OutdoorMN News - Planning begins on Minnesota’s first off-road vehicle touring trail

[Rick]

The Department of Natural Resources has entered into a partnership that will significantly expand adventure touring opportunities for four-wheel drive enthusiasts with more than 400 miles of trail from the shores of Lake Superior to the North Dakota border.

“The Border to Border Off-Road Vehicle Trail (also known as the B2B trail) will be the most ambitious four-wheel drive vehicle trail project in Minnesota history,” said Erika Rivers, director of Minnesota state parks and trails.

The proposed route will link existing state and national forest roads—as well as township roads, minimum-maintenance roads and connecting spurs—that any vehicle with an off-road vehicle sticker will be able to use.

“The trail has potential to bring significant tourism benefits to northern Minnesota,” Rivers said.

The DNR is pleased to be partnering with the National Off-Highway Vehicle Conservation Council (NOHVCC) and the Minnesota Four Wheel Drive Association (MN4WDA) on this project.

“We want people to know the Minnesota Four-Wheel Drive Association is building great new partnerships to create regionally significant trail-riding opportunities for the growing interest in 4-by-4 jeep and truck activities across the state,” said Rick Langness, president of the MN4WDA. “We are especially excited to get started on the B2B.”

Discussions will begin soon to identify stakeholders, define goals and develop timelines. Leading the effort will be Ron Potter, a former manager with the DNR’s Parks and Trails Division and a member of the NOHVCC Hall of Fame, and Judy Ness, recently retired U.S. Forest Service manager from the Superior National Forest. They will be setting up a series of public fact-finding meetings along the proposed route to gather input and ideas.

For more information visit the border to border webpage or contact Mary Straka, DNR Parks and Trails Division, 651-259-5644, [email protected].

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