Snowmobiling

Under a blanket of snow, the north woods become the land of unexplored adventures. Hundreds of miles of groomed snowmobile trails connect with one another taking riders into dense forests and through scenic vistas. Many of the area's forest and lake trails connect directly to restaurants, gas stations and lodging. Trail conditions are updated weekly at http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/snow_depth/index.html.

Forest Riders Snowmobile Trails, approximately 300 miles of trails. The Forest Riders Snowmobile Club was formed approximately 30 years ago and started grooming trails mainly in the Two Inlets State Forest. Over the years, trails have been added and now the trail system connects to Park Rapids, Smoky Hills, Paul Bunyan State Forest, Lake George and all through Itasca State Park.

The trails which would not be possible if not for private property owners. Please respect all signs. For more information see: http://www.forestriderstrailclub.com/winter/about_the_club/ and http://www.forestriderstrailclub.com/winter/maps/

Itasca State Park, 31 miles of snowmobile trails circle the park's perimeter and connect with other trails that lead to Park Rapids, Walker, Bemidji, Bagley, Mahnomen and Detroit Lakes. For more information see: http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/itasca/trails.html

Heartland State Trail, a 49-mile multiple use, paved trail between Park Rapids and Cass Lake. The Nevis Trailblazers Snowmobile Club grooms the east-west alternate portion of the Heartland Trail to Sno-Way 1, 5 miles west of Walker. The entire Heartland Trail is groomed for snowmobiling, however studded tracks are prohibited on the asphalt. Altogether the Trailblazers Club grooms approximately 245 miles of trails in the Paul Bunyan State Forest and Wilder Trails. For more information see: http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_trails/heartland/index.html or http://www.nevismn.com/trailblazers/trailmaps.htm.

Grant-in-Aid Trail System

Paul Bunyan State Trail, Snowmobiling is the primary winter use along both the paved and undeveloped sections of the 110-mile trail; however studded tracks are prohibited on the paved surface. The trail provides connections to many miles of groomed snowmobile trails in the county Grants-in-Aid trail system. The Heartland Trail and Paul Bunyan Trail connect 3 miles east of Akeley at the Hubbard/Cass line on Highway 34. For more information see: http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_trails/paul_bunyan/index.html and http://www.nevismn.com/trailblazers/trailmaps.htm

Huntersville State Forest and trails south of Park Rapids are maintained by the Menahga Trail Breakers. For more information see: http://files.dnr.state.mn.us/maps/snowmobiling/map16.pdf

Chippewa National Forest Snowmobile Trails. Over 330 miles of snowmobile trails provide snowmobilers access to 1,300 lakes, scenic woodlands and frozen wetlands. Trails connected to nearly 200 miles of routes surrounding the forest. The Soo Line Trail, an old railroad grade extending from Cass Lake to Moose Lake, is the longest motorized recreation trail in Minnesota. Snowmobilers may also travel on unplowed National Forest roads unless posted closed to recreational motor vehicle use. Cross-country travel off forest roads is prohibited.

For more information call (218)547-1044 or see:http://www.fs.fed.us/r9/chippewa