Southern

Appleton Area Recreational Park

This repurposed gravel mine is a destination for riders in Southwestern Minnesota and beyond. The park includes 20 miles of trails, many technical, as well as a motocross practice track, a training course, 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/330 acres Difficulty: Easiest to Most Difficult Parking/Trailhead Location(s): From Appleton, go one mile east on Highway 59 Season: Year-round Facilities: Appleton: food, fuel, restrooms, lodging More Information: Michael Johnson, 320-843-5341

Chatfield Trail

The 19-mile Chatfield ATV Trail is a labor of passion: it was developed by area residents who love ATVs. The trails are entirely on private land, including land in the Dorer Memorial Hardwood State Forest. This easy rural trail travels through farming landscapes, along streams, fields, pasture and woods. A scramble area in an active sand quarry along the way offers additional challenges. The trail is maintained by the Chatfield ATV Trails Club. Distance: 19 miles Difficulty: Easiest to More Difficult Parking/Trailhead Location(s): One mile north of Chatfield on State Highway 74 and 30. Parking is on the right side Season: May 23 to October 31 Facilities: Chatfield: food, fuel, restrooms; Rochester: food, fuel, restrooms, lodging More Information: Bernie Hammell, 507-867-4410; June Hammell, 507-251-2436

Grant County Youth Trail

In a class of its own, the Grant County Youth Trail was created for the youngest riders. Just under three miles long, the trail has an ATV youth safety course and trail made specifically for kids to practice on – how cool is that? Terrain varies from easy riding through prairie land, to more difficult challenges that include log climbs, hills, whoops, bridge crossings and twisty bits through hardwood forest. Pack up the family and get comfortable in Grant County. Distance: 2.6 miles Difficulty: Easiest to More Difficult Parking/Trailhead Location(s): Take Highway 59 south from Elbow Lake to Highway 54. Travel south 8.8 miles, take a right on 170th Street and go 2.3 miles west Season: May 15 to October 31 Facilities: none More Information: Tracey Von Bargen, 218-685-8300

Snake Creek and Trout Valley Trails

These trails, many of them one-way routes, are located in a section of Richard J. Dorer Memorial Hardwood Forest that extends along the Mississippi River Valley. They do not connect, but offer similar features: some of Southern Minnesota’s most scenic high points that look over area river valleys. Outcroppings, rubble and a 300-foot climb in Snake Creek make this a challenging day. Camping is available at Trout Valley. Watch for bikers and horseback riders at Trout Valley. Distance: 13 miles (Snake Creek), 9 miles (Trout Valley) Difficulty: Easiest to More Difficult Parking/Trailhead Location(s): Snake Creek: From Kellogg, go 3 miles south on Highway 61. Trout Valley: From Winona, go 15 miles northwest on Highway 61 and then 1.7 miles southwest on County Road 29 Season: May 1 to November 1 Facilities: Kellogg: food, fuel, restrooms, lodging; Minneiska: food; Winona: food, fuel, restrooms, lodging More Information: 507-206-2847

Shady Oaks Native Prairie Adventure Trails

Local volunteers maintain this newly established trail in Lyon County. Created in memory of two United States veterans, Edward Burckhardt and Harry Thooft, there’s lots of fun to be had. Although the Shady Oaks Native Prairie Adventure Trails only span five miles, there’s some exciting bridge crossings as you travel between forest, prairie and some pretty great overlooks. Distance: 5 miles Difficulty: Easiest to More Difficult Parking/Trailhead Location(s): North of Russell City Park Season: May 1 to October 1 Facilities: Russell: food, fuel, restrooms, lodging More Information: Gary Thooft, 507-823-4215

Southeast Minnesota Trail

Experience true bluff country on the 13 miles of the Southeast Minnesota Trail. Take in heavily wooded ravines, undulating farmland (watch for cattle) and valleys. Respect the trails and signage, as portions of the trail pass through private property. The Southeast Minnesota ATV Club maintains this trail. 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 Facilities: Stockton: food, fuel, restrooms; Winona: food, fuel, restrooms lodging More Information: Lee Potter, 507-450-7190