Snowmobile Trails on the North Shore MN

From I-35, take Hwy 23 to 131st Avenue West or take Grand Avenue to 72nd Avenue West Ride the skyline ridge, around Spirit Mountain and the woodlands behind the zoo. This trail connects to the Willard Munger State Trail which leads south towards Carlton, Minnesota.

From 1-35, continue to London Road, drive north on 61st Avenue East, which turns into Lester River Road. Snowmobile out of Lester Park into the Hawk Ridge Valley and city woodlands to the start of the North Shore State Trail.

Leaving the North Shore State Trail about 20 miles north of Duluth, the Pequaywan heads north into the Cloquet Valley State Forest and connects with the State Forest Trail.

Trailhead and parking just east of town on Highway 61. The trail brings the rider from town to the CJ Ramstad/State Trail.

From the old Interpretive Center on the east side of the river, this trail climbs the ridge and connects with the six mile North Shore Access Trail.

The Red Dot loops through Beaver Bay and Silver Bay providing the option of heading north to the North Shore State Trail and Moose Walk Trails or east into Tettegouche State Park.

Both trails explore the backwoods of the State Park crossing Palisade Creek and featuring a scenic overlook of Palisade Valley. Dipping into the forests behind the Sawtooth Range, the trails provide optimal wildlife viewing. Connecting points include the town of Finland, the North Shore State Trail and the Moose Walk Trail.

An ideal picnic spot with its three shelters, the Moose Walk is a giant loop in the Finland State Forest. The northwest portion runs along the East Branch Beaver River then rises to a scenic overlook near Hockamin Creek before rejoining the North Shore State Trail.

Taking its leave at the Lake and Cook County border, the Tomhawk aims four miles north to Crooked Lake to a favorite snowmobile gathering spot, the Crooked Lake Resort. Enroute to Ely, you’ll travel the secluded territory of the Superior National Forest. The Tomahawk connects with the Stony Spur and Happy Wanderer Trails.

The Lutsen trail system, named Trails A-F, spans diverse topography. Set just below the ridgeline, the F Trail joins Tofte and Lutsen. Bisecting the F Trail, the E Trail winds behind Oberg Mountain on its way to the North Shore State Trail. Barker Lake Road or the A Trail rolls over heavily timbered land to cross the Poplar River and intersect the North Shore State Trail just south of Barker Lake. Passing nearby Caribou, Ward and Deer Yard Lakes, the B, C, and D Trails feature several scenic overlook areas. Access to the Lutsen Trails is available north from Hwy 61 on CR 4 (Caribou Trail) a few miles and at the parking area off Hwy 61 near mile marker 99.

The last leg of the North Shore State Trail is the Grand Marais Trail. A junction on Forest Road 1367 presents the option of riding into town or heading onto the Gunflint Trail System. Currently only a few specific city streets in Grand Marais are open to snowmobiling with a 10 MPH speed limit.

Spectacular touring trails branch north of Devil Track Lake to the Canadian border lake, Saganaga. From the east end of Devil Track, the Gunflint Trail spans the entire area. From the west end of the lake, the X Trail runs parallel to the Gunflint Trail to the point they meet near Poplar River. Several trails connect the two along the way. Riding the Gunflint introduces you to moose, pine marten, Canadian and Blue Jays, and infrequently, timber wolves. You will have a much better chance of seeing wolf sign – tracks and kill sites. Off the Gunflint Trail shortly before it joins the X Trail is the Clearwater Spur leading to Clearwater Lake at the edge of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW). Snowmobiling is not allowed in the BWCAW. You’ll be riding in secluded areas, services are available at some lodges on the trail, with a concentration around Poplar Lake, the midway point.

Miles of scenic trails traverse the hilly terrain rising north from Lake Superior. The two main trail centers are located at Grand Portage Lodge & Casino (south of Hwy 61) and at Mineral Center (from Hwy 61, drive north on Mineral Center Rd / Co. Rd. 17 for about 5 miles to the trail center. Trails criss-cross the back country with one trail leading to Ryden’s Border Store & Gas Station on the US / Canada border.