Lake Vermilion Resorts

ATV/OHV

ATV/OHV RIDING NEAR LAKE VERMILION

There is an OHV Park near Lake Vermilion, and also many trails open to ATVs. For detailed information on rules and regulations, click on any of the links below.

Iron Range OHV Recreation Area
Trail riding (outside the Superior National Forest)
Trail riding within the Superior National Forest

Iron Range off-highway vehicle recreation area High Water and Flooding Across the Forest Date(s): Apr 13, 2022 - May 25, 2022 We are experiencing high water levels and flooding, creating unpredictable and hazardous situations for boaters, drivers and even hikers. Many roads across the Forest are washed out or flooded, as are campgrounds, trails, portages and other recreation areas. Rivers and streams are very cold and fast moving. Please exercise caution, be prepared and call ahead to the local District Ranger office for the latest conditions. ATV trails on the Forest including the Stony Spur Trail, Jackpot Trail, Prospector Trail and Taconite State Trail are closed until conditions allow for use. To check the status of an ATV trail, please visit the MN DNR website. Additionally, you can access our Motor Vehicle Use Map which shows seasonal designations for roads and trails.

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.

OHV park hours:

May 1 to October 31: Daily 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. or one hour before sunset, whichever is earlier
November 1 to April 30: Friday-Sunday only 8:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Closed during firearms deer season

To learn more, visit the OHV Park Website.

Iron Range Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation Area
7196 Pettit Road
Gilbert, MN 55741
(218) 748-2207
fax: (218) 748-2208