Mesabi Mountain ORV Trail
Mesabi Mountain is the only Jeep Badge of Honor trail in Minnesota — and it earned that designation. Four miles of nearly continuous rock crawling along the Laurentian Divide, built on reclaimed iron mining land by the Northern Minnesota Jeepers Club. If you’ve been chasing technical rock anywhere in the Upper Midwest, this is it.
Trail Stats
| Distance | 4 miles (out-and-back) |
| Difficulty | Most Difficult |
| Location | Eveleth, MN (Iron Range) |
| Season | Year-round (closed during firearms deer season & spring thaw) |
| Vehicles | Full-Size ORV (ORV-rated — not for stock ATVs) |
| Recommended Build | 35″+ tires, lockers, winch |
What to Expect
Narrow, winding single-track following rocky ridges and outcroppings of the Laurentian Divide. Rock obstacles of every size — the more extreme ones have multiple lines so you can choose your exposure. Steep climbs, exposed rock shelves, tight spots that reward precision over power. Plenty of scenic overlooks to catch your breath and spot where you just came from.
This trail was built by Jeep people, for Jeep people — but any capable full-size rig with the right setup can run it. Don’t come out here on a stock suspension with highway tires and no locker. And seriously, don’t run it alone. A winch point with nobody on the other end of the rope is just a decoration.
Jeep Badge of Honor
Mesabi Mountain is a designated Jeep Badge of Honor trail. Check in via the BOH app when you run it to earn your badge. It’s free and worth doing if you’re a Jeep owner — it’s also the only BOH trail in Minnesota as of 2025.
Permits & Passes
Trail is within the Iron Range OHV Recreation Area system. Minnesota residents need a current MN OHV registration on their vehicle. Non-residents need an MN OHV Trail Pass. Check the DNR link for current info before you head out.
Getting There
From Eveleth, take Hwy. 53 to Industrial Park Dr., follow to Progress Park Pkwy. and turn right. Parking lot is plowed in winter. No vault toilets in winter.
