Winter Cruising along the North Shore of Lake Superior

Snowmobiling the North Shore State Trail (MN) [1]

With eight state parks, mountainous backdrops, a vast inland coast, and world-class racing events, the North Shore Scenic Drive All-American Road of northeastern Minnesota is like no other snowmobiling destination. Each year fresh blankets of shimmering snow cover the countryside and welcome snowmobile enthusiasts from all over the country to explore the rugged Lake Superior shoreline.

The North Shore State Trail System is the crown jewel of northeastern Minnesota that runs from Duluth to Grand Marais. Take your sled on this 153-mile system of all-season trails for a ride along the ridgelines, hillsides, and woodlands of Minnesota’s Sawtooth Mountains. View staggering cliffs along the forested, rocky shoreline of the world’s largest freshwater lake or listen to ice sheets crack and grind their way along the waves crashing on the glacial shoreline. Sounding like something between a train and a crumbling building, this natural wonder is locally known as the “Lake Superior Ice Train.” But be sure to use caution while observing this astounding phenomenon---ice storms can occur in this area. At the end of the day, stop your rig along the edge of a dense forest as the sun sets, and you might hear the call of a lone wolf.

Knife River (MN) [2]

Trailheads to the North Shore State Trail System start in the towns of Duluth, Two Harbors, and Beaver Bay, as well as Gooseberry Falls State Park (all of which are located along the North Shore Scenic Drive). Services near the trail include lodging, restaurants, maintained rest room facilities, and plowed parking lots at the towns of Two Harbors, Gooseberry Falls State Park, Beaver Bay, Finland, and Tofte. Before you set out on one of these exciting trailheads, visit the Minnesota Department of National Resources or the Minnesota United Snowmobilers Association for information on snowmobiling safety and trail conditions.

Come to the North Shore region for competitive snowmobiling too, especially around late November/mid-December when “the largest snowmobiling race on the planet” occurs at Spirit Mountain Ski Area in Duluth. Join the thousands of fans and hundreds of entrants from around the world for Pro-Am race and Winter X Games qualifying competitions at the annual AMSOIL Duluth National Snocross.

With the great variety of vistas, beautiful landmarks, and great snowmobiling events, the North Shore is the destination for the snowmobile enthusiast.