Explore Minnesota Winter Trails Report as of Wednesday, December 31
Very good to excellent cross-country ski and/or snowmobile trail conditions can be found at Cascade River, Gooseberry Falls, Savanna Portage, Jay Cooke, Hayes Lake, Lake Bronson, Charles A. Lindbergh, Mille Lacs Kathio, Lake Maria, Wild River, and Nerstrand State Parks. Trails along the Gunflint Trail and the Paul Bunyan State Trail, within Beltrami Island and Pillsbury state forests, and in the Ely vicinity are also in very good to excellent condition. Snow is in the forecast for the entire state this weekend, and any accumulation could result in improved trail conditions and the opening of additional ski and snowmobile trails. Please remember that trail conditions can change rapidly–please call ahead for the most current conditions.
A Snowmobile State Trail sticker is required for all snowmobiles operating on state or grant-in-aid trails, and all snowmobiles must have a $16 trail use permit. Cross-country skiers must also have a pass to use grant-in-aid and state-operated trails. For further information, contact the Department of Natural Resources, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, at 1-888-646-6367. You may order cross-country ski passes and snowmobile trail stickers at 1-888-665-4236. To locate a license center in Minnesota to purchase ski passes and snowmobile stickers, check out DNR License Agents.
Northeastern Region
Bigfork (north of Grand Rapids)
Scenic State Park cross-country ski trails are groomed, and in very good condition. The trails have a 4-5 inch base. The snowmobile trail that runs through the park is groomed, and riders report good conditions. The trail base averages 4 inches. The historic lodge building is open. There is a stone fireplace, and a supply of wood for a nice warm fire. Roughly 16 inches of snow covers the ground in this area.
Side Lake (north of Hibbing)
The snowmobile trails at McCarthy Beach State Park are groomed, with a 4 inch base. Conditions are currently good. The ski trails are partially groomed, and in very good condition, with a 6 inch base. Both Side and Big Sturgeon lakes have slush, so please use caution if venturing onto the lakes. Local snow depth is 14 inches.
Ely
The ground is covered in roughly 22 inches of snow. All area snowmobile trails are groomed and in fair to good condition, with a 2-6 inch base. These trails will be regroomed by the weekend. Some segments of the Stony Spur and Taconite trails remain ungroomed due to flowages and swampy areas, and there is a detour on Spruce Road due to the swampy area near August Lake. Most area lakes have not yet been staked due to the slushy conditions, and lake travel is not recommended at this time. Towards the city of Tower, the Arrowhead State Trail has been fully groomed and is in good condition, with a 2-4 inch base. Riders are encouraged to use caution and ride responsibly. Most cross-country ski trails in the area are groomed, tracked and in excellent condition. The Hidden Valley and Trezona ski trails in Ely and the golf course trails in Babbitt have also been groomed for skate skiing. These trails have a 6 inch base. Please note that trail conditions can change on a daily basis–please call ahead for the most current trail conditions.
Grand Marais/Gunflint Trail
Central Gunflint Trail cross-country ski trail conditions are reported to be good to excellent for both classic and skate skiing. On average, these trails have a 6 inch base. There is roughly 13 inches of snow on the ground. Nearby, the Banadad Ski Trail is also in good to excellent condition, with a 10-12 inch base. Local snow depth is 19-20 inches. Just to the south, all 25 kilometers of the Pincushion Mountain ski trails have been packed and rolled, and conditions are reported to be very good to excellent. In general, most trails have a 5-8 inch base. At the city of Grand Marais, 18-30 inches of snow is on the ground. Area cross-country ski and snowmobile trails have been groomed and are in good to excellent condition. Most have a base measuring 1 foot.
Lutsen
Cascade River State Park currently offers excellent conditions for cross-country skiing. The trails are groomed, with a 5 inch base. The snowmobile trails are in good condition, with a 5 inch groomed surface. Local snow depth is roughly 16 inches. Nearby, the ski trails at Cascade Lodge and Solbakken Resort have a 4-8 inch packed powder surface, and conditions are reported to be great! From 18-30 inches of snow covers the ground along these trails.
Two Harbors
Gooseberry Falls State Park is covered in 17 inches of snow. The snowmobile trails are currently in very good condition. The ski trails are fully groomed, and in excellent condition. Both trails have a 10 inch base. There are beautiful ice formations on the waterfalls, along with lots of opportunities to view wildlife. Visitors report seeing signs of fox, pine martin, deer, wolf and eagles.
McGregor
The ski trails within Savanna Portage State Park are in very good condition, with a 3 inch base. Most trails are tracked and packed, including the Esker, Lake Shumway, Pine Loop, Black Spruce and South Spur trails. The snowmobile trails are in good condition, with a 2 inch groomed surface. Local snow depth is 13 inches.
Carlton
The ski trails on the north side of Highway 210 within Jay Cooke State Park are groomed and tracked and in excellent condition. The ski trails have a 6 inch base. The snowmobile trails are in good condition, with a 3 inch groomed surface. Local snow depth is 10-12 inches. Just to the west, the ski and snowmobile trails running through Fond du Lac State Forest are reported to be in good condition, with a 3-4 inch groomed surface. Local snow depth is 15 inches. To the south, the majority of the Willard Munger State Snowmobile Trail is listed in good condition, with a 2-3 inch groomed surface. Local snow depth is 10-12 inches.
East of Hinckley
The snowmobile trails running through St. Croix State Park are groomed and in good condition, with 5 inch base. The Kettle River ice crossing is closed. Ski trails are also groomed, but icy and in fair condition, with a 4 inch base. Trails near the Norway Point Road are in the best condition. Just over 1 foot of snow covers the ground in this area.
Northcentral/West Region
South of Warroad
The southern portion of the trail running through Beltrami Island State Forest is in excellent condition for both cross-country skiing and snowmobiling. The trails have a 7 inch groomed surface. There is roughly 14 inches of snow in the woods.
Roseau
Thirteen inches of snow covers the ground at Hayes Lake State Park. The ski trails are fully groomed and in excellent condition, with 10 inch base! The snowmobile trails are in very good condition, with an 8 inch base. The lake has at least 16 inches of ice, but caution must be used near the springs and river currents. The crappies are biting near the dam face, and the northerns are very active near the fishing pier.
Lake Bronson (far northwest corner of Minnesota)
The ski and snowmobile trails running through at Lake Bronson State Park are groomed, and conditions are excellent. The trails have a 6 inch base on average. Local snow depth is 16 inches.
Detroit Lakes
The Winter Wonderland snowmobile trails in Becker County are groomed and in very good to excellent condition. The trail base is measuring 4-6 inches. There is 25-30 inches of snow on the ground. The Detroit Lakes area has over 200 miles of snowmobile trails that run through rolling prairie and secluded woodlands. There are connections with neighboring trails in all directions.
Brainerd
The snowmobile trails within Pillsbury State Forest are reported to be in very good condition, with a 5 inch groomed surface. The ski trails have a 9 inch groomed surface, and are in excellent condition. Local snow depth is approximately 16 inches. Nearby, the section of the Paul Bunyan State Snowmobile Trail running through Pequot Lakes is reported to be in very good condition, with a 4 inch groomed surface. Most trails in the area have been groomed at least once, and should be regroomed again this week.
Little Falls
Charles A. Lindbergh State Park currently offers very good conditions for cross-country skiing. The trails are groomed, with a 6 inch base. The park’s log cabin shelter building is open, with firewood available. Local snow depth is 19 inches.
Onamia
Mille Lacs Kathio State Park ski and snowmobile trails are groomed and in excellent condition, with a 6 inch base. Local snow depth is just over 1 foot. Ski and snowshoe rentals are available. Camper Cabin reservations can be made by calling 1-866-857-2757, or by logging on to the reservation website at
www.stayatmnparks.comOrrock (west of Zimmerman)
The Ann Lake Trail, running through the Sand Dunes State Forest, offers good conditions for both skiing and snowmobiling. The ski trail is partially groomed, with a 2 inch base. The snowmobile trail is groomed, with a 2-3 inch base. Roughly 10 inches of snow covers the ground.
Twin Cities Greater Metropolitan Vicinity
Monticello
Lake Maria State Park received 4 inches of new snow on December 30. All trails will be groomed on December 31, leaving very good conditions and a 2 inch base on 22 kilometers of traditional ski trails and 5 kilometers of skate ski trails. Ski-in cabins are also available–please call the state park reservation line at 1-866-857-2757 to reserve a cabin. The ground is covered in nearly 1 foot of snow.
Three Rivers Park District -Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Scott and Wright county parks
Packed and tracked trails, along with fair to good conditions for both traditional and skate skiing, can be found at Cleary Lake Regional Park in Prior Lake and Elm Creek Park Reserve in Maple Grove. Skate skiers will also find fair to good conditions at Baker Park Reserve in Maple Plain, French Regional Park in Plymouth, and Murphy-Hanrehan Park Reserve in Savage. Some of the other parks within the Three Rivers Park District have closed their ski trails due to icy conditions.
Jordan
The Minnesota Valley State Recreation Area offers both skiing and snowmobiling. The ski trails have 3 inch ungroomed surface, and conditions are reported to be fair. The snowmobile trails are groomed and in good condition, with a 2 inch base. Local snow depth is 10 inches.
Almelund (east of North Branch)
The ski trail system within Wild River State Park has been groomed and tracked, and conditions are reported to be very good to excellent. The trails have a 3 inch base. Just over 1 foot of snow is in the woods.
Marine On St. Croix (north of Stillwater)
The William O’Brien State Park ski trails are in fair to good condition, with a 3 inch groomed surface. Some areas are very icy, especially on the west-facing downhill slopes. Please use caution. The ground is covered with 8 inches of snow.
Afton (south of Hastings)
The ski trails at Afton State Park are partially groomed, with a 2 inch base. Most sections of the trail are in good condition, however some segments are very icy–please use caution. There is roughly 6 inches of snow on the ground within the park.
Southern Region
Hutchinson
The western portion of the Luce Line State Trail, running between McLeod County Line and the town of Cosmos, is listed in fair condition for snowmobiling. The trail is partially groomed, with a 3 inch base. Please note that there are many bare areas along the trail.
Nerstrand (south of Northfield)
Nerstrand State Park trails have a 6 inch groomed surface, and conditions are reported to be very good for both skiing and snowmobiling. There is 6-8 inches of snow on the ground.
Frontenac (south of Red Wing)
The Frontenac State Park ski and snowmobile trails have been groomed, but conditions are reported to be fair to poor, with icy patches. Both trails are covered in 1-2 inches of snow. Local snow depth is roughly 8 inches.
Waterville (southwest of Faribault)
Roughly 6-7 inches of snow covers the ground at Sakatah Lake State Park. The ski trails are in fair condition, with a 3 inch groomed surface. The snowmobile trails are reported to be in poor and icy condition. The Sakatah Singing Hills State Trail, which travels past Sakatah Lake State Park, has been down-graded to poor condition for skiing and snowmobiling due to an icy base.
Watson (northwest of Montevideo)
The ski trail running through Lac qui Parle State Park is in good condition, with a 6 inch groomed surface. The ground is covered with 9 inches of snow.
New London
Sibley State Park ski trails are groomed, and in good condition, with a 4-6 inch base. The snowmobile trails are in fair condition, with a 3-4 inch groomed surface. Eleven inches of snow covers the ground in this area. The sliding hill is snow covered, and in good condition. The heated trail center has a supply of wood for the fireplace. Towards the city of Willmar, the Glacial Lakes State Trail is in fair condition for snowmobiling, with a 1-2 inch groomed surface.
“The information in this report is provided courtesy of the Department of Natural Resources State Climatology Office and Explore Minnesota Tourism.”
