Snowmobile Trails in North Dakota

Riding snowmobiles is a popular outdoor activity in North Dakota during the long snowy winters that exist throughout the state. The North Dakota legislature mandates that the 2,853 miles of snowmobile trails are available for use from the first day of December until the first day of April each year. There are several options for snowmobile enthusiasts to take advantage of these maintained riding trails that run throughout a large portion of the state.

  1. Missouri Valley Trail System

    • The Missouri Valley Trail System is a 235-mile snowmobile trail that is accessible from Mandan, Bismarck and Linton. Many people access this trail from the eastern edge of the city of Bismarck. Parking is available near the trailhead at the Missouri Valley Fairgrounds parking lot. The portions of the system nearby to the trailhead include the Lincoln Trail, Sterling Trail and Wilton Trail. All of the trails within the system connect in a large loop and then extend southward to the Moffit and Hague trails, where the system dead-ends in the town of Hague.

    Northeast Trail System

    • The Northeast Trail System is the state's longest trail system at more than 480 miles. This system is known locally as the Pembina Gorge Trail and is tucked into the northeastern corner of the state bordering Canada and Minnesota. The Northeast Trail System also ties into snowmobile trails across the Canadian border and trails in Minnesota. The trails pass through the towns of Wales, Maida, Mt. Carmel, Backoo, Cavalier and Pembina. Many riders choose this trail because of its pass through the Pembina Gorge. This natural feature is unaltered by modern developments--it was carved out by glaciers and remains the longest and deepest river valley in North Dakota. The gorge is a popular place to visit because of its natural beauty, both in the warm summer months and the snow-covered winter.

    Sheyenne Valley Trail System

    • The Sheyenne Valley Trail System is located in southeastern North Dakota and it encompasses 393 miles of trails, making it one of the state's longest systems. The trailhead for the Sheyenne Valley Trail is south of Jamestown and Valley City. The trail offers diverse types of trails that range from ditch riding to wide open fields. Riders along this system of trails have the opportunity to pass through Fort Ransom State Park and Little Yellowstone. There are plenty of places along the trail to stop to rest and warm up, including the towns of Litchville, Hastings, Kathryn and Lisbon.