Best Snowmobile Trails in Wisconsin, Minnesota & Michigan

Where to Ride: Best Snowmobile Trails in Wisconsin, Minnesota & Michigan

When the lakes lock up and the snow piles deep, the Upper Midwest turns into one of the best snowmobiling regions in the country. Wisconsin, Minnesota and Michigan together maintain tens of thousands of miles of groomed trail, most of it built and cared for by local volunteer clubs.

Whether you ride a Polaris, an Arctic Cat or something else, these are the trail areas worth planning a trip around this season.

Wisconsin

Wisconsin's trail system is kept running by more than 600 local snowmobile clubs, funded by the registrations, trail passes and gas taxes riders pay (Wisconsin DNR).

Eagle River and Vilas County

Eagle River calls itself the Snowmobile Capital of the World, and it earns it. Vilas County's 11 clubs groom over 700 miles of trail linking towns and service stops (Vilas County). Routes run through the Northern Highland-American Legion State Forest and the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest.

• Don't miss: Trail 51 near Sayner-Star Lake, one of the oldest trails in the state, in the town where the first motor toboggan was built in 1924 (Northwoods Snowmobile).
• Also worth a stop: the Snowmobile Hall of Fame in St. Germain, and the World Championship Snowmobile Derby in Eagle River every January.

Hayward and Sawyer County

Hayward's trails wind through the Chequamegon National Forest and across frozen lakes, with plenty of supper clubs and bars along the way. It's a great home base for long loop days.

Iron County (Hurley area)

Lake-effect snow off Lake Superior gives Iron County some of the most reliable snow in the state, often early in the season. Trails connect north into Michigan's Upper Peninsula, so you can ride two states in one weekend.

Minnesota

Minnesota has over 22,000 miles of groomed trail, and more than 21,000 of those miles are maintained by local club volunteers. When there's enough snow, Grant-in-Aid trails are open December 1 through March 31 (Minnesota DNR).

The North Shore

The C.J. Ramstad/North Shore State Trail runs from the Duluth area up to Grand Marais through the ridges above Lake Superior. Expect big views, rolling hills and heavy lake-effect snow. Grand Marais and Lutsen make great overnight stops.

Ely and the Arrowhead

Ely sits at the edge of the Boundary Waters, with wooded trails and lake crossings that feel truly remote. Farther west, the Arrowhead State Trail stretches toward International Falls through deep northern forest. Fuel stops can be far apart up here, so plan your range.

Brainerd Lakes

The Brainerd Lakes area is the easiest big-trail destination to reach from the Twin Cities. Trails loop between dozens of lakes and resort towns, making it a good pick for groups with mixed skill levels.

Michigan

Michigan's 67 volunteer clubs maintain more than 6,300 miles of trail, and the state has the fifth-largest trail network in the country (Michigan DNR). Trails officially open December 1 and run through March 31, with grooming once snow allows.

The Keweenaw Peninsula

The Keweenaw gets some of the deepest snow in the Midwest thanks to Lake Superior. Ride from Houghton-Hancock up to Copper Harbor at the tip of the peninsula, past old copper mining towns and huge snowbanks. It's a bucket-list trip for serious riders.

Munising and the Central U.P.

Munising puts you near Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, with frozen waterfalls and Lake Superior views. Trails connect east toward Grand Marais and Newberry, so it's easy to string together multi-day rides.

Gaylord and the Northern Lower Peninsula

If you don't want the long haul to the U.P., Gaylord and the surrounding northern Lower Peninsula offer groomed trails through state forest land. It's the closest big-trail riding for Detroit and Grand Rapids.

Trail Passes and Permits at a Glance

Every state requires a trail pass or permit on top of your registration, so buy yours before the first ride.

Michigan's permit must be stuck on the sled while you ride, not just a receipt in your pocket (MISORVA). Wisconsin mails passes and issues a temporary receipt you can ride on until it arrives.

Tips for Your Trip

• Check trail reports before you load the trailer. Local clubs and sites like Snowtracks post conditions, and trails open only once there's enough snow and frozen ground.
• Stay on marked trails. Most Midwest trails cross private land by permission. Riding off-trail is trespassing and can cost everyone access.
• Know the safety rules. Wisconsin and Minnesota both require a safety certificate for younger adult riders, based on birth year. Check the rules for your age before you ride.
• Treat lake crossings with respect. Only cross on marked lake trails, and never assume ice is safe early or late in the season.
• Plan fuel stops. Northern Minnesota and the U.P. can have long gaps between gas stations.

Dress for the Ride (and the Lodge)

Layer smart: a moisture-wicking base, an insulating mid-layer, then your shell. When the sleds are parked, you'll want something comfortable for the bar and the cabin.

Rep your ride with official Polaris snowmobile apparel, like the Retro 70's Snowmobile Hoodie, or pick up Arctic Cat gear like the ZR800 "The Cat is Back" Tee. Order early for holiday gifts, and get free shipping on orders over $69.