North Shore Snowmobile Trails Guide

Short answer: The main snowmobile route on Minnesota's North Shore is the C.J. Ramstad/North Shore State Trail. The Minnesota DNR says it runs 142 miles from Duluth to Grand Marais through St. Louis, Lake and Cook counties. Club trails around Grand Marais and up the Gunflint Trail connect to it. To ride Minnesota's state and grant-in-aid trails, the snowmobile must be registered for trail use. When snow allows, grant-in-aid trails are open December 1 through March 31. Check the DNR snow depth and groomed trail conditions page before you go.

Trail conditions change by the day. A groomed trail in the morning can be drifted over by night. Treat every report as a snapshot.

Quick facts

North Shore State Trail

The DNR describes the C.J. Ramstad/North Shore State Trail as a natural surface trail that winds through forest on the ridgeline above Lake Superior. Most of it is remote. The DNR says there are few roads and many river crossings. Snowmobilers will find hundreds of miles of groomed trail, and the state trail connects with many club trails and communities.

The DNR lists four trail segment maps: Duluth to Britton Pit, Britton Pit to Finland State Forest, Finland State Forest to Sawbill Trail, and Sawbill Trail to Grand Marais. It also lists parking areas, including Martin Road at the northern edge of Duluth, Alger Grade (9 miles north of Two Harbors on County Road 2), and a lot 7 miles west of Silver Bay.

Visit Cook County gives the length as 146 miles. We use the DNR figure of 142 miles. Either way, plan for a long day.

The DNR says to take a map, GPS or compass, a cell phone, extra food, clothing and water. Share your itinerary with someone.

Arrowhead State Trail

The Arrowhead is not on the Lake Superior shore. The DNR places it inland. The 135-mile David Dill/Arrowhead State Trail starts 10 miles west of Tower, at the Taconite State Trail, and ends at Ericsburg, 10 miles south of International Falls. The DNR says it was developed mainly for winter use and is used mostly for snowmobiling.

Riders often pair it with a North Shore trip, but it is a separate drive. We do not give a drive time because we have no source for one. The DNR page lists an interactive snowmobile trail map and two segment maps.

Gunflint Trail area

The Gunflint Trail area site describes 125 miles of forested trail maintained by a local snowmobile club. It says the trails run through the Superior National Forest and connect to the North Shore State Trail and to other systems, including Grand Portage and Ontario trails. It says trails branch north of Devil Track Lake toward Saganaga.

That site also says the Gunflint Trail averages 100 to 110 inches of snow a year. That is the site's own claim. Snow still varies by winter.

Cell coverage is very limited, the same site warns. Carry a paper map.

Visit Cook County says trails here cross private and public land and are managed by local clubs with the DNR Grant-in-Aid program. It says grooming happens weekly on most trails and more often as needed. Stay on the marked trail. The DNR says trespassing can lead to trail closure.

Season and grooming

The DNR says grant-in-aid trails are open December 1 through March 31, when snow conditions allow. They close April 1 regardless of snow. State trails stay open after April 1 on public land as conditions allow. Early and late in the season, conditions change fast.

The DNR snow depth page says snowmobile trails are typically groomed once there are 10 inches of snow or more. Its table lists Northeast Minnesota groomed locations with an update date. The map is updated on Thursday or Friday.

Visit Cook County also keeps a snowmobile trail conditions page for the county. Use both, and compare the dates.

Registration and trail pass

Minnesota requires a current registration on snowmobiles. The DNR says you do not need a title. A sled can be registered for trail use or non-trail use. The DNR lists the trail use fee at $113.50 for 3 years, including unlimited use of the state and grant-in-aid trails. The non-trail use fee is $53.50 for 3 years, and that sled may not be ridden on a state or grant-in-aid trail.

A sled not registered in Minnesota needs a state trail pass to ride those trails. The DNR lists it at $51.00, valid November 1 through June 30. Riding without one means buying an annual penalty pass at $71.00, plus any ticket or fine.

Fees change. Confirm them on the DNR registration page before you buy.

Lake crossing caution

The DNR snowmobile safety page says it is safest to avoid riding on lakes and rivers. If you must, it says to wear a life jacket over your outer clothing, stay on the marked trail, and stay off ice with moving water near or under it.

The Minnesota DNR general ice thickness guidelines are for new, clear ice only. They say to stay off ice under 4 inches. They list 4 inches for activity on foot and 5 to 7 inches for a snowmobile or small ATV. They say to double the thickness for white ice, which is about half as strong. Ice can be two feet thick in one place and one inch thick a few yards away. Wind, snow, streams, narrow areas and sun all change ice strength. The DNR says it does not measure ice thickness on Minnesota lakes.

No ice is ever 100% safe. Check it yourself.

Lake Superior itself is a different matter. We have no source with a safe-thickness figure for it, so we give none. Stay on the land trail.

Ride safe

• Do not drink and ride. The DNR says alcohol is a factor in over 60% of fatal snowmobile accidents in Minnesota.
• Never ride alone.
• Keep night speed under 40 mph, per the DNR.
• Stay to the far right. Almost every trail is two way.
• Wear a DOT helmet and facemask.
• Pack water, food, tools, layers and a first aid kit.
• Tell someone your route and return time.

FAQ

Do I need a trail pass for the North Shore State Trail?

The DNR says snowmobiles must be registered or have a snowmobile state trail sticker, and no other fees or passes are required to use the trail. A Minnesota sled needs a trail use registration. A sled from out of state needs the state trail pass.

How long is the North Shore State Trail?

The DNR says 142 miles, from Duluth to Grand Marais. Visit Cook County says 146. We follow the DNR.

When does the Minnesota snowmobile season start?

The DNR says grant-in-aid trails are open December 1 through March 31 when snow conditions allow. Grooming typically begins at 10 inches of snow, so the real opening depends on the winter.

Is the Arrowhead State Trail on the North Shore?

No. The DNR places it between Tower and International Falls. It is a separate trail from the North Shore State Trail.

Is it safe to ride across lakes?

The DNR says it is safest to avoid lakes and rivers. For new, clear ice the DNR lists 5 to 7 inches for a snowmobile, and double for white ice. No ice is ever 100% safe. Check it yourself.