Midwest Isuzu Off Road
Trail Building at Northwoods Overland

By Daniel Bruhn, Site Administrator of mwior.com (Midwest Isuzu Offroad).
Images by 96TrooperSE

Northwoods Overland, in Rib Lake, Wisconsin is a new off road destination being built by Jeremy and Annie VanCamp. Northwoods will have miles and miles of off road trails for every skill level, as well as a full feature campground (with hot showers!)

MWIOR recently went up to get a sneak peak at the park, and do what we could to help make this our new northern trail home! We were all very pleasantly surprised with what we found. Jeremy already had access to several miles of groomed dog sledding trails which make a perfect access trail to just about anywhere you want to go in the park. The best part is, these trails aren't just your average sand or dirt ORP access roads. These are actual paths through the deep woods, so you actually enjoy driving them, even if you are just using them to get to the more difficult trails.

While there, we blazed 4 trails: 2 Moderate and 2 Hard. The Yellow trails put you in many off camber situations, and at times, really test your suspension flex. There are also quite a few tight turns and S-curves. (However, 96TrooperSE, in his Trooper, was able to negotiate these like a pro...so think about that before you start complaining about your SUV!) These trails also edge a few deep marshes, resulting in some swampy conditions on the trails. Especially after a heavy rain or melting snow. These areas are all passable, though, with a good line and a bit of the skinny pedal! The shortest trail we blazed, another Yellow trail, runs almost entirely through a very wet, muddy, and goopy bit of land that is the result of a small pond 10yds to the west. While this trail looks very tough, and very messy, it is in fact not too difficult as long as you take the right line. (But even if you get it perfect...it's still an awesome trail to run a few times!)

Jeremy of Northwoods blazing trail through the Yellow wet trail.

The two Red trails we blazed are mainly for those fans of slippery rocks and water. The first, Crooked Canyon, runs through a seasonal spring run-off area that eventually runs under a covered bridge that you may have passed over to even get to this point! This trail has a lot of differential bangers and rocker panel busters. If you are one of those that hates the sounds of rocks hitting your skidplates, (you have skidplates, right?), then I wouldn't recommend this trail! But if you have the cajones to give it a try, you will NOT be disappointed. This trail will change every time you attempt it depending on the weather, and how many people have driven the trail recently. Don't get me wrong, this isn't exactly competition rock crawling. Scratch-built rock buggies will have no problems here. But if you drove your rig to the park, or could have, this will give you plenty of challenge!!

96TrooperSE finding the entrance to Crooked Canyon a little messy!

The second Red trail, which will be named after us at MWIOR, is another rock haven. This is also a seasonal spring run-off area, but this is coming towards you down a rock sluice that you will be climbing. If you are looking for a flex shot that doesn't involve driving up a ramp, stump, or tree, (aka "Poser Shots"), this is your trail. Pick the wrong line on this trail, and you will definitely experience a little reverse action. Once you get to the top, a final boulder obstacle will be your reward. Once done with that, a nice leisurely drive on the dog sled trail back home or to where the next obstacle awaits.

Heading up MWIOR Trail

The camping at Northwoods gives you two options. Out in the open with a beautiful view of the lake, or in the woods with great shade and closer access to the trail heads. In my opinion, you just can't beat the morning/evening views of the lake. It really looks like something out of a movie when you climb out of your tent to such a spectacular view. I strongly suggest at least trying one of the more open campsites your first time there. Each site provides electric and water hookups. There are no sewer hookups for you big RV/travel trailer folks. (But I think you can live without that for one weekend!) There are three private, hot, shower rooms attached to the main office/store/shop that are much nicer than the normal showers within the bathroom shelter at most campgrounds. There are also several primitive restroom facilities throughout the campground. (These are also much nicer than your average port-a-pot at your local state park!)

Looking out over campsite 2 to the lake in early morning. (Cell phone pic...it does NO justice!)

All in all, Northwoods Overland is on a beautiful piece of land in the true middle of nowhere. Once you get there, you will meet great people and have a great time. Jeremy and Annie are doing this the right way, and will make sure everyone has a good time.

Even a storm had a beautiful ending at Northwoods Overland.