Dakota Motocross Offers Jamestown Riders Tracks, Racing and Family Fun

Tucked into the northwest corner of the Stutsman County Fairgrounds, Dakota Motocross has built a reputation as one of the premier motocross destinations in North Dakota. The club draws riders from across the region every season, with competitive race weekends pulling as many as 400 competitors into Jamestown; a single weekend of that scale puts heads in hotel beds, fills booths at local restaurants, and reinforces Jamestown's standing as a regional hub for outdoor motorsports.

Jett Mutschler, president of Dakota Motocross, describes the organization's philosophy plainly: "We try to make being here an experience. Something the whole family can enjoy."

What the Facility Offers

Dakota Motocross is not a single-purpose track. The facility includes a dedicated course for radio-controlled cars and trucks, a track sized for mini dirt bikes and bicycles, and a full competitive dirt bike track that hosts NDMA-sanctioned races. That range of options means a family can show up with a range of ages and skill levels and find something for everyone.

The RC course in particular is an accessible entry point: spectators watch those events for free, making it one of the lowest-barrier motorsports experiences in Stutsman County. The dirt bike side is more structured, but Mutschler and the volunteer leadership work deliberately to keep costs manageable for families at every level of involvement.

Membership and Access

Riders who want regular access to the facility can join as individual members for $100 per year or as a family for $250 per year. Day passes are also available for those not ready to commit to a full season. Memberships can be purchased online through the club's website. For families who want to make a full weekend of it, premium memberships include camping privileges, allowing them to set up on site during race events.

Both individual and family memberships are available, and the club's Facebook page and website at dakotamotocross.com serve as the main channels for current information on practice schedules, race dates, and sign-up details.

Race Days: What to Expect

Dakota Motocross coordinates its competitive events with the North Dakota Motocross Association, the statewide body that sets the sanctioning structure, safety standards, and race schedule for organized motocross across North Dakota. For the 2026 season, the NDMA schedule places two Jamestown events on the calendar: May 2-3 and September 19-20.

On race days, gates open for practice at 8:30 a.m., with races getting underway at approximately 10:00 a.m. Spectator admission for dirt bike events is $7 per person, with children ages 6 and under admitted free. Racers must be NDMA members to compete. Transponders are required for scoring; first-time members receive theirs at their initial race, and riders who forget theirs can purchase a replacement on site for $25.

Race-day registration and class signups follow NDMA rules, so first-time competitors benefit from reviewing those guidelines before arriving. The club's board members and volunteers are on hand at events to walk new riders and families through the process.

Youth Development and Inclusive Competition

One of the distinguishing features of Dakota Motocross is its emphasis on entry-level and junior programming. The facility runs youth classes and has cultivated an environment where newer riders can build skills without being thrown into the deep end of open competition. That development pipeline matters: Dakota Motocross is positioned as a regional training ground, with riders who develop at the Jamestown track frequently progressing into higher-level competition across the NDMA circuit and beyond.

The competitive field at Jamestown is also notably inclusive. "Girls and women compete," noted Spitzer, a board member involved in race operations. "They bring a lot of talent to the races." That breadth of participation, from young beginners to seasoned adult competitors across multiple genders, reflects a club culture that has expanded the sport's footprint in Stutsman County well beyond the stereotypical rider demographic.

The Facility and Its Partnership with the Fairgrounds

Dakota Motocross operates on land managed by the Stutsman County Fair Board, a partnership that has benefited both organizations. "The fair board has been good to work with," Mutschler said. "They have been very accommodating with what we try to do." That cooperative relationship has allowed the club to develop and maintain the kind of multi-use facility that keeps participants coming back throughout the season.

Maintaining the track is a year-round commitment. Mutschler handles much of the hands-on work himself, with consistent support from volunteers and board members. "Jett does a good job of running the races and maintaining the track," said Spitzer. "It is a lot of work to put on a race and in between, he does a lot of maintenance so people can ride." The club holds executive board meetings every spring and fall to plan the season and address operational decisions.

Jamestown's Broader Motorsports Scene

Dakota Motocross is one piece of a larger motorsports landscape in the Jamestown area. The facility operates alongside Jamestown Speedway and other off-road and drag racing organizations, together forming a network that contributes meaningfully to local recreation and draws weekend visitors who might not otherwise make the trip. For community and economic development stakeholders, that cluster of motorsports venues represents a legitimate sports tourism asset, particularly when race weekends stack hundreds of out-of-town participants against the region's hotel and restaurant capacity.

For families in Jamestown and across Stutsman County who want a practical starting point, the path is straightforward: visit dakotamotocross.com for membership options and the current season schedule, or follow the club's Facebook page for practice day announcements and event updates. With NDMA races in Jamestown bookending the summer on both ends, the 2026 season offers early opportunities to get on the track before the competitive schedule shifts to tracks elsewhere in the state.