The Ultimate Bucket List for Snowmobiling Lovers: 10 Amazing Places to Visit in Minnesota

Minnesota is a snowmobiler’s dream, with over 22,000 miles of groomed and maintained trails that offer diverse and scenic riding experiences. Whether you’re looking for a relaxing ride through the woods, a thrilling adventure on the hills, or a challenging expedition across the lakes, you’ll find it in Minnesota. In this post, we’ll share 10 amazing places to visit in Minnesota on a snowmobile, and why they should be on your bucket list.

Voyageurs National Park

Voyageurs National Park is a vast and pristine wilderness area that covers over one million acres along the border between Minnesota and Canada. The park is a popular destination for canoeing, camping, fishing, and hiking in the summer, but it also offers some amazing opportunities for snowmobiling in the winter. You can access the park by snowmobile from several entry points, such as Crane Lake or Ash River. Some of the benefits of snowmobiling in Voyageurs National Park include:

• The solitude and serenity of riding in a wilderness area that is free from crowds, noise, and pollution.

• The challenge and adventure of riding on ungroomed trails that require skill and experience.

• The wildlife and nature that you can encounter along the way, such as moose, wolves, lynx, eagles, and more.

Gunflint Trail

The Gunflint Trail is a 57-mile paved road that runs from Grand Marais to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. Along the way, you can find many trails and lodges that cater to snowmobilers. Some of the highlights of the Gunflint Trail include:

• The C.J. Ramstad/North Shore State Trail, which runs for 146 miles from Duluth to Grand Marais. This trail connects to many other local trails and offers a variety of terrain and scenery.

• The Gunflint Trail, which branches off from the North Shore State Trail near Grand Marais and leads to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. This trail is known for its remote and rugged beauty, as well as its abundant wildlife.

• The Lutsen Mountains, which are home to some of the best downhill skiing and snowboarding in Minnesota. You can also enjoy snowmobiling on the groomed trails around the ski area, or take a ride on the gondola for a panoramic view of the lake and the mountains.

  Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area

Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area is a state park unit of Minnesota that was developed to rehabilitate a portion of the Cuyuna Range where mining pits and piles of waste rock were left behind after decades of open-pit mining for iron ore. The park features over 30 miles of natural shoreline, 15 miles of paved trails, and 25 miles of singletrack mountain bike trails. In the winter, you can enjoy snowmobiling on the paved trails or on the frozen lakes. Some of the attractions of Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area include:

• The Cuyuna Lakes State Trail, which is a 15-mile paved trail that connects Crosby to Riverton. This trail passes through several historic and scenic sites, such as mine pits, lakes, forests, and towns.

• The Portsmouth Mine Pit Lake, which is the deepest lake in Minnesota at 450 feet deep. You can snowmobile on the frozen surface of this lake, or try ice fishing for trout.

• The Cuyuna Pump Track, which is a dirt track with bumps and berms designed for mountain bikers. You can also snowmobile on this track in the winter, or try fat biking for a different challenge.

  Paul Bunyan State Trail

The Paul Bunyan State Trail is the longest state trail in Minnesota at 120 miles long. It connects Crow Wing State Park to Lake Bemidji State Park, passing through several towns and villages along the way. The trail is paved for most of its length, except for a few segments that are gravel or natural surface. You can snowmobile on any part of the trail that is not plowed or groomed for skiing. Some of the benefits of snowmobiling on the Paul Bunyan State Trail include:

• The history and culture of riding on a trail that follows an old railroad grade and passes through several towns and villages that inspired the fictional Lake Wobegon from Garrison Keillor’s stories.

• The convenience and accessibility of riding on a trail that has many amenities and services along the way, such as parking lots, restrooms, picnic areas, restaurants, shops, hotels, and campgrounds.

• The fun and entertainment of riding on a trail that has many attractions and events along the way, such as geocaching, kayaking, sightseeing, fishing, and more.

  Lutsen Mountains

Lutsen Mountains is the largest ski resort in the Midwest, with four interconnected peaks that offer 95 runs and a maximum vertical drop of 825 feet. The resort also has a gondola, seven chairlifts, and a surface lift. In addition to skiing and snowboarding, you can also enjoy snowmobiling on the groomed trails around the ski area, or on the nearby North Shore State Trail. Some of the advantages of snowmobiling at Lutsen Mountains include:

• The views and vistas of riding on a trail that offers stunning views of Lake Superior, the cliffs, and the forests.

• The variety and quality of riding on a trail that offers diverse and challenging terrain and scenery.

• The comfort and luxury of riding on a trail that has cozy accommodations and amenities nearby, such as cabins, hotels, restaurants, bars, spas, and shops.