Minnesotans with an
all-terrain vehicle registered for private or agricultural use won’t need to
pay the additional registration fee ($53.50 for three years) to ride the
state’s public ATV trails June 2-4, according to the Department of Natural
Resources.
Out-of-state riders can
explore Minnesota ATV trails that weekend as well, without the need for a
nonresident trail pass ($21 annually). This is the fourth year that Minnesota
is providing ATV riders with free access to more than 3,000 milesof state
forest and grant-in-aid trails during “No Registration Weekend.”
“We see this weekend as a
great opportunity to showcase the wide variety of state and grant-in-aid trails
across Minnesota,” said Mary Straka, off-highway vehicle program consultant.
“There are a large number of privately registered ATVs across the state, and we
encourage them to explore the public trails for free June 2-4.”
Some great places to start,
according to Straka, include:
- The Iron Range Off-Highway Vehicle State Recreation Area, a 1,200-acre OHV park in Gilbert with 36 miles of scenic trails for riders of all abilities. The recreation area will have special programs, rides and displays on Saturday, June 4.
- The 100-mile trail system in Nemadji State Forest, which connects to the Matthew Lourey State Trail and the Gandy Dancer Trail for more riding opportunities.
- The 29-mile Spider Lake trail system in Foot Hills State Forest, where riders can curve around lakes and ponds, go up and down a variety of hills, and view overlooks from the ridges throughout the forest.
- The 200-mile Northwoods Regional Trail System in Aitkin and Itasca counties, where riders can use the Soo Line Trail to connect to great communities and trail loops.
The DNR advises riders to
keep safety in mind when out on the trails. In particular:
- Safety training is required for ATV riders born after July 1, 1987, and it is recommended for everyone that operates an ATV.
- Kids under age 18 must wear a DOT-certified helmet.
- Kids age 16 and under must fit the ATV they are operating and be able to properly reach and control the handlebars and reach the foot pegs while sitting upright on the ATV.
Trail maps, updates on
trail conditions, youth ATV Safety training and other OHV information can be
found online at www.mndnr.gov/ohv.
