Moose River Trail

The Moose River Trail winds 27 miles through the Land O' Lakes State Forest in Aitkin County near the small resort town of Outing, Minnesota, north of Brainerd and roughly 35 miles southeast of Grand Rapids. This is one of Minnesota's most beloved ATV trail systems, consistently praised for its accessibility and natural beauty: the route passes through dense second-growth forest, skirts the shores of several small lakes and ponds, and crosses streams that give the terrain its Moose River character. Trail origin is largely historic logging roads, which keeps the surface relatively firm and the grades modest, a genuinely beginner-friendly system without sacrificing the wooded forest atmosphere that makes North Woods riding distinctive. The system is organized into three named loops (Plantation, Wren, and Cedar Lake), each varying in length and character and connectable into longer multi-loop rides. The Moose River Connector trail links this system to the broader regional network, allowing access to adjacent state forest riding areas. Class II ATVs are the primary permitted vehicle class. Trail surfaces are sandy loam with some gravel sections and seasonal soft spots near water crossings. No permit fee required for Minnesota-registered machines; a Minnesota OHV trail pass is required for non-residents. Primitive camping is available within the surrounding state forest.