SOUTHERN

Appleton Area Recreational Park• Chatfield Trail• Elm Creek Trail • Snake Creek Trail• Southeast Minnesota Trail• Tri-County Park • Trout Valley Trail

Appleton Area Recreational Park

The 330-acre Appleton Area Recreational Park is located in a former gravel mine, which makes it a perfect playground for ORV enthusiasts. The park includes 20 miles of trails, many technical, as well as a motocross practice track, a training course and dunes, rock climbs and a water pit for muddy fun. The city of Appleton also allows ATVs to travel on posted roads within city limits.

Distance: 20 miles Difficulty: Easiest, More Difficult and Most Difficult Parking/Trailhead Location(s): From Appleton, go one mile east on Highway 59. Season: Year-round

Vehicles Allowed:

Elm Creek Trail

The Elm Creek Trail offers a combination of five miles of gentle rural trails and an extensive open field practice area. Situated on 52 acres of private land in the prairies of southwestern Minnesota, the Elm Creek ATV Trail is suitable for riders of all levels in a picturesque setting that includes multiple crossings over Elm Creek.

TRAIL HEAD

10th Ave. SCRAMBLE AREA

Facilities: Appleton: Food, fuel, restrooms, lodging More Information: Michael Johnson, 320-843-5341

Chatfield Trail

The 19-mile Chatfield ATV Trail is entirely on private land within the southeast corner of the state. This easy rural trail travels through farming landscapes, along streams and through hardwood forests. Please respect the local landowners who allow trails to pass through their property by riding only on the marked trails. A scramble area in an active sand quarry along the way offers additional challenges.

Distance: 19 miles Difficulty: Easiest to More Difficult Parking/Trailhead Location(s): One mile north of Chatfield on State Highways 74 and 30. Parking is on the right side. Season: May 1 to October 31

Vehicles Allowed:

Facilities: Chatfield: food, fuel, restrooms; Rochester: food, fuel, restrooms, lodging More Information: Bernie Hammell, 507-867-4410 Distance: 5 miles, 52 acres Difficulty: Easiest

Parking/Trailhead

Location(s): From I-90, take Alpha exit 80 and go 8.5 miles north on County Road 29. Then turn right on County Road 28 for 1 mile, then right on Township Road for half a mile. Season: December 22 to September 30

Vehicles Allowed:

190th St. TO TRIMONT

Facilities: Trimont/Sherburn: food, fuel, restrooms; Jackson: food, restrooms, fuel, lodging More Information: Pat Murphy, 507-363-3151

Snake Creek and Trout Valley Trails

These trails, located in the section of Richard J. Dorer Memorial Hardwood Forest that extends along the Mississippi River Valley, offer some of the state’s best off-road overlooks, with some of southern Minnesota’s most scenic high points along the trail. Outcroppings, rubble and a 300foot climb make this a challenging day out for more experienced riders.

Distance: Snake Creek 13 miles, Trout Valley 9 miles Difficulty: Easiest to More Difficult Parking/Trailhead Location(s): Snake Creek: From Kellogg, go three miles south on Highway 61. Trout Valley: From Winona, go 15 northwest on Highway 61 and then 1.7 miles southwest on County Road 29. Season: May 1 to November 1

Vehicles Allowed:

Facilities: Wabasha/Kellogg: food, fuel, restrooms, lodging; Minneisha: food; Winona: food, fuel, restrooms, lodging More Information: MN DNR Parks and Trails, Rochester, 507-206-2847

Southeast Minnesota Trail

Capture the true essence of this region in the 13 miles the Southeast Minnesota Trail has to offer. Take in heavily wooded ravines, undulating farmland and of course, valleys. Respect the trails and signage, as portions of the trail pass through private property; be sure to also beware of cattle.

Distance: 13 miles Difficulty: More Difficult Parking/Trailhead Location(s): From Stockton, go one mile west on Highway 14 to parking area Season: May 15 to October 31

Vehicles Allowed:

Facilities: Stockton: food, fuel, restrooms; Winona: food, fuel, restrooms lodging More Information: Lee Potter, 507-450-7190

Tri-County Park

An old gravel pit with steep sides near Faribault makes an ideal scramble area in which riders can practice their skills. This 25-acre park includes a safety training area and a shelter and picnic area that make a good observation deck.

Distance: 25 acres Difficulty: Easiest to More Difficult Parking/Trailhead Location(s): From Faribault, go 4 miles north on Hwy. 3 to Landfill Rd. (145th Street E.), then .6 miles east to parking lot on right. Season: Year-round

Vehicles Allowed:

Facilities: Faribault/Northfield: food, fuel, restrooms, lodging More Information: Joan Trahan, Trail Administrator, 507-210-0997

SUPERIOR AND CHIPPEWA NATIONAL FORESTS

Superior National Forest has more than 2,000 miles of recreational trails for all types of uses, including off-highway vehicle. The Motor Vehicle Use Maps are four separate, double-sided maps showing motorized riding trails and roads. If a road or trail you find in the forest is not on the map, it is not legal for you to ride it, regardless if others have done so. Cross-country travel is not permitted. You can also visit the website below to learn how to download a copy of the map for mobile use.

Contact information www.fs.usda.gov/superior

Main Office, Duluth 218-626-4300

Chippewa National Forest has 315 miles of motorized trails. Within the Chippewa National Forest: • OHV use is allowed only on roads that are designated open for such use, as marked on the Motorized Vehicle Use Map. • Forest Service roads are identified and signed with a number at their main intersection with other roads. • Designated roads include both low standard and higher standard roads.

Please show caution when sharing a road with passenger vehicle traffic.

Contact information www.fs.usda.gov/chippewa

Main Office, Cass Lake 218-335-8600

Offroad Friendly Communities

Each year more counties and communities open their roads to offroad vehicle traffic, allowing riders to access fuel, lodging and dining establishments. It’s a great way to support those who support offroad recreation. Places such as Gilbert, Chisholm, Silver Bay and many others allow a variety of offroad vehicles to travel within city limits. While you plan your next trip, be sure to research local rules and requirements for communities you will be visiting. Local tourism offices are a great resource, as is exploreminnesota.com.