Trail Conditions: Not Ridable
Snow Cover: 4-8 Inches
Date of Report: December 29, 2025
Area Report:
Ely Area Trail Conditions
Taconite State Trail, Arrowhead State Trail, Putnam/Fishing Lakes Trails, (12/24/25): Closed: The trail corridors are cleared and open. Trails are not groomed due to insufficient snow in the woods or on the trails. Ice in the swamps is still too thin to support grooming equipment, but it is almost there. With low snow levels, trails are rough throughout our trail system, especially in the swamps. For these reasons, trail use is not recommended. Continue to monitor trail conditions online, as they may be changing daily, especially if we get more than 8″ of snow.
Skiing: Tail Base: 0 Inches
Snowmobiling: Trail Base: 0 Inches, Conditions: Closed
Local Snow Depth: 6-8 Inches
Lake Vermilion Soudan Underground Mine State Park Trails (12/23/25): Closed
Snowmobiling: Trail Base 0 Inches,
Local Snow Depth: 8 Inches
Bear Head Lake State Park (12/28/25): The cross-country ski track was set in the campground loop, the Beach Trail, and from the Trail Center to the Ranger Station, but results were poor due to an icy layer formed by rain and melt. The beach area trail has limited snow due to the extreme winds we have received this week. Think snow.
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: 1-3 Inches, Condition: Poor
Snowmobiling conditions: Trail Base: 1-4 Inches, Condition: Poor
Local Snow Depth: 5-7 Inches
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)