Explore Minnesota Winter Trails Update - Feb. 3, 2022

Cross-country ski trails at dusk / Travis Novitsky

This is your Explore Minnesota Winter Trails Update. Explore Minnesota will report cross-country ski and snowmobile trail conditions each Thursday during the winter season, with updates as conditions warrant.

Very good to excellent conditions are reported for cross-country ski and snowmobile trails throughout central and northern Minnesota. Skiers and snowmobilers will find fair to good conditions on trails in southern Minnesota and in the Twin Cities vicinity.

Whether you’re ice fishing on a frozen lake, snowmobiling through the North Woods or fat biking through former iron ore mines, countless winter adventures await in the True North.

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

Northeast Region

International Falls/Rainy Lake

Snowmobile trails throughout the area are in near-perfect riding condition according to the International Voyageurs Snowmobile Club. The Purple Trail on Rainy Lake to Kettle Falls is now open and staked. Riders must remain aware of rock-hard moguls and drifts on the lakes due to recent high winds. Most land trails are cleared and packed. The Chain of Lakes Trail is in excellent shape to Kabetogama and off of Gold Portage. The Northern Connection Trail needs a bit more grooming west of International Falls towards Birchdale. Snowmobile rentals are available 7 days a week at Thunderbird Bird Lodge through Boyum Performance.

Cook/Tower - Lake Vermilion

The Arrowhead State Trail near Tower is groomed and overall conditions are good. The trail base ranges from 1-6 inches deep. Local snow depth ranges from 8-23 inches. Please note that heavy use has left some exposed rocks and thin areas. Active logging is taking place in a number of spots throughout the Grant-in-Aid and State Trail system. Please slow down and give trucks and logging equipment space. Nearby, the Putnam/Fishing Lakes Trail running through Bear Island State Forest is groomed and in good condition for snowmobiling. The base of the trail measures 1-5 inches. Local snow depth is 7-21 inches.

Biwabik

Riders traveling the snowmobile trails through the Iron Range Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation Area report good conditions along a 1-6 inch trail base. More than 10 inches of snow covers the ground in this area.

Ely

Overall, trail conditions in the Ely vicinity are great. The Babbitt Golf Course and Birch Lake Plantation ski trails are groomed for classic and skate skiing with excellent conditions reported. The snowmobile trails running through Bear Head Lake State Park are groomed and in excellent condition. The trail base measures 2-4 inches. The Arrowhead State Trail near Ely is groomed and riders report good conditions overall. The trail base ranges from 1-6 inches thick. The section of the Taconite State Trail running from Ely to Side Lake is groomed and in good condition for snowmobiling. The trail base measures 1-5 inches. Please note that heavy use has left some portions of these trails thin with exposed rock. Local snow depth ranges from 7-23 inches. For the most current conditions, check the Ely Winter Trail & Fishing Conditions web page.

Grand Rapids/Bigfork

The section of the Taconite State Trail running through the Grand Rapids vicinity is groomed and in fair to good condition for snowmobiling. The trail base measures roughly 3 inches. The ground is covered in just over a foot of snow. Learn more about the many Grand Rapids area trails.

Grand Marais/Gunflint Trail

In Cook County, just north of Grand Marais up the Gunflint Trail, the entire Central Gunflint Ski Trail System is groomed for classic and skate skiing with very good to excellent conditions reported. Most sections of trail have a base measuring 8-12 inches. The off-trail snow depth is 18-24 inches. Similar trail conditions are reported for other ski trail systems along the Gunflint Trail. The snowmobile trails in the Gunflint Trail vicinity are in very good to excellent condition with a 12-24 inch base — the best conditions in years! Snow depth ranges from 2-4 feet in the woods. Don't miss the Cook County Snowmobile Club Fun Run in Grand Marais this Saturday, Feb. 5! Nearby, at Cascade River State Park, all ski trails are groomed and in very good condition. The trails have an 8 inch base. The snowmobile trails are also groomed with an 8 inch base. Conditions are considered good. Local snow depth is roughly 3 feet. View snowfall on or near some of these trails at Cook County Webcams. And for the most current ski and snowmobile trail conditions in the area, check out the Cook County Winter Trail Conditions page.

Lutsen/Tofte

Most of the Norpine Ski Trails are reported to be groomed and in great shape, with a trail base ranging from 8-30 inches deep. The ski trails within the Sugarbush Trail System are also in great condition. The trail base measures 8-10 inches. Local snow depth is as much as 2 feet in some areas. For the most current conditions, check the Sugarbush Trail Association web page. The Lutsen Trailbreakers Snowmobile Club have groomed the entire Lutsen snowmobile trail system with very good conditions reported. The trail base ranges from 7-18 inches thick. The snowmobile trails at Temperance River State Park are groomed and park staff report that they are in excellent condition. The base of the trails measures 4 inches. Total snow accumulation in the park is 14 inches.

Two Harbors/Silver Bay

At Gooseberry Falls State Park, all ski trails are packed and tracked and conditions are described as excellent. The trail base measures 4-6 inches. The snowmobile trails are also groomed and in excellent condition with 4-6 inch base. Snow depth in the woods is nearly 3 feet. Just to the north, park staff have packed and tracked most of the ski trails at Tettegouche State Park. Skiers report excellent conditions along a 4 inch trail base. The snowmobile trails are also groomed and in excellent shape with a 4 inch base. Area snow cover is roughly 20 inches.

Duluth/Grand Marais

As of Jan. 27, very good conditions were reported for the C.J. Ramstad/North Shore State Snowmobile Trail running from Duluth to Grand Marais. The entire trail was groomed. The base of the trail measured 4-7 inches. Snow cover along the trail was 12-32 inches deep.

Carlton

The ski and snowmobile trails at Jay Cooke State Park are groomed, and park staff report good conditions for both trails. The base of the trails measures 4 inches. Area snow cover is 10 inches. Nearby, the snowmobile trails running through Fond du Lac State Forest have a 5 inch groomed surface. Conditions are considered good. Local snow depth is roughly 1 foot.

Hinckley/Moose Lake

The entire Willard Munger State Trail running from Hinckley to Duluth is groomed. The southern section near Hinckley and Moose Lake is in good condition with a 2 inch base. The northern section near Duluth is in good condition with a 5 inch base. Snow depth along the trail ranges from 10-14 inches. Nearby, the Nemadji and St. Croix state forest sections of the Matthew Lourey State Snowmobile Trail are groomed and in fair to good condition. The trail base measures roughly 3 inches. Local snow depth is 12-13 inches.

Northwest Region

Williams/Baudette

Snowmobile trail conditions at Zippel Bay State Park have been upgraded to very good. The base of the trails measures 5 inches. Local snow depth is roughly 17 inches.

Warroad

Snowmobile trails running through the northern section of Beltrami Island State Forest are groomed and in excellent condition. The trail base measures 6 inches with 14-20 inches of snow on the ground.

Roseau

Snowmobile trails running through the western portion of Beltrami Island State Forest are groomed and in very good condition. The base of the trails measures 6 inches. The ground is covered in 16-24 inches of snow.

Thief River Falls/Hallock

The ski and snowmobile trails running through Lake Bronson State Park are reported to be groomed and in excellent condition, with a 7 inch base. Roughly 15 inches of snow covers the ground within the park. The snowmobile trails running through Old Mill State Park are groomed and in good condition. The base of these trails measures roughly 6 inches, with 13 inches of snow on the ground.

Waskish - Upper Red Lake

The snowmobile trails at Big Bog State Recreation Area are fully groomed and in very good condition. The trail base measures 5 inches. Local snow depth is roughly 18 inches.

Bemidji

The snowmobile trails at Lake Bemidji State Park are groomed and park staff describe conditions as excellent. The trail base is roughly 4 inches deep. The cross-country ski trails also have a 4 inch groomed surface with excellent conditions reported. Area snowcover is 1 foot.

Park Rapids/Nevis

Many of the ski trails at Itasca State Park are packed and tracked with an 8 inch base. Excellent conditions are reported for these trails. Skiers will also enjoy Itasca's Twinkle Light Trail which is open each night from dusk (around 5 p.m.) to 10 p.m. The snowmobile trails are fully groomed and riders report very good conditions along these trails. The trail base measures 3 inches. Approximately 20 inches of snow covers the ground within the park.

Detroit Lakes/Becker County

The Becker County snowmobile trails are groomed by area clubs and traverse prairie to secluded woods with snow laden pines. Trail conditions are reported to be very good for the majority of trails. 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

All of the cross-country ski trails at Maplewood State Park are groomed and skiers report good to excellent conditions. Measurements show 16 inches of snow on the trail base. The snowmobile trails are groomed and in very good condition. The base of these trails measures 12 inches. The ground is covered in more than 2 feet of snow.

Brainerd/Pequot Lakes

The snowmobile trails running through Crow Wing State Park are groomed and in very good condition along a 6 inch base. Total snow cover within the park is roughly 20 inches. Nearby, the Larson Lake and Wolf Lake ski trails are groomed and in very good condition.

Onamia/Garrison

Park staff at Mille Lacs-Kathio State Park report good conditions for their ski trails. The trails have a 3 inch groomed surface. Ski rental is available within the park. Similar conditions are reported for the snowmobile trails. There is approximately 15 inches of snow in the woods.

Willmar

The ski trails at Sibley State Park are groomed and conditions are considered fair. The snowmobile trails are partially groomed and in fair condition. Both trails have a 3 inch base. Roughly 6 inches of snow covers the ground within the park.

Cambridge/Orrick

The Sand Dunes State Forest North Unit Trail Head is groomed for snowmobiling, and riders report fair conditions. On average, the trail base is 2 inches thick. Local snow depth is 10 inches. Riders will want to attend the nearby Rum River Sno Riders Vintage Run & Show on Saturday, Feb. 5 in Milaca!

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 1-2 inch base on average. Snow cover within the park measures 9 inches.

Marine on St. Croix/north of Stillwater

The ski trails at William O'Brien State Park are groomed and the classic tracks are holding up well. Overall conditions are reported to be good for classic and skate skiing. The base of the trails is 2 inches thick. Roughly 7 inches of snow covers the ground within the park.

St. Paul

The ski trails at Fort Snelling State Park are packed and tracked. The trail base measures 6 inches and conditions are described as good.

Ramsey County Parks

Numerous Ramsey County Parks offer groomed ski trails. As of Jan. 31, most were reported to be in fair condition.

Afton

All 12 miles of cross-country ski trails at Afton State Park are groomed. The trails have a 2 inch base on average, and conditions are considered good to very good. Please note that some portions of the trails are getting thin. Local snow depth is roughly 7 inches.

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

Cross-country ski trails with man-made snow at Elm Creek Park Reserve in Maple Grove and Hyland Lake Park Reserve in Bloomington are in good condition. Many of the trails with natural snow are also reported to be in good condition. Check out the Three Rivers Park District Trail Conditions web page for the most current conditions.

Minneapolis

The ski trails at Theodore Wirth Regional Park are reported to be in good shape for classic and skate skiing. Skiers are also enjoying the lit trails. Learn more. Check out the City of Lakes Loppet Ski Festival held this Friday through Sunday, Feb. 4-6, at Theodore Wirth Park.

Southern Region

Winona

The ski trails at Great River Bluffs State Park are groomed and in good condition for classic and skate skiing. The trail base measures 4 inches thick for both trails, with approximately 7 inches of snow on the ground.

Owatonna

The ski and snowmobile trails at Rice Lake State Park have a 2-4 inch ungroomed surface. Park staff report good conditions, however, some portions of the trails are getting thin or are covered in snow drifts. The snowmobile trails are in fair condition. Snow cover in the park ranges from 5-7 inches thick.

Faribault/Waterville

The snowmobile trails at Sakatah Lake State Park remain ungroomed, but park staff report fair conditions. The trail base measures roughly 3 inches. The ground is covered in 5 inches of snow.

Fairfax/Sleepy Eye

Park staff at Fort Ridgely State Park report fair conditions for snowmobiling. The trails have a 3 inch base. Grooming status is unknown. Five inches of snow covers the ground within the park.

Watson

As of Jan. 27, the cross-country ski trails at Lac qui Parle State Park were reported to be in good condition with a 3 inch base. Local snow depth was 10 inches.

Information used to compile the Winter Trails Update is provided courtesy of the Minnesota DNR, the Three Rivers Park District and communities throughout the state.

Begin planning your winter getaway by contacting 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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