Explore Minnesota Winter Trails Update - Feb. 13, 2020

 

Good to excellent cross-country ski and snowmobile trail conditions can be found throughout Minnesota. Mild temperatures are in the forecast for this weekend, making it an ideal time to hit the trails!

If you are new to cross-country skiing or are interested in learning more about this winter sport, check out Learn How to Cross-Country Ski in Minnesota.

And if you are looking for a cozy getaway or are interested in a winter adventure in Minnesota’s winter wonderland, learn more at Many Ways to Enjoy a Winter Getaway.

 

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

 

Northeast Region

International Falls/Voyageurs National Park

As of Feb. 13, Voyageurs National Park staff report that all snowmobile trails are open and being groomed regularly with small groomers. There has been some drifting due to high winds, which can make trail riding slower. Groomers will continue to monitor and level as many of these areas as possible. There are still many areas of slush off the main trails. Although some of these areas are freezing up, riders should use caution as there may be unknown hazards under the snow and frozen slush. The Kabetogama Ice Road remains the only open ice road due to ongoing issues with slush. It is open 2.6 miles out of the Kabetogama boat launch. Ski trails, snowshoe trails, and the Sphunge Island Sledding Hill are all in great shape. Firewood has been placed at the fire ring near the hill, and also in all the warming huts and shelters. 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 River Road cross-country ski trail running through Golden Anniversary State Forest is groomed and in good condition. The trail has a 1-8 inch base, and the ground is covered in 15-30 inches of snow. Please note that the Cow Horn Road ski trail is closed due to logging activity. The Grand Rapids section of the Taconite State Trail is groomed and in good condition for snowmobiling. The trail base measures 0-10 inches. The ground is covered in 20-30 inches of snow. Please use caution since wildlife is using the trail more often due to deep snowcover. Learn more about the many Grand Rapids area trails.

Ely

At Bear Head Lake State Park, the ski trails are groomed and in 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 24-31 inches. Other area cross-country ski trails, including the Birch Lake Plantation, Trezona and Hidden Valley trails, are groomed and in very good to excellent condition!

Grand Marais/Gunflint Trail

In Cook County, just outside of Grand Marais up the Gunflint Trail, the entire Central Gunflint Ski Trail System is groomed for classic and skate skiing, with excellent conditions reported. Most sections of trail have a base measuring 16-17 inches. The off-trail snow depth is roughly 30 inches. Similar conditions are reported for the nearby Upper 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

The snowmobile trails at Temperance River State Park are groomed, with good to very good conditions reported. The base of the trails measures 6 inches. While the ski trails remain ungroomed, they offer a great opportunity for backcountry skiing and snowshoeing. Total snow accumulation in the park is roughly 30 inches.

Two Harbors/Silver Bay

Forty-two inches of snow covers the ground at Tettegouche State Park! Both the ski and snowmobile trails are groomed, with excellent conditions reported. The base of the trails ranges from 10-14 inches.

Duluth/Grand Marais

Very 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 will be regroomed Friday and Saturday nights. The trail base measures 10 inches. Snow cover along the trail is 21-42 inches.

McGregor

The ski trails at Savanna Portage State Park are groomed and in good condition with a 10 inch base. Local snowmobile clubs groomed the snowmobile trails running through the park on Feb. 6, and most are in good riding condition. Overall, the trail base measures 8 inches. Nearly 20 inches of snow covers the ground.

Northwest Region

Roseau

Roughly one foot of snow covers the ground at Hayes Lake State Park. The snowmobile trails are groomed and in very good condition, with a 6 inch base.

Thief River Falls

The snowmobile trails running through Old Mill State Park are groomed and in very good condition. The base of the trails measures roughly 6 inches, with 13 inches of snow on the ground. To the north, the snowmobile trails at Lake Bronson State Park are reported to be in similar condition.

Waskish - Upper Red Lake

The snowmobile trails at Big Bog State Recreation Area are reported to be groomed and in excellent condition. The base of the trails is roughly 11 inches thick. Local snow depth is more than 20 inches.

Bemidji

The cross-country ski and snowmobile trails at Lake Bemidji State Park have a 10 inch groomed surface, and both are reported to be in excellent condition. Area snowcover is roughly 2 feet.

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 4 inches, with roughly 20 inches of snow along the trail. Please watch for groomers, and remember to stay on the trail.

Park Rapids/Nevis

Most ski trails at Itasca State Park are packed and tracked, with very good conditions reported. The trail base measures more than 6 inches. The snowmobile trails have a 4-6 inch groomed surface. Conditions are considered very good. Itasca offers a number of snowshoe trails, which are currently in great shape due to abundant snow cover. Approximately 22 inches of snow covers the ground within the park.

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

Most of the cross-country ski trails at Maplewood State Park are groomed and in very good condition, with a 15-20 inch base. The snowmobile trails are also reported to be in great shape, with a 10-15 inch groomed surface. The ground is covered in up to 26 inches of snow. Please note that local lakes have areas of slush on top of the ice.

Brainerd/Pequot Lakes

Snowmobile trail conditions along the Paul Bunyan State Trail are reported to be very good. The trail has a 5 inch groomed surface, with 15 inches of snow in the woods. Nearby, the snowmobile trails running through Crow Wing State Park are groomed. Riders report good conditions on the 1-6 inch base. Total snow cover within the park is roughly 20 inches.

Onamia/Garrison

Most ski trails at Mille Lacs-Kathio State Park are groomed and in good condition. The trails have a 4 inch base on average. 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 1-3 inch groomed surface, with fair conditions reported for snowmobiling. From 6-10 inches of snow covers the ground along the trail. All ski trails at nearby Sibley State Park were groomed on Feb. 10. The trails with classic track are in fair condition. The skate ski trails are in good shape. Both trails have a 7 inch base. The snowmobile trails running through the park are groomed and in good condition, with a 5 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 good conditions. The trails have a 5 inch base. Snow cover within the park measures 10 inches.

Marine on St. Croix/north of Stillwater

The classic and skate ski trails at William O'Brien State Park are groomed and in very good shape, with a 5 inch base. Seven inches of snow covers the ground within the park.

Afton

All 12 miles of Afton State Park's cross-country ski trails have been groomed. The trails have a 5 inch base on average, and conditions are considered very good. Local snow depth is roughly 14 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.

Southern Region

Red Wing/Lake City

The Goodhue Pioneer State Trail is reported to be in good condition for snowmobiling. The trail base measures 4 inches, with 8 inches of snow on the ground. .

Winona

The ski trails are rolled and packed at St. Mary's University, with good conditions were reported for classic and skate skiing.

Rochester

The Douglas State Trail is reported to be in very good condition for snowmobiling. The trail base measures 6 inches, with 12 inches of snow on the ground. Similar conditions are reported for snowmobiling on the Great River Ridge State Trail.

Faribault/Waterville

The Sakatah Singing Hills State Trail is entirely groomed for snowmobiling. Conditions are mostly very good. Overall, the trail base measures 4 inches. Nine inches of snow covers the ground.

New Ulm

The ski trails running through Flandrau State Park have a 5 inch groomed surface. Conditions are described as good in the open areas, and excellent in the more protected areas. Roughly 1 foot of snow covers the ground within the park. Cross-country ski and snowshoe rentals are available at the park office.

 

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.