Explore Minnesota Winter Trails Update - Dec. 12, 2019

Snowmobiling on trails running through Voyageurs National Park

It's a winter wonderland out there! Happy skiing and snowmobiling!

Cross-country ski and snowmobile trails as far south as the Twin Cities are groomed and in good condition. And the ski trails up the Gunflint Trail, north of Grand Marais, are in great shape. As always, please call ahead for the most current trail conditions before traveling.

[Northeast] [Northwest] [Central] [Twin Cities] [Southern]

Northeast Region

International Falls/Voyageurs National Park

Snowmobiles and ATVs are getting out on Rainy Lake's ice trails. On the mainland, the snowmobile trails have been cleared and are getting lots of use. Likewise, the cross-country ski trails have been groomed and skiers have been out using the trails. There is a new trail connector from the Rainy Lake Visitor Center to the Tilson Creek Ski Trail System which follows the highlands, allowing a better view and safer travel. For the most current conditions, check out the Voyageurs National Park trail conditions web page.

Ely

At Bear Head Lake State Park, some of the ski trails are groomed and in fair condition. The trail base measures 3-5 inches. The snowmobile trails remain ungroomed, and in poor condition. Total snow accumulation is 15-19 inches.

Grand Marais/Gunflint Trail

In Cook County, just outside of Grand Marais up the Gunflint Trail, most of the Central Gunflint Ski Trail System is freshly groomed and tracked. Conditions range from good to excellent! Overall, the trails have a 7 inch base, with 14-17 inches of snow off the trails. Check out some of the trails via web cams placed throughout Cook County. For the most current conditions, check the Cook County Trail Conditions web page. Just to the south at Temperance River State Park, near Tofte, roughly a foot of snow covers the ground. The snowmobile trails are partially groomed. The trail base measures 3 inches and conditions are fair. While the ski trails remain ungroomed, they offer an excellent opportunity for backcountry skiing and snowshoeing.

Silver Bay/Two Harbors

Tettegouche State Park is covered in 21 inches of snow. Some of the ski and snowmobile trails are packed and groomed, and conditions are reported to be fair. The base of the trails measures 5-6 inches. Just to the south, the ski trails are groomed Gooseberry Falls State Park. These trails have a 4-6 inch base, and conditions are good. The snowmobile trails are snow-covered, but have not been groomed. Expect fair conditions overall. Total snow accumulation in the park is 20-24 inches.

Duluth/Grand Marais

Fair to good conditions are reported for the C.J. Ramstad/North Shore State Snowmobile Trail, running from Duluth to Grand Marais. The trail base ranges from 2-7 inches, with the thickest base near Duluth. The entire trail has been groomed. Nearby, the Willard Munger State Trail was regroomed for snowmobiling this week. The trail base is roughly 12-14 inches thick, and conditions are good. The ground along the trail is covered in 24-30 inches of snow!

Hinckley

The snowmobile trails at St. Croix State Park are groomed and in good condition. The trail base varies from 3-5 inches thick, with 12-14 inches of snow in the woods. The condition of the Kettle River Crossing is unknown at this time.

Northwest Region

Walker

The Paul Bunyan State Trail in the Walker vicinity is partially groomed and riders report fair conditions for snowmobiling. The trail base measures 3 inches, with more than a foot of snow off the trails. Nearby, the Heartland State Trail - North is reported to be in fair condition for snowmobiling.

Park Rapids/Nevis

Most ski trails at Itasca State Park are freshly packed and in fair to good condition. These trails have a 2 inch base. Wolf tracks can be seen along many of the ski trails. The snowmobile trails in the park remain ungroomed, but are listed in fair condition. Approximately a foot of snow covers the ground. Conditions are considered good for snowmobiling along the Heartland State Trail - West near Nevis. The trail is freshly groomed.

Central Region

Pelican Rapids/Battle Lake

The ski and snowmobile trails at Maplewood State Park have not been groomed, but are considered to be in poor to fair condition. The trail bases range from 0-10 inches thick. The ground is covered in 10 inches of snow. Please note that local lakes still have areas of open water.

Willmar

The Glacial Lakes State Trail is groomed for snowmobiling, and conditions are good. The trail base measures 1-2 inches. From 9-13 inches of snow covers the ground. Nearby, the classic ski trails at Sibley State Park are partially groomed. These trails have a 3 inch base. Skiers report fair to good conditions.

Brainerd/Pequot Lakes

Snowmobile trail conditions are very good along the Paul Bunyan State Trail. The trail has a 4 inch groomed surface, with more than a foot of snow in the woods.

Onamia/Garrison

Nearly all of the ski trails at Mille Lacs-Kathio State Park have been packed and tracked. The trails have a 1 inch base, and conditions are considered good overall. More than a foot of snow covered the ground.

Twin Cities Greater Metropolitan Vicinity

Orrock/Zimmerman

The snowmobile trails running through Sand Dunes State Forest near the North Unit Trail Head are groomed and ready to go. The trails have a 4 inch base and conditions are considered good.

Center City

The cross-country ski trails at Wild River State Park are partially groomed and reported to be in good early season condition. The trails have a 3-4 inch base, with roughly a foot of snow on the ground. The ski and snowshoe concessionaire should be open for rentals on weekends through December, and certain other days between Dec. 25 and Jan. 1.

Marine on St. Croix/north of Stillwater

The classic and skate ski trails are being groomed following this morning's 2 inches of additional snowfall. Once complete, the ski trails at William O'Brien State Park should be good shape, with a 3 inch base.

Three Rivers Park District parks in Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Scott and Wright counties

Fair to good conditions are reported for all groomed cross-country ski trails at parks with snow-making facilities such as Elm Creek Park Reserve in Maple Grove and Hyland Lake Park Reserve in Bloomington. Fair conditions can also be found on some ski trails with natural snow in the Three Rivers Park District parks. Check out the Three Rivers Park District Trail Conditions web page for the most current conditions.

Most other ski trails and snowmobile trails remain closed or are listed in poor condition due to a lack of snow.

Southern Region

Winona

Most ski trails at Great River Bluffs State Park are freshly groomed. The trails have a 3 inch base, and conditions are reported to be fair. As of Monday, Dec. 9, some of the ski trails at nearby St. Mary's University had been rolled.

Most other ski trails and all snowmobile trails remain closed or are listed in poor condition due to a lack of snow.

Explore Minnesota will report winter trail conditions each Thursday during the winter season, with updates as changes in conditions warrant. Information used to compile the Winter Trails Update is provided courtesy of the Minnesota DNR, Voyageurs National Park, the Three Rivers Park District and communities throughout the state.

Begin planning your winter getaway by one of our travel counselors at 888-VISITMN (888-847-4866), or request a customized travel planner at Contact a Travel Counselor.

Please note that a Snowmobile State Trail sticker is required for all snowmobiles operating on state or grant-in-aid trails. All cross-country skiers on state park or forest ski trails or on state or grant-in-aid trails who are 16 years or older must have a Minnesota Ski Pass. For further information, contact the Department of Natural Resources, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, at 1-888-646-6367. To order cross-country ski passes and snowmobile trail stickers, dial 1-888-665-4236 or access the DNR Online License Sales web site. To locate a license center in Minnesota to purchase ski passes and snowmobile stickers, check out DNR License Agents.

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