Minnesota Off-Road Trails

The Gandy Dancer State Trail is a gentle and scenic drive through the Nemadji and St. Croix State Forests. The trail follows an abandoned railroad track and provides the only vehicle access to the Black Lake Bog State Natural Area. A gandy dancer was a slang term for railroad workers who built the original track. The workers used tools manufactured by the Gandy Manufacturing Company. The railroad crews were known to sing in unison with their repetitive tasks, like hammering in railroad spikes, which led to them being described as dancers. The trail is famous for birders, wildlife sightings, and wildflowers.

Mesabi Mountain ORV Trail is a rare gem in the region, offering nearly nonstop technical rock crawling—an exhilarating challenge for offroad enthusiasts. Opened in 2011 thanks to the efforts of the Northern Minnesota Jeepers Club, this trail winds through the rugged terrain of the Laurentian Divide, where each rocky ridge and outcropping demands precise line selection, making for a thrilling ride. As an out-and-back trail, its layout allows for multiple loops and alternate routes to test your skill and nerve. Along the way, scenic viewpoints provide the perfect spots to take a break, grab lunch, and swap stories with your trail mates about past obstacles and what lies ahead. With lodging and restaurants in nearby Eveleth, Mesabi Mountain Trail is well worth the drive from any major metro area—making for an unforgettable offroad weekend.

Spider Lake OHV Area is known for its winding forest trails that weave through the quiet woods of Minnesota’s Foothills State Forest. The trail system offers miles of interconnected routes through dense pine forest, gentle terrain, and occasional rocky sections, making it a fun and approachable ride for many off-road vehicles. Spider McKinley serves as the main road through the area and provides access to several dispersed camping spots along with scenic views overlooking Spider Lake.

The “Outer Loop” consists of several designated road segments within the Spider Lake OHV Area, which offers a handful of trails to explore. The route provides a spirited drive with several short hill climbs that may require 4 Low depending on your vehicle. These hills can become more difficult in wet or muddy conditions. Most stock offroad vehicles with good ground clearance will complete it with no issue. While the trail is rated easy, it is not a groomed road like Spider McKinley, and vehicles without a 4 Low transfer case should avoid attempting it.

Much of the route travels through wooded terrain, and some sections can be tight, making maneuvering a full-size pickup truck more challenging. Because of the narrow forested sections, drivers should also watch carefully for oncoming side by side traffic. Camping is available along Spider McKinley Road.

The trail does not have a specific seasonal designation but opens and closes based on the overall status of the Spider Lake OHV Area. It is typically open during the spring, summer, and fall months.

If you would like a map of the entire area, one is available on the state’s website.

Trail 247 is located within the Spider Lake OHV Area and provides a fun, technical drive through the wooded terrain of Minnesota’s Foothills State Forest. Obstacles along the route include humps that create breakover challenges. Shorter wheelbase vehicles will generally find these sections easier to navigate. Experienced drivers will find the road straightforward, while beginners will have the chance to learn their vehicle's breakover limits.

Most stock offroad vehicles with good ground clearance and a 4 Low transfer case should be capable of completing the trail in dry conditions. While it may be rated as easy within the system, the route is still a true OHV trail and should not be mistaken for a groomed forest road. Conditions can become more difficult when wet or muddy.

Camping is available nearby along Spider McKinley Road. Trail availability follows the open and closure status of the Spider Lake OHV Area and is typically accessible during spring, summer, and fall.

If you would like a map of the entire area, one is available on the state’s website.