Iron Range Off-Highway Vehicle State Recreation Area, Off-highway vehicle recreation area in St. Louis County, United States

The Iron Range Off-Highway Vehicle State Recreation Area covers 1,864 acres east of Lake Ore-be-gone in Gilbert, Minnesota, with 36 miles of trails laid over land mined for local iron ore until 1981. Trails serve every Minnesota DNR vehicle class: off-highway motorcycles, Class I and Class II all-terrain vehicles, and off-road vehicles. A 3,500-acre expansion is planned, with land acquisition underway.

The land was an active iron ore mining site until 1981, when extraction operations ended. The state later converted the area into a recreation destination to give the land a new purpose.

Minnesota is one of only three states—with California and Utah—that runs a state-maintained off-road recreation area. The 1,864-acre Gilbert unit is open to every off-highway vehicle class defined by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources: off-highway motorcycles, Class I and Class II all-terrain vehicles, and off-road vehicles.

Visitors need a valid vehicle registration and must follow noise restrictions that are set at around 100 decibels. It is wise to check current conditions before your visit and wear appropriate protective gear.

The 1,864-acre unit was entirely local iron ore mining land until 1981, and a 3,500-acre expansion is being planned with land acquisition underway. Minnesota is one of only three states, with California and Utah, to run a state-maintained off-road recreation area.