Gilbert ATV park

[SPIN DRY]

I'll be up there the first week of June. I have been waiting to here more about it, pros and cons. Long drive. But report or not I'll be up.

[Ely Lake Expert]

I am just wondering who went to the park last year, what they thought of it, and who is coming to try it out this year? I live near by and know the area well. I hope other people enjoy what the park has to offer and it gets good use.

Ely lake expert

[panfishhunter]

I was up in the park for the opening ride with ATVAM last spring. The park has some nice trails in it, good hill climbs, and is a great area to ride in. For me (a swamp flatlander) it was quite odd to be riding in old iron mines i am used to not being able to go because the mud and slop is soo deep, i could drive anywheres in the park, which is nice, but i like my MUD. All in all it is a great start on what i think has to happen all around the state, more trails.

[Ely Lake Expert]

Panfishhunter,

I am a fan of the mud myself and they have improved on it since that opening weekend. They went in with some heavy equipment and made some man made mud runs. The is even a mud run for trucks, that wheelers don't have a chance going though.

Ely lake expert

[Guest]

My buddy went up there last year, he actually didn't even know about it and just found it when riding. We are planning on going up there a couple of times this year. Everyone that I have talked to said that it is a blast.

[SPIN DRY]

Is it open year round?

[panfishhunter]

Sounds like they did alot of work on this place last summer. it wasnt much when i was there, it was early in the year and they said that they were goin to do alot of work yet. Maybe i should try it again and see what has changed, maybe worth my while.

Thanks for the info..

[Ely Lake Expert]

Spin dry,

As of right now it is open during warm weather. Weekends only at the moment. I am not sure of the future plans.

Ely lake expert

[SPIN DRY]

ELY
Any rumblings on the new park at Virginia? Do you think it will be up and running soon?

[angler903]

I live in southwest part of state and just curious were this park is and how much is it to play. Not, much here for playing, we have a county park but don't know how long that will last.

Is there a site that tells where atv's are aloud?

Just wandering, I'm seeing more and more tracks in road ditches (I take them everyonce in awhile), what is the law? A friend says it is illegal, but with all the tracks it must not be enforced much.

[Benny]

angler, I believe it is still legal to ride the ditches.But check with the DNR or your local CO.I think that you have to stay on the side oposite the road way or the out side half of the ditch.You can also cross a road way at a right angle but use a cross road if posible.
The DNR web site should have all this info also as this is a hot bed topic for them right now.
Benny

[Ely Lake Expert]

Spin Dry,

I really haven't heard much about it. If and when I find anything out I will let you know.

Ely lake expert

[angler903]

thanks, sounds like fun!! I maybe riding around here tomorrow.

[Ely Lake Expert]

Angler,

The park is outside of Gilbert, which is a hour north of Duluth coming up hwy. 53. All you need to get in is a registered a fourwheeler with good tags. There is a small fee for trucks and jeeps though I am not sure what it is specificly. The park itself is a large area with a nice trail system. It has many hills to climb and a nice mud run to play in. Being a local I ride in there quite a bit. It seems that everyone that goes to it enjoys it.

Ely lake expert

[SpikeRoberts]

angler,
If you live in SW Mn, then there are seasonal restrictions on ditch riding to protect pheasant habitat.

From the regulations:
Agricultural zone restriction: You may not drive an ATV within the right-of-way (ditch) of a state or county road from April 1 to August 1 in the agricultural zone. This does not apply to ATVs licensed and used for agricultural use.(p. 27)

Agricultural zone means the areas in
Minnesota lying south and west of a line
along the following highway right-of-ways:
starting at the North Dakota border,
the line goes east along State Highway 10
to State Highway 23, then follows Highway
23 east to State Highway 95, which it
follows to the Wisconsin border.(p. 4)

[Graybuck]

Gilbert Park has come along way. You need to have current registration on your machine. For motorcyles you will need a ORM sticker. For a truck or jeep you need to have a Off Road Vehicle sticker to ride in the park. When you register at the office, they will sound check your machine, most stock mufflers and some after market mufflers will pass. You can buy your registration right there if you need one.

There are signed trails thru out the park, they are signed as to how difficult, I know there are some that I would not run my 4 wheeler up.
MN DNR Home > Outdoor activities > Recreational motor vehicle riding > Iron Range > Gilbert >
Fees & regulations
Fees
There is no fee for general admission or parking, except during some sanctioned special events. All active use areas are fenced and barriers erected to prevent unlawful entry or user trespass onto neighboring properties.

Regulations
Noise restrictions - Off-road trucks and jeeps, ATVs (or quads), and off-road motorcycles that possess the required safety equipment, mufflers, and spark arresters can use the area if they comply with state noise standards. The standard is 99 dB(A) when conducting the stationary noise test (SAE standardized J1287 test).
Registration sticker - All vehicles entering the riding area, except for competition vehicles, must display a current registration sticker, current either for Minnesota or another state. Registration stickers are available at the office. Vehicles currently licensed in another state need not purchase a Minnesota off-road sticker. Unregistered competition vehicles (with engine or exhaust modifications) will be admitted to designated event areas only during sanctioned events. Check registration fees.
Safety equipment - All operators must wear a helmet unless their vehicle is equipped with an approved roll-cage and H-harness belts. All special events participants must wear helmets.

Rick

[SPIN DRY]

Does anyone know of any camp grounds in the area?

[Graybuck]

Spin Dry ..there is a campground right in Gilbert on a old mine pit. There is a new trail from the campground right to the Gilbert park, so you unload your atv at your campsite and ride to the park.

[SPIN DRY]

That's what I'm looking for THANKS.

[SPIN DRY]

ELY you out there? Do you know the name of the campground? Is it Sherwood Forest? Thanks buddy!

[Graybuck]

Spin Dry
Ya the name of the campground is sherwood forest, when are you heading up this way?

[SPIN DRY]

Hey thanks for the info. I'm not sure when I'll make it up there I was knid of hope for some warm weather first. Looks like first week in June.

[bottomfeeder]

Here is the DNR HSOforum for the park:

http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/rmv/iron_range/gilbert/index.html

Some friends and I plan on weekend trip this summer on our bikes. Sounds like lots of fund. Ride all day, then relax around the campfire at nite, enjoying a few beverages.