Entry Points to the North Shore State Snowmobile Trail [maps]
>>>Requires MN "State Trail" Snowmobile Permit Sticker, this is an addition to the regular registration. You are required to have this permit only if you are riding the designated MN State Trail System or a Grant-In-Aid Trail. This includes the Gunflint Snowmobile Trail System and the Expressway Trail near Devil Track Lake. Grand Portage Trail system does not require this permit. See more information about Minnesota State Snowmobile Trail permit requirements and how to purchase.

There are numerous trails that break off of the main trail that provide Snowmobilers access to great scenery, waterfalls, overlooks, wilderness loops and small pockets of civilization. The trail features many maintained rest areas, parking lots, overlooks and bridges and is groomed in its entirety on a weekly basis. Gas, food, lodging (links to area accommodations are below), are offered by many private businesses on some of the spur trails. Be prepared, do not sled alone and bring repair items, do not leave the trail on your sled or if you have a breakdown. Someone in your group should have a tow rope. Other items you better bring with are: emergency food, compass, water, cell phone, fuel and oil. Leave your itinerary with a friend, family member or the front desk where you are staying, and get a local weather forecast.

Entering From:

Duluth, Minnesota [maps]

From I-35, you need to drive north on 21st Avenue East, then northeast on Woodland Avenue, southeast on Martin Road, right onto to Eagle Lake Road and to the parking area.

Two Harbors, Minnesota [maps]

From Hwy 61, drive north on County Road 2 about 8 1/2 miles or ride the 9.6 mile Two Harbors Spur Trail, which has a trailhead and parking just east of town on Hwy 61

Two Harbors Lodging and Dining

Gooseberry State Park [maps]

On Hwy 61 on the northeast side of Gooseberry River; ride 9 miles from park to North Shore State Snowmobile Trail.

Gooseberry Area Lodging and Dining

Beaver Bay or Silver Bay [maps]

You can pick up the Red Dot Trail on Hwy 61 in Beaver Bay; or off Hwy 61 on Outer Drive in Silver Bay; ride about 10 miles to North Shore State Snowmobile Trail.

Beaver Bay Lodging and Dining  Silver Bay Lodging and Dining

Tettegouche State Park [maps]

Off Hwy 61, the trail departs from the within the park; 9 mile ride from park to North Shore State Snowmobile Trail.

Silver Bay Lodging and Dining  Little Marais Lodging and Dining

Finland [maps]

From Hwy 61 in Illgen City, drive north on MN Hwy 1 to Finland, or northwest on County Road 6 out of Little Marais to Finland, then east on County Road 7 about 1 1/2 miles.

Little Marais Lodging and Dining

Hungry Jack Lodge - Gunflint Trail, Grand Marais, Minnesota Lakeside Lodge and Cabins Direct Trail Access

Cascade Lodge Lutsen, Minnesota Lakeside Lodge and Cabins Direct Trail Access

Lutsen Resort Lakeside Lodge and Cabins Direct Trail Access

Schroeder [maps]

On Hwy 61 and Cross River, ride the North Shore Trail just over 4 miles to North Shore State Snowmobile Trail.

Schroeder Lodging and Dining

Tofte [maps]

From Hwy 61 in Tofte, drive north on the Sawbill Trail (County Road 2) about 4 1/2 miles to parking area; or, ride the access trail on Hwy 61 just west of Bluefin Bay and ride about 4 miles to North Shore State Snowmobile Trail.

Tofte Lodging and Dining

Lutsen [maps]

From Hwy 61 in Lutsen, N on Caribou Trail (CR 4) about 5 miles to parking area.

Lutsen Lodging and Dining

Gunflint Trail Lodging

Gunflint Lodge On Gunflint Lake with lakeshore Cabins Direct Trail Access

Grand Marais Trail 5.5 miles from downtown to North Shore State Trail [maps]
This spur trail connects downtown Grand Marais to the North Shore State Trail and the Gunflint 'G Trail' Snowmobile Trails. At times this spur may not be an option late in the season when snow has melted due to being close to Lake Superior and a south slope facing the sun.

Trail Ethics and Common Sense [maps]
Most of the trails in the Minnesota Arrowhead/Northeastern Minnesota are wilderness trails, or adjacent to wilderness areas. Trails cross private and public land and are developed and maintained through a Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MN DNR) Grant-In-Aid program. Local snowmobile groups act in conjunction with the state to create, groom and maintain area trails. Snowmobiles must be registered in your home state or in Minnesota. A State Trail permit is required for snowmobiling any state trail or grant-in-aid trails. A 50 MPH speed limit is in effect unless otherwise posted. Watch out for dog sledding teams, moose, deer and approaching snowmobiles. Stay off ski trails - Lodges and resorts spend large amounts of money grooming their ski trails, and when sledders destroy the skinny skiing trails, it gives all of us a bad rap!

Be prepared; ALWAYS RIDE WITH OTHERS, have a current map, and bring repair items. Other items you better bring with are: emergency food, water, flash light, cell phone, belt, fuel and oil. Leave your itinerary with a friend or family member and get a local weather forecast. See emergency contacts on our area contacts page.

More Local North Shore Snowmobile Trails [maps]

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 Lake Trail 10 miles North out of Duluth, Minnesota

Two Harbors Spur Trail 9.6 miles East end of Two Harbors, Minnesota

Gooseberry State Park Trail 3-9 miles Located at Hwy 61 and Gooseberry River/State Park

Red Dot Trail 15 miles East end of Beaver Bay, Minnesota

Tettegouche Trail 10 miles and Sawtooth Trail 15 miles East of Silver Bay, Minnesota

Moose Walk Trail 15 miles North of Silver Bay, Minnesota

Tomahawk Trail 86 miles North of Little Marais, Minnesota

Lutsen Trail System 67 miles Between Tofte, Minnesota and Cascade River State Park

The X Trail North of Cascade River State Park and leads to the Gunflint Trail System

Grand Portage Trail System Over 100 miles of loops, great scenery and well groomed trails.

Ontario Snowmobile Trails from the Gunflint Trail/Gunflint Lake/Sag Lake area.

s n o w m o b i l e t r a i l s . c o m
Snowmobiling Destinations and Trail Information

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