Pembina Gorge SRA OHV

Pembina Gorge State Recreation Area OHV Trail System offers over 16 miles of designated OHV trails within the 2,800-acre Pembina Gorge in Cavalier County, far northeast North Dakota near the Canadian border. The Pembina Gorge is one of the most geographically anomalous landscapes in North Dakota: a deeply incised river gorge cutting through the otherwise flat glacial lake bed of the Red River valley, with oak, elm, and ash forest lining the slopes and creek bottoms in a region where most land is cultivated cropland. For riders accustomed to Great Plains prairie landscapes, the gorge feels dramatically different: forested hillsides, creek crossings, and steep terrain that feels more like Minnesota's hardwood country than the North Dakota most visitors imagine. Trail difficulty ranges from easier gorge-rim routes to more technical creek-bottom and hillside sections. Maximum vehicle width is 60 inches; ATVs and UTVs meeting the width limit are permitted. A North Dakota OHV trail pass is required. Camping is available at Windmill Campground adjacent to the recreation area. The North Dakota Parks and Recreation Department manages the SRA (701-328-5357).