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Last Updated on October 25, 2024 by Paul Clayton
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Iowa Trails Explored: Off Roading Guide
Iowa is a great state to plan an off-roading trip, with several opportunities for exploring in your favorite rigs. Most parks here are open year-round, but many trails don’t get winter maintenance. Before heading out, get your OHV registration from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR). Visitors must obtain a nonresident permit and display their state’s registration sticker on their machine.
Here’s a guide to off-roading in Iowa, with every park and trail you need to know in the Hawkeye State.
Bluff Creek ATV Park
Eddyville
Pricing: Free
Regulations: Iowa DNR sticker mandatory, maximum vehicle width is 62 inches, 
helmets required for all riders, spark arrestor required, camping permitted in developed sites
Restrictions: Only dirt bikes and ATVs allowed, no three-wheelers, 96-decibel noise limit, no trailblazing, no night riding
Bluff Creek ATV Park features an abandoned strip mine with 20 miles of off-roading trails. This recreational area features terrain for riders, including an easy track for beginners and steep hills for the experienced crowd. Advanced riders can test their skills at Gravity Cavity, the most challenging track at Bluff Creek.
This ATV Park is open year-round, but be mindful that it can close due to bad weather. Monitor the Iowa DNR’s website for alerts or call to check trail conditions before leaving. Besides riding, take advantage of the free primitive camping at 13 sites.
Fan Ridge MX, LLC
Waukon
Pricing: $15 per rider, $150 season pass, $300 family pass
Regulations: Helmets required, spark arrestor recommended, signed waiver required for all visitors, children 18 must have waiver with an adult’s signature
Restrictions: Only dirt bikes allowed, no night riding, no trailblazing, no camping opportunities, no alcohol
Fan Ridge MX, LLC, is a family-friendly motocross track in northeast Iowa outside of Waukon. The lone track at this facility is open for beginners and knowledgeable riders, with effortless ways around the obstacles if you don’t want to try them.
The MX track at Fan Ridge is a terrific place to bring your children and get experience. Put your kids on a safe and durable 50cc dirt bike to ensure they can ride as long as they want. The track isn’t far from the Mississippi River, making this area famous in the summertime.
Gypsum City OHV Park
Fort Dodge
Pricing: No parking, entry, or riding fees, $25 for tent camping, $30 for RV camping
Regulations: Iowa DNR sticker mandatory, helmets required, maximum vehicle width is 62 inches, spark arrestor required, camping allowed on developed sites
Restrictions: No night riding, no trailblazing, no 4x4s, no trucks, no three-wheelers, no jeeps, 96-decibel noise limit
Gypsum City OHV Park is an 800-acre park in Fort Dodge — about 100 miles north of Des Moines. This area used to be for mining, but now it’s an off-roader’s paradise for riding ATVs, UTVs, and dirt bikes. Gypsum City features about 15 miles of trails through the woods and a large motocross track. There are even designated areas for beginners and safety training.
After riding, you can take advantage of the campgrounds recently added to this OHV park. Each of the 33 campsites provides a barbecue grill, picnic table, and hookups for water and electricity. Besides off-roading, Fort Dodge is also famous for its military history because of the old base.
Hansen Hollows
Spragueville
Pricing: $10 per rider
Regulations: Helmets required, primitive camping allowed on developed sites
Restrictions: No trucks, no 4x4s, no jeeps, no night riding, no trailblazing
Hansen Hollows is a scenic off-roading facility on a local farm in Spragueville. This recreational area provides over 400 acres of fun activities, including 15 miles of trails. Most tracks here are smooth and beginner-friendly for the family, with only moderate hill climbs adding difficulty.
Hansen Hollows is an excellent place to get dirty in your ATV with the muddy play areas, so try to visit after it rains. The owners typically run Hansen Hollow on the weekends, but you should call to check if it’s open.
Lakeview OHV Park
Solon
Pricing: Free
Regulations: Iowa DNR sticker mandatory, helmets required, spark arrestor required, maximum vehicle width is 65 inches
Restrictions: No trailblazing, no night riding, 96-decibel noise limit, no camping, 
no three-wheelers, no 4x4s, no jeeps, no trucks
Lakeview OHV Park is a free off-roading area with 10 miles of trails for your OHVs. This facility features various activities for the whole family, including mud bogs, sandy trails, and moderate hill climbs. Bring your dirt bikes if you want to ride the pair of motocross tracks available at Lakeview OHV Park. An Iowa DNR sticker is even more crucial here because officials may ask for your registration.
While camping is unavailable at Lakeview, there are other opportunities for overnight accommodations at nearby Lake MacBride. The facility is also not far from Cedar Rapids and Iowa City, making these large cities accessible from Solon. Lakeview OHV Park is open year-round, but riders must be careful during the winter because snow is not plowed.
Midwest Mayhem Mud Bog
Pacific Junction
Pricing: Entry fee subject to change per event
Regulations: Whip flag recommended for ATVs, two-stroke engines permitted
Restrictions: No night riding, no camping, no trailblazing
The Midwest Mayhem Mud Bog is an excellent place to unwind and get dirty in southwest Iowa. This recreational area is for all off-roaders, including jeeps, trucks, and 4x4s, so bring your favorite big rig. Midwest Mayhem Mud Bog operates with Raceway Park of the Midlands, so it’s terrific for a fun weekend.
This mud bog opens during the spring and is open as long as the facility owners deem it safe. Check its Facebook page for special events like Easter mud pits and summer cookouts.
Nicholson-Ford OHV Park
Marshalltown
Pricing: Free
Regulations: Iowa DNR sticker mandatory, maximum vehicle width is 62 inches, helmets required, spark arrestor required
Restrictions: No night riding, no trailblazing, no jeeps, no three-wheelers, no trucks, no 4x4s, 96-decibel noise limit, no camping
Nicholson-Ford OHV Park is a 120-acre off-roading area in Marshalltown, about an hour northeast of Des Moines. The park includes about 20 miles of tight wooded trails taking you through river bottoms. Nicholson-Ford also features mud bogs if you itch to play in the rain-soaked ground.
This OHV park is open all year, even during the winter. Taking off-roaders during the cold months is fun but can harm your machines. Experts say you should clean your vehicle weekly, as any less may not do your ride justice. The winter sludge can build up in your off-roader and cause corrosion.
Rathbun
Plano
Pricing: Free
Regulations: Iowa DNR sticker mandatory, spark arrestor required, helmets required, maximum vehicle width is 62 inches,
Restrictions: No night riding, no trailblazing, no camping, no jeeps, no three-wheelers, no 4x4s, no trucks, 96-decibel noise limit
Rathbun OHV Park has 125 acres and 10 miles of riding for ATVs, UTVs, and dirt bikes. The tracks take you through the Iowa woods, while other recreational options include a practice course and a play area for children. You can’t camp at Rathbun OHV Park, but other options are available on the other side of Rathbun Lake.
You’ll find multiple shelters with picnic tables, a bathroom, and a water faucet at this OHV park. Besides off-roading, this area is famous for hunters in the fall due to the spacious outdoor setting. Rathbun Lake features 11,000 acres for hunting, fishing, boating, and other fun activities.
River Ridge ATV Trails
Spragueville
Pricing: $10 per rider, $18 for tent camping, $22 for RV camping, $15 fee per pet per night
Regulations: Spark arrestor recommended, helmets required
Restrictions: No camping, riding only permitted from 9 a.m. until sunset, no trailblazing, no trucks, no jeeps, no 4x4s
Head to River Ridge Trails for a 200-acre off-roading facility in Spragueville — a short drive from the Illinois border. This area has over 20 miles of primarily easy trails but can become complex in some areas. The River Ridge Trails are part of the Whispering Meadows Resort, so you’ll be near Hansen Hollows.
Reservations are necessary at River Ridge Trails, so ensure you call ahead to get your spot. The site allows cabin rentals and electric hookups for your RVs, making it a suitable vacation idea all year. Forgetting RV maintenance can be easy, so check your water filters to help your camper run well.
Riverview OHV Park
Waterloo
Pricing: Free
Regulations: Iowa DNR sticker mandatory, helmets required, spark arrestor
required, maximum vehicle width is 65 inches
Restrictions: No night riding, no trailblazing, no camping, 96-decibel noise limit, no trucks, no three-wheelers, no jeeps, no 4x4s
The Riverview OHV Park is a 180-acre facility with about five miles of scenic trails along the Cedar River. You can also ride the motocross tracks, a pee-wee track, and a four-mile perimeter track if you want to hang back.
Riverview OHV Park provides a picnic shelter if you want to break for a meal or protect yourself from sudden storms. The facility may close due to bad weather or unacceptable trail conditions, so be mindful during your trip.
Tama County OHV Park
Tama
Pricing: Free entry, $10 for tent camping, $10 for RV camping
Regulations: Iowa DNR sticker mandatory, spark arrestor required, helmets required, camping and campfires allowed on developed sites, maximum vehicle width of 62 inches
Restrictions: No three-wheelers, no trucks, no jeeps, no 4x4s, no night riding, no trailblazing, 96-decibel noise limit
Tama County OHV Park is a 300-acre recreational area featuring 15 miles of trails through Iowa forests, an MX track, and a kids’ track. Most trails are smooth with low-to-moderate elevation changes, making them easy to ride with the whole family.
The facility has an on-site campground featuring water and electric hookups and 13 sites for primitive camping.
Timber Ridge Ranch and Winery
Castana
Pricing: Membership required to ride; contact Timber Ridge for pricing, $10 fee for tent and RV camping, and $10 for each additional vehicle.
Regulations: Trail permit required, camping permitted anywhere, spark arrestor recommended.
Restrictions: No night riding, no trailblazing, alcohol only permitted at your campsite
Timber Ridge Ranch and Winery is a private destination in western Iowa — about an hour north of Omaha, Nebraska. Here, you’ll find over 200 miles of dirt bike trails and 150 miles of SXS trails open year-round. This area is famous for off-roaders due to its varied terrain, including forests, meadows, fields, and ponds. Veteran riders can challenge themselves with steep climbs around the facility.
Besides off-roading, you can enjoy the four fishing ponds, swimming holes, and the winery. Wine tastings make for a relaxing time after off-roading.
Off-Roading in the Hawkeye State
Off-roading is accessible in Iowa, whether you head to private land or take advantage of the forests. The state’s mild climate in the spring and summer makes vacations easier because it rarely gets too hot. Ensure you obtain Iowa DNR registration before arriving and watch for closure alerts, considering the weather can temporarily close trails.
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