At this time no winter recreation trails in the park have been established. The Park trails crew has been busy measuring and checking ice along the typical Green Snowmobile trail. Currently, there are only a few inches of snow on top of the ice, making snowmobile travel for the crew rough, and slow going. Pressure ridges on the lakes are creating major issues. A pressure ridge on the west end of Kabetogama is currently impassable, with only 2 – 3 inches of ice measured near the ridge. Establishment of the Green Trail from Franks Bay to Kabetogama will not be possible until the ice at the site is thick enough and the ridge is cut down Trails will be open as soon as conditions are safe to do so. We encourage everyone to remember that ice is never 100% safe.
The trail crew’s top priority is getting the Green Snowmobile trail established. Once completed they will turn their attention to other trail opportunities including ski trails. Predicted snow and cold for the coming days will hopefully improve conditions.
You can always find the most current trails report at Alerts & Conditions - Voyageurs National Park (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov)
Snowmobile Trails
International Falls to Kettle Falls (Purple Trail) - Closed
Rainy Lake/Black Bay to Kabetogama Lake to Ash River (Green Trail) - Closed
Ash River to Crane Lake (Green Trail) - Closed
Chain of Lakes (Dashed Black Trail) - Closed
Ash River to Kettle Falls (Yellow Trail) - Closed
East Namakan Lake to Sand Point Lake (Blue Trail) - Closed
Ice Roads
Rainy Lake Ice Road - Closed
Rainy Lake Dryweed Loop - Closed
Kabetogama Lake Ice Road - Closed
Kabetogama Lake Ice Road West and East Spur Roads - Closed
Ski Trails
Kabetogama Area:
Echo Bay Ski Trail - Closed
Rainy Lake Area:
Rainy Lake Rec Trail - Closed
Black Bay Ski Trail - Closed
Tilson Connector Trail - Closed
Snowshoe Trails: Hiking allowed on trails
Rainy Lake Area:
Rainy Lake Recreation Trail - Hiking
Oberholtzer Trail - Hiking
Black Bay Beaver Pond Trail - Hiking
Ash River Area:
KabAsh Trail - Hiking
Blind Ash Bay Trail - Hiking
Sullivan Bay Trail - Hiking
Kabetogama Lake Recreation Area
Sledding Hill - Closed
Ice Rink - Closed
For further information on land trails in communities surrounding the park check out these links:
Voyageur Trail Society - Trail Updates https://www.snowmobilevacation.com and https://www.facebook.com/VTSIGrooms
Trail Report (ridetheborders.com) http://www.ridetheborders.com/trail-report.html and https://www.facebook.com/IVSClub
Snow Depth and Groomed Trail Conditions | Minnesota DNR https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/snow_depth/index.html
Buyck Portageurs Snowmobile Club https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100057218389432
Ash River Kabetogama Snowdrifters - Ash River Kabetogama Snowdrifters Snowmobile Club. https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100068157102512
Photo credit: NPS/Brian Harmon. Photo shows pressure ridges on west end of Rainy Lake
