Minnesota’s first designated state recreation area for off-highway vehicles (OHV) and all-terrain vehicles (ATV) is located near Gilbert, about 1/2 hour from Lake Vermilion. Open to OHVs, ATVs, 4×4 Jeeps and trucks. This 1200 acre site features recreation trails, scramble areas, hill climbs, obstacle and challenge courses, as well as facilities for training and competitive events.

The area offers:

• programs that emphasize safety training, practice riding, environmental education, and rider ethics
• picnic and rest areas, non-motorized trails, scenic views and interpretative information and displays
• an off-highway recreation facility for families and individuals of all riding skill levels. Visitors under the age of 12 may not operate an ATV on public lands.

Managed by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MN-DNR), OHV trails and areas are signed with the degree of difficulty for users. There is no charge for admission, but off-road vehicles must be properly registered for off-road use and be equipped with standard safety equipment and a muffler.

Areas for activities and special events include a multi-purpose event area, 4×4 rock crawl and obstacle course, tough-truck competition course, sand and mud drags, hill climbs, motorcycle track, observed trails, snowmobile events, bicycle motocross or mountain bike events and more. Planning and land acquisition are currently underway for a proposed 3,500 acre addition to the OHV Park located just east of Virginia.