Trail Conditions: Good
Snow Cover: 9-16 in
Date of Report: February 12, 2026
Area Report:
Ely Area Trail Conditions
Arrowhead State Trail, Taconite State Trail, Putnam/Fishing Lakes Trails, (2/11/26): Riding conditions are fair to good; trail base is holding but remains thin with a few areas still having bumps or low spots. The Ely-to-Purvis segment remains narrow with steep side slopes. Watch for construction traffic on 1 mile of trail south of Soudan leading to East Two Trail bridge being replaced. As you continue west on the trail and get closer to Side Lake, snow levels steadily decrease. Blackwoods Blizzard Tour will be happening this Thursday/Friday/Saturday and will be using the Taconite State Trail along with the Virginia, Babbitt, Ely, and Tower Area Grant-in-Aid Trails. With the heavy trail use and warmer weather, snow pack is decreasing. Trail base remains thin in spots with a number of areas still having exposed bumps, rocks, and low spots, so continue to remain cautious and aware at all times while riding! There is active logging happening in several spots 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.
Snowmobiling: Trail Base: 0-3 Inches, Conditions: Good
Local Snow Depth: 9-16 Inches
Lake Vermilion Soudan Underground Mine State Park Trails (2/11/26): Groomed and in fair to good condition.
Snowmobiling: Trail Base: 0-3 Inches, Conditions: Closed
Babbitt Golf Course Trail, Babbitt Birch Lake Plantation (2/10/26): The golf course ski trail system is freshly groomed as of Friday, February 6. The plantation ski trail system was freshly groomed yesterday, Tuesday. Feb. 10.
Bear Head Lake State Park (2/10/26): Cross country ski track was set on Friday, February 6th with fair results in the campground loop and the Beach Trail. The snowmobile trails were groomed and in good condition on Wednesday, January 28th.
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: 3-5 Inches, Condition: Fair
Snowmobiling conditions: Trail Base: 3-6 Inches, Condition: Good
Local Snow Depth: 13-15 Inches
- Blackwoods Blizzard Tour will be happening this Thursday/Friday/Saturday and will be using the Taconite State Trail along with the Virginia, Babbitt, Ely, and Tower Area Grant-in-Aid Trails.
- With the heavy trail use and warmer weather, snow pack is decreasing. Trail base remains thin in spots with a number of areas still having exposed bumps, rocks, and low spots, so continue to remain cautious and aware at all times while riding!
- 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)
Snowmobiling Information
T
he Ely area is northern Minnesota’s premier snowmobile hub with numerous on-trail facilities, accommodations for both large and small groups, and with plenty of food, entertainment and service centers. The Taconite Trail is the main thoroughfare in and out of Ely in the winter. Stretching 170 miles between Ely and Grand Rapids to the southwest, many spur routes will take you just about anywhere you want to go. The Tomahawk Trail, heading to the east, has 86 miles of varied terrain which the avid snowmobiler can use to connect up with hundreds of miles more of groomed trails.
If good snowmobiling gets you excited about winter, then try out the 170 mile long Taconite Trail and the 80 mile Tomahawk Trail. The Taconite Trail, or the “Mighty Taconite” as the locals call it, runs from Ely to Grand Rapids. It stretches across three state forests and the Superior National Forest. Smooth rides along this famous route are loaded with history and the Taconite’s many spurs and loops make for some quality modern day pioneering.
The Tomahawk Trail runs from Ely to the North Shore and Yukon Trails. The trail works closely with natural terrain and is one of the most scenic trails in the state. The tree cover that surrounds the trail edges, the lack of traffic and development allows you to have an uninhabited experience.
Many riders return to the Ely area each winter to enjoy its sheer beauty and varied terrain. It’s a region where people clearly love snowmobiling and they know how to make you feel welcome. Find out for yourself!
