Explore Minnesota Winter Trails Update - Dec. 26, 2019

 

Good to very good cross-country ski trail conditions can be found throughout much of Minnesota. Many snowmobile trails in central and northern Minnesota are in fair to good condition.

Mild temperatures remain in the forecast into next week, however, a snowy mix is expected this weekend.

 

[Northeast] [Northwest] [Central] [Minneapolis-St. Paul Area] [Southern]

 

Northeast Region

International Falls/Voyageurs National Park

Voyageurs National Park has opened and staked the Green Trail from Franks Bay on Rainy Lake to Ash River. Please note that some pressure ridges exist so riders must use caution. Various cross-country ski trails are open, packed and tracked. The Rainy Lake Visitor Center is open Saturdays and Sundays through Dec. 29, then Thursdays through Sundays from Jan. 2 through mid-May. The Visitor Center parking lot is available for riders needing a place to park their vehicles and trailers. A snowshoe and cross-country ski loan program is available at the Rainy Lake Visitor Center. Please call 218-286-5258 to check on availability.

Grand Rapids/Bigfork

The Grand Rapids section of the Taconite State Trail is groomed and in good condition for snowmobiling. The trail base measures 1-4 inches. The ground is covered in 8-15 inches of snow. Learn more about the many Grand Rapids area trails.

Hibbing/Side Lake

The groomed snowmobile trails at McCarthy Beach State Park are in fair condition. Please note that some bogs and swamps are not fully frozen. Local snow depth is 18 inches. The nearby George Washington State Forest - Tim Corey Snowmobile Trail is partially groomed. The trail base is 4 inches thick, and riders report good conditions. Just off the trails, the ground is covered in 12-15 inches of snow.

Ely

At Bear Head Lake State Park, the ski trails are groomed and in fair condition. The trail base measures 3-5 inches. The snowmobile trails have also been groomed and are reported to be in good condition. Riders must use caution, however, since areas such as swamps have not yet frozen. Total snow accumulation in the Ely vicinity is 15-19 inches. Nearby, sections of the Arrowhead/David Dill State Snowmobile Trail have been groomed, and conditions are fair. The base of the trail measures 2 inches.

Grand Marais/Gunflint Trail

In Cook County, just outside of Grand Marais up the Gunflint Trail, most of the Banadad Ski Trails are groomed and tracked. Conditions range from good to excellent. Overall, the trails have an 8 inch base, with 18 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.

Silver Bay/Two Harbors

Tettegouche State Park is covered in 19 inches of snow. Most of the ski and snowmobile trails have been groomed, and conditions range from fair to good. 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 base measuring at least 6 inches thick, and conditions are very good. The snowmobile trails are also groomed. Expect good conditions overall. Total snow accumulation in the park is 20-22 inches.

Duluth/Grand Marais

Conditions have been downgraded to poor for the C.J. Ramstad/North Shore State Snowmobile Trail, running from Duluth to Grand Marais. The trail base ranges from 4-6 inches, with the thickest base inland, away from the lake. The entire trail was groomed this week. Please be aware of icy sections and use caution when riding. Snow cover along the trail is 16-24 inches.

McGregor

Some of the ski trails at Savanna Portage State Park are groomed and in very good condition, with a 6 inch base. The snowmobile trails are not yet open due to unfrozen swamps and downed trees. More than a foot of snow covers the ground.

Northwest Region

Walker

The Paul Bunyan State Trail in the Walker vicinity is groomed and riders report fair conditions for snowmobiling. The trail base measures 2 inches, with roughly 12 inches of snow along the trail. Nearby, the Heartland State Trail - North is groomed, with a 3 inch trail base. Conditions are reported to be in good for snowmobiling.

Park Rapids/Nevis

Conditions are considered good for snowmobiling along the Heartland State Trail - West near Nevis. The trail is groomed, with a 3 inch base. Snow along the trail measures 10-12 inches.

Central Region

The cross-country ski trails at Maplewood State Park are packed, but track cannot be set until more snow falls. The trails are in fair to good condition, with 2-10 inch base. The snowmobile trails remain ungroomed. The ground is covered in about a foot of snow. Please note that some local lakes still have areas of open water.

Brainerd/Pequot Lakes

Snowmobile trail conditions remain good along the Paul Bunyan State Trail. The trail has a 3 inch groomed surface, with more than a foot of snow in the woods. Nearby, at the city of Ironton, the Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area ski trails are groomed and in good condition. The trails have a 7 inch base. Conditions may be too soft for fat tire biking. Roughly 15 inches of snow covers the ground.

Onamia/Garrison

All of the ski trails at Mille Lacs-Kathio State Park are groomed with a single track. The trails have a 1 inch base overall, and conditions are considered fair to good. The snowmobile trails are also groomed, and reported to be in fair to good condition. More than a foot of snow covers the ground.

Minneapolis-St. Paul Area

Monticello

The cross-country ski trails at Lake Maria State Park were groomed on Dec. 18. Recent melting has left the trails with a 3 inch base, but conditions remain good. Snow cover in the park measures 6 inches.

Marine on St. Croix/north of Stillwater

The classic and skate ski trails were groomed this week at William O'Brien State Park. The trails are in fair condition, with a 2 inch base. Six inches of snow covers the ground.

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. Conditions have deteriorated on many ski trails with natural snow within Three Rivers Park District parks. Check out the Three Rivers Park District Trail Conditions web page for the most current conditions. Rentals are available at some parks.

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

Southern Region

All ski and 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.