Snowmobiling at Its Best at Lake of the Woods

Lake of the Woods is known as the Walleye Capital of the World™, however, it is also home of some of the best snowmobiling in all of Minnesota!! There are staked and groomed snowmobile trails extending from Wheeler’s Point south to Baudette on the Rainy River, 42 miles north to the NW Angle and west to Warroad.  273 miles of land trails on the south end of Lake of the Woods alone.

Lake of the Woods offers Ice Fishing Houses on the lake through March 31st and this gives testament to the fact that the winter season of snowmobiling lasts far into the spring. This year snow is in abundance so accordingly, the snow season will go far into the spring.

Snowmobile Trails extend from Baudette east to Birchdale and then to Big Falls.  This is probably the most wilderness type trail in the state.  It goes for 87 miles one way and only crosses two roads.  There are gas stations in Birchdale and in Big Falls.  The stretch from Birchdale to Big Falls is 53 miles.

These trails also extend west from Baudette to Williams, Zippel Bay State Park and over to Warroad.  You can also go south from on that trail and hit Roosevelt and enter part of Beltrami Island State Forest. The trails also extend from Baudette south all the way to Washkish.

Local snowmobile clubs take great pride in opening and maintaining trails by grooming weekly, many make our snowmobiling so quality.  Some of the trails on this map are funded by the DNR through the Grant-in-Aid program using license fees and gas tax monies. The State of Minnesota, Lake of the Woods County, Koochiching County, Roseau County and private landowners are the people that make our trails possible. Trails cross property of many private citizens, as well as lands which are administered by various levels of government. We owe the landowners our thanks and must respect their property.

We are fortunate to have two great snowmobile clubs who not only ride for fun, but work very hard at maintaining trails and bridges before the season starts and grooming many many miles of trails throughout the season. This year of 2022 has shown its strength in supplying the land with an abundance of snow.

Lake of the Woods Drifters Snowmobile Club is located in Lake of the Woods County. They are a very active club and have their own website at www.lakeofthewoodsdrifters.org and Facebook page at www.facebook.com/lakeofthewoodsdrifters. You can also contact them at lakeofthewoodsdrifters@gmail.com. Each of those sites will provide you with great current information about the trails and great photos that the club has taken. The Northern Connection Trail is very famous as it was carved out of the forest area going east and south of Baudette.

Lake of the Woods Drifters is a non profit community organization that welcomes members at any time. They also own and maintain shelters throughout the trails to warm up or stop to have lunch and fellowship on the ride. The Club produces a great snow map which is available through the club or through requesting one from Lake of the Woods Tourism. There are over 273 miles of groomed trails to offer adventure through this winter wonderland.

Further north in Lake of the Woods County at the northernmost part of the United States you will find the home of the Northwest Angle Edge Rider Snowmobile Club. Their website is: www.nwaedgeriders.org. There you will find information about the club, about snow conditions, trail conditions, club events, and even places to stay at Angle Inlet. Their Facebook page is  www.facebook.com/NorthwestAngleEdgeRiders.

This snowmobile club proudly proclaims they groom over 172 miles of trail during the season. Snow Club stakes trails and produces a great snow map of trails throughout the lake, up to Oak and Flag Island and even into the Canadian part of the lake. The map even features depths of the lake which even open water anglers find very helpful. You may contact them for a free map or also contact Lake of the Woods Tourism for one.

This club also hosts a great event during the winter season. This year’s event being hosted is the 21^st  Annual Northwest Angle Edge Riders Snowmobile Rally on February 26, 2022 from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. at Flag Island. Food, fun, and door prizes will be available.

This area is very fortunate to have two dealers offering two very famous brands of snow machines. These machines are not only durable but are set up with some of the most impressive features for pleasurable riding.

For more information see our website at: www.lakeofthewoodsmn.com/snowmobiling.

For lodging information see: www.lakeofthewoodsmn.com/lodging.

You can also download the official Snowmobile Regulations at the MN DNR Website