Manitoba Trails That Allow Side-by-Sides
A side-by-side can turn a promising Manitoba trail day into a frustrating one if the route is too narrow, a gate is closed, or the trail is not open to your machine. This guide explains where to start looking, how to confirm a UTV is welcome, and what to check before towing out from Winnipeg, Brandon, or farther north.
Where to look for Manitoba side-by-side trails
Manitoba does not have one province-wide list that guarantees every trail is suitable for every side-by-side. Many riding opportunities are maintained by local clubs, and access can depend on the route, season, current conditions, and local restrictions. Treat a named riding area as a place to investigate, not automatic permission to ride every track you see on a map.
A useful first distinction is whether you are looking at a club trail, a route within a provincial park, or a track across other land. Club trails may be designed for recreational motorized use, but you still need to confirm that the particular route is open to your machine. Provincial parks have their own restrictions: machines are allowed only on designated routes, not wherever a trail or road appears on a map. For that distinction, see Manitoba Parks Allow Machines on Designated Routes Only.
Duck Mountain and the Mossberry Trail
Duck Mountain is one of the province’s better-known riding destinations, and the Mossberry Trail is a specific route worth researching if you are planning a side-by-side outing. The trail is described as a roughly 30-kilometre shared-use route, so a ride here calls for more than checking whether a machine can physically fit. You should also plan to share the corridor respectfully with other trail users and confirm that the route is open to your particular vehicle.
Before you haul to the area, check the relevant club or trail information for current access, closures, and any machine-specific limits. Ask directly about side-by-side use rather than assuming that “ATV trail” means every UTV is permitted. Width, turning space, surface conditions, or a temporary restriction can affect whether a particular section is practical or allowed. Manitoba Trail Conditions Before You Haul is a useful related topic to review when planning a trip.
Duck Mountain is also a place where careful route planning matters. A line on a digital map may lead toward a trail, campsite, or lake, but that does not establish permission to ride the connecting ground. If you want to combine riding with an overnight stop, verify both the riding route and the camping arrangements before you leave home. See Manitoba Trails With Camping for more trip-planning context.
Agassiz, Belair, and other club riding areas
The Agassiz area is another place to investigate. The Agassiz Club Trail crosses forested terrain, and descriptions of the route include a historic rail bed and sand pits. That variety can make for an engaging day, but it also means conditions may change along the route. A side-by-side that feels comfortable on a broad, firm section may be less suited to a narrow or soft stretch.
Belair Forest and the Whistle Pig Rail Trail near Belair are also recognizable names for Manitoba riders researching Eastman-area options. A rail-trail corridor may look wide and straightforward on a map, but do not treat its former use or appearance as proof of current motorized access. Confirm the route’s status with the local club or land manager, and ask whether side-by-sides are included in the permitted machine types.
Other areas to ask about include Woodridge club trails, Snow Lake club trails, and riding areas in the Interlake and Westman regions. These names are useful starting points, not a blanket promise that every route is open to UTVs. Manitoba Club Trails and Who Maintains Them explains why contacting the people responsible for a particular corridor can be more useful than relying on a general map.
| Area to research | What may make it worth checking | What to confirm before riding |
|---|---|---|
| Duck Mountain and Mossberry Trail | A named route and a well-known riding destination | Side-by-side access, shared-use expectations, current closures, and camping arrangements |
| Agassiz Club Trail | Forest riding, a historic rail-bed section, and varied terrain | Which sections are open, current surface conditions, and any machine-specific limits |
| Belair Forest and Whistle Pig Rail Trail | Recognizable Eastman-area riding options | Whether the specific route is open to motorized use and UTVs |
| Woodridge club trails | A local club riding area to investigate | Current club access information, route status, and machine suitability |
| Snow Lake club trails | Northern riding options to ask about | Seasonal conditions, route access, and local guidance for side-by-sides |
How to confirm a trail is suitable for your side-by-side
A useful map is only one part of planning. Before you commit to a destination, confirm three things separately: that motorized riding is allowed, that your type of machine is allowed, and that the specific route is open on the day you intend to ride. This prevents a common disappointment: reaching a trailhead after a long drive only to find that the route is closed, restricted, or unsuitable for your vehicle.
Ask about the route, not just the destination
When you contact a local club, park office, or other responsible land manager, be specific. Tell them whether your machine is a two-seat or four-seat side-by-side, and ask about its width if you know it. Ask whether the route itself permits UTVs, whether any sections are too tight or soft, and whether there are current closures, seasonal restrictions, or detours.
It also helps to ask where you may unload and park a trailer. A trail can be open while the nearest staging area has limited room or different access arrangements. If you are riding with a group, ask whether the route and staging area can handle the size of your group. [Manitoba Trailheads With Trailer Parking] can help you think through this practical part of the trip.
Do not rely on a casual “people ride there” as confirmation. That could mean smaller quads, a different section of trail, or a previous season when access conditions were different. If you receive an answer from a club volunteer, save the contact details and note which route they discussed. Local knowledge is especially valuable when a trail crosses more than one type of land or has changing conditions.
Use digital maps as planning aids, not permission
Digital mapping tools can help you understand distances, identify nearby roads, and compare possible routes before loading the trailer. For example, onX Offroad can be useful for exploring route information and organizing a planned ride. Like any mapping app, though, it should be treated as a planning aid rather than proof that a route is currently open or that your specific side-by-side is permitted.
Cross-check a digital route with information from the club or land manager responsible for that area. A mapped line may be outdated, may follow a route meant for another use, or may cross land where access requires permission. This matters particularly around Crown land and Crown leases, private property, park boundaries, and sensitive areas. Manitoba ATV Trails: Club Ground and Crown Land offers useful context for thinking about the difference between a mapped trail and authorized access.
If you use onX Offroad or another app, download or save the information you need before heading into an area with weak cell service. Keep a paper map or another offline option as a backup, especially for remote rides. Compare the map with trailhead signs when you arrive: signs, closure notices, and instructions from the responsible local authority should guide your decisions on the ground.
Plan the ride around your machine and the conditions
A side-by-side can be comfortable on broad, firm trails, but its size and weight can make some routes a poor match. A trail that is manageable for a smaller ATV may have tight turns, soft ground, or obstacles that are difficult for a wider or heavier UTV. Choosing a suitable route is part of riding responsibly, not a judgment about the capability of the driver or machine.
Conditions can also change quickly. Rain may turn a firm track into mud, spring thaw can make ground vulnerable to damage, and a route that was easy last season may not be in the same state now. When a trail is wet or damaged, turning around is often better than forcing a machine through and leaving deep ruts for the next group.
Check access, weather, and seasonal restrictions
A few days before your trip, confirm that the route is open and ask whether recent rain, snowmelt, fire conditions, or maintenance work has affected access. Check again before unloading, since conditions and closures can change between the time you make plans and the day you arrive. If you are travelling to a northern area or a remote trailhead, ask about fuel, cell coverage, and where to get local updates.
Do not assume that a route is open just because it is on public land or appears on an app. Land access can involve restrictions, and Crown leases may require the occupier’s consent. Provincial parks also have designated-route rules. When you are uncertain, stop and ask rather than treating a visible track as permission to ride. Manitoba Crown Land Riding Explained and [Manitoba Crown Lease Access Rules] are relevant reads before planning a ride beyond a clearly managed club corridor.
Seasonal restrictions deserve attention, too. Fire conditions, temporary area closures, trail work, and local rules can affect where riding is allowed. Follow signs at the trailhead and check applicable notices before heading out. If a route is closed, do not detour around the closure through adjacent land; find an authorized alternative instead.
Prepare for a shared-use trail
Some Manitoba riding routes are shared with hikers, horses, or other users. Slow down when approaching people, leave room to pass safely, and follow posted directions. On narrow sections, avoid crowding another user toward the edge of the trail. If you meet horses, give them time and space, and follow the handler’s instructions rather than assuming the animal will react predictably to a motorized vehicle.
Pack for a day that may take longer than expected. Bring water, basic repair items, a first-aid kit, appropriate clothing, and a way to navigate if phone service drops. Let someone know your planned area and expected return. These habits are especially helpful when your group is exploring unfamiliar forest routes or riding far from a community.
Make a clear plan for turning around if the route becomes too narrow, soft, damaged, or crowded. That can be frustrating when you have already driven a long way, but it protects the trail and helps prevent a manageable ride from becoming a recovery job. [Manitoba Trail Etiquette Locals Expect] has more on sharing trails considerately, while Manitoba Trail Apps and Maps can help you prepare your navigation options.
A simple pre-trip checklist for UTV riders
Planning a side-by-side ride in Manitoba is easier when you separate the research into a few concrete steps. Start with a destination and a specific route, then confirm access rather than relying on a broad regional description. If you are travelling with other UTVs, make sure everyone understands the route choice, staging plan, and what to do if conditions change.
- Choose a named area or route. Mossberry Trail, the Agassiz Club Trail, Belair-area routes, Woodridge, or Snow Lake can be starting points for research.
- Contact the responsible local source. Ask the club, park office, or land manager about the exact route and its current status.
- Describe your machine. Mention that it is a side-by-side, including its seating configuration and width if relevant.
- Confirm staging and trailer access. Check where you can unload, park, and meet the rest of your group.
- Review land and seasonal restrictions. Check park designations, closures, lease access, and local notices.
- Prepare offline navigation and backup supplies. Save map information, carry a backup, and pack for changing conditions.
- Recheck before you ride. Read trailhead signs and follow any updated instructions once you arrive.
A little extra checking can save a lot of frustration. For example, imagine driving from Brandon with a four-seat UTV after seeing a promising route in an app. A quick call beforehand might reveal that the route is open to smaller machines but has a narrow section unsuitable for your vehicle, or that the usual staging area is unavailable. That gives you time to choose another authorized route instead of discovering the problem at the trailhead.
Keep your plans flexible. Manitoba has varied terrain and a wide spread of riding regions, but access and conditions are local. The best side-by-side trail for your group is not simply the one with the most appealing map line; it is the route that is open, suitable for your machine, and appropriate for the conditions that day.
Disclaimer
This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Laws, prices and regulations vary by location and change over time. Consult a qualified professional for guidance on your specific situation.
