Winter Trails Report: February 27th, 2025
NPS Photo/C. Nevalainen
This week has brought some challenging conditions for the winter trails throughout Voyageurs. Grooming operations are on hold and will resume once we get some snow and colder temperatures. Land trails and portages are down to dirt in some places and the lake trails are rough with frozen ruts. There is very little snow for lubrication, so be cautious.
The ice roads have spots of patchy snow and glare ice, and can be very slick. Drive slowly and watch for others, particularly at snowmobile trail crossings.The Kabetogama spur road crosses the Green Trail. The crossing is marked but be alert to cross traffic and mind the signage in the area.
The Kagetogama sledding hill is set up with plenty of snow, a fire pit, and firewood. There are some spots with exposed rocks, but they can be easily avoided. Come on out and take a turn sliding down the hill!
Two pressure ridges on the Green Trail required staff to reroute the trail, which is marked with stakes. If you ride off the staked trails, be alert for pressure ridges, as they have been expanding over the past few weeks. Pressure ridges, reroutes, and other hazards can be difficult to see in low visibility conditions or if traveling at high speeds.
Be sure to exercise caution in these and other hazardous areas where the ice is still thin: sand bars, shorelines, and shallow areas. Ice is never 100% safe!
Bookmark this webpage to find weekly winter trail reports and find out which trails across the lakes are closed or open. Scroll to the end of the page for links to other regional trail reports. Alerts & Conditions - Voyageurs National Park (U.S. National Park Service)
SNOWMOBILE TRAILS
Purple Trail (International Falls to Kettle Falls): Open
Green Trail (Rainy Lake/Black Bay to Kabetogama Lake to Ash River): Open
Green Trail (Ash River to Crane Lake): Open
Dashed Black Trail Chain of Lakes: Open
Yellow Trail (Ash River to Kettle Falls): Open
Blue Trail (East Namakan Lake to Sand Point Lake): Open
ICE ROADS
Rainy Lake Ice Road: Open to Cranberry Bay (13 miles)
Rainy Lake Dryweed Loop: CLOSED
Kabetogama Lake Ice Road: Open from Kab VC to Ash River VC (10 miles)
Kabetogama Lake Ice Road West and East Spur Roads: Open
SKI TRAILS
Echo Bay Ski Trail: Open packed and tracked - Icy
Rainy Lake Rec Trail: Open; packed and tracked - Icy
Black Bay Ski Trail: Open; novice loop and figure 8 packed and tracked – Icy Ridge trail CLOSED
Tilson Connector Trail: Open; packed and tracked - Icy
SNOWSHOE TRAILS
Rainy Lake Recreation Trail: Open
Oberholtzer Trail: Open
Black Bay Beaver Pond Trail: Open
KabAsh Trail: Open
Blind Ash Bay Trail: Open
Sullivan Bay Trail: Open
KABETOGAMA LAKE RECREATION AREA
Sledding Hill: Open
Ice Rink: CLOSED