Explore Minnesota Winter Trails Update - Jan. 23, 2020

 

Good to excellent cross-country ski and snowmobile trail conditions can now be found throughout the entire state of Minnesota! Please note that the current and forecasted above-normal temperatures may cause some trails to deteriorate.

 

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

 

Northeast Region

International Falls/Voyageurs National Park

As of Jan. 22, Voyageurs National Park staff report that all snowmobile trails are open, with the exception of the blue trail, which crews continue to check. Riders are encouraged to use extra caution, especially when riding in areas off the staked snowmobile trails on the lake surface. Crews report very large, deep pockets of slush all over the lakes beyond the trails. 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 ski and snowmobile trails at Scenic State Park are groomed and in very good shape. The trails have a 12 inch base on average, with more than 2 feet of snow on the ground. Learn more about the many Grand Rapids area trails.

Tower

The entire Arrowhead/David Dill State Snowmobile Trail has been groomed, and riders report very good conditions. The base of the trail measures 2-6 inches. Snow off the trail measures 12-34 inches. Please note that there are two snowmobile rides scheduled for this weekend.

Ely

The entire Taconite/David Dill State Snowmobile Trail has been groomed, and riders report very good conditions. The base of the trail measures 2-6 inches. Snow off the trail measures 16-36 inches. Please note that there are two snowmobile rides scheduled for this weekend. At Bear Head Lake State Park, the ski trails are groomed and reported to be in good to very good condition. The trail base measures 6-11 inches. The snowmobile trails are also groomed and in very good shape. These trails have a 5-12 inch base. Total snow accumulation in the park measures 24-30 inches.

Grand Marais/Gunflint Trail

In Cook County, just outside of Grand Marais up the Gunflint Trail, the Upper Gunflint Trail is groomed for classic and skate skiing. Most sections of trail have a trail base measuring 11-15 inches, and conditions are excellent! The off-trail snow depth is roughly 24 inches. Similar conditions are reported for the nearby Central Gunflint and Banadad ski trail systems. 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.

Lutsen/Tofte

At Temperance River State Park, 31 inches of snow covers the ground. The snowmobile trails are groomed, with very good conditions reported along the 6 inch trail base. While the ski trails remain ungroomed, they offer a great opportunity for backcountry skiing and snowshoeing.

Two Harbors/Silver Bay

Tettegouche State Park is covered in more than 40 inches of snow. Most of the ski and snowmobile trails have been groomed, and conditions are very good to excellent. The base of the trails measures 10-12 inches. Just to the south, the ski trails are freshly groomed at Gooseberry Falls State Park. These trails have a base measuring more than 6 inches, and conditions are considered excellent. The snowmobile trails are reported to be in fair condition since it is unknown whether they have been groomed. Total snow accumulation in the park is 24-30 inches.

Duluth/Grand Marais

Good conditions are reported for the C.J. Ramstad/North Shore State Snowmobile Trail, running from Duluth to Grand Marais. The entire trail has been groomed, and parts of the trail will be regroomed Thursday and Sunday nights. The trail base measures 12 inches. Snow cover along the trail is 30-50 inches.

Carlton/Moose Lake

All ski trails at Jay Cooke State Park are groomed and in very good shape. These trails have a 14 inch base on average. The snowmobile trails are also fully groomed with a 14 inch base. Riders report good conditions. Local snow depth is 30 inches.

Hinckley/Moose Lake

Both the ski and snowmobile trails at St. Croix State Park are groomed and in excellent condition. The base of the trails measures roughly 12 inches thick, with 18 inches of snow in the woods. Please note that the Kettle River Crossing remains impassable.

Northwest Region

Bemidji

The cross-country ski trails at Lake Bemidji State Park have an 8 inch groomed surface, and skiers report excellent conditions. The snowmobile trails also have a 5 inch base and are in excellent shape. Area snowcover is 27 inches.

Walker

The portion of the Paul Bunyan State Trail which runs through the Walker vicinity is groomed and riders report very good conditions. The trail base measures 7 inches, with more than 2 feet of snow along the trail. Please watch for groomers, and remember to stay on the trail.

Detroit Lakes

For the most current conditions along the many snowmobile trails in the Detroit Lakes area, check out the Winter Wonderland Snowmobile Trail Report.

Central Region

Pelican Rapids/Battle Lake

Some of the cross-country ski trails at Maplewood State Park are groomed and in fair to good condition, with a 15-20 inch base. The snowmobile trails are reported to be in excellent condition. The base of these trails measures 10-15 inches. The ground is covered in up to 28 inches of snow. Please note that local lakes have areas of slush on top of the ice.

Alexandria

The ski trails at Lake Carlos State Park are in excellent condition, with a 6 inch groomed surface. Conditions are considered very good for the snowmobile trails running through the park. Local snow depth is roughly 1 foot.

Brainerd/Pequot Lakes

Snowmobile conditions along the Paul Bunyan State Trail are reported to be excellent. The trail has a 4 inch groomed surface, with 15 inches of snow in the woods.

Onamia/Garrison

Most ski trails at Mille Lacs-Kathio State Park are groomed and in good condition. The trails have a 4 inch base overall. The snowmobile trails are also groomed and in good condition. Approximately 16 inches of snow covers the ground.

Willmar

The Glacial Lakes State Trail has a 2-4 inch groomed surface, with good conditions reported for snowmobiling. From 10-16 inches of snow covers the ground along the trail. All ski trails at nearby Sibley State Park were groomed on Jan. 22. The trails with classic track are in very good condition. The skate ski trails are in good shape. These trails have a 6 inch base. Snowmobile trails running through the park are groomed and in good condition, with a 4 inch base. Roughly 12 inches of snow covers the ground.

Minneapolis-St. Paul Area

Monticello

The cross-country ski trails at Lake Maria State Park are groomed, and skiers report very good conditions. The trails have a 4 inch base. Snow cover within the park measures 10 inches.

Center City

The cross-country ski trails at Wild River State Park are groomed and in good condition. The trails have a 4 inch base, with 15 inches of snow on the ground. Ski and snowshoe concessionaires offer rentals on select days.

Afton

All 12 miles of Afton State Park's cross-country ski trails have been groomed. The trails have a 4 inch base on average, and conditions are considered good. Local snow depth is roughly 10 inches.

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

Good conditions are reported for all groomed cross-country ski trails with man-made snow at Elm Creek Park Reserve in Maple Grove and Hyland Lake Park Reserve in Bloomington. Good conditions are also reported for many of the of the groomed ski trails with natural snow within the 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.

Long Lake/Winsted

The Luce Line State Trail was groomed for snowmobiling on Jan. 21. Conditions were described as good at that time. The trail base measured 2-3 inches. Snowcover along the trail was roughly 9 inches.

Winter enthusiasts will want to plan ahead for the City of Lakes Loppet Ski Festival held Jan. 31 - Feb. 2 in Minneapolis! The Loppet features cross-country ski races for all ages, skill-levels and abilities. Also enjoy a youth ski carnival, skijoring races, kubb tournament, snow sculpture competition, sprint races, ice biking, and popular Luminary Loppet, a beautiful nighttime ski around Lake of the Isles, all lit up with thousands of ice luminaries. Whether you're a cheerleader or a participant, you won't want to miss this annual tradition. The Trailhead at Theodore Worth Regional Park. 612-604-5330

Southern Region

Winona

As of Jan. 23, all ski trails were freshly rolled and packed at St. Mary's University following the recent 4- to 5-inch snowfall. Very good to excellent conditions were reported for classic and skate skiing. Nearby, all cross-country ski trails at Great River Bluffs State Park are freshly groomed. The trails have a 6 inch base on average, and park visitors report that the trails are in very good shape. Roughly 7 inches of snow covers the ground within the park.

Preston/Harmony/Lanesboro

The Harmony-Preston Valley and Root River state trails have been groomed, and skiers report excellent conditions. The base of the trails is approximately 4 inches thick. Local snow depth is 8 inches.

New Ulm

The ski trails running through Flandrau State Park are freshly groomed, with a 2 inch base. Conditions are described as good. Roughly 5 inches of snow covers the ground within the park. Rentals for cross country skiing and snowshoeing are available.

Marshall

While the trails at Camden State Park will not be groomed this season, park staff report good conditions for skiing and snowmobiling. Both trails have a 5 inch base on average. Roughly 8 to 9 inches of snow covers the ground.

 

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.