XC Skiing/Snowshoeing

Cross-country Skiing

Long ago, someone in Asia had the idea that strapping large flat objects onto your feet would help you travel in snow. The idea moved to the west and the objects became longer and skinnier and developed into skis. The idea also moved to the east, and the objects got shorter and wider and became snowshoes. Both are still excellent ways to travel in the winter, and a good way to get exercise.

To help pay for trail maintenance, skiers over 16 in Minnesota on State or Grant-In-Aid funded trails must have a Great Minnesota Ski Pass. Many trails in the the Superior National Forest require the Pass, though some forest and privately maintained trails do not. For information on the Great Minnesota Ski Pass, visit the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources website.

Many winter use trails on the Superior National Forest are maintained by cooperating organizations. Some of these organizations have websites with up to the minute trail condition information, maps, and other useful information. Links to these sites are listed on the sidebar at the right.

While there are some designated snowshoe routes in the Forest, snowshoes are really designed for off trail use. If you are going off trail, make sure to have map and compass with you and know how to use them. A GPS can be useful as well, but be aware that battery operated equipment can malfunction at cold temperatures. The Sugarbush Trail system is one that does have a designated snowshoe trail for those wishing to stay on a trail. Note that snowshoe tracks can ruin groomed cross country ski trails, so please respect skiers by avoiding groomed ski trails.

Off trail travel might be best with snowshoes, but nothing beats skis for fast travel on a trail. Trails in the Forest vary from single groomed paths to wide trails with both classic and skate ski lanes. If you are a skater, please try to avoid the groomed tracks for classic skiing.

Most of the Superior National Forest, including roads not maintained in the winter, is open to cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. Some areas, such as snowmobile trails and active timber harvests, are not for use by snowshoers and skiers, but you are welcome to explore ungroomed hiking trails, frozen lakes and streams, and unmaintained roads, as well as the general forest. When going off trail with either snowshoes or skis, remember that you will be sharing unplowed roads and some areas with snowmobiles. Be alert for traffic. Otherwise, exercise caution on frozen water, especially streams or rivers that may not freeze solidly. Be sure to bring navigational equipment, extra food and gear, and a headlamp in case the sun goes down faster than you think.

Maps of Skiing Areas and further information

Click on one of the areas listed as "Winter Recreation Trails" below for general maps and a list of individual ski trails and systems. Links to individual trails will have specific maps and further links to trail conditions.

XC Skiing/Snowshoeing Areas

Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness
Established in 1964 as Federally Designated Wilderness (pdf), the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness is over one million acres of rugged and remote boreal forest in the northern third of the Superior National Forest in northeastern Minnesota.

The BWCAW extends nearly 150 miles along the International Boundary, adjacent to Canada’s Quetico and La Verendrye Provincial Parks, is bordered on the west by Voyageurs National Park, and by Grand Portage National Monument to the east. The BWCAW contains over 1,200 miles of canoe routes, 12 hiking trails and over 2,000 designated campsites. The BWCAW is composed of lakes, islands, rocky outcrops and forest.

The BWCAW is the only large temperate lake-land wilderness in the National Wilderness Preservation System and is renowned for its water-based recreational opportunities. The sculpting of the landscape by powerful glaciers over an immense period of time has left behind a variety of landforms and rocks as well as thousands of lakes and streams, interspersed with islands. This network of connecting waterbodies provides unique opportunities for long distance travel by watercraft—a rare experience within the continental United States.

Prepare for your Wilderness Trip

Successful trips don't just happen. Plan ahead for the BWCAW! Visitors can find solitude, adventure, risk, and excitement but the trip planning begins months before entering the Wilderness.

The BWCA Wilderness is one of the most visited wilderness areas in the country. High visitation translates to the potential for impacts to natural resources. We need your help treading lightly on the Wilderness; to keep it full of solitude and pristine for future visitors like you.

Prior to reserving your permit, please review the following to ensure a wilderness trip is right for you:

BWCAW Regulations and Rules BWCAW Trip Planning Guide

Be aware tht wilderness has inherent dangers, and is a primitive setting where you meet nature on its own terms. Trails are not well marked, if they are marked at all. If you are a newcomer to camping, or even an experienced backpacker, but not canoe camper, consider camping outside of the BWCAW on one of the 254 backcountry sites on the Forest, or one of our free rustic campgrounds. There you can experience many of the same things as you do in the Wilderness, but without the need for permits and with easier access to emergency services.

More About Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness
North Arm Trails
South Farm Lake Ski Trails
Gunflint Ranger District
Welcome to the Gunflint Ranger District! This area is the most Northeastern portion of the Forest, stretching from near Lake Superior all the way to the Canandian Border. The district office is located right in the town of Grand Marais. Follow the Gunflint trail which is a designated National Scenic Byway to one of the many opportunities this district offers.
Gunflint Winter Recreation Trails
The Gunflint Ranger District has many trails for winter recreation: groomed for skiing, open to snowshoeing, or open to skijoring. Not all these uses are allowed on all trails. Trail systems are maintained by different organizations leading to a variety of skiing experiences and possible fees. Some trails are parts of state parks, some are on private resort property, some are groomed by partnership organizations, some are user maintained and some are in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. Be sure to check the individual trail to see what fees or permits might be required where you plan to ski.

For geographic convenience, Gunflint Ranger District trails along the Gunflint Trail are shown on the first map below. Gunflint Ranger District trails along the North Shore are shown on the second map along with the trails in the Tofte Ranger District. Go to the Tofte Winter Recreation Trails page for information on trails in the Tofte Ranger District.

Maps of Winter Recreation Trails

Note, these maps are for locating trails and viewing approximate trail systems. Trails shown have not been ground-proofed recently and may not accurately represent the current routes. See individual trail pages listed below for sources of current trail maps.

Trails shown in the maps below are all open for cross country skiing. Some may be open to snowshoeing and skijoring. Check individual pages in the list below for which activities are allowed on which trail.

For a larger, savable pdf of the maps above, click here.
Bally Creek Ski Trails
Banadad Ski Trail
Cascade River Ski Trails (Norpine Trail System)
Central Gunflint Ski Trails
Deer Yard Ski Trails (Norpine Trail System)
George Washington Pines Winter Recreation Trail
Massie - Hall Ski Trails (Norpine Trail System)
Pincushion Mountain Ski Trails
Upper Gunflint Ski Trails
Kadunce River Hunter Walking Trails
Kawishiwi Ranger District
Welcome to the Kawishiwi Ranger District! This office is located in the town of Ely. The building is a LEED (Leadership Environmental Energy Design) facility.What this means is the design of the building used practices such as: using local materials, using recycled materials or materials that can be recycled, use of energy efficient automatic lights that turn off when no one is in the room, low water flow in the toilets, landscapeing around the building that filters the rainwater before entering into the streets or surrounding areas, use of low emisson carpet and paint.

This office also hosts a wonderful interpretive center. You'll enjoy first hand some the experiences that you'll find in our exciting Forest.
Kawishiwi Winter Recreation Trails
The Kawishiwi Ranger District offers many trails for cross country skiing with some trails available for snowshoeing and skijoring as well. Several of the trail systems are 'user groomed' rather than machine groomed, so skiers should be ready for a real 'cross country' experience. Trails also often dip into the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, so be aware that winter users of the BWCAW need to fill out and carry a use permit, usually available at a kiosk at the trailhead.

Maps of Winter Recreation Trails

Note that this map is an overview intended for locating trails and viewing approximate trail systems. Trails shown have not been ground-proofed recently and may not accurately represent the current routes. See individual trails listed below for sources of current trail maps.

Trails shown in the map below are all open to cross country skiing. Some may be open to snowshoeing and skijoring. Check individual pages listed below to see which activities are allowed on which trails.

For a printable larger version of the map, click here.
Angleworm - Hegman Lakes Ski Route
Birch Lake Pine Plantation Ski Trails
Hidden Valley & Extension Cross Country Ski Trails
North Junction Ski Trails
Trezona Ski Trail
LaCroix Ranger District
Welcome to the LaCroix Ranger District. The landscape in this area is covered with dense forest and spotted with numerous lakes. Destination highlights include the Vermilion River and its falls and gorge, the Echo Trail, and the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. Also nearby is scenic Lake Vermilion. Recreational activities include boating, fishing, camping, hiking, cross country skiing, snowmobiling, snowshoeing and much more.

The district office and visitor center is located in the town of Cook on US Hwy 53 midway between Duluth and International Falls. The log visitor center has regional information, many wildlife mounts, and a gift shop with maps, books, and other items for sale.
LaCroix Winter Recreation Trails
Laurentian Ranger District
Welcome to the Laurentian Ranger District. This district is the southern portion of the Superior National Forest stretching from McCarthy State Park north of Hibbing, MN to near the north shore of Lake Superior. The district office is in Aurora. The Superior National Forest Scenic Byway bisects the District from Aurora to Silver Bay. It links communities steeped in the tradition of iron mining, logging and tourism.
Big Aspen Trail
Bird Lake Trail
Laurentian Winter Recreation Trails
The Laurentian Ranger District has several large systems of trails for cross country skiing and other winter recreation uses. There are both groomed trails and 'user-groomed' trails, short and long, difficult and easy. In other words, there is something for everyone!

Maps of Winter Recreation Trails

Note that this map is an overview intended for locating trails and viewing approximate trail systems. Trails shown have not been ground-proofed recently and may not accurately represent the current routes. See individual trails listed below for sources of current trail maps.

Trails shown in the map below are all open to cross country skiing. Some may be open to snowshoeing and skijoring. Check individual pages listed below to see which activities are allowed on which trails.

For a larger, printable, pdf file of the map above, click here.
Giant's Ridge Ski Area
Lookout Mountain - Laurentian Divide Fitness Trail
Sturgeon River Trail
Tofte Ranger District
Welcome to the Tofte Ranger District. The geography of this area runs from the rocky shores of Lake Superior to the miniature mountains of the Sawtooth Range. There are plenty of lakes, lots of forest, and miles of wilderness. Recreational opportunities abound with campgrounds of all sorts, trails for hiking, skiing, and motor use, and multiple entry points to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. The District office is located in the town of Tofte, right on scenic Minnesota Highway 61. Maps and some gift items are for sale at the office.

Find a spot for you by following the links to the activities listed below, or find a recreation area by name by expanding the Tofte portion of the "Find an Area" section to the right.
Caribou Lake Hunter Walking Trails
Isabella Area Winter Recreation Trails
The Isabella Area has one maintained cross country ski area, Flathorn-Gegoka.

Trail systems are maintained by different organizations leading to a variety of skiing experiences and possible fees. Some trails are parts of state parks, some are on private resort property, some are groomed by partnership organizations, some are user maintained and some are in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. Be sure to check the individual trail to see what fees or permits might be required where you plan to ski.

Maps of Winter Recreation Trails

Note, this map is for locating trails and viewing approximate trail systems. Trails shown have not been ground-proofed recently and may not accurately represent the current routes. See individual trail pages listed below for sources of current trail maps.

Trails shown in the maps below are all open for cross country skiing. Some may be open to snowshoeing and skijoring. Check individual pages in the list below for which activities are allowed on which trail.

For a larger, savable pdf of the map above, click here.
Flathorn - Gegoka Ski Trails
Tofte Winter Recreation Trails
The Tofte Ranger District has several large areas with systems of groomed cross country ski trails. Some of these systems have designated trails for skijoring and snowshoeing as well.

Trail systems are maintained by different organizations leading to a variety of skiing experiences and possible fees. Some trails are parts of state parks, some are on private resort property, some are groomed by partnership organizations, some are user maintained and some are in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. Be sure to check the individual trail to see what fees or permits might be required where you plan to ski.

For geographic convenience, some Gunflint Ranger District trails on the North Shore are included eastern side on the map below. Go to the Gunflint Winter Recreation Trails page for information on those trails.

The Flathorn-Gegoka Ski Trails (map inset) are within the Tofte Ranger District, but are part of the Isabella Area. Visit the Isabella Area Winter Recreation Trails for information on this system.

Maps of Winter Recreation Trails

Note, this map is for locating trails and viewing approximate trail systems. Trails shown have not been ground-proofed recently and may not accurately represent the current routes. See individual trail pages listed below for sources of current trail maps.

Trails shown in the map below are all open for cross country skiing. Some may be open to snowshoeing and skijoring. Check individual pages in the list below for which activities are allowed on which trail.

For a larger, savable pdf of the map above, along with the map of ski trails along the Gunflint Trail, click here.
Lutsen Mountains Ski Area
Sugarbush (Britton, Moose Fence, Oberg) Ski Trails
Wills Lake Hunter Walking Trails