Forests surrounding the Roseau area provide lots of forest roads and more ATV trails than you can imagine.
There are over 1,400 miles of ATV-accessible roads and trails within the greater Beltrami Island State Forest area.
The Bemis Hill Trails, located in Beltrami Island State Forest, offers more than 96 miles of riding. The trails travel along pine-covered sand ridges, large areas of low flatland, and near peat bogs. Trails are provided by Roseau County and maintained by the NorthStar ATV Club and the Lake of The Woods Sportsmans Club.
Trails are well marked for newcomers. While in the forest you will drive by old homesteads and see the family names and dates of their settlement in the area marked along the trail. A ride into the Beltrami Forest would not be complete without making a stop at the Penturen Church which dates back to 1916.
Take a break from riding for a picnic lunch under the pines. Wash off the dust from the old hand pump well and stroll through the church graveyard. Then pack up and hit the open road, you still have much to explore.
You could ride for days in the area and not take the same trail twice. If you head east of Roseau about 17 miles you can encounter some tribal land in and around Warroad. For the Red Lake Wildlife Management Area, contact Norris Camp for a free permit. You can always pick up a free ATV map at area gas stations and the Chamber of Commerce. For more information, visit the club’s Facebook page or contact trail administrator Myles Hogenson, (218)
689-6889.
Club volunteers play a crucial role in the maintenance and mapping of the trails in Roseau County. Just south of Roosevelt is a rider’s paradise, Roseau/LOW (aka Carp’s Pit) Recreational Area which marks the trail hub for 10 acres of land and includes a pavilion for picnics, restrooms, a warming shack, shooting range, and camping. There are also campgrounds at Bemis Hill and Blueberry Hill with minimal facilities. You will find outhouses, picnic areas including campfire rings, and a shelter. If you’re really looking to rough it, however, you can pretty much camp anywhere as long as you’re not on private only land.
Hayes Lake State Park also has beautiful campsites, a nice swim beach, screened pavilion, walking trails, and small boat rentals. You must trailer your ATV into the park. ATVing in the campground is not allowed.
If you have a few extra hours and you’re looking for something to do in town, checkout Riverview Outdoors and Recreation right on the Roseau River. You can rent paddleboards, canoes, and kayaks on an hourly, half-day or full-day basis.
Stop by the Polaris Experience Center and see the snowmobile that started it all and learn. You can also watch the documentary made by the founder’s sons Mitchell Johnson and Mike Hetteen. Mitchell shares the funny story of how he participated along with staff to hid the development idea and build of the first Polaris side by side from management as the prototype was being built. This design changed riding and made a unit that functioned equally as a utility and recreational machine.
If you like to ride in groups and want a guided ride, let ‘er rip in an ATV Run for good causes.
The Femme Fatale run is July 30, 2022. This 17-year tradition raises money to support a different local cause each year. Their goal in 2022 is to raise $15,000 for emergency medical equipment.
The Veteran’s ATV Run is June 18. The guided ride through Beltrami starts and ends at Bemis Hill. Last year they raised $5,000.00 for the Lake of the Woods and Roseau County Veteran’s Relief Fund.
Fall colors can be enjoyed at the Roseau/Lake of the Woods Sportsman’s Club Ride hosted in September.
Don’t worry if you don’t know anyone, Roseau folks are great at making strangers feel like family. Just show up with a machine and you already fit in.
Come to Roseau, jump on an ATV and hit the woods. You’re in Polaris Country. We not only design and build ATV’s here; we ride them The community of Roseau loves to ride as much as you do. Make yourself at home.
To learn more about ATV riding in Roseau County visit:
• www.mndnr.gov/atv
• On Facebook – Roseau & Lake of the Woods Sportsman Club (for updates on rides and events)
