Trail Conditions: Fair
Snow Cover: 12-15 Inch
Date of Report: March 6, 2026
Area Report:
Ely Area Trail Conditions
Arrowhead State Trail, Taconite State Trail, Putnam/Fishing Lakes Trails, (3/4/26): Riding conditions remain fair. Voyageur Trail Society and International Voyageurs snowmobile clubs (from Crane Lake and International Falls) groom the Arrowhead State Trail from the Bill Morgan trail to its northern terminus at the Blue Ox. Across our Area, trail conditions remain fair, although the trail base remains thin in spots, with bare and standing water spots showing throughout the trail system. Active logging is occurring in several locations throughout the Grant-in-Aid and State Trail system. Please stay to the right at all times, slow down, and give trucks and logging equipment space. Continue to remain cautious and aware at all times while riding!
Snowmobiling: Trail Base: 1-2 Inches, Conditions: Fair
Local Snow Depth: 12-15 Inches
Lake Vermilion Soudan Underground Mine State Park Trails 3/4/26): Fair condition.
Snowmobiling: Trail Base: 1-2 Inches, Conditions: Fair
Babbitt Golf Course Trail, Babbitt Birch Lake Plantation: The Plantation ski trail system is freshly groomed as of Monday, 3/2/26!
The golf course ski trail was groomed on Saturday, 2/28/26.
Bear Head Lake State Park (3/1/26): Due to extremely windy weather, the ski trails have a significant amount of tree debris, leaving the trails in poor condition. We will need more snow before we are able to groom again.
You can snowshoe anywhere in Minnesota’s state parks and recreation areas, except on trails that are specifically designated for other activities, such as skiing or snowmobiling.
Skiing: Trail Base: 4-6 Inches, Condition: Poor
Snowmobiling conditions: Trail Base: 3-6 Inches, Condition: Good
Local Snow Depth: 14-17 Inches
- United States Forest Service engineers have closed the bridge across Hanson Creek between County Road 59 and County Road 50. Grooming will not be occurring on this section, and trail users are asked to detour this section following the Clearwater and Lawron Trail systems.
- Please note that logging is happening in several areas of the Grant-in-Aid and State Trail system. For your safety, stay to the right, slow down, and give trucks and logging equipment plenty of space
- For the most up-to-date trail conditions, please go to the DNR trail conditions website:
(https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/snow_depth/index.html)