Turtle Mountain State Recreation Area

About Turtle Mountain State Recreation Area

Turtle Mountain State Recreation Area sits six miles northwest of Bottineau, North Dakota, in the wooded hills along the Canadian border. It holds more than 12 miles of motorized trail open to off highway vehicles, and the same trails serve hikers, bikers, snowshoers and horseback riders. It is a primitive recreation area, which means the trails are the attraction rather than the facilities.

Twelve Miles in the Turtle Mountains

The Turtle Mountains are not mountains in any conventional sense, but they are the closest thing this part of North Dakota has to hill country. Glacial terrain left rolling wooded hills, small lakes and aspen forest across a landscape that is otherwise open prairie, and the trail system here runs through it.

Over 12 miles of motorized trail is a good day of riding without repeating ground, and because the trails are shared rather than segregated by use, the routes stay open through the seasons for whatever conditions allow.

A trail map is published by North Dakota Parks and Recreation and is worth downloading before you go, since this is a primitive area without the signage you would find at a developed park.

Riding Rules in North Dakota

OHV use across North Dakota state recreation areas follows a consistent set of requirements, and they are stricter on age than many riders expect.

Current registration and liability insurance are required, and all motorized vehicles must be insured. Riders and passengers under 18 must wear a DOT approved helmet. Children 11 and younger cannot operate an OHV. Ages 12 through 15 need an OHV safety certificate, and riders 16 and over need a valid driver’s license.

Stay on the trail, follow the signage and respect the private land next to the route. Permitting details, safety classes and the full rules are published by North Dakota Parks and Recreation.

Year Round Use

The shared trail design means this area works in every season. Riding, hiking, biking and horseback riding fill the warm months, and snowshoeing takes over in winter.

The Turtle Mountains hold snow better than the open prairie around them, which is also why the region carries one of the state’s strongest snowmobile trail networks. The Peace Garden Trail system runs through these same hills, maintained by local clubs out of Bottineau.

Getting There

From Bottineau, drive north on Town Line Road for four miles, turn west onto 101st Street NE for one mile, turn north onto 11th Avenue NE for 1.2 miles, then turn onto Sjule Road. The entrance is on the right.

From Lake Metigoshe State Park, drive south on Lake Loop Road to Highway 43, turn west for 4.5 miles, turn south onto Town Line Road for five miles, then follow the same route west on 101st Street NE and north on 11th Avenue NE to Sjule Road.

Lake Metigoshe State Park is close enough to serve as a base, with camping, cabins and lake access, and Bottineau has fuel, food and lodging. Tommy the Turtle, the town’s giant turtle statue riding a snowmobile, sits on the way through.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much trail is there?

More than 12 miles of motorized trail, open to OHVs and shared with hiking, biking, snowshoeing and horseback riding.

What are the OHV rules?

Current registration and liability insurance are required, all vehicles must be insured, and riders and passengers under 18 must wear a DOT approved helmet.

What are the age requirements?

Children 11 and under cannot operate an OHV. Ages 12 to 15 need an OHV safety certificate. Ages 16 and over need a valid driver’s license.

Is there camping at the recreation area?

This is a primitive recreation area. Lake Metigoshe State Park nearby offers camping and cabins and is the usual base for a visit.

Can I use the trails in winter?

Yes. The trails are open to snowshoeing, and the surrounding Turtle Mountains carry an extensive snowmobile trail network maintained by local clubs.

Where can I get a trail map?

From the North Dakota Parks and Recreation website, which publishes a downloadable map for the area.

Where is Turtle Mountain State Recreation Area located?

Six miles northwest of Bottineau, North Dakota, off Sjule Road, near the Canadian border.

More information on Turtle Mountain State Recreation Area; Click here https://www.parkrec.nd.gov/turtle-mountain-state-recreation-area

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