At over 5,500 miles long, the U.S.-Canadian border is the longest international border in the world. Sure, Alaska makes up nearly a third of it, but aside from The Last Frontier state, 12 other states border our neighbors to the north.
The east is dotted by many large cities including Buffalo, Cleveland, and Detroit. The central continental border sees the lush forests of Wisconsin and Minnesota give way to the flatness of the Dakotas. And finally, out west, the Rockies of Montana and Idaho trapse off to the beautiful lush coastline of Washington.
That sounds great and all, but we ain’t here to sound like a travel brochure. We’re looking to get a little mud on the tires—and maybe some dirt, sand, and bugs in our grille while we’re at it.
So, pack your maple syrup and brush up on your French just in case, because we’re running through four of our favorite off-road Canadian border destinations you can visit without needing to show your passport.
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Turtle Ridge Off Road Vehicle Park on Drummond Island, Michigan
Starting us off, the Turtle Ridge Off-Road Park has to be the most challenging place in our list to get to. When thinking of the “mitten” part of Michigan, most non-geography buffs assume the top portion butts right up against the Canadian border. You’d be incorrect. To the east of the Upper Peninsula and north of the mitten lies Drummond Island.
To get on the island, you’d either need to fly into the airport or take the vehicle ferry from highway 134 on the Upper Peninsula—which, as an off-roader, is what you want to do.
Turtle Ridge has a great mixture of terrain for crawling, mudding, and cliff climbing, spanning over 180 acres. Expect lots of water crossings, rocky ridges, and single-track narrow wooded areas to test even the most seasoned 4x4. July and August seem to be the driest months and best time to ride all the trails the island has to offer.
We put the Turtle Ridge Off-Road Park on our list not because it features the most challenging or varied terrain, but rather because of the journey it takes to get there and the island itself. Drummond Island is the 7th largest lake-island in the world and, as of the last Census, has a population of less than 1,000. It’s a fantastic vacation spot, as in addition to off-roading it features golf, fishing, hiking, skeet shooting, bird watching, water sports, and a variety of winter activities, marking it a wonderful spot for anything outdoor-related, any time of year.
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Iron Range Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation Area in Gilbert, Minnesota
To outsiders, Minnesota is known for a few different things—lakes, passionate sports fans, and the Mall of America to name a few. And while we do recommend taking in a Timberwolves, Twins, Vikings, or Wild game when if you’re in the area, for this list our interest lies 3 hours north in Gilbert, MN.
Iron Range OHV Recreation Area sits on 1,200 acres of land that was actively mined up until the early 1980s. This gives riders a front seat ticket to view many an iron ore pit and stockpile, as well as tailings basins. The iron is still pervasive throughout the soil, so be prepared for red/orange staining on clothing, equipment, and anything else that comes in contact with it. As for the trails, you can expect 36 miles of varied terrain, scramble areas, and great scenery.
Better yet, once you finish exploring all the nooks and crannies of the state rec area, you can head over to the “Expansion Site”. At just over twice the size of Iron Range, it offers a whopping 2,700 acres of additional off-road zones—each featuring different physical challenges and trail layouts.
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Koocanusa Sand Dunes in Lincoln County, Montana
Think sand dunes are only found in the southwest? Think again. Just 20 minutes south of British Columbia in the Big Sky state lies the Koocanusa Sand Dunes/Trail System.
What’s particularly interesting about the location (despite being in Montana) is that the dunes and pits are only accessible when water levels are low—most often March through June. Otherwise, you’ll be met with lake water. But if you hit it right, you’ll be rewarded with large sand dunes and fields that can reach up to 40 ft tall. In addition, there are a few dozen miles of off-road trails to explore in the nearby woods with a slew of varied terrain and obstacles.
To add to the mystique, this area lies on the original site of the city of Rexford, which due to river damming in the 1970s was flooded and moved eight miles south. Under certain conditions—if the water level is low enough—you’ll be able to see the concrete foundations of this “lost city.” The area is home to several Indian burial grounds as well, which are marked and closed for riding.
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Deer Park Road in Olympic National Park, Washington
If we’re talking about moisture and rainfall in the continental U.S., the state of Washington takes the cake. That high rainfall goes doubly true for the western Olympic Peninsula near Canada’s border.
Known as the wettest spot in the lower 48, this large arm of land gets its weather patterns straight from the nearby Pacific Ocean. But as the saturated rain clouds drop most of their moisture by the time they hit Mt. Olympus, the eastern half of the Olympic Peninsula stays relatively dry, as it’s in what’s known as a “rain shadow”. This eastern part of the peninsula contains the last of the best off-road trails on our list—Deer Park Road.
This 18-mile stretch is known to be a rather dangerous path to cross. It’s narrow, with steep drop-offs and has very scarce pull-off areas. In most spots, it doesn’t even provide sufficient room for two cars, and the blind curves create some interesting situations.
If you stay the course, however, you’ll be rewarded with some of the most breathtaking views in the entire Pacific Northwest. While the driver is gripping the wheel for dear life, passengers can enjoy the gorgeous vistas of Olympic National Park and the Strait of Juan de Fuca.
We do recommend avoiding weekends here, if at all possible, as they tend to be much more crowded. And while you can take the challenge in a 2WD passenger car, a 4x4 is recommended—and you definitely shouldn’t try tackling this in an RV or with a trailer in tow.
Enhance Your Experience With Parts Via
Feeling inspired to visit these exciting trails along the Canadian border? To fully enjoy everything these states have to offer, it's essential to equip your vehicle with the right gear.
One accessory we can’t recommend enough is a good set of side steps or nerf bars. Not only will you gain a much-appreciated boost into your vehicle, but also solid protection from any wilderness debris that chooses to pick a fight with your undercarriage or body panels. From traditional and timeless to rugged and modern, Parts Via has an extensive selection to match your style. Shop top brands like N-Fab, TrailFX, DeeZee, Go Rhino, Westin, and more.
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