Explore Minnesota Winter Trail Conditions Report: March 13
In general, good to excellent cross-country ski and snowmobile trail conditions can still be found in certain areas within the northern one-half of the state. Many trails in the southern one-half of Minnesota have now been closed due to a lack of snow. Warm temperatures are in the forecast for the entire state for the next few days. Trail conditions can change rapidly–please call ahead for the most current conditions.
Please be aware that snowmobiles with studs are not allowed on most paved state and public trails. Also, all snowmobiles must obtain a $16 trail use permit. 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
www.dnr.state.mn.us/licenses/agents.htmlNortheastern Region
International Falls/Voyageurs National Park
The Tilson Creek Ski Trail within Koochiching State Forest is fully groomed and in excellent condition. The trail base is averaging 5 inches. Please note that the east side of the red loop will be closed until the forestry sale is complete. Area land-based snowmobile trails are in excellent condition, with a 12-24 inch base. Snow depth is roughly 16 inches in this area. All snowmobile trails within Voyageurs National Park, except for the Chain of Lakes Trail, are open and staked. Hard-packed snow drifts remain on some sections of the groomed park trails. Extreme caution should be used on ungroomed sections of lake trails and immediately adjacent to the groomed trails due to hard-packed snow drifts. Travel off staked snowmobile trails is not recommended, with recent accidents with injuries due to travel off the staked trails. Land-based ski and snowshoe trails are open and in excellent condition. The Rainy Lake ice road is open to just west of Diamond Island.
Grand Rapids
The Cow Horn and River Road ski trails, running through the Golden Anniversary State Forest, are reported to be in poor condition, with many bare areas. Just to the north, the Taconite State Trail is reported to be in poor condition for snowmobiling, with a 0-2 inch base. Nearby, within Scenic State Park, the ski trails are in fair condition, with a 4 inch groomed surface. The snowmobile trails are in poor condition, with a 2 inch base. Local snow depth is 7-8 inches.
NW of Hibbing
The snowmobile trails running through George Washington State Forest are in poor condition, with a 0-2 inch base. Recent warm, sunny days have led to many bare areas, especially at the corners and in the high use areas. The Thistledew Ski Trail running through George Washington State Forest is groomed and in poor condition, with a 0-4 inch base. Approximately 8 inches of snow covers the ground in this area.
Tower
The Arrowhead State Trail is fully groomed for snowmobiling. This trail is reported to be in fair condition overall, with a 1-3 inch base. The Putnam and Fishing Lakes snowmobile trails running through the nearby Bear Island State Forest are groomed and in fair condition. Please note that more bare areas are appearing on both trails due to a lack of snow, exposure to sunshine, and general wear and tear. These trails may be icy or rough in certain areas. Please ride with caution. A total of 16-18 inches of snow covers the ground in this area.
Ely
Approximately 2 inches of new snow fell March 12, resulting in snow depth measuring roughly 14 inches. Warm temperatures remain in the forecast, which will likely impact trail conditions. Groomers will hit the trails prior to the weekend if weather conditions allow. Area snowmobile trails are in fair to good condition, with a 2-5 inch groomed surface. Please be aware that sections of the trails that are exposed to sunlight are becoming thin, and snowmobilers should watch for occasional protruding rocks, especially along the Taconite, Taconite Spur, Stony Spur and Tomahawk trails. Most area lake trails are staked and remain in good condition, however stakes have been removed from Bear Island Lake. Please follow the staked trails when choosing lake travel. Area cross-country ski trails, including the Birch Lake Plantation, Trezona, Hidden Valley and connecting trails, are in good to very good condition overall, with a 4-6 inch groomed surface. Most user-tracked trails remain in fair to good condition. Within nearby Bear Head Lake State Park, the ski trails are groomed, and in excellent condition, with a 5 inch base. The snowmobile trails are in good condition, with a 3 inch groomed surface. Local snow depth is 15 inches.
Grand Marais/Gunflint Trail
At the city of Grand Marais, all cross-country ski and snowmobile trails are reported to be in very good to excellent condition. The trails have an 18-24 inch base, and grooming continues. Up the Gunflint Trail, the Pincushion Mountain cross-country ski trails are in very good spring condition for classic and skate skiing. The trail base is averaging 12-16 inches. Area snow depth is 30-36 inches.
N of Lutsen
Cascade River State Park is covered in 15 inches of snow. The ski and snowmobile trails have a 7 inch groomed surface, and both are listed in fair condition. Further south, the ski and snowmobile trails running through Tettegouche State Park are now in poor condition due to recent warm temperatures.
Two Harbors
Gooseberry Falls State Park currently has 1 foot of snow on the ground. The snowmobile trails have a 4 inch groomed surface, and are reported to be in fair condition. The ski trails have become very fast and icy, and are considered to be in poor condition. The waterfalls have many beautiful ice formations, and wildlife sightings are common–skiers report a lot of wolf tracks are being observed on the ski trails. Please note that the steps are still very slippery.
Duluth/Grand Marais
The North Shore State Snowmobile Trail, running from Duluth to Grand Marais, has been fully groomed. The base is 2-7 inches deep, and conditions are reported to be fair, however trail conditions will vary. Expect some bare spots and exposed rocks along the southern section of the trail–please use caution while riding.
Carlton
Most sections of the Willard Munger State Trail are reported to be in fair to good condition for snowmobiling, with a 2-4 inch groomed surface. The section of the Munger Trail located within Chengwatana State Forest is listed in poor to fair condition, with a 0-2 inch ungroomed surface. Expect some portions of the trail to be either very icy or have exposed ground, with many bare spots appearing on the corners and less sheltered sections. More snow is needed before grooming will resume. Just to the west, the ski trails running through Fond du Lac State Forest are groomed, and in very good condition, with a 6-8 inch base. Please note that there is logging activity north of Roger’s Lake. The snowmobile trail has been groomed, and conditions are reported to be good. Some corners may be icy. At nearby Jay Cooke State Park, the ski trails are in poor condition. The snowmobile trails are in fair condition, with a 6 inch groomed surface. Please note that recent warm temperatures have resulted in some very icy sections of trail. Please use caution, especially on the hills. Local snow depth is 8-13 inches.
Sandstone
Banning State Park currently offers fair conditions for skiing and snowmobiling. The snowmobile trails are partially groomed, with a 3 inch base. The ski trails are fully groomed, and have a 5 inch base. Eleven inches of snow covers the ground in this area.
E of Hinckley
The St. Croix State Park snowmobile trails have a 4 inch groomed surface, are reported to be in fair to good condition. The ski trails are very icy and in poor condition. A lot of deer activity is being noted on the ski trails, and a warming house is available. Roughly 13 inches of snow covers the ground in this area.
Northcentral/West Region
NW of Thief River Falls
Old Mill State Park is covered in 1 foot of snow. The ski trails are in excellent condition, with a 4 inch base. The snowmobile trails have a 2 inch base, and are reported to be in fair condition. Both trails were recently groomed. The sliding hill is also open.
Bemidji
The nearby Bemidji-Itasca State Trail is reported to be in poor to fair condition for snowmobiling, with a 0-1 inch groomed surface. The ice covering area rivers is unsafe. Also watch for timber harvest and pipeline work adjacent to or on the trail. Local snow depth is 4-8 inches.
Moorhead
The ski trails at Buffalo River State Park are ungroomed and in poor condition, with a 5 inch base. The snowmobile trails have been closed due to a lack of snow.
Outing
The Washburn Lake Ski Trail running through Land O’ Lakes State Forest has a 5 inch groomed surface, however conditions are reported to be poor to fair, and very icy. Only the 7-mile northern segment has been groomed this winter. One foot of snow covers the ground in this area.
N of Brainerd
The Paul Bunyan State Trail is reported to be in poor to fair condition for snowmobiling, with very ice and bumpy sections. The snowmobile trails running through nearby Pillsbury State Forest are also in poor condition. The ski trails are in fair condition, with a 3-4 inch base. Local snow depth is 8 inches.
Little Falls
The cross-country ski trails at Charles A. Lindbergh State Park have a 2 inch groomed surface, however they are in poor condition due to deteriorating tracks. Local snow depth is 7 inches. Bald eagles, deer, grey fox and pileated woodpeckers were recently observed in the woods.
Twin Cities Greater Metropolitan Vicinity
West Metro vicinity/Three Rivers Park District
Most parks with cross-country ski trails within the Three Rivers Park District still have packed and tracked trails. At present, fair to good conditions can be found along the skate ski trails at Baker Park Reserve in Maple Plain, Carver Park Reserve in Victoria, Cleary Lake Regional Park in Prior Lake, Elm Creek Park Reserve in Dayton, Hyland Lake Park Reserve in Bloomington, and Murphy-Hanrehan Park Reserve in Savage. Fair conditions can be found along the traditional ski trails at Baker, Carver and Elm Creek park reserves. Please note that conditions can change daily. Skiers are asked to call ahead for the most current conditions, and to confirm days and hours of operation, at 763/559-6778.
E of North Branch
Wild River State Park ski trails have been officially closed to skiing. Hikers are now allowed on these trails.
N of Stillwater
The ski trails at William O’Brien State Park have been closed, and hikers are now allowed on these trails.
N of Hastings
Afton State Park ski trails are in poor condition overall, and have now been closed to skiing.
Southern Region
S of Red Wing
Frontenac State Park ski trails are icy and in poor condition, with a base measuring less than 1 inch. The snowmobile trails have been closed due to a lack of snow. Local snow depth is roughly 0-2 inches.
Preston
Forestville/Mystery Cave State Park snowmobile trails are reported to be in poor condition, with a 1-6 inch ungroomed surface. The ski trails are in fair condition in the forested areas, with a 2-5 inch partially groomed surface. Area snow depth ranges from 0-11 inches.
Faribault/Mankato
The Sakatah Singing Hills State Trail has been closed to skiing and snowmobiling due to a lack of snow. At nearby Minneopa State Park, the ski trails are icy and in poor condition. Snowmobiling is no longer allowed on trails within the park.
New Ulm
Flandrau State Park ski trails are in poor condition, with 1/2 inch groomed surface.
Willmar
The Glacial Lakes State Trail has been closed due to a lack of snow.
“The information in this report is provided courtesy of the Department of Natural Resources State Climatology Office and Explore Minnesota Tourism.”
