Nemadji State Forest Quarry Loop

The Nemadji State Forest conceals the scarred remains of early 1900s sandstone quarries, where massive extraction pits now form natural rock gardens connected by technical four-wheel tracks. The main challenge hits at Quarry Hill—a steep, loose sandstone climb that requires momentum and precise wheel placement to avoid the washouts carved by decades of spring runoff.

This difficult route demands experienced drivers with lockers and recovery gear—the sandstone becomes treacherously slick when wet, and several climbs have no bailout options. Stick to dry conditions between June and October. The payoff is solitude in country most Minnesotans never see, plus unique geology that tells the story of the state’s industrial past. Dispersed camping available near the old quarry supervisor’s cabin ruins, but pack everything in and out—this isn’t maintained recreation land.