The 11 best places to snowmobile in Minnesota are as follows:
- Appledorn Sunset Bay Resort, Isle
- Big Sandy Lake Area, McGregor
- Cook Country
- Elbow Lake
- Kavanaugh Sylvan Lake Resort, Brainerd
- North Shore State Trail, Duluth
- Soo Line South Trail
- Superior National Forest in Ely
- Voyageurs National Park near Crane Lake
- Voyageur Trails
- Willard Munger Trail
If you enjoy the great outdoors in the sports and all the fun that it can bring, then you need to check out the state of Minnesota, with its thousands of miles of snowmobile, snowboarding, and sledding trails. Many of the trails are groomed, but just as many are left untouched. When it comes to winter vacations, this state has much to see and enjoy along its many pathways.
What are some of the spots you need to consider for yourself?
Let’s take a closer look at the most popular snowmobile trails in Minnesota!
11 Best Places to Snowmobile in Minnesota
1. Appledorn Sunset Bay Resort, Isle
Appledorn is located on Lake Millie Lacs’ southeastern shoreline. The area offers many of the state’s trails with an ample number of rental shops that prep you for the adventure. Ten Bruin Trail, Minnesota Line Trail, and Rep Top ATV Trail have fantastic trails to go snowmobiling on. The resort offers visitors ice fishing houses to rent – something you can do along with snowmobiling.
2. Big Sandy Lake Area, McGregor
Minnesota is dotted with trails and lakes, but snowmobiling around the Big Sandy Lake region is an excursion you will always remember. It’s located 30 minutes north of Lake Mille Lacs and has a resort where you can rent a snowmobile. Aitken County has more than 600 miles of groomed trails that link to more than 1,500 other trails spanning the region.
3. Cook Country
Many of the state’s scenic trails can be found in Cook Country, making it difficult to decide where to start. With about 450 miles of trails, there is something for everyone. Want to take in the sights Lake Superior has to offer or want to watch the wildlife – wolves, foxes, moose and others – road the land? Minnesota trails offer these and more.
Cook County is a small-town friendly community, with numerous lodgings, groceries, restaurants, fuel services and repair services places. It’s often regarded as the place to go for a snowmobile vacation.
4. Elbow Lake
Elbow Lake’s best snowmobile trails are along the Iron Ore Trail and Arrowhead loops. If you ride the Arrowhead loops, you can partake in the sights of Little Elbow Lake with its unspoiled wilderness that goes into the town of Cook.
Getting to Elbow Lake means you need to ride to Pelican Lake toward Myrtle Lake and into Kabetogama State Forest before you reach your final destination. As you ride, you won’t wonder for long why Arrowhead is regarded as one of Minnesota’s best trails to snowmobile on.
Through Iron Ore, snowmobilers can ride them various cared-for trails around Lake Vermillion. When it comes to Minnesota trails, this is regarded as the best snowmobile trails around the state’s largest lakes.
Another place to visit in Minnesota is Soudan Underground Mine State Park. And, if you want places to eat along the way, you’ve got the towns of Soudan and Tower. For instance, the Fish Tales restaurant offers burgers, pizza and wings.
5. Kavanaugh Sylvan Lake Resort, Brainerd
Brainerd Lakes and the surrounding areas are great for snowmobiling. There are a minute number of resorts that are considered year-round, but the best resort can be found on the distant Sylvan Lake, which is great for snowmobilers. Kavanaugh is located nearby the huge swath of trailers at Gull Lake.
6. North Shore State Trail, Duluth
A trail that crosses three counties – Cook, Lake and St. Louis – runs 146 miles and is known as the C.J. Ramstad/North Shore State Trail. You make your way through the various forests to the ridgeline that overlooks Lake Superior. It’s considered one of the most rugged, most beautiful areas in the state.
During the winter, the trail connects with various communities and snowmobile club trails. The local clubs often hold an array of events during this time, and they regularly take care of the trails for snowmobilers to travel on. The trails are also taken care of for sledders and beginning snowmobile riders. However, avid snowmobilers can check out the different rugged trails.
The wildlife is pretty important, but many activities are critical to Minnesota, including farming, logging, and wildlife and fish management.
7. Soo Line South Trail
In Morrison County is the Soo Line South trail outside the Royalton community and spans 27 miles. Other nearby communities provide visitors with direct access to the trail that the Eastern Morrison County 4 Wheelers Club and Morrison County officials help to take care of.
There are many things to see and do, and visitors have immediate access to the Mille Lacs Kathio State Park. There are cabin and camper rentals so you can rest when you need to.
8. Superior National Forest in Ely
Ely residents spend much of their summertime in canoes, but it’s a whole new ballpark in the winter. During the winter, the residents take advantage of the area’s trail system and go snowmobiling. A good number of resorts shut down for the winter, but some still remain so visitors can enjoy the different trails such as the Tomahawk Trail and those of the Superior National Forest.
9. Voyageurs National Park near Crane Lake
If you’re looking for a remote destination for amazing snowmobiling with miles of cared-for trails that anybody, regardless of their skill level, can enjoy. It’s not uncommon to see the sights of the northern lights when you visit this area.
10. Voyageur Trails
The trails along Voyageur is one of northern Minnesota’s most popular, which can be accessed along northbound 62. The trail goes past Carlson Lake to the town of Buyck. Here, you can journey to Kabetogama State Park and its many trails to Crane Lake and the bottom Voyageurs National Park until you decide to make your way back to Buyck.
Minnesota snowmobiling at its finest can be enjoyed here!
11. Willard Munger Trail
Willard Munger Trail is located an hour from Minnesota’s Twin Cities, spanning 70 miles of Hinckley’s trailhead to Duluth near Lake Superior. This is one of Minnesota’s prime destination spots for snowmobilers who enjoy driving for long periods but want a flat terrain. Willard Munger is also home to many groomed club feeder trails, which means you’ll not travel the same pathway twice. There is also a lot of landscape to enjoy, including in the areas of Willow Lake, Moose Lake, Soo Line Trail, etc.
With so many places to stop, you don’t have to worry that you’ll run out of fuel or get lost.
Conclusion
It doesn’t matter what kind of snowmobile adventure you want; Minnesota offers a plethora of scenic routes that you are sure to enjoy. There is much to see and do on the trails, including watching the different wildlife gallivanting around the snowy meadows as you ride and take in the scenery.
Of course, before this happens, you should do a little research to learn what the amenities are, if there are any licensing or registration requirements and more. With a little bit of knowledge, you can have a joyous time learning more about the state and its many trails. So let’s go and visit one of the best places to ride a snowmobile in Minnesota!
References:
https://elbowlakelodgemn.com/2018/10/23/minnesota-snowmobile-trails/
https://www.exploreminnesota.com/
https://deals.tousleymotorsports.com/
