Where to ride

Where to ride in North Dakota

Official riding areas and the permits North Dakota asks for, each from the managing agency's own page, quoted and dated. Areas close for fire, weather, seasons and repairs, so check the page before you go.

Public areas
2
On the map
1
Quoted facts
4
Reviewed
2026-09-30

Areas

Public land the managing agency describes for off-highway riding. Each card quotes the place’s own page on the riding, vehicles, season, ride days, fees, camping and size; what the page does not print is named on a hatched line. The Forest Service and the BLM publish motor vehicle use maps for public land not listed here.

1 of 2 places on the map; numbers match the list. 1 hollow pin is approximate: the centre of the ZIP code in the printed address, not the gate. 1 place has no pin: its page gives neither. Outline: U.S. Census Bureau.
  1. 1. Pembina Gorge State Park

    State North Dakota Parks and Recreation Departmentnear Walhalla

    Now open as North Dakota's 14th state park, Pembina Gorge State Park invites visitors to explore one of the state's most dramatic and diverse landscapes.

    Vehicles
    The Pembina Gorge has over 16 miles of trails designed to accommodate non-motorized and motorized traffic, including the three classes of OHVs – dirt bikes, four-wheelers, and side-by-sides – which are 60 inches wide or less. source
    Fees
    no fee to use the new multi-use trail
    —
    Not on the pages we checked: Riding, Season, Ride days, Camping, Size
    • Names motorcycles

    Address as printed: 10457 121st Ave NE, Walhalla, ND 58282

    Pembina Gorge State Park, official pagechecked 2026-09-30

    Map point: Approximate: centre of ZIP code 58282 (Census ZIP code area), from the address printed on the page, checked 2026-09-30. Back to the map

  2. 2. Turtle Mountain State Recreation Area

    State North Dakota Parks and Recreation Departmentnear Bottineau

    The Turtle Mountain State Recreation Area is located six miles northwest of Bottineau.

    Vehicles
    This 10-mile trail is open to motorized vehicles like dirt bikes, all-terrain vehicles, and side-by-sides as well as non-motorized trail users and sportsmen. source
    Size
    This recreation area has over 12 miles of motorized trails open to off-highway vehicles (OHV's), hiking, biking, snowshoeing and horseback riding.
    —
    Not on the pages we checked: Riding, Season, Ride days, Fees, Camping
    • Names motorcycles
    • Trails
    • Open riding area

    Turtle Mountain State Recreation Area, official pagechecked 2026-09-30

Permits and stickers

What the state's own pages say riders need on public land, quoted word for word. North Dakota Parks and Recreation Department runs the program; its page is below. Private tracks set their own rules, entry forms and gear requirements.

  • Residents

    OHV registration (ND Department of Transportation)

    With some exceptions, OHVs operated on public land must be registered with the North Dakota Department of Transportation at any of their statewide offices.

    Official pagechecked 2026-09-30

  • Non-residents

    Non-resident public trails and lands access permit

    Owners of out-of-state registered OHVs must purchase a non-resident public trails and lands access permit, at the cost of $10 per year.

    Official pagechecked 2026-09-30

The state program

Off-Highway Vehicles (OHV) program, run by North Dakota Parks and Recreation Department.

With some exceptions, OHVs operated on public land must be registered with the North Dakota Department of Transportation at any of their statewide offices.

Off-Highway Vehicles (OHV) program, official pagechecked 2026-09-30

Before you go

Each place's own page has its current status, seasons, fees and which trails take which vehicles. Rules differ between places and change with fire danger, weather and race schedules, so read it on the day. Tracks set their own gear, age and entry rules.

Official maps

Near a state line? The nearest-places finder looks across every state.

Nothing on this page says anyone may ride anywhere: it points to the agencies that decide. A tag such as “Camping” means the quoted page says so, not that we have been there. Reviewed 2026-09-30.