Our groomers were out last night and will continue to tune up the trails for this weekend. Reports from them and riders are that the trails are in really good shape thanks to a few light snowfalls, setting up for enjoyable rides across Voyageur Country this weekend and through the week. With the deep freeze behind us, the weather has been absolutely beautiful—perfect for getting out and exploring! Whether you’re planning a weekend ride or a Valentine’s Day getaway on the sleds, conditions are lining up nicely. Riding smart within your limits and staying right helps everyone have a great time.

On the David Dill Arrowhead State Trail and throughout the Grant-in-Aid system, the trail base is holding well, though it remains thin in spots with a few exposed bumps, rocks, and low areas. Conditions can change quickly, so stay alert and ride cautiously. Active logging is taking place in several areas—please stay to the right at all times, slow down, and give trucks and equipment plenty of room.

Snowmobile trails in Voyageurs National Park are in good shape overall. The Blue Trail is open but had not yet been groomed based on last week's update. The Purple Trail is open and groomed from Rainy Lake through the Lost Bay portage. The Green Trail is open and groomed with a clearly marked reroute near the Kabetogama Visitor Center where a pressure ridge persists; watch for snowbanks.  The Dashed Black Trail is open and groomed but remains rough and slower-going; and the Yellow Trail is open and staked with some potential slush areas that may be refrozen and a little rough.

Continue to watch for the usual hazards like crusted areas, slush pockets, refrozen ruts and pressure ridges with some wet spots nearby, as well as hard snowdrifts on the lakes—expect surprises if you venture off trail. Use extra caution when crossing ice roads and spur banks, which are clearly marked with warning signage.

As always, monitor current conditions, check things out for yourself before heading out, and remember that ice is never 100% safe. With great weather and good trails, now’s a fantastic time to ride--stay right, stay safe, and enjoy every mile out there.

Area resorts and restaurants are starting to post their pre-Super Bowl and Valentine's Weekend specials. This is the best time of year to enjoy the trails, camaraderie fun here!  Looking forward to seeing you on the trails!

This past week we received 5–6 inches of fresh snow in the area. International Voyageurs groomed many of the trails in their area yesterday. Our groomers are out tonight, and will be out again tomorrow and possibly Saturday. Our groomers may start earlier than usual due to the wind chills - please watch for them as you ride!

It. Is. Cold. 🥶
But that’s exactly what we want! These temperatures are helping freeze up the swamps and stabilize trail conditions.

Earlier this week we shared a Thank You, and it’s worth emphasizing again: riders are a huge part of trail conditions. When you ride respectfully—especially during limited snow conditions—it truly helps us maintain great trails. Thank you all! 🙌

🟢 DNR Update – David Dill Arrowhead State Trail
The trail is reported to be in good condition. The additional snow this week may allow for more grooming runs before this weekend, but riders should still watch for bumps, rocks, and low spots. The southern portion near the Taconite has less snow than the northern section. You may encounter logging activity in several areas throughout the Grant-in-Aid and State Trail systems. 
➡️ Please keep right, slow down, and give logging trucks and equipment plenty of space.

🟢 Voyageurs National Park Update
Groomers have been out and most trails in the Park are open, partially or mostly groomed, and the vistas on the lakes are beautiful! 
🚫The Blue Trail from east Namakan Lake to Sand Point Lake remains closed due to a pressure ridge.
There is also a reroute in front of the Kabetogama Visitor Center due to a pressure ridge along the ice road. Please be aware of snowbanks and ice road traffic.
With the very cold temperatures, the ice is hard. Be alert for refrozen slush, ruts, and solid drifts. Use caution when going off-trail. Crews are monitoring and cutting pressure ridges where needed—watch for re-routes.  Please remember ice is never 100% safe. 
📌 For the latest updates, keep an eye on the Voyageurs National Park conditions page.
​
It may be cold this weekend but the sun is making the snow sparkle ✨, the trails are in beautiful shape, and our local businesses are ready to welcome you in for a warm-up.
👉 Come up and enjoy Voyageur Country!

Thanks for your patience—Mother Nature delivered a few more inches late Thursday and again overnight, with flurries still flying! We’re sitting on about 10–12" in the woods and trail reports have been fantastic. 🌲✨

Our groomers were out last night and conditions are looking great across the system. The MN DNR has groomed the David Dill Arrowhead State Trail, and Voyageurs National Park trails are in good and improving shape—just stay alert for reroutes, bumps, refrozen slush, and changing conditions.  There is also active logging in our area - watch for equipment, keep right and go slow in these areas.

⚠️ Quick Trail Notes:

• Blue Trail from East Namakan Lake to Crane Lake is closed due to a pressure ridge. Park staff hope to cut that down and install the trail next week.
• Yellow Trail (Ash River to Kettle Falls) - Be alert to the open water and bridge to use at the Mica Bay Creek crossing.
• The Chain of Lakes Dashed Black Trail is open, staked but rough. More snow is needed to be able to groom. Ride slow and enjoy the scenery!
• Snowshoe & ski trails, sledding hill, and portions of ice roads are open (Kab entrance now at Gappa Landing)

📍 New! Groomer Tracker is Live
We’ve partnered with Groomer Tracker to give you real-time grooming updates!

• Green: groomed within 12 hrs
• Yellow: 12–24 hrs
• Red: 24+ hrs

The app is free to download from the Apple Store or Google Play, with a small fee to view live club data. Select "Voyageur Trail Society Inc" to see the latest on the trails we groom. Trail mapping is still in progress, but it’s already a great new tool to plan your rides!

Come up and enjoy the snow! ❄️🛷  Ride safe... Stay right... and enjoy Voyageur Country!

Several trails were groomed for the first time this week after we received over 6 inches of snow, and the timing couldn’t be better! With sunny skies and warm temps, the trails are glistening, riders are out enjoying them, and the feedback has been great — good trails and beautiful scenery are the theme of the week.
While we could certainly use more snow, conditions are improving and there’s plenty to enjoy if you ride smart and take it in.
⚠️ Important Trail Notes & Safety Reminders:

• Active logging on the Ray Spur and north of the Ray Spur on the Dill/Arrowhead Trail.
  👉 Watch for logging equipment, slow down, stay alert, and keep right.
• Bill Morgan Trail: Watch for orange stakes marking an area near the turtle mounds and go slow through this section.

Voyageurs National Park – Lake Trails:

• More lake trails have opened! With fresh snow and warm weather, expect pressure ridges, slush pockets, and rough stretches. When slush freezes it becomes rough and can cause unexpected jolts.
• 🚜 Ice road work has started, so be alert when riding near these areas.
• Green Trail: Rerouted near the Kabetogama Visitor Center due to a pressure ridge.
• Black Trail (Chain of Lakes): Staked, but still rough — recommended to go slow.
• Yellow Trail to Kettle Falls: Staked and open, but stay alert for slushy areas.
  A bridge has been built at the Mica Bay Creek crossing; the creek is still flowing.
• Blue & Purple Trails: Not yet open and are being monitored.
  

Dill/Arrowhead State Trail:
The DNR is finally reporting some base, but riders should stay alert for bumps, beaver dams, and the occasional hole that isn’t fully smoothed out.

🔎 Always check conditions for yourself before heading out, and remember: ice is never 100% safe.

With less snow than we’d like, it’s a great time to slow things down a bit — which just means you get to enjoy more of the incredible scenery along the way.
​
If you haven’t booked your visit yet, now is the time! Come on up and enjoy the weather, great food, and the camaraderie that makes Voyageur Country so special. 🛷

Happy New Year everyone!
​Our groomers have been out shaping trails and packing potholes as conditions allow. The trails are rideable, but coverage is limited.
General Trail Conditions

• Snow cover is light on all trails, and hidden rocks are possible.  Ride with caution: reduce speed, stay alert, and keep right.
• A groomer will be working the trail between Crane Lake and Ash River.

Trail-Specific Notes

• Bill Morgan Trail: Good riding conditions from Ash River to the Dill/Arrowhead Trail, except near the Turtle Mounds area, which is marked with orange stakes.
• Dill/Arrowhead Trail:
  • From Bill Morgan north, the Dill/Arrowhead Trail is clear to the Ray Spur.
  • There is active logging on the Ray Spur and north of the Ray Spur on the Dill/Arrowhead Trail. These areas are rough - watch for logging equipment, slow down, stay alert, and keep right!
• Rat Root Snow Bridge has not been built yet. Use extreme caution in this area; more snow is needed.
• Woody’s Trail: Recently cleared and packed by snowmobile. Snow cover is currently insufficient for grooming due to rocks.
• Crane Lake: there is a marked pressure ridge use caution in the area.
• Ice is still forming in some trail areas. We are ready and waiting for the next big snowfall!

DNR Advisory
The Minnesota DNR reports that the David Dill/Arrowhead State Trail is rough throughout the system. Riders should watch for hazards and proceed with caution.

Voyageurs National Park Update

• The Green Trail from Rainy Lake through Black Bay, Kabetogama, Ash River, and on to Crane Lake is fully staked and packed, but not yet groomed.
  • Portages are rough—slow down and use caution.
  • Lake surfaces have a crust from recent rain and snowfall.
  • Drifting snow is beginning to fill chatter ice and pressure ridges; watch closely for hazards and marked areas!
• The Chain of Lakes (Dashed Black) Trail is now open but remains rough and rocky due to minimal snow cover.

Ride smart and stay safe!  Our area resorts, restaurants and venues are ready to help you ring in the new year!

​For the latest info, visit:

• VTSI:  https://www.snowmobilevacation.com and https://www.facebook.com/VTSIGrooms
• Crane Lake Voyageurs Snowmobile Club:  www.facebook.com/groups/a723936869357904
• International Voyageurs: http://www.ridetheborders.com/trail-report.html and https://www.facebook.com/IVSClub
• VNP Trail Conditions: https://www.nps.gov/voya/planyourvisit/conditions.htm
• DNR Trail Conditions: https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/snow_depth/index.html
• Buyck Portageurs: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100057218389432
• Ash River/Kabetogama Snowdrifters: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100068157102512

As we head toward the end of 2025, we want to thank all of our followers and supporters - our loyal riders, visitors and guests, as well as our area businesses and local volunteers.  We look forward to fun our trails in 2026! 

Some snow is in the forecast - and we are all hoping for a little more than expected.   No changes in the trails from last week's updates - trails still need some more snow before grooming can begin. In Voyageurs National Park part of the Green Trail has been staked.  Be cautious on the lakes - conditions are unpredictable with bare ice, drifts, pressure ridges and sections of chatter ice. Please remember that ice is never 100% safe.

The David Dill/Arrowhead State Trail is cleared and open, but not groomed. This coming change back to colder temps should help freeze up the swamps, but more snow is needed. Trails are rough - especially through the swamps - and use is not currently recommended.

Wherever you celebrate New Year's Eve, please ride smart and stay safe out there!  Our area resorts are planning fun New Year's events. We look forward to seeing you soon!

For the latest info, visit:

• VTSI:  https://www.snowmobilevacation.com and https://www.facebook.com/VTSIGrooms
• Crane Lake Voyageurs Snowmobile Club:  www.facebook.com/groups/a723936869357904
• International Voyageurs: http://www.ridetheborders.com/trail-report.html and https://www.facebook.com/IVSClub
• VNP Trail Conditions: https://www.nps.gov/voya/planyourvisit/conditions.htm
• DNR Trail Conditions: https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/snow_depth/index.html
• Buyck Portageurs: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100057218389432
• Ash River/Kabetogama Snowdrifters: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100068157102512

After a brief warm-up, colder temps and about 5-6" fresh snow fell yesterday with strong winds resulting in drifts and icy conditions in some places.  Still not enough to groom so keep those snow vibes strong!

​Voyageurs National Park reports no trails groomed yet; portages have minimal snow and are packed only. Portions of the GREEN Trail from Rainy Lake/Black Bay → Lake Kabetogama → Ash River are staked.  ⚠️ Watch signage and be alert for the pressure ridge forming on Lake Kabetogama. Portages have minimal snow and are packed only. Expect rough chatter ice and highly variable conditions.

The Minnesota DNR reports that the David Dill/Arrowhead State Trail still has no base, with thin ice on swamps and no travel recommended.

We have about 6 inches of snow on the ground, and this morning it was -18°, which is definitely helping everything freeze up.  A HUGE THANK YOU to all who have been volunteering their time to get our area trails ready for the season!  Teams from Crane Lake, Buyck, Ash River, Kabetogama and Ray were all out last weekend clearing trails.  The volunteer spirit is alive and well in our communities!  This weekend more folks have been packing the trails across our network. Now for more cold to freeze the lakes and swamps, and more snow for the trails.  While you're planning your trip to Voyageur Country, check out our updated 2026 Trail Map, also available printed at local businesses. There's a link on that page to download the larger PDF version.  Shout out and many thanks to our repeat and new Sponsors as well! Please patronize these area businesses when you visit - they offer top-notch food, lodging, supplies and support.

Currently no travel is recommended on the David Dill/Arrowhead State Trail; there is no base and the ice is still thin on swamps.

Voyageurs National Park reports that ice is increasing on the lakes, with staff checking thickness across the park to see where trails can be set and staked.  All snowmobile trails and ice roads in the Park are currently Closed, but some ski trails, snowshoe trails are open. The sledding hill is not open.

Stay right... stay safe, and we look forward to seeing you here in Voyageur Country!

For the latest info, visit:

• VTSI:  https://www.snowmobilevacation.com and https://www.facebook.com/VTSIGrooms
• Crane Lake Voyageurs Snowmobile Club:  www.facebook.com/groups/a723936869357904
• International Voyageurs: http://www.ridetheborders.com/trail-report.html and https://www.facebook.com/IVSClub
• VNP Trail Conditions: https://www.nps.gov/voya/planyourvisit/conditions.htm
• DNR Trail Conditions: https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/snow_depth/index.html
• Buyck Portageurs: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100057218389432
• Ash River/Kabetogama Snowdrifters: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100068157102512

Mark your calendars! Save the date! Bring your friends! and dust off your trail clearing gear!
Trail clearing planned for Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025 with teams leaving from the Groomer Garage in Crane Lake, VRT in Buyck, Ash-Ka-Nam in Ash River, Rocky Ledge in Kabetogama and Boondocks in Ray.

The more hands the merrier, with food for all helpers afterwards. Reach out to the local snowmobile clubs with questions. We will post more details as we get closer.
Ash River/Kabetogama Snowdrifters Snowmobile Club
Buyck Portageurs Snowmobile Club
Crane Lake Voyageurs Snowmobile Club

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!