When the snowflakes fall, Minnesota’s North Shore bursts with outdoor adventures! From Lake Superior to the Canadian border, Lake County offers cozy winter getaways with stunning views and easy access to winter recreational activities.
Photos Courtesy of Lovin Lake County.
Hit the North Shore State Snowmobile Trail
Whether you wish to play in the powder, skim across frozen lakes, or ride first-class tour trails, snowmobiling stands central to winter up north. With nearly 400 miles of snowmobile trails in Lake County, you have endless opportunities to explore along Lake Superior, adjacent ridges, lakes, forests, and charming towns.
Leaving Duluth, the 146-mile North Shore State Snowmobile Trail system carves a path through the dense forests and cliffs ascending out of Lake Superior, leading to Grand Marais. The course offers various entry points.
Ice Fishing & Winter Fishing on Lake Superior
With hundreds of inland lakes between the North Shore of Lake Superior and the Canadian border, Lake County offers endless ice-fishing opportunities.
Inland, near Finland, Isabella, and Ely, you’ll find several locally owned resorts specializing in accommodations for anglers and snowmobilers. Many lodging properties also provide ski, snowshoe, ice house, and snowmobile rentals so visitors can show up and play!
Anglers can also book a fully outfitted, no-hassle ice fishing excursion. Target golden walleyes, mammoth crappies, northern pike, or slay a trophy trout from the open waters of the greatest lake: the possibilities are endless!
The Trails Are Groomed and Ready for Fat Biking & Nordic Skiing
The unparalleled beauty of the North Shore State Parks in Lake County provides the perfect backdrop for fat-bike riding or cross-country skiing with peaceful forests, varied elevation, and wide-open views of Lake Superior.
In Two Harbors, try fat-biking in the Lake County Demonstration Forest, which features one groomed and three ungroomed trails. If you’re curious about fat biking and don’t own one, rent a bike from SpokeNGear Bike Shop, conveniently located near the trails.
Additionally, Split Rock Lighthouse State Park has converted 8.7 miles of multi-use trail, including tracks for classic cross-country skiing and a course groomed for fat bikes, snowshoes, hiking, and skate-skiing. It’s the perfect destination for people with different interests who can share the same trail.
Lastly, skiing enthusiasts can enjoy the Flathorn/Gegoka Trails, located on the north side of Flathorn and Gegoka Lakes just west of Isabella, Minnesota. This Nordic ski trail system highlights open trails with vast, packed areas through the pines—perfect for a relaxing, peaceful ski.
Snowshoe Practically Anywhere
Many folks like to snowshoe on the Superior Hiking Trail, but in Lake County, you can snowshoe practically anywhere! Just be sure you don’t walk directly on the path if the trail is also a groomed ski trail.
Lake County boasts Minnesota’s second-highest percentage of public land—just more than 75 percent! Venture out for an afternoon wildlife expedition or simply enjoy the peaceful quiet of the forests.
For trail maps, itineraries, and winter lodging specials, visit LovinLakeCounty.com.
