Unseasonably warm weather has led to significant snow loss on land portages and lake surfaces this week. Under these conditions, our grooming equipment has not been effective so riding can be rough and slower in many areas. Watch for slush, and even streams crossing some trails. We have marked known hazards, but riders should remain alert for others. The yellow trail was recently closed after a beaver dam broke and flooded parts of the trail. With this closure the connection from the eastern end of the purple trail at Kettle Falls to the green trail to the south is not possible. Trail crews are continuing to assess conditions throughout the Park and will open additional trails and ice roads when conditions allow. We encourage everyone to remember that ice is never 100% safe. Be aware of conditions and ride in response to them.
You can always find the most current winter trails conditions on our website: Alerts & Conditions - Voyageurs National Park (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov)
Snowmobile Trails:
International Falls to Kettle Falls (Purple Trail) -Open Staked Not Groomed
Rainy Lake/Black Bay to Kabetogama Lake to Ash River (Green Trail) -Open Staked Not Groomed
Ash River to Crane Lake (Green Trail) - Open Staked Not Groomed
Chain of Lakes (Dashed Black Trail) - Closed
Ash River to Kettle Falls (Yellow Trail) - Closed
East Namakan Lake to Sand Point Lake (Blue Trail) - Open Staked Not Groomed
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 - Packed not tracked
Rainy Lake Area:
Rainy Lake Rec Trail - Packed not tracked
Black Bay Ski Trail - Closed
Tilson Connector Trail - Closed
Snowshoe Trails: Hiking allowed on trails
Rainy Lake Area:
Rainy Lake Recreation Trail - Open
Oberholtzer Trail - Open
Black Bay Beaver Pond Trail - Closed
Ash River Area:
KabAsh Trail - Open
Blind Ash Bay Trail - Open
Sullivan Bay Trail - Open
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
Polar Polers Ski Club: Polar Polers | International Falls MN | Facebook
Green Trail at the Gold Portage. Minimal snow cover, and bare ground in places. Photo credit: NPS/S. Schultz Photo
Yellow Trail - water running across the trail. Photo credit: NPS/R.Gelo
