Riding All 50 Kilometres of Narrow Hills
Narrow Hills’ roughly 50 kilometres of ATV trails can look like a manageable day on a map, but trail mileage is not the same as one continuous loop. Routes, access points and closures can affect what you can ride. This guide explains how to plan a full day, check park requirements and enjoy the trail network without assuming every kilometre is open or connected.
Plan the ride before you haul to Narrow Hills
Treat 50 kilometres as network mileage, not a guaranteed loop
The figure commonly associated with Narrow Hills describes a trail network, not necessarily one route that starts and ends at the same place. Trails may branch, meet at junctions or lead you back toward an access point, and the easiest route to ride can depend on which sections are open and where you unload. Before you plan to cover every kilometre, get a current park trail map and work out how the designated routes fit together.
This distinction matters when you are estimating the day. A 50-kilometre route on paper can take much longer than expected if the trail is rough, muddy, rutted or unfamiliar. Stops to check the map, regroup, take a break or deal with a minor machine issue add time too. If you are riding with people who have different experience levels, build in extra room rather than treating the published mileage as a firm schedule.
Use the park’s map as your main guide to the designated trail network. A planning app such as onX Offroad can help you organize a route and keep track of where you are, but a third-party map should not be treated as confirmation that a trail is open or that riding is permitted there. Check any app information against park maps, trailhead signs and local instructions. For a broader overview of map options, see [Saskatchewan ATV Trail Map Downloads].
Confirm access, permits and closures before leaving home
Some Saskatchewan provincial parks require riders to complete a use acknowledgement or attend an information session before receiving a trail permit. Requirements can differ by park, so check the directions for Narrow Hills before you travel. Ask where permits are issued, what you need to bring and whether the process must be completed at a particular office or location. A permit may be free and still require a step that takes time to arrange.
Also check for temporary closures and restrictions. Fire danger, trail conditions, maintenance or other park notices can affect where you may ride. A route shown on a map is not permission to ignore a closure sign or ride beyond a designated area. The park’s current guidance should take priority over an older downloaded map or a route saved in an app. These related guides explain the basics of [Saskatchewan Park Use Acknowledgement Forms] and [Saskatchewan Park Permits That Cost Nothing].
| Planning question | What to confirm before the trip |
|---|---|
| Where can you unload? | The designated access or staging area and any parking instructions |
| Which routes are available? | Current park map, signs and closure notices |
| Is a permit required? | Whether Narrow Hills requires a permit, acknowledgement or information session |
| Is the route suitable for your group? | Distance, trail surface, junctions and likely pace |
| What if conditions change? | A shorter return route and a way to contact your group |
Build a route that fits your group and the day
Divide the trail network into manageable sections
Rather than setting out with a single goal of riding all 50 kilometres, divide the day into sections using the park map. Identify your starting point, obvious junctions, turnaround options and the route back to the unloading area. That gives the group decision points: if everyone is comfortable and conditions are good, continue; if the day is running late or a rider is tiring, take the planned return route.
A practical plan might include a first section to check how the trail feels, a longer middle section while the group is fresh, and a final section that leaves enough daylight to get back without rushing. The exact distance for each part depends on your map and the trail conditions. Don’t assume a loop exists simply because two lines look close together. Verify the connection on an authoritative park map, and follow signs at the actual junction.
When you use onX Offroad or another navigation app, save the information you need before you lose cell service. Mark your starting point, intended stops and return route, and make sure everyone understands how the group will handle a wrong turn or separation. An app is a useful backup, not a substitute for a park map and attention to posted directions. For park riding rules more generally, see [Saskatchewan Parks With Designated Trails Only].
Match the route to the least experienced rider
A full-network goal can put pressure on a group to keep moving even when someone needs a break. If one rider is new, has a smaller machine, or is less comfortable on uneven ground, set the pace around that person. Discuss the plan before you start: who leads, who rides last, where the group stops and what to do if someone needs to turn back.
A family group might decide to ride a shorter section first, then reassess at a junction. A group of experienced riders might cover more ground, but they still need to account for slower sections, navigation stops and mechanical issues. The important thing is not to make the final kilometres a race against fading daylight. If your group is planning a larger outing, [Where to Stage a Big Group at Narrow Hills] can help you think through the practicalities of meeting and staging riders.
Agree on a few simple habits before engines start. Keep enough distance to avoid dust and sudden stops, wait at major junctions until the whole group arrives, and don’t leave a rider behind because someone ahead assumes they know the way. If riders do become separated, a planned meeting point is safer than having everyone scatter to search.
Ride Narrow Hills responsibly and stay oriented
Follow the designated trail and watch conditions
Narrow Hills is a park, not an unrestricted riding area. Stay on routes designated for machines, obey signs and follow park instructions. Do not use an unmarked cut, road or trail as a shortcut just because it appears to lead in the right direction. If a route is blocked or unclear, stop and check the map rather than creating a new track around it.
Trail conditions can change after rain or other weather. Soft ground, standing water and muddy sections can slow the group and increase the chance of damage to the trail or a machine getting stuck. If a trail is becoming difficult to travel without widening or rutting it, turn around or choose another permitted route. Avoid spinning tires to force your way through an obstacle; that can make a small problem worse for both the machine and the trail.
Use onX Offroad as a navigation aid if it helps you stay oriented, but keep comparing your position with the park map and signs. If the app’s line appears to conflict with posted information, follow the park’s instructions and stop to clarify your location. For conditions that may affect your departure, check [Saskatchewan Trail Conditions Before You Haul] rather than relying on an old trip report.
Keep your group, gear and machine ready for a longer day
A full day on the trails is easier when you carry the basics and avoid running the machine down to the last reserve. Bring water, food, a first-aid kit, weather-appropriate clothing and the tools needed for simple repairs. Wear a properly fitted helmet and protective gear, and make sure passengers ride only on machines designed to carry them. Tell someone who is not riding with you where you plan to go and when you expect to return.
Before setting out, check fuel, tires, brakes, lights and the machine’s general condition. For a UTV, confirm that everyone has a suitable seat and restraint available and knows how to use it. Secure loose items so they cannot interfere with steering or fall onto the trail. If the group includes more than one machine, agree on a communication plan for stops and unexpected delays.
Cell coverage can be inconsistent in wooded and remote areas, so don’t build your safety plan around being able to call for help from every trail junction. Keep a paper map or an offline copy available, and share the route with the group. For a machine being brought into a park, cleaning it before the trip can help reduce the chance of transporting seeds, mud or other material between locations. See [Saskatchewan Machines Washed Before a Park Ride] for more on that preparation.
Finish the route safely and leave room for another visit
Know when to shorten the day
A good ride plan includes a point where you can change course without feeling that the day has failed. Turn back if conditions worsen, a machine develops a problem, a rider is uncomfortable or you are running short on daylight. Completing every kilometre matters less than returning the group and machines safely.
A useful check-in is to pause at a planned junction or rest stop and ask three questions: Is everyone still comfortable? Are the machines operating normally? Do we have enough time and fuel to follow the planned return route? If the answer to any of these is no, choose the shorter option. This is especially helpful when the group includes children, first-time riders or people who have not ridden together before.
Do not assume that a route will be quicker on the return. Trail direction, traffic, changing conditions and fatigue can all affect your pace. Keep enough time for a calm ride back to the staging area, loading and a final check that no one has been separated from the group.
Leave the park and trail in good condition
At the end of the ride, follow the designated route back to your unloading area and take all rubbish with you. Don’t leave broken parts, food packaging or other items behind. If you notice a damaged sign, blocked section or condition that could affect other riders, report it through the appropriate park contact rather than trying to alter the trail yourself.
If you are staying nearby, check whether your accommodation or campground permits the machine where you intend to park it, and keep trail access separate from areas where machines are not allowed. You can explore [Saskatchewan Trails With Camping] for related trip-planning considerations. Before another ride, review the park’s guidance again: a saved route can help you remember the network, but it cannot tell you whether a closure or requirement has changed.
Riding all of Narrow Hills’ roughly 50 kilometres is best treated as a planning goal, not a promise that every trail will form one continuous outing. Confirm the designated routes, permits and conditions, plan a return option, and let the group’s pace—not the odometer—decide how much of the network you cover.
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.
