North Shore Snowmobiling Minnesota Snowmobile Trails Maps Trail and Snow Reports

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TRAIL REPORTS
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New reports for 2012 season... newest to oldest with archives a click away.

February 3, 2012 On Monday 1/30/12 I rode the Expressway trail from Devil Track Lodge to Trail Center. Trail was in GREAT shape, and I ran across the groomer both ways. The Gunflint trail was rough, so I took the Expressway back down to Devil Track, and then hopped on the North Shore State Trail down to the Trestle Inn. Conditions were VERY GOOD, and I ran across the groomer on the State trail too. Logging road #166 over to the Trestle Inn was GREAT........cruised along without a bump to be found. The Hickory Burger at the Trestle was great as well. Good conditions are plentiful in the Grand Marais area.........plenty of snow, and plenty of GREAT riding! Come on up and enjoy plenty of Winter on the North Shore! Report by Dan T. - Houston, Texas. Send your report to us!

January 31, 2012 Conditions are the best they have been all year. We received about 2” of new snow yesterday morning and we had another dusting this morning. The groomers have been out. The Gunflint, Expressway, Clearwater Spur, and Hungry Jack Spur have been groomed within the last day. I have a few sledders in right now that said the trails overall are in pretty decent shape. Current snow levels are around 18”+ in the mid Gunflint Trail area. Pic below of groomer going past the Lodge and across Hungry Jack Lake about 11am this morning. Temps are mild right around 30 degrees here right now it looks like it will be around 30 for a high for the next couple of days, lows will be around 20 or the upper teens. Great weather for riding. We still have openings throughout the winter. Our Restaurant and Bar is open Daily. Remember we have a 24 hour gas pump which takes cash or credit. We only offer 91 Non-Oxygenated Fuel. Report by Forrest - Hungry Jack Lodge Gunflint Trail, Minnesota. Send your report to us!

Snowmobile Trail Groomer Cook County Minnnesota Gunflint Trail Grand Marais
[ Snowmobile trail groomer going past Hungry Jack Lodge and across Hungry Jack Lake. ]

January 29, 2012 Our group rode from the Devil Track Lake / Old Cook County Airport Trailhead on 01-27-2012 to the Grand Portage Hotel & Casino. The Gunflint Trail was well groomed and had good snow coverage. The Forest Road that connects the Gunflint Snowmobile Trail System to the Grand Portage Snowmobile Trail System is very hard packed for about the first 10 miles, but continues to improve as you get deeper inland. Once on the Grand Portage Snowmobile Trail System the trails were very well groomed. We saw the groomers out in the mid morning of the 27th. The trails that go to the Pigeon River overlook and the falls are in very good condition as are the trails that go up to the old fire tower. When you get about a mile from Highway 61 the snow coverage is fair, changing to poor when you get near the Hotel & Casino. The good conditions inland make the trip well worth it though! The Cook County Snowmobile Club and Grand Portage groomers have really made the trails great with the limited snow this year. Report by Aron L. - St.Paul, Minnesota. Send your report to us!

January 29, 2012 We trailered to Devil Track Lake and rode the expressway to trail Center and Hungry Jack Lodge. The whole trail system has plenty of snow and was groomed but still needs more snow to cover some of the brush in the trail. We rode about 150 miles on Jan 26-27 and never saw one sled and I would rate the trails around the area about a 7 out of 10. The new Hungry Jack Lodge really turned out nice. I would recommend staying at Hungry Jack Lodge or Devils Track Lodge and you can ride a lot right from those areas without having to trailer to a lot as of Jan 29. Report by Barry B. - Elk River, Minnesota. Send your report to us!

January 27, 2012 We have had sledders in all day today saying the trails are looking really good, everyone seems very happy after getting the 4-6 inches of new snow over the last few days. We have had many people going from Devil Track Lake up to Trail Center and Hungry Jack Lodge as well as folks heading up to Grand Portage. More light snowfall tonight so things are looking and sounding really good. Report by Michelle Kizzek - Devil Track General Store, Devil Track Lake. Send your report to us!

January 27, 2012 The snow fall over the past weekend has really improved the snowmobiling conditions along the Gunflint Trail. Just about the entire trail system has been groomed. The groomers have been out the last 4 days grooming the trails. Overall reports from snowmobilers that have been stopping by, have been positive. There are still a few sections that are bumpy but overall things are really shaping up. We have some light snow forecasted for the next couple of days but it does not sound like anything significant. Snow levels vary a little bit along the Gunflint Trail from about 14” to 18” depending upon where you are at. The trails have about a 8”-10”+ packed base. Temps yesterday were around 30 and overcast, it was 14 here this morning at about 6 am. Todays high is supposed to be in the high 20s. Our first riders of the day just pulled in for some lunch. Report by Forrest - Hungry Jack Lodge Gunflint Trail, Minnesota. Send your report to us!

January 24, 2012 Good Morning!! Well things are finally starting to pile up. We received about 4”+ yesterday of new snow. We also had some accumulation over the weekend as well. We have about 14”to 18” on the ground. We finally have enough cover for the groomers to work with. All 3 of the Cook County Snowmobile Club Groomers are out today. Report by Forrest - Hungry Jack Lodge Gunflint Trail, Minnesota. Send your report to us!

January 14, 2012 We are receiving some light snow currently. We did have about 2” of fresh snow two days ago. It has been around zero the last two nights. Snowmobile trail conditions are still rideable but more snow is definitely needed to get the groomers out. Current snow levels are right around 12” here at the mid-trail area. Lake Trout Season opened up outside the BWCA today. So far the reports I have been hearing, it sounds like it has been pretty successful so far. Report by Forrest - Hungry Jack Lodge Gunflint Trail, Minnesota. Send your report to us!

January 4, 2012 Trails are being prepared for this season. Snow is starting to add up. Eager snowmobilers are using trails and lakes along North Shore. Counted over 45 sleds in operation today in Grand Marais, Gunflint Trail and Lutsen areas. Marginal conditions on many trails, but lakes are so incredible. Make sure the lake you use is safe before going on ice. Plenty of people up for New Years and icefishing... Check out our suggested trailheads and routes below. Report by Chad Jones / Editor snowmobiletrails.com - Grand Marais, Minnesota. Send your report to us!

January 3, 2012 We had snowmobilers through over the weekend and some yesterday. We did receive a little bit more snow since my last report maybe 1”-2” kind of hard to tell since it was so windy. Some of the trails have been groomed, we could definitely use more snow to help our groomers do a better job on the trails. There have been reports that the Expressway is in 'ok' shape as well as the GTrail up to the Mid-Gunflint Trail area. Overall conditions are rideable but more snow would definitely make a great improvement. Report by Forrest - Hungry Jack Lodge Gunflint Trail, Minnesota. Send your report to us!

December 15, 2011 Well winter is trying to get going. We have currently about 4”-6” of snow on the ground here at the lodge. It is still lightly snowing. I did also go out and check the thickness of the ice. I drilled 6 holes and did not find anything less than about 8” or so. Let’s hope that old man winter can send some our way. Report by Forrest - Hungry Jack Lodge Gunflint Trail, Minnesota. Send your report to us!

To see more trail reports; go to our archived trail reports.

TRAILHEADS - WHERE TO LAUNCH

OPTION A - South Brule River Trailhead east towards Grand Portage 15 miles up the Gunflint Trail / County Road 12 from downtown Grand Marais and Lake Superior. This is an inland trailhead. On the right hand side immediately after the South Brule River bridge is a large unmarked parking lot and snowmobile trail heading north out of parking area to main junction, then right / east towards Grand Portage. Please only park on one side of the Gunflint Trail / County Road 12 if parking lot is full. For dining and lodging go to Grand Marais or up the Gunflint Trail / County Road 12 would be best. Try this one, one day and the one below the next... Get both maps needed for this route; Gunflint Trail Map and Grand Portage Snowmobile Trail Map. From the parking area to Grand Portage Lodge / Casino about 47 miles one way. Fuel, food and lodging available in Grand Portage. Minnesota State Snowmobile Trail Permit is needed for these trails except the Grand Portage Native Lands.

OPTION B - South Brule River Trailhead south towards Devil Track Lake 15 miles up the Gunflint Trail / County Road 12 from downtown Grand Marais and Lake Superior. This is an inland trailhead. On the right hand side immediately after the South Brule River bridge is a large unmarked parking lot and snowmobile trail heading north out of parking area to main junction, go left / south over pavement of Gunflint Trail / County Road 12 and onto the Devil Track Lake area via the Gunflint Snowmobile Trail. Please only park on one side of the Gunflint Trail / County Road 12 if parking lot is full. You can also try the Musquash Trail to connect to the Expressway, which will hit the west end of Devil Track Lake. Devil Track Lodge / The Landing Restaurant has lunch and dinner on the east end of Devil Track Lake. Some days not open until 4pm, call 218.387.9414. Or check out the dining and lodging Grand Marais. Get map needed for this route; Gunflint Trail Map. From the parking area to Devil Track Lake about 11 miles one way. Food and lodging available on Devil Track Lake. Minnesota State Snowmobile Trail Permit is needed for these trails.

OPTION C - Devil Track Lake / Old Cook County Airport Trailhead From downtown Grand Marais find Gunflint Trail / County Road 12 located off of HWY 61 near east end of town next to Chevy dealer. This is an inland trailhead. Go 4 miles up the Gunflint Trail / County Road 12 from downtown Grand Marais, turn left / west at County Road 8 / Devil Track Road and go 3.5 miles to Devil Track General Store, then it is only 1/4 mile to Sky Port Lane / Devil Track Lodge sign, turn left here and go 1/4 mile to old airport runway parking area on right. There are two choices for trail access here. One is lake surface to trail junctions or sled back to Devil Track General Store along roadway to spur trail leading to G Trail. ( You just passed it right before you turned onto Sky Port Lane.) Access lake surface right next to "The Landing Restaurant" part of Devil Track Resort, there is a beaten trail right down to lake, [ use caution as you go thru backyard of resort and around docks near lakeshore ]. This trail takes you to a marked lake surface trail junction, you now have two options; west or southeast. Going west across lake 6 miles to Expressway Trail junction, and onto the trails west towards Lutsen via North Shore State Trail or north on Expressway Trail to the Gunflint Snowmobile Trail System. If you go left / southeast at lake surface junction, lake surface trail takes you to the Gunflint Snowmobile Trail System. From there you go north to Mid-Gunflint Trail, Musquash Trail, Swamper Trail, Grand Portage Trails or the upper Gunflint System. Read story and see images about this trailhead and trails. Devil Track Lodge / The Landing Restaurant has lunch and dinner on the east end of Devil Track Lake. Some days not open until 4pm, call 218.387.9414. Or check out the dining and lodging Grand Marais. Minnesota State Snowmobile Trail Permit is needed for these trails.

If you go southeast you'll need the; Gunflint Trail Map and Upper Gunflint Trail System Map. From the parking area to Mid-Gunflint Trail / Poplar Lake / Hungry Jack Lake about 25 miles one way. Food, fuel and lodging available on Poplar Lake, lodging and fuel available on Hungry Jack Lake. From Mid-Gunflint Trail area to Gunflint Lake add 16 miles one way. Food, Fuel and lodging is available on Gunflint Lake. Add another 14 miles one way to the end of the Gunflint Snowmobile Trail near Sag Lake. Minnesota State Snowmobile Trail Permit is needed for these trails.

If you go west you'll need the; Central North Shore Area Map. From the parking area to North Shore State Trail about 8 miles one way. About another 12 miles to downtown Lutsen via Lutsen Access Trail for Food, fuel and lodging. Take Mountain Access off of Lutsen Access Trail to food and lodging on the Lutsen Ski Hill area. Minnesota State Snowmobile Snowmobile Trail Permit is needed for these trails.

OPTION D - Mineral Center / Grand Portage Trailhead Take Hwy 61 through Grand Marais 30 miles to left turn onto County Road 17 then about 5 miles to trailhead on left side of road. This is an inland trailhead. Use caution - road is rough, there are large frost heaves, you will go airborne if you drive too fast or don't pay attention. This trailhead is marked "Trail Center," on the Grand Portage Snowmobile Trail Map, we call it "Mineral Center Trailhead" so it is not confused with Trail Center area on the Gunflint Trail / County Road 12. Large parking area and trail signs. I suggest using the trails east / west or north out of parking area. Food, fuel and lodging available in Grand Portage off HWY 61 and near Lake Superior. Outpost Motel is on Hwy 61 and you'll drive right by it 8 miles after Grand Marais at mile marker 118. See all lodging options. Get Grand Portage Snowmobile Trail Map. From Mineral Center parking to Grand Portage is about 5 miles one way. Another twist to this area is Option L below, starting at the Grand Portage Lodge and Casino trailhead and parking. Fuel and food is available in Grand Portage by driving about a mile further on HWY 61 from the Mineral Center Road. Read story and see images about this trailhead and trails. Minnesota State Snowmobile Trail Permit is NOT needed for trails on Grand Portage Native Lands.

OPTION E - Otter Lake Road Trailhead Take Hwy 61 through Grand Marais 18 miles to left turn onto Arrowhead Trail / County Road 16, then 10 miles to unmarked Parking Lot / Trailhead at intersection of Arrowhead Trail / County Road 16 and Otter Lake Road. This is an inland trailhead. Large parking area and trail signs, with trails going west towards Gunflint Snowmobile Trail System via Esther Lake Forest Road and east towards Grand Portage Snowmobile Trail System. Please only park on one side of the Arrowhead Trail / County Road 16 if parking lot is full. For dining; the Grand Portage Lodge has good food. For lodging the Grand Portage Lodge / Casino has rooms, or the Outpost Motel is on Hwy 61 and you'll drive right by it 8 miles after Grand Marais at mile marker 118. See all lodging options. Get Grand Portage Snowmobile Trail Map for trails going east from parking. Get map for going west; Gunflint Trail Map. Dining and lodging in Grand Marais. About 20 miles to Grand Portage one way and about 20 miles one way east to the Gunflint Snowmobile Trail System. Closest food and fuel is in Grand Portage. Minnesota State Snowmobile Trail Permit is NOT needed for trails on Grand Portage Native Lands.

OPTION F - South Brule River Trailhead north towards upper Gunflint Snowmobile Trail System 15 miles up the Gunflint Trail / County Road 12 from downtown Grand Marais and Lake Superior. This is an inland trailhead. On the right hand side immediately after the South Brule River bridge is a large unmarked parking lot and snowmobile trail heading north out of parking area to main junction, go left / south over pavement of Gunflint Trail / County Road 12 and onto the "G" Trail south towards Devil Track Lake area, or go north on "G" Trail or Swamper Trail. Please only park on one side of the Gunflint Trail / County Road 12 if parking lot is full. You can also try the Mushquash Trail to connect to the Expressway, then go north or south. Many choices for dining; south to Devil Track Lake, you can try the Landing Restaurant at Devil Track Lodge, some days not open until 4pm, call 218.387.9414. or if you go north you can try Trail Center Lodge, varied hours call 218.388.2214. There is a lounge and Bistro with large menu @Gunflint Lodge or Gunflint Pines Resort, both on the south side of Gunflint Lake, has a nice burger and pizza type menu. Or check out dining Gunflint Trail. Get map needed for this route; Gunflint Trail Map. Food, fuel and lodging available on Poplar Lake, lodging and fuel available on Hungry Jack Lake. From Mid-Gunflint Trail area to Gunflint Lake add 16 miles one way. Food, Fuel and lodging is available on Gunflint Lake. Add another 14 miles one way to the end of the Gunflint Snowmobile Trail near Sag Lake. Minnesota State Snowmobile Trail Permit is needed for these trails.

OPTION G - Ontario Canada from Gunflint Lake This trip takes some advance planning, but is a great ride. 45 miles up the Gunflint Trail / County Road 12 from downtown Grand Marais and Lake Superior. This is an inland trailhead. Turn right on South Gunflint Lake Road / County Road 50 and travel one half mile to left turn into Public Water Access. Entrance to Ontario Snowmobile Trail System is half way down lake on north side. Trail takes you to Northern Light Resort, they have fuel and food and then onto Kashabowie, they also have fuel and food. From there you can stay overnight, travel on to Atikokan or head back to Gunflint Lake. Gunflint Lake to Kashabowie is 63 miles. Kashabowie to Atikokan is 81 miles. Atikokan is a full service town. Special border requirements apply. Check out permit info before riding into Canada, a OFSC trail permit is required. This route is part of the Circle Tour of the Boundary Waters and Quetico. Read story and see images of this incredible snowmobile journey. You must also possess a RABC Permit to enter Canada remotely, there are no stations on this route to stop and physically check-in at.

OPTION H - Silver Bay up the shore towards Grand Marais 55 miles up the North Shore Drive from Duluth, on the lakeside a few minutes after Silver Bay, stay / park at Silver Bay AmericInn. This is a trailhead close to Lake Superior and can be affected by rain and/or sun melting snow. May have to use trailhead inland, call lodging to confirm spur trail is useable. Spur Trail right out of parking area to State Trail System. Go east / right onto State Trail System. You'll need two maps you can download from our maps page, the Central North Shore Area Map has Silver Bay and east to the Cook County / Grand Marais Lower Gunflint Trail and connection to State Trail and Gunflint Trail System. You can also pick-up good printed maps at many places on the North Shore; Holiday, SuperAmerica, visitor centers, etc... Silver Bay lodging and dining. This route is about 93 miles one way. Food, fuel and lodging available in the Silver Bay area, Tofte, Lutsen area or in downtown Grand Marais. If you're looking for a long day ride this is a great route, this is our favorite one. We start in Grand Marais and ride to the AmericInn Silver Bay... they have a pool and waterslide, very nice after a day on the trail. Don't forget the swimsuit! Minnesota State Snowmobile Trail Permit is needed for these trails.

OPTION I - Starting in / near Two Harbors 23 miles up the North Shore Drive / HWY 61 from Duluth is Two Harbors. This is a trailhead close to Lake Superior and can be affected by rain and/or sun melting snow. May have to use trailhead inland, call lodging to confirm spur trail is useable. Go through downtown and take left / north turn onto County Road 2, drive north on CR 2 about 8 1/2 miles to parking and State Trail System access or ride the 9.6 mile Two Harbors Corridor Trail, which has a trailhead and parking just east of town on Hwy 61. Trail takes the rider from town to the State Trail. From there you have many trails to choose from. We suggest staying at the Two Harbors AmericInn, they welcome Sledders and have a trail leaving the parking lot to the spur trail and onto the North Shore State Trail System. You can also pick-up good printed maps at many places on the North Shore; Holiday, SuperAmerica, visitor centers, etc... Two Harbors lodging and dining. Food and fuel available in many places in Two Harbors. Minnesota State Snowmobile Trail Permit is needed for these trails.

OPTION J - Starting in downtown Grand Marais, Minnesota From Duluth travel HWY 61 east 110 miles or from Thunder Bay, Ontario travel HWY 61 70 miles to downtown Grand Marais. This is a trailhead close to Lake Superior and can be affected by rain and/or sun melting snow. May have to use trailhead inland, call lodging to confirm spur trail is useable. The 5.5 mile spur to the North Shore State Trail starts from downtown, head east on your sled to the Gunflint Trail / County Road 12 / HWY 61 intersection, 1/3 mile from stop lights. Spur trail is on the east / right hand side of Gunflint Trail / County Road 12 and goes 5.5 miles north . You can also pick-up good printed maps at many places in Grand Marais; Holiday, SuperAmerica, Grand Marais Visitor Center, etc... Grand Marais is a small town that rolls up the sidewalks pretty early... plan your dinner before 8pm; after 8 we suggest The Birch Terrace across from the Rec. Park off of 7th Ave W and HWY 61, The Birch Terrace Lounge has a late night pizza and full beverage menu, and they support snowmobiling... Get map needed for this route; Gunflint Trail Map and Upper Gunflint Trail System Map. Or if you're going down the shore you'll need: the Central North Shore Area Map has Silver Bay and east to the Cook County / Grand Marais Lower Gunflint Trail and connection to State Trail and Gunflint Trail System. Minnesota State Snowmobile Trail Permit is needed for these trails.

OPTION K - Snowmobile / Ski / Snowboard - Starting from Lutsen Mountains Ski Hill Area This is an inland trailhead. Great place to stay and play if some of your party would like to ski or snowboard while others snowmobile. If you are only using the Ski Hill Road area as a trailhead or if you have a large trailer please use the large gravel parking area about a mile and half up the Ski Hill Road / County Road 5, turn right / east after the Mountain Inn. This parking lot fills on weekends. If you only have a small trailer and are staying on the Ski Hill you may be able to park at your lodging establishment. From the parking area or any lodging establishment head south / down the Ski Hill Road to the Mountain Access Spur which will be on the left side of the Ski Hill Road as you go downhill. This spur will take you to the Lutsen Access Spur, which will take you to fuel / food / coffee shop if you go right to Lutsen. Once in Lutsen you can pick-up the Fox Trail from the fuel station. If you go left on the Lutsen Access Spur it will take you to the North Shore State Snowmobile Trail or to the Caribou or Beaver Trails. There are many great places to dine and relax on / near the Lutsen Ski Hill. Papa Charlie's or Moguls Grille and Tap Room in Caribou Highlands Resort are our favorite places to dine and watch live entertainment. Moguls is 1 1/2 miles up the Ski Hill Road on the left / slope side. The Cook County Snowmobile Club map has the Ski Hill Road / County Road 5 mismarked as County Road 36. Read story and see images about this trailhead and trails. Minnesota State Snowmobile Trail Permit is needed for these trails.

OPTION L - Grand Portage Lodge and Casino Trailhead Take Hwy 61 through Grand Marais 31 miles to right turn to Grand Portage Lodge / Casino / Trading Post. This is a trailhead close to Lake Superior and can be affected by rain and/or sun melting snow. May have to use Mineral Center Trailhead inland, call lodge to confirm spur trail is useable. Notice: fuel is quite a bit cheaper here. Parking and launch is down in the larger back lot of the Lodge / Casino. Trail proceeds north out of the northwest corner of the parking area. Area is under video surveillance. Lodging, food and fuel is available here. The restaurant in the lodge has good food, especially after a day of sledding! See Grand Marais lodging options. Get Grand Portage Snowmobile Trail Map. As of Jan 16th, 2010; there is no longer a ramp to unload your sled from your pick-up. The trail is in bad shape from the parking area to the main trail system. Too many trails that are also roads are plowed, including the Cowboy Loop and the Rengo Road. We recommend using the Mineral Center Trailhead, Option D above, starting at Mineral Center trailhead and parking, which is about 5 miles one way from the Grand Portage Lodge and Casino. Read story and see images about this trailhead and trails. Minnesota State Snowmobile Trail Permit is NOT needed for trails on the Grand Portage Native Lands.

OPTION M - Cascade River State Park / Cascade Lodge and Deer Trail Trailhead One mile west of Cascade Lodge and in the Cascade River State Park the trailhead accesses the deer trail right out of the parking area. This is a trailhead close to Lake Superior and can be affected by rain and/or sun melting snow. Since it is in the Cascade River State Park, Park employees close trail and gate entrance without notice. Call Park to confirm spur trail is useable 218.387.3053. Entrance is between mile marker 98 and 99. Where 61 starts in Duluth is zero. You will see a brown trail access sign from both directions of HWY 61 indicating the Snowmobile Trailhead. As you travel along 61 you'll also see blue address numbers. Address for trailhead is 3871 W HWY 61 Lutsen. There is a spur trail to / from Cascade Lodge to the trailhead and deer trail access and onto North Shore State Trail. Lodging at Cascade Lodge is very convenient to this trailhead and snowmobile trail system, even if Park employees close the gate. There is also a restaurant adjacent to Cascade Lodge. If you pass by the trailhead coming from the Duluth direction there is room to turn around at Cascade Lodge and Restaurant. Cascade River State Park is a 1/4 mile further up the shore from Cascade Lodge. Consider stopping at the Park, the Cascade River runs into Lake Superior here and there are hiking and snowshoe trails along the river. See all Lutsen lodging options or Grand Marais lodging options. Get Lutsen Area Snowmobile Trail Map. Read story and see images about this trailhead and trails. Minnesota State Snowmobile Trail Permit is needed for these trails.

OPTION N - Great Icefishing Trailhead - Two Island Lake Trailhead / Expressway Direct Entrance From downtown Grand Marais trailhead is about 13 miles north. This is an inland trailhead. Get on Gunflint Trail / County Road 12 on the east side of Grand Marais next to Chevy Dealer. Go 4 miles and turn left at County Road 8 / Devil Track Road and go 6 miles to Ball Club Road / County Road 27. Turn right / north and travel about 3.5 miles to 852 Ball Club Road, turn right / east into trailhead on next road after this blue address sign. First one is the trail itself; you'll bury your rig and look like a fool. See all Grand Marais lodging options. Get map needed for this route; if you're going north you'll need Gunflint Trail Map and Upper Gunflint Trail System Map. Or if you're going down the shore you'll need: the Central North Shore Area Map has Silver Bay and east to the Cook County / Grand Marais Lower Gunflint Trail and connection to State Trail and Gunflint Trail System. Read story and see images about this trailhead and trails. Minnesota State Snowmobile Trail Permit is needed for these trails.

OPTION O - Starting from Tofte, Minnesota This is also great place to stay and ride your snowmobile right out of your lodging. This is a trailhead close to Lake Superior and can be affected by rain and/or sun melting snow. May have to use trailhead inland, call lodging to confirm spur trail is useable. With the close proximity to great restaurants, fuel, and direct trail access via the Tofte Trail, Leveaux Trail, Lynx Trail or Eagle Trail. Both have spur trails with direct North Shore State Trail access. See all Tofte lodging and dining options. Get map needed for this route; if you're going east / up the shore you'll need Cook County Map and Upper Gunflint Trail System Map. Or if you're going west / down the shore you'll need: the Upper North Shore Map with coverage from Tofte to Beaver Bay. There is also a Beaver Bay to Duluth Map. Good printed map are available at the Tofte Holiday Station Store. Minnesota State Snowmobile Trail Permit is needed for these trails.

The trailheads and routes above are a selected few of the numerous places you can launch from. Most lodging establishments have a spur trail nearby, where you can pick-up the main trail systems from.

SNOWMOBILE TRAIL SYSTEMS

North Shore State Snowmobile Trail
From Duluth to Grand Marais, Minnesota the 153 mile long North Shore State Snowmobile Trail system traverses St. Louis, Lake and Cook Counties of Northeastern Minnesota, along the vistas overlooking Lake Superior. The trail system winds its way through forests and nearby Lake Superior scenic overlooks. (Requires MN "State Trail" Snowmobile Permit Sticker, this is an addition to the regular registration.)

More Local North Shore Snowmobile Trails

Duluth Cross Town Trail - West Section 33 miles West area of Duluth, Minnesota

Duluth Cross Town Trail - East Section 12 miles East area of Duluth, Minnesota

Taft Trail North out of Duluth, Minnesota

Pequaywan - Hoyt Lakes Trail 43 miles North out of Duluth, Minnesota

Two Harbors Corridor Trail 12 miles East end of Two Harbors, Minnesota

Gooseberry Spur 14 miles Located at Hwy 61 and Gooseberry State Park

Red Dot Trail 37.5 miles East end of Beaver Bay, Minnesota

Tettegouche Trail 12 miles and Sawtooth Trail 14 miles East of Silver Bay, Minnesota

Moose Walk Trail 20 miles North of Silver Bay, Minnesota

Tomahawk Trail 85.5 miles North of Little Marais, Minnesota

Lutsen Trail System 60 miles Between Tofte, Minnesota and Cascade River State Park