead of splitting up to “check” different branches.
Sometimes backtracking is not a sensible choice. The route behind you may be blocked, conditions may have worsened, or you may not be sure which branch brought you there. In that case, stay put in a safe location while you reassess. If you have a reliable way to contact someone, share your location and explain what you can see. If anyone is injured, a machine is disabled in a hazardous location, or conditions are becoming dangerous, prioritize getting help rather than attempting a difficult ride out.
Avoid riding through fences, gates, private property, or closed areas simply because they seem to point toward a road. A gate may mark livestock access or a land boundary, and an apparent shortcut can turn a navigation mistake into a trespass problem. Review [North Dakota Posted Land Rules for Riders] before your trip, and treat signs and barriers as important information—not obstacles to work around.
| What you know | Safer next step |
|---|---|
| You recognize the last confirmed junction | Retrace slowly to that point, then recheck the planned route |
| Your location appears on a saved offline map | Compare it with the official route information and visible signs |
| You cannot tell which track is authorized | Stop and verify before continuing; don’t follow tire marks alone |
| A closure, gate, or posted sign blocks the route | Turn back or choose a confirmed legal alternative |
| Someone is injured or the group is in immediate danger | Contact emergency help if possible and share your location |
| A machine is low on fuel or disabled | Avoid unnecessary detours and seek assistance before the situation worsens |
Build better habits for the next ride
Use deliberate checkpoints instead of riding on autopilot
Choose a few moments to confirm your location: at the trailhead, at a major junction, after a long straight stretch, and before any turn that changes your direction of travel. These checks need not interrupt the ride for long. A quick look at the route and a spoken confirmation—“this is the turn toward the entrance”—can prevent several riders from confidently following the wrong track.
Record a track or drop a waypoint only when you understand what it represents. A line you recorded while riding is a record of where you went, not an official endorsement that the route is open or appropriate for a future trip. If you save notes, include useful context such as “confirmed at posted junction” or “turned back at closure.” Those notes make later planning more reliable than a plain line on a screen.
On a group ride, have one person lead and another sweep at the back. Agree that no one passes the leader or leaves a junction until the group is together. This helps prevent the familiar chain reaction where one rider takes the wrong fork, the next follows, and the last person assumes the group has intentionally changed plans. For practical group-planning ideas, see [North Dakota Group Ride Planning].
Make a route decision before fatigue sets in
Set a turnaround point before you ride, especially if you’re exploring an unfamiliar area. The point might be a planned junction, a time on the clock, a fuel threshold, or a change in weather. Turning around early is not a failed ride. It’s a way to keep the return trip manageable when the route is longer or less obvious than expected.
Keep the group’s navigation plan realistic for the least experienced rider, not just the person who knows the area. A confident rider may be comfortable interpreting a faint two-track, while someone new to the landscape may need more frequent stops and clearer route notes. If riders have different machines or fuel ranges, plan around the one with the tighter limits. Route-finding becomes harder when people are rushing to keep up or worrying about whether they have enough fuel to get back.
After the ride, make a note of confusing junctions, access points, and conditions that affected visibility. Don’t use that note as a substitute for checking official maps before your next trip; access and closures can change. But a thoughtful ride log can help you plan better, recognize landmarks sooner, and avoid repeating the same wrong turn.
Keep a backup plan for remote areas
Before heading into an area with limited cell service, decide what you will do if your phone stops working. Carry a paper map or a written route note, keep your device protected and charged, and make sure someone knows when to expect you back. If you’re riding far from services, [Cell Dead Zones in the Badlands] is a useful reminder to plan for gaps in coverage rather than counting on a signal.
When the route remains uncertain, choose the conservative option. That may mean returning to a known trailhead, staying on a confirmed road, or ending the ride earlier than planned. The most satisfying ride is not necessarily the one that covers the most ground. It’s the one where everyone gets back safely, the machines make it home, and the group hasn’t crossed land or ignored restrictions while trying to find its way.
If you’re preparing for a specific route, review the relevant area information before setting out and use a map that matches the kind of access you intend to use. For more on finding and interpreting official route information, read [North Dakota OHV Trail Map Downloads] and [Reading a Grassland Vehicle Use Map]. A little preparation at home can spare you the hardest kind of trail-side decision: choosing a direction when you’re no longer sure where you are.
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.
