Snowmobile Trails in Crow Wing County, Minnesota

Crow Wing County in northern Minnesota offers myriad winter recreation opportunities. Visitors to the area can enjoy over 250 miles of snowmobile trails in the Brainerd Lakes area and Crow Wing County. Communities in the area host winter festivals that are likely to be of interest to snowmobile riders, including the Radar Runs and the International Antique Snowmobiles Association events.

  1. Paul Bunyan Trail

    • The Paul Bunyan trail is the longest trail in Minnesota. This 100-mile-long trail follows a reclaimed railroad bed from Brainerd/Baxter to Bemidji. This snowmobile trail connects the Heartland Trail, the Cuyuna State Trail and the Blue Ox Trail, giving snowmobilers access to over 1,200 miles of interconnected trails in the immediate area. The trail winds along and around lakes and rivers and through streams. Along this trail are services like gas, food, drink and lodging.

    Breezy Trail

    • The Breezy Trail, which intersects with the Paul Bunyan Trail near Nisswa, winds around and along lakes like the Little Pelican Lake and Pelican Lake. It eventually intersects with the C.R. 16 Trail a few miles south of the Upper Whitefish Lake reservoir. This trail is approximately 18 miles long and gets its name from the main town along its trail, Breezy Point.

    Crow Wing State Park

    • Crow Wing State Park is home to about six miles of groomed snowmobile trails. These trails, which are shared with cross-country skiers, have a base of between 7 and 8 inches, on average. Because these trails are shared, snowmobile riders are advised to exercise caution, especially when cresting hills and rounding curves. Visitors here can enjoy the park's wildlife, including white-tailed deer, wild turkeys, grouse and porcupines, while riding alongside streams and rivers.

    Pillsbury State Forest

    • The Pillsbury State Forest near Nissawa is about a 30-minute drive from the middle of Crow Wing County. The trails in this park wind through a heavily forested area with deciduous and coniferous trees. The trails rated for snowmobile use are open from the beginning of December until the end of March; the park closes these trails to other types of traffic to ensure the safety of snowmobile riders. Riders can enjoy riding alongside rivers and streams and among wildlife like beavers and grouse.