Trails Near Two Lakes Joined by a Loop
A ride that starts near one lake and returns by another sounds simple until a trail junction, wet stretch, or seasonal closure changes the plan. In Saskatchewan’s Narrow Hills area, linked routes near Centre, Bennett, and Horse lakes can make for a rewarding loop, but the route needs careful checking. This guide explains how to plan it, what to confirm, and how to ride responsibly.
Understanding the lake-area trail loop
How the lakes fit into a ride plan
The Narrow Hills area is known for wooded terrain, lakes, and designated riding routes. Centre, Bennett, and Horse lakes can serve as useful landmarks when you’re planning a ride, but a lake name on a map does not automatically mean the shoreline, access road, or nearby track is open to ATVs. The key is to follow routes that are designated for machine use and confirm that the connections you intend to ride are open.
Think of the loop as a route-planning goal rather than a guaranteed, permanently maintained circuit. Trail conditions and access can change, and a line that appears to connect two points on a general navigation map may cross a closed area or a route intended for another use. Before unloading, compare the route you’ve planned with the park’s official trail information and posted signs. The overview in [Narrow Hills Provincial Park ATV Trails](Narrow Hills Provincial Park ATV Trails) is a helpful starting point for understanding the local riding area.
If you’re trying to connect sections around Centre, Bennett, and Horse lakes, check the route details rather than relying on the lake names alone. [Linking Centre, Bennett and Horse Lake Trails](Linking Centre, Bennett and Horse Lake Trails) can help you think through the connection, while [Bennett Lake and Horse Lake Trails Explained](Bennett Lake and Horse Lake Trails Explained) focuses on two of the area’s landmarks. Keep your plan flexible: a short detour or an out-and-back ride may be the safer choice if a connecting trail is closed or too wet.
What makes a loop different from an out-and-back
An out-and-back ride retraces the route you already know. A loop can offer more variety, but it also asks more of your planning. You need to know where each junction leads, how much distance the full circuit involves, whether all sections are open, and whether your group has enough fuel, daylight, and energy to complete it.
Loops can also make it harder to estimate how quickly you’ll get back to your starting point. A slow, muddy section near a lake may take far longer than a firm trail through the trees. If you’re riding with children, newer riders, or a mixed group of machines, build in time for stops and regrouping. Agree on a turnaround point before you set out, and make sure everyone understands what to do if the group gets separated.
A practical way to prepare is to save the full route and at least one reasonable return option. A navigation app such as onX Offroad may be useful as a supplementary planning tool, particularly if you download the information you need before leaving reliable service. Still, use official park information and signs to confirm where riding is permitted. A digital line is not permission to ride every track it displays.
| Planning question | What to check before you ride |
|---|---|
| Is the route open? | Check official park information and posted notices |
| Are all connections designated for ATVs or UTVs? | Confirm the intended route, not just the map line |
| Can the group finish the loop comfortably? | Consider distance, terrain, fuel, daylight, and rider experience |
| What if a section is closed or too wet? | Choose a turnaround point and alternate route |
| Will navigation work without cell service? | Download maps in advance and carry a backup |
| Is the machine suitable for the trail? | Consider width, ground clearance, tires, and current conditions |
Preparing for a safe, enjoyable ride
Check access, permits, and closures before leaving
Park riding rules are not something to guess at from an old social post or a route someone remembers from a previous trip. Confirm current access arrangements for the specific trail area, including whether a permit or use acknowledgement is required and where it needs to be collected or displayed. The details can differ between riding areas, so don’t assume a permit or process from another park applies here. You can review [Saskatchewan Park Use Acknowledgement Forms](Saskatchewan Park Use Acknowledgement Forms) and [Saskatchewan Parks With Designated Trails Only](Saskatchewan Parks With Designated Trails Only) as part of your preparation.
Wildfire restrictions, maintenance work, and poor trail conditions can affect access. Check for closures before you haul your machine, then check again near the time of your ride. Follow any signs at the trailhead or along the route, even if your planned track shows an open connection. If a route is marked closed, don’t try to bypass the closure through bush or along a lakeshore. [Saskatchewan Wildfire Closures and Riding](Saskatchewan Wildfire Closures and Riding) and [Saskatchewan Trail Conditions Before You Haul](Saskatchewan Trail Conditions Before You Haul) cover two important checks to make before setting out.
Access also depends on where the route goes. A track that leaves a designated riding area may cross land where you need permission or may enter a place where machine use is prohibited. If your plan includes a stretch beyond marked park trails, find out who manages the land and confirm permission before riding. The overview in [Saskatchewan Crown Land Access Rules](Saskatchewan Crown Land Access Rules) is useful background, but local signs and route-specific guidance should shape your actual plan.
Match the route to your group and machine
A route that feels easy to one rider can be tiring or intimidating to another. Before you choose a loop, talk through the terrain honestly: How much experience does everyone have? Is anyone riding a new machine? Are there passengers, young riders, or people who may need more frequent breaks? A shorter route with time to enjoy the lakes is often a better day than a demanding circuit that leaves the group rushing to finish.
Machine size matters too. A wide side-by-side may feel different on narrow, wooded trails than a smaller ATV. Consider turning space, surface conditions, ground clearance, and whether the route has tight bends or uneven sections. Don’t assume that because a machine can physically fit down a track, the track is intended or permitted for it. For more route-specific context, see [Saskatchewan Trails That Allow Side-by-Sides](Saskatchewan Trails That Allow Side-by-Sides).
Check everyone’s basic equipment before unloading. Make sure helmets fit correctly, eye protection is available, and the machines are in sound working order. Carry water, snacks, a first-aid kit, a tool kit, and a way to contact help where possible. Bring enough fuel for the planned route plus a sensible reserve; taking an unfamiliar detour can quickly change fuel needs. If you’re using onX Offroad, save the route and surrounding map area in advance, but keep a paper map or another backup if the route is remote or your phone battery is unreliable.
Navigating and riding responsibly around the lakes
Use maps as guides, not permission slips
A useful navigation setup combines more than one source. Start with the official park or trail map, then compare it with your planned route and the signs you see at the trailhead. A tool such as onX Offroad can help you review your route and keep track of your position, but treat it as a supplement. It cannot replace a closure notice, a posted restriction, or permission from a landholder.
Before you leave the staging area, make sure each rider knows how to follow the route and where the group will stop. If people are using separate phones, confirm that the same route is saved on each device. Set a regrouping point at major junctions, and stop in a safe place to check the map rather than trying to navigate while moving. Keep the map available offline if service may be limited, and conserve phone battery for the rest of the ride.
A planned route should include a simple decision rule: if the group reaches an unexpected closure, an unmarked junction, or a trail that is unsafe in the conditions, everyone turns around or takes the agreed alternative. Don’t improvise a shortcut through vegetation to reconnect with the loop. That can damage the ground, disturb wildlife, and lead riders onto land where access is not allowed.
Protect the trail and respect other visitors
The lakes and wooded trails are part of a shared outdoor area. Ride at a controlled speed, keep a safe following distance, and slow down when visibility is limited. Be especially cautious around hikers, cyclists, other machines, and vehicles near parking or access points. Give people space and avoid revving or spinning tires where it isn’t necessary.
Wet ground deserves extra care. A muddy rut may look like a minor inconvenience, but repeatedly driving through it can deepen the damage and widen the trail as riders search for a firmer line. If a section is saturated, impassable, or visibly deteriorating, turn back rather than pushing through. [Saskatchewan Riding After Heavy Rain](Saskatchewan Riding After Heavy Rain) and [Saskatchewan Muskeg and Machines](Saskatchewan Muskeg and Machines) offer useful reminders about how conditions can change the demands of a ride.
Leave the area as you found it. Pack out food wrappers, broken parts, and anything else brought in, and don’t disturb shoreline vegetation or wildlife. If you stop near a lake, use a permitted stopping area and keep machines on the designated route. The goal is to enjoy the loop without leaving a mark that makes the next person’s ride, or the area’s recovery after a wet season, more difficult.
Building a practical day around the loop
Set a realistic schedule and backup plan
Start by choosing a conservative ride window. Factor in the drive to the trailhead, unloading, permit or check-in tasks, route-finding, breaks, and the trip back to your vehicle. If the loop is unfamiliar, avoid planning to finish just before sunset. Extra daylight gives you room to pause at a junction, help a rider, or turn around if the trail is not in good condition.
Tell someone who is not riding where you plan to go and when you expect to return. Share the trailhead or starting area, your intended route, and your backup plan. If the route changes, let that person know when you can. This simple step can matter if the group is delayed or needs assistance in an area with limited reception.
Make the backup plan specific. For example, agree that the group will turn around at a certain junction if progress is slower than expected, or choose a shorter out-and-back route if a section is closed. onX Offroad or another navigation tool can help you keep track of your planned options, but don’t let the desire to complete a loop override conditions or group comfort. A sensible turnaround is good riding judgment, not a failed outing.
A simple pre-ride checklist
Use a short checklist before you leave home and repeat the key checks at the trailhead. That small pause can prevent the familiar frustration of discovering a missing item after the machines are unloaded.
- Confirm that the trails you intend to use are open and designated for your machines.
- Check permit, acknowledgement, and parking requirements for the riding area.
- Save the planned route and backup route for offline use.
- Tell someone your route and expected return time.
- Check fuel, tires, brakes, lights, and basic recovery equipment.
- Pack water, food, first aid, weather-appropriate layers, and a phone power source.
- Agree on group spacing, stopping points, and a turnaround rule.
- Follow trail signs and closures even when they conflict with your saved route.
If everyone understands the plan before the engines start, the day tends to feel calmer. You can spend less time debating at junctions and more time enjoying the ride, knowing what you’ll do if the conditions don’t match expectations.
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.
