Exceptionally warm weather and rain has brought an early close to the season. We and our area businesses that everyone who enjoyed our Voyageurs Country trails. All of us look forward to your return next year!

We appreciate all our area resorts, restaurants, bars and businesses that welcome visitors with your hospitality throughout the winter season. 

Join us in giving a moment of thanks to everyone that helps keep the trails open and safe for all to enjoy - our groomer drivers, and the many local volunteers & area snowmobile club members that helped with early trail clearing. Special thanks are given to our volunteer first responders who always respond when needed no matter the conditions, time or distance. We also very much appreciate the Voyageurs National Park staff who monitored and maintained the trails (and reroutes!) in the park this season, and the DNR for their part in maintaining the Arrowhead Trail.

As we look toward ice-out and warm weather fun here in northern Minnesota, we hope you think of Voyageur Country as a special place to enjoy nature and wildlife year-round. We look forward to seeing you this Summer on the lakes, and next Winter on the trails! Stay safe and have fun everyone!

There’s been just a light dusting of snow since last Thursday, and with the cold nights and warm afternoons, it’s clear that Spring is on its way!

Please be extra cautious when traveling, as lakes and rivers are opening up in areas with currents or thin ice, like sandbars, shorelines, and shallow spots. Remember, ice is never 100% safe! Voyageurs National Park hasn't updated their trail report yet, but you can check their Facebook page and website for the latest info. Keep an eye out for pressure ridges, reroutes on the lakes, and cross-traffic on the Green Trail at the Kabetogama Ice Road spur.

No trail grooming will take place unless we get a significant snowfall, so the land trails are pretty much the same as last week. The sunny spots have more exposed ground, but where there’s still snow, the warmer afternoons help smooth out the trails after the cold nights. Keep in mind, there are still logging areas crossing the trails, especially north of Orr.
Riders are saying the trail conditions are still decent for this time of year. Enjoy them while we still can!

Stay safe out there! Keep to the right, be alert on curves and hills, and make sure to stop by our area businesses. They’re open for fuel, delicious food, and cozy lodging!

What a difference a week makes! Riders are saying our trails are holding up better than expected. This week area trails have been challenged by warm weather and both a bit of snow and a bit of rain. A little more snow is expected overnight tonight. Please remember to stay to the right & watch your speed particularly on curves and hills, and be alert to both icy and bare patches. 

All area groomers (DNR, VNP, VTSI) have paused until we get at least several inches of snow to work with. We will see how it goes from here. Keep an eye on trail update posts online as conditions could change rapidly.

Land trails and portages in Voyageurs National Park are showing some wear; expect frozen ruts on the lake trails and icy conditions off trail. Scratchers may help as there is very little snow for lubrication. Where the Green Trail crosses the Kabetogama Ice Road pay careful attention to signage and watch for cross traffic. There is glare ice in areas on the ice roads making them very slick in places. The reroutes around the two pressure ridges on the Green Trail on Kabetogama are still in place and marked with stakes. If you travel off-trail on the lakes stay alert to pressure ridges that have been expanding over the past few weeks. Pressure ridges, reroutes, and other hazards can be difficult to see in low visibility conditions or if traveling at high speeds. Please be cautious in these and other hazardous areas where the ice is still thin: sand bars, shorelines, and shallow areas. Ice is never 100% safe!

The DNR reports the Arrowhead Trail as poor to fair depending on location. Logging areas, swamps and exposed areas have seen a more rapid decline in snow levels and trail conditions. Active logging on, across, and alongside the trail is occurring in several locations- watch for signage leading up to the activity areas.

Think snow!  Our area businesses are open and ready to welcome you! 

Cold weather has helped keep our trails in great shape - with help from our expert groomers! Temps are supposed to warm up this weekend and we might see a bit more snow, so get up here and enjoy! Our trail conditions haven't changed from last week, and reports from riders are that the trails are "really good." Groomers continue to be out several times each week.

Minnesota DNR is saying the trails are fair to good depending on how much use a trail has had since last groom. The groomers are doing great work with the snow that's available to maintain enjoyable, high quality trails. They remind everyone to stay to the right, be alert at hills and curves and watch your speed. Logging continues on the Arrowhead Trail so watch for signing leading up to logging areas, and please give trucks and logging equipment some space. Also keep an eye out for ATVs on the trails; not authorized but they have seen evidence. 

In Voyageurs National Park, reminder about the Green Trail intersection with the Kabetogama Spur ice road. The Green Trail also has two pressure ridges with marked reroutes. Portages are being groomed twice each week. Please be cautious if you ride off the marked trails as there may be pressure ridges, drifts and other hazards including areas with thin ice like sand bars, shorelines and shallow areas. Ice is never 100% safe! 

Area businesses are open for food, fuel, lodging, and great meals. They are all looking forward to helping you enjoy a fantastic snowmobile vacation riding in and around Minnesota's only National Park.  So with all of that, don’t miss out! The beauty of this area is special and you will love it here!

We are seeing some cold temperatures this week! Definitely helping the trails set up nice. When you visit, layer up and think about wind chill too! The brisk weather comes with sunny skies and star-filled nights. 

Our area trails are all open and groomed. ⚠️ Please be alert at the bridges on the Voyageur Trail between Ash River and Crane Lake. There is a large dip on the Elephant Lake side of the bridges - slow down so you don't get launched. We do have caution signs up. Grooming continues several times a week and the trails are in the best condition so far this season. 

In Voyageurs National Park all trails are open and all portages are being groomed twice weekly. In addition, the Kabetogama Ice Road Spur (for vehicles) has been opened and crosses the Green Trail - keep an eye out for cross-traffic and pay attention to the signage marking the intersection. The marked reroutes around pressure ridges on the  Green Trail are still in place. Be alert for hazards or thin ice in areas like sand bars, shorelines and shallows. There are some wind-blown snow drifts making a few areas a little rough. Particularly watch for pressure ridges and drifts if you go off trail.  Remember, ice is never 100% safe.

The DNR reports that riding conditions on the Arrowhead Trail is generally good, but a little more snow would help add to the base. The State Trails are being groomed after seeing lots of people out last weekend.  Active logging is happening in several locations especially in the Orr area and north. There is signage on either side of where a trail is used in a logging area. Please slow down and give the equipment space. In addition, the DNR asks everyone to ride with caution, keep speed down, and stay to the right while riding. Pay attention at curves and hills.  They are also still receiving reports of ATVs having been seen on the trails. 

So, what's keeping you from heading north to Voyageur Country? Our trails and sponsors look forward to your visit!

Another 4-6" of fresh snow fell last night. Our VTSI trails have been groomed and are ready for you to enjoy! The trail reroute on the Voyageur trail at the creek south of Ash River is still in effect and marked. 

Logging continues in our area south of the Nelson Road and Shuster Road. The DNR reports logging in other areas as well. Please stay alert and respectful around the logging trucks & equipment. 

The Dill/Arrowhead Trail is pretty good with better conditions in the woods compared to open areas. The DNR  did alert us that ATVs have gone on snowmobile trails (not allowed on the State or grant-in-aid trails!). Remember to keep to the right and stay alert, especially on curvy, hilly trails. The Blackwoods Blizzard Tour will be riding the Taconite from Tower to Side Lake Thursday and Friday, and the Arrowhead to the Cook Trail on Friday. 

Voyageurs National Park as of 1/30/25 shows all lake trails are OPEN including the Purple trail (International Falls to Kettle Falls). Portages have also been groomed and in good shape. There continue to be issues with pressure ridges so be alert to route changes and be especially cautious if you go off-trail.  Warming huts are open at Grassy Bay on the Green Trail and at Kettle Falls. BOth the Kabetogama and Rainy Lake Visitor Centers are open 10-4 on Fridays and Saturdays, and the Rainy Lake Visitor Center is also open 10-4 on Sundays (check their site to confirm in case of changes).

Lake trails are open!
     Woods trails are open!
          Weather is awesome!
Come on up and enjoy! We and our local sponsors look forward to seeing you soon!

Updated 1/23/25 with changes from VNP.
Some snow (and inch or two more last night), some cold and our trails are shaping up! We have about 8-12 inches of snow in undisturbed areas. Riders last weekend said trails were better than they expected. A huge thank you to all our groomers!

We were able to fully groom the Voyageur Link to Melgeorge's without any issues earlier this week. We will groom all trails Thursday and Friday night, and Saturday if needed. If we get enough snow, we plan to groom every trail at least twice each week and 3 times when we can.

The Dill/Arrowhead Trail had a full initial groom before last weekend’s traffic. The DNR is currently grooming trail segments where they are able - avoiding spots with ledge rock, exposed ground, etc.  We need more snow before they can get on a regular grooming schedule. 

Watch for active logging at several locations throughout the Grant-in-Aid and State Trail system. Please stay alert, slow down and give trucks and logging equipment space!

Voyageurs National Park has updated their site Jan 23. All trails are open except the Purple trail. They have indicated that pressure ridges have been expanding over the past few weeks. Keep an eye out especially in low visibility situations.  Land portages are being groomed. There are TWO pressure ridges on Lake Kabetogama that caused staff to stop grooming and shift to creating safe reroutes of the Green trail. One reroute shifts the Green trail closer to shore just west of the Kabetogama boat launch. The other is an S-curve reroute near Park Point Resort. Both reroutes are marked with green stakes; watched for caution signs and crossed orange stakes at the points where the trails cross the pressure ridges. Both park ice roads (Kabetogama and Rainy Lake to Cranberry Bay) are now open. Snowfall and strong winds have likely created some drift areas - so be careful. Always stay alert for pressure ridges in other areas, avoid them when possible, and watch for hazards near sand bar, shoreline and shallow areas. Please always remember that ice is never 100% safe and to stick to the clearly marked routes for travel. 

Come up and enjoy Voyageur Country! Our trails keep getting smoother, and our local businesses are ready to give you a warm welcome!  ​Keep thinking snow!

​Several inches of snow have fallen and the news is great! We have all of our trails from Orr to Kabetogama and Ray open and initially groomed, with groomers going out tomorrow and Friday to be ready for the weekend.

The new Heibel's Access Trail (purple on the map) that connects from Boondocks in Ray to the Dill/Arrowhead south of Ericsburg is open and groomed - shout out to IVSC!

A half-inch dusting of snow fell today - it's a start! Low temperatures have finally given us better ice on the lakes and ponds and swamps. Trails are packed but there isn't much snow on them - no grooming yet.  Think SNOW! 
​
The Green Trail (Rainy Lake/Black Bay to Kabetogama Lake to Ash River) in Voyageurs National Park is open not groomed. Lakes are ice with no snow cover (see the photo at https://www.nps.gov/voya/planyourvisit/conditions.htm). You'll need good scratchers! Park staff are not traveling far because of overheating and excessive wear and tear. Land portages are rough with a little hard packed icy snow. There are still hazardous areas where the ice is somewhat thin: pressure ridges, sand bars, shorelines, and shallow areas.  We join them in reminding everyone - Ice is never 100% safe!

The Kabetogama Ice Road is open and staked to the Sphunge sledding hill (lots of expose rock on the hill, though). Stakes will be removed once there is snow to make berms. Most ski and snowshoe trails are open in the park. 

The DNR reports that ice in the swamps is better (from 6" - 12" thick). They are seeing a lot of shelf ice in beaver ponds where water is still draining, as well as more hummocks and stumps to watch out for. A beaver dam encountered on a trail is likely a steep berm. Stay alert for these conditions especially in the following areas: from Big Aspen to Pfeiffer Lake and from Black Bear trail to the Y Store Trail on the Taconite State Trail; and on the Arrowhead just south of the Hwy 1 crossing, at the Frazier Bay shelter, and in the Elephant Creek/Blackduck grade segment north of Elephant Lake.

Stay safe on the ice and courteous on the trails if you venture out to enjoy the scenery. The forecast is for a little more snow Saturday/Sunday. Every inch helps, but it will be a bit before the groomers work the trails. If you're in the area, please visit our sponsoring businesses!