Riding your ATV along the Hougaard Fork trail, which is another leg of the Arapeen OHV trail network, is a lot of fun. This ATV trail is located approximately 10 miles up Manti Canyon and from the ATV trailhead you will also have the choice to ride the Bench Road if you so desire. At the beginning of the ATV trail you have to cross a small stream. This is the same stream that forms the Milky Falls so the run off determines its difficulty for your crossing. If you are a newer or inexperienced ATV rider, make sure you have someone that can show you how to safely ford a stream without doing damage to the environment. There are good and bad ways to cross waterways. Make sure you know the proper technique for your ATV and the situation.
This ATV trail is a gradual climb and there are not any major hills, inclines or obstacles to cross on your ATV for the first several miles. However if you are riding during the time when the snow is melting, there is a very good possibility that you and your ATV will get very muddy. If there was a lot of water and snow melt all along it, so we got muddy. About 4-miles in to the ATV trail there is a fork in the road and you can either go east or continue on a northbound path. Both ATV trails are tagged trail 33.
There's a loop around about off the eastern fork if you're ready to turn around, otherwise stay on the northern trail and enjoy the ATV ride.
If you head towards skyline, you will probably run into snow banks but they are usually passable. Just make sure you know how to navigate your ATV safely on these type of terrain conditions BEFORE attempting to maneuver your ATV in these areas.
There is a good amount of scenary to see on these ATV trails and if you're so inclined, you may camp anywhere along these ATV trails. Just remember to leave no trace behind and have a great time riding the Hougaard ATV trails!
