trails

Voyageurs National Park Winter Ice and Trail Conditions Report - Mar. 18, 2015

All park ice roads are no longer open. All snowmobile, ski, and snowshoe trails are no longer open. With the swift onset of warmer weather, snow conditions have completely deteriorated. All stakes, signs, and barricades will be removed from trails and lake surfaces by the end of this week. If travel onto frozen lake surfaces is still necessary, use extreme caution. Heavy slush, cracks in the ice, and open water have all been observed.

Another winter season has concluded. Thanks to all park maintenance staff and gateway community snowmobile clubs, International Voyageurs, Ash River – Kabetogama Snowdrifters, and Voyageur Trail Society, that helped to make it a success.

This is the last Winter Ice and Trail Conditions Report of the season.

Voyageurs National Park Trail Conditions Report - Updated for Mar. 15, 2015

All park snowmobile trails are no longer open. Conditions are deteriorating quickly on the lake surfaces. There is heavy slush, open water near creeks, and lots of exposed earth on the portages. Trail signs, hazard markings, and trail stakes are being removed.

Thanks to everyone for another great winter season!

Snowmobile Trails

  • International Falls to Kettle Falls (Purple Trail) - Not Open Rainy Lake/Black Bay to Kabetogama Lake to Ash River (Green Trail) - Not Open Ash River to Crane Lake (Green Trail) - Not Open Chain of Lakes (Dashed Black Trail) – Not Open Ash River to Kettle Falls (Yellow Trail) - Not Open East Namakan Lake to Sand Point Lake (Blue Trail) – Not Open Rudder Bay (Orange Trail) - Not Open

Ice Roads are no longer being maintained for the 2014-15 season.

  • Rainy Lake Ice Road- Not Open
  • Kabetogama Lake Ice Road- Not Open

Ski Trails: Grooming is no longer taking place for the 2014-15 season.

  • Echo Bay Ski Trail- Open, Rocky Black Bay Ski Trail- Open, Rocky Tilson Connector Trail- Closed KabAsh Trail- Open, Rocky

Snowshoe Trails: Many trails no longer have snow cover on them. All trails can be hiked without snowshoes at any time.

  • Black Bay Beaver Pond Trail- Not Open
  • Blind Ash Bay Trail- Not Open
  • Oberholtzer Trail- Not Open
  • Sullivan Bay Trail- Not Open

All snowshoe and ski loans from the Rainy Lake Visitor Center have stopped for the season.

Voyageurs National Park Winter Ice and Trail Conditions Report - Jan. 14, 2015

All winter trails within the park are now open.CrossCountrySkis Snowshoes and cross-country skis are available from the Rainy Lake Visitor Center (see details below). Snowmobile portages are groomed. Full grooming on lake surfaces will occur as ice conditions allow. Conditions on frozen lake surfaces are rough. Snowdrifts have frozen and create hazardous conditions off-trail. Use caution at night and during low visibility.

The Rainy Lake Ice Road is open from the visitor center to Cranberry Bay, and around portions of Dryweed Island. The Kabetogama Lake Ice Road is now open from the Kabetogama Lake Visitor Center Boat Launch to the Ash River Visitor Center Boat Launch.

Ski trails are open, packed, and tracked. Conditions are fair to good. Snowshoe trails are open, but not packed.

CrossCountrySkiers

Please remember the snowmobile speed limit within the park is 45 mph on frozen lake surfaces and 25 mph on all overland portages. Speed limit signs are posted at trailheads and portages. The speed limit for the ice road is 30 mph.

When ice fishing, please remember holes must be drilled at least 50 feet from ice roads and snowmobile trails. To reduce hazards to snowmobile users, all ice blocks are to be immediately chopped up, submerged, or hauled to land. Placement of equipment or any type of structure must be greater than 50 feet off the edge of all ice roads and 50 feet off the centerline of all snowmobile trails. Written authorization from the park is required for individuals to plow greater than 300 feet on any lake surfaces within the park.

The Rainy Lake Visitor Center is open Wednesday through Sunday, 10:00 am to 4:30 pm. During business hours, the visitor center offers maps, information, and hot cocoa. Visitors may borrow snowshoe and cross-country skis, but must be returned the same day.

The most up to date winter trail conditions are available at www.nps.gov/voya.

Snowmobile Trails

  • International Falls to Kettle Falls (Purple Trail) – Open and staked
  • Rainy Lake/Black Bay to Kabetogama Lake to Ash River (Green Trail) – Open and staked
  • Ash River to Crane Lake (Green Trail) – Open and staked
  • Chain of Lakes (Dashed Black Trail) – Open and staked
  • Ash River to Kettle Falls (Yellow Trail) – Open and staked
  • East Namakan Lake to Sand Point Lake (Blue Trail) – Open and staked

Ice Roads 

  • Rainy Lake Ice Road – Open to Cranberry Bay, and around portions of Dryweed Island
  • Kabetogama Lake Ice Road – Open

Ski Trails

  • Echo Bay Ski Trail – Open, packed, and tracked
  • Black Bay Ski Trail – Open, packed, and tracked – Pine Loop rocky in places.
  • Tilson Connector Trail – Open, packed, and tracked
  • KabAsh Trail – Open

Snowshoe Trails

  • Black Bay Beaver Pond Trail – Open, not packed
  • Blind Ash Bay Trail – Open, not packed
  • Oberholtzer Trail – Open, not packed
  • Sullivan Bay Trail – Open, not packed

“STAKED TRAILS MAKE SAFETY SENSE”

ORANGE IDENTIFIES HAZARDS