Rapids Riders ATV Club Inc

05/13/2026

WOW! It was quite a load we brought in from our spring ditch cleaning adventure. Good thing we had a little help from our favorite Boy Scout Arch.

05/06/2026

The Riding Season Has Begun! Building a Legacy of Safe Riding with Rapids Riders ATV Club!
There is nothing quite like the thrill of hitting the trails, but at the Rapids Riders ATV Club, we know that the best rides are the ones that end safely at home.
That is why we are proud to champion the Live Safe, Ride Safe initiative! Our goal is to foster a pervasive culture of responsible ATV and UTV operation that spans every generation. From young enthusiasts getting behind the handlebars for the first time to seasoned adult riders, we believe that everyone should possess the tools to enjoy this sport without preventable harm.
Safety is a lifelong commitment. We are dedicated to ensuring every rider is equipped with:
• Knowledge: Understanding trail etiquette, local regulations, and how to perform routine pre-ride equipment checks.
• Skills: Mastering the techniques needed to confidently and safely navigate diverse terrains and unpredictable conditions.
• Discipline: Committing to always wearing the proper protective gear—especially DOT-approved helmets—staying on marked trails, and never riding under the influence.
Whether you use your machine for weekend family adventures or daily hard work, lead by example. Let’s work together to protect our riders, respect our trails, and keep the off-roading tradition thriving safely for years to come. Have a safe riding season!

04/10/2026

Our quarterly North Wood Regional ATV Trail Alliance meeting was on Wednesday, April 8th, at the 40 Club in Aitkin, MN. Elections were held for Alliance Chair as well as Alliance Secretary. Harlan Kingsley was voted in for another two-year term as Alliance Chair, and Becky Tuckenhagen was voted in for another two-year term as Secretary.
Members of NWRATA will be at the Northern Off-Road Expo this weekend, representing both NWRATA and their individual clubs.
Perry May provided the Grant Manager Best Practice Document to each of the clubs for comment.
The NWRATA maps for 2026 are well on their way and should be out in the next couple of months.
Dave Rogowski from White Pine Riders in McGrath gave a summary of the March 11th ATVMN Legislative Reception at the capital. Dave said it was a great event and had some good discussions with several of our legislators who were in attendance.
New Selfie Stations will be installed this summer for Rapids Riders ATV Club, White Pine Riders Club, and Up North Riders Club Trails. Also, the Evergreen PAC Selfie Station will be replaced.
The date for the Axtel Jamboree is tentatively set for September 26, 2026, but maybe subject to change.
Chris Johnson, the Recreation Specialist for Aitkin County, gave an update on Widseth Smith Nolting (WSN), and Mille Lacs East Side ATV Trail work, as well as ATV Dedicated fund Grants 1 & 2 updates/deadlines.

Each club in attendance gave an update on trail maintenance coming up this summer. A list of clubs that are members of NWRATA are listed below.

All Clubs / Trail
• Aitkin County – (Rabey, Rat Lake, Soo Line, Axtell)
• Blind Lake Club – (Blind Lake Loop & Connector)
• Central Lakes - Crow Wing Southern Loop, Fort Ripley, Ripley Connection
• Cuyuna Iron Range Riders – Miller Black Bear, Mississippi North woods
• Eagle Country - (North Soo Line /Cass County)
• Evergreen PAC - (South & North Soo Line) Carlton County
• Mille Lacs Drift Skippers - (Red Top, Foxy, South Soo Line)
• Milles Lacs Trails Inc – (Mille Lacs East)
• Northwoods Quads – (Hill City, Moose River Connector)
• Over the Hills Gang – (Emily/Outing/Moose River, Emily /Blind Lake)
• Pine Center Sportsman’s Club – Pinc Center Trails
• Rapid Riders – UPM Blandin Trail
• Up North Riders - (Lawler Loops)
• White Pine Riders - (Solana)
Next Quarterly meeting will be July 8, 2026

02/09/2026

Rapids Riders ATV Club Inc. Monthly Meeting will be Tuesday February 10th, 2026, at 6:00 PM at the Driftskippers Snowmobile Club Building.
All members and families are welcome as well as anyone interested in becoming a member. We are always looking for new ideas and adventures.
Look forward to seeing you there. Happy trails, Ride Safe (use your headlights), Ride Smart (use your hand signals), Enjoy the Trails, and Be Courteous.
Rapids Riders ATV Club Inc

01/16/2026

Come experience the Northern Off-Road Expo on April 10 and 11th. Check out what's new in the ATV accessory market. Get professional tips from the vendors and meet many of the ATV Clubs around Minnesota. See you there!

SAVE THE DATE!
The Northern Off-Road Expo is coming to Brainerd, MN, April 10-11, 2026!

Check out the newest ATVs, UTVs, custom builds, off-road gear, and aftermarket parts - everything riders need for their next adventure.🔥

Stay tuned for vendor announcements, event details, and more!

01/05/2026

Rapids Riders ATV Club Inc. Monthly Meeting will be Tuesday, January 13th, 2026, at 6:00 PM at the Driftskippers Snowmobile Club Building. We will be scheduling our "Calendar of Events" for the upcoming year.
All members and families are welcome, as well as anyone interested in becoming a member. We are always looking for new ideas and adventures.
Look forward to seeing you there. Happy trails, Ride Safe (use your headlights), Ride Smart (use your hand signals), Enjoy the Trails, and Be Courteous.
Rapids Riders ATV Club Inc.

12/01/2025

HO HO HO! 🎅 Get ready for some early holiday cheer!

The Rapids Riders ATV Club is absolutely thrilled to announce our sponsorship of a very special guest at the upcoming Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce "Taking Care of Business" event!

That's right, Santa Serfling himself will be making an appearance!

Join us for this fantastic networking opportunity and get a magical start to the holiday season:

When: Wednesday, December 3rd, 2025
Time: 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Where: Timberlake Lodge, Grand Rapids, MN

Santa Serfling will be on hand to collect your early Christmas wishes and pose for festive photos! It's the perfect chance to snag that holiday picture and share your hopes for the season directly with Santa.

Don't miss this fantastic opportunity to network with local leaders, celebrate the holiday season, and meet Santa Serfling! We encourage all members of the community and local businesses to attend.

We're proud to support our community and bring a little extra joy to this wonderful Chamber event. Come connect, celebrate, and capture some memories!

Mark your calendars! We can't wait to see you there!

11/18/2025

Come see Santa on Wednesday, December 3, from 4-7 pm at Timberlake Lodge Hotel for the annual Taking Care of Business event - and get your picture taken with Santa Serfling!

Join us and 55 of our valued Chamber members on Wednesday, December 3, from 4-7 pm at Timberlake Lodge Hotel for our annual Taking Care of Business event - and get your picture taken with Santa Serfling!

➡️ Open to the public - no cost to attend.
➡️ The first 50 community members receive a prize at the door!

🫶 Main event sponsor: Paul Bunyan Communications
🎅 Santa Serfling sponsor: Rapids Riders ATV Club Inc
👍 Follow our Facebook event page here: https://www.facebook.com/share/1DLsjtRK2x/

If you are a Chamber member business wishing to participate - contact Kerry: [email protected]

10/23/2025

Starting October 22nd, for the next two weeks, you might notice something new on the UPM trail!

We have installed and are testing a couple of usage counters as the first step in a much larger initiative. In the near future, Itasca County will be conducting a comprehensive two-year Impact Study across all of our incredible trails! The trails consist of hiking trails, biking trails, horseback riding trails, ski trails, hunting trails, ATV/OHV trails, and snowmobile trails.

The main goal of this Impact Study is to understand the economic benefits our trail systems bring to our region. Every single one of these trails isn't just for recreation; they are powerful drivers that sustain our small businesses, create vital local jobs, and ultimately strengthen the economic fabric of our amazing rural area. This research will also highlight the long-term benefits of investing in our trail system development and tourism infrastructure, demonstrating the significant potential of our natural assets. Please keep an eye out for our counters and stay tuned for updates on this project!

10/21/2025

The Rapids Riders Trail Maintenance Crew is scheduled to head out this Wednesday, October 22nd, 2025. The plan is to replace boards on the boardwalk by the trout stream. If you are riding in that area, please be aware that they will be on the boardwalk. If you’re available and want to lend a hand, they’ll meet at the Smith Creek Wood Lot just south of Grand Rapids on 169 at 10 am. Please try to help out if you can.
Thank you to all the clubs and volunteers who continue to give their time and resources to ensure the ATV trails are in excellent shape for everyone to enjoy.

10/13/2025

We will be meeting on Tuesday, October 14, 2025, at 5:30 at the intersection of 169S and Wagon Wheel Rd., for our fall ditch clean-up. Many hands make the work go very quickly!
Then, please join us after that for pizza and a short meeting at the Driftskippers Snowmobile Club building.
Please bring your favorite beverage of choice.
All members, families, and anyone interested in becoming a member are welcome. We are always looking for new ideas and adventures.
We look forward to seeing you there. Happy trails, Ride Safe (use your headlights), Ride Smart (use your hand signals), Enjoy the Trails, and Be Courteous.
Rapids Riders ATV Club Inc.