Snowmobiling Stud Restrictions on State Trails

State law (M.S. 84.8712) bans snowmobiles with metal traction devices (a.k.a. "studs") from paved public trails, except as otherwise provided by the government with jurisdiction over a trail. Learn more about the law.

A portion of the statewide system of state trails containing paved surfaces has been designated as being open for use by snowmobiles with studs. Wherever possible parallel trails adjacent to the paved surface have been developed to accommodate snowmobiles with studs, and in some cases, all snowmobiles. In many cases, nearby grant-in-aid trails connect the same communities as the state trails.

The table on this page lists all developed State Trails, and provides information on allowed snowmobile uses. Please note that paved trails administered by local units of government are also subject to the metal traction device prohibition law.

Refer to a snowmobile map of the area you plan to ride for more detailed information or call the DNR Information Center for the most up-to-date information at 1-888-MINNDNR (1-888-646-6367).

 studded tracks signs

Thumbnail graphic of the stud restrictions map

Stud restrictions map This is a PDF file. You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to download it.

 

State Trails

Stud Restriction Status

Details
Arrowhead Not restricted Entire length of trail open to snowmobiles.
Blazing Star N/A Entire length of trail not open to snowmobiles.
Casey Jones Partially restricted Alternate route adjacent to a paved, 5-mile trail segment from Pipestone to the east.
Central Lakes Not restricted Entire length of trail open to snowmobiles.
Cuyuna Lakes Partially restricted All snowmobiles must run on parallel trail adjacent to the paved, 6-mile trail segment from Crosby west to County Road 128.
Douglas Fully restricted

Alternate routes on restricted areas:

  • All snowmobiles must run on parallel trails.
  • No snowmobiling is allowed on paved surfaces.
Gateway N/A Entire length of trail not open to snowmobiles.
Gitchi-Gami N/A Entire length of trail not open to snowmobiles.
Glacial Lakes Fully restricted
  • Studs are not allowed on the paved portion from Willmar to the Kandiyohi/Stearns County line.

Alternate routes on restricted areas:

  • Willmar to New London - no parallel trail available, however a grant-in-aid trail connects Willmar to New London.

General Use:

  • Paved trail will be open for snowmobiles without studs.
  • A grant-in-aid trail exists on portions of the undeveloped trail in Stearns County. Those portions are open to snowmobiles with or without studs.
Goodhue Pioneer Fully restricted All snowmobiles must run on parallel trail.
Great River Ridge Fully restricted Parallel trail adjacent to paved trail from County Road 9 to Elgin (8 miles). Northern 5 miles of developed trail from Elgin to Plainview has a grant-in-aid trail that closely parallels paved trail.
Heartland Partially restricted See map This is a PDF file. You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to download it.

Studs allowed:

  • Intersection of the Heartland and Paul Bunyan trails south of Walker to Cass Lake.
Alternate routes on restricted areas:
  • Park Rapids to intersection of the Heartland and Paul Bunyan trails south of Walker - An alternate trail will be open and groomed for studded and non-studded snowmobiles.
General use:
  • No snowmobiling will be allowed on the paved surface from Park Rapids to the intersection of the Heartland and Paul Bunyan trails south of Walker.
Harmony-Preston N/A Entire length of trail not open to snowmobiles.
Luce Line Not restricted Entire length of trail open to snowmobiles.
Mill Towns Not restricted

General use:

  • Full extent of the developed paved trail from Dundas to Northfield is open to snowmobiles with or without studded tracks.
MN Valley Not restricted Entire length of trail open to snowmobiles.
North Shore Not restricted Entire length of trail open to snowmobiles.
Paul Bunyan Partially restricted See map This is a PDF file. You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to download it.

Studs allowed:

  • Hackensack to northern trail terminus north of Bemidji.
Alternate routes on restricted areas:
  • Nisswa (just south) to Pequot Lakes- Parallel trail is available with links and connects to service areas.
General use:
  • Paved surface from Baxter to Hackensack is groomed for snowmobiles without studs.
  • Maps showing parallel trail information are available from the Brainerd area office, (218) 833-8710.
Root River Fully restricted Alternate routes in restricted areas:
  • No parallel trail available, except for a very short segment between Lanesboro and Whalan.
General use:
  • Because the Root River Trail is predominately a non-motorized trail, snowmobiles are not allowed on the paved surface of the trail.
Sakatah Partially restricted See map This is a PDF file. You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to download it.
Studs allowed:
  • Waterville to Faribault.
General Use:
  • Paved trail will be groomed for snowmobiles without studs from Waterville to Mankato.
Shooting Star N/A Entire length of trail not open to snowmobiles.
Taconite Not restricted Entire length of trail open to snowmobiles.
Willard Munger Partially restricted See map This is a PDF file. You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to download it.
Studs allowed:
  • Carlton to Mission Creek Road.
  • Carlton to Highway 23.
  • Moose Lake to Agate Road.
  • Hinckley to County Road 27.
Alternate route in restricted areas:
  • County Road 27 to Moose Lake - No parallel trail available for studded tracks.
  • Moose Lake to Carlton/Wrenshall - Parallel trail is available for studded tracks.
  • Mission Creek Road to Duluth - No parallel trail available for studded tracks.