14 Best Open Snowmobile Trails In North America

Snowmobiling is a fun and exciting winter sport that has grown in popularity with each passing year. It’s a great way to explore the backcountry, and the world is full of groomed trails designed for fun and exploration.

There’s nothing more fun than long hours spent shredding on a snowmobile, and with so many different varieties of terrain to choose from, and with equipment now safer and faster than ever, there’s never been a better time to carve up some snow.

Not sure where to go first? Let’s take a look at some of the best snowmobile trails around.

The 14 Best Snowmobile Trails

Are you looking to explore new trails on your snowmobile? Here are 14 of the best.

1. Denali National Park, Alaska

Denali National Park is a place of endless beautiful and natural wonders. Spending time among the majesty of some of the highest peaks in North America on some of the best snowmobile trails is a truly life-changing experience. This is also the home of Mount McKinley. Covered in boundless snow, this is a snowmobiling paradise.

Denali National Park in Alaska is vast territory, gorgeous, and inspiring, yet dangerous.

This is a place where small mistakes can turn an amazing adventure into a deadly situation. Preparation and communication are key. We highly recommend going as part of an organized group and hiring a guiding service, familiar with the area and experts at survival.

2. Upper Peninsula, Michigan

There’s probably no better place for winter sports than the Upper Peninsula in Michigan. This territory covers over 2,500 miles of lakes and forests, and 2,000 miles of the best snowmobile trails, blanketed in up to 200 inches of annual snowfall.

The trail systems on the Upper Peninsula are well marked, the gorgeous frozen country of lakes and fields offering scenic overlooks, ice caverns, and frozen waterfalls among many other awe-inspiring attractions.

3. Katahdin Iron Works, Maine

The locals refer to this as the “K-I.” This winter sports recreation area is located 5 miles outside Brownville, Maine, near the Pleasant River, and is maintained by the Maine Department of Conservation. This has been a popular destination for snowmobilers of all types for years who seek the best snowmobile trails.

Katahdin features the ruins of a 19th-century iron works, including a giant blast furnace and 19 charcoal kilns. The iron works was a functioning iron producer from 1846 to 1890, and then in 1966 the blast furnace and one of the kilns were restored. The visit here is like stepping back in time to see a snapshot of American history.

4. Togwotee, Wyoming

Togwotee is 50 miles northwest of Jackson Hole, nestled in Bridger-Teton National Forest. Located close to Jackson Hole, it’s the perfect spot for a getaway, with fabulous mountain terrain, world-class shopping and dining, plentiful gas and lodging, and tons of snow.

The lodge at Togwotee is bookended by the Tetons on one side, with the Pinnacle Buttes on the other. The off-trail riding here is great, featuring hills with big drops and huge snow-covered rocks. Togwotee offers trails for every skill level.

5. Northeast Kingdom, Vermont

Experiencing the Northeast Kingdom in winter is like stepping into a dream. In every direction, you will find mountains, forests blanketed in deep snow, farms, and picturesque towns.

Vermont is famous for its amazing snowmobiling. It even has an organization call VAST, or Vermont Association of Snow Travelers, made up of approximately 128 snowmobiling clubs scattered throughout the state. The state’s trail system encompasses nearly 4,700 miles of well-marked and well-maintained routes.

6. The County, Maine

This area of Maine is officially called Aroostook County but is known to Maine locales as The County, with 6,829 miles of wilderness and 4,000 miles of well-groomed trails.

Aggressive riders can cover up to 300 miles in a day, though 190 miles is a more realistic distance for the average snowmobiler wanting to cruise the landscape and see the sights.

7. Bartlett, New Hampshire

New Hampshire in winter is one of the most beautiful areas of the country. The state has over 7,000 miles of groomed trails, most of it maintained by The White Mountain Trail Club.

Tourism is a major part of the economy in New Hampshire, and a healthy amount of the tourism dollars that pour into the state each year do so during the winter month. This makes it vital for a well-organized system of volunteers to work in coordination with private landowners to keep the trail system looking good.

The fourth weekend in January is designated Reciprocal Snowmobile Weekend in New Hampshire, Vermont, and Maine. This is a three-day event, and all who register can snowmobile in any of the three states, free of charge.

8. Old Forge, New York

Old Forge is located in the middle of the Adirondacks. With over 177 inches of snow accumulation with a year, this is a premier destination for anyone looking for the best snowmobile trails.

The Adirondack Mountains make a fabulous landscape for snowmobiling, with terrain covered with valleys, streams, and lakes. It’s proximity to Lake Ontario translates to a plentiful supply of snow. The popularity of snowmobiling in this region first took shape in the 1960s, and over the decades the network of trails expanded rapidly.

Old Forge offers spectacular scenery year-round, but nothing could surpass the majestic glory of the Adirondacks in winter.

9. Vail, Colorado

Vail is a place of true grandeur. Located in the wilds of the Rocky Mountains and crowned by views of 14,000 ft. peaks, you would be hard pressed to find a more beautiful locale for your next snowmobile adventure.

Vail’s best snowmobile trails follow the Continental Divide, making its location that much more special. We recommend booking a guided tour, for their expertise and knowledge of the area, but there are plenty of options for going off on you own if that’s your preference.

10. West Yellowstone, Montana

West Yellowstone is a small town that serves as an entrance to Yellowstone National Park. Montana is known as Big Sky Country, and West Yellowstone is a perfect place to enjoy much of what the state has to offer.

West Yellowstone tops the list of snowmobiling destinations in Montana, with some of the most beautiful scenery on earth and 150 inches of annual snowfall, along with 400 miles of trails to explore.

During a snowmobiling adventure in Montana, especially so near to Yellowstone National Park, you are almost assured an encounter with spectacular wildlife. From Buffalo to Mule Deer to Moose, it’s an outdoorsman’s paradise.

11. Revelstoke, British Columbia, Canada

British Columbia is truly a winter wonderland, with world-class scenery, fabulous accommodations, and some of the best snowmobile trails found anywhere.

Revelstoke is one of the jewels of BC. Snow conditions are nearly perfect there, making it snowmobile heaven. Annual snowfall is around 630 inches, and the snow tends to stay around later in the season than in most other areas. The days are longer in the spring, giving snowmobilers extra hours to shred some of the best snowmobile trails in the world.

Revelstoke has a population of less than 10,000 people, offers an abundance of motel and hotels, great restaurants, as well as the kind of amenities that appeal to those exhausted from long days playing and exploring.

12. Brainerd Lakes area, Minnesota

The Brainerd Lakes Area is located in north central Minnesota and boasts more than 1,200 miles of trails through intertwining parks and state forests. This has been revered as a top destination in the Upper Midwest for decades.

Whether you’re an advanced rider or a beginner, the Brainerd Lakes area offers the best snowmobile trails for every skill level.

13. Priest Lake, Idaho

Priest Lake in Idaho offers dozens of trails across 520,000 acres of public land. This part of Idaho isn’t as well known as Sun Valley, making it a hidden gem.

It sits at 2,400 feet about sea level, at the base of surrounding mountain peaks. This is Utah at its best, perfect for a day trip or a full weekend of shredding and camping.

14. Island Park, Idaho

Another awesome Idaho treasure, Island Park offers tons of snow and nearly 500 miles of the best snowmobiling trails, making this location a must for anyone’s bucket list.

Island Park is close to Yellowstone National Park, granting riders spectacular terrain and scenery, as well as wildlife galore. The trails in the area offer riders the perfect mix of off-trail riding combined with large meadows.

With ample snow, great lodging, and friendly locals, Island Park is a can’t-miss location for your next snowmobile vacation.

Something for Everyone

With literally ten of thousands of great trails just waiting to be explored, there’s truly something for everyone. Perhaps you want to shred some extreme backcountry terrain in the mountains of Colorado or Alaska, or maybe something less epic is more your taste.

For first-timers, we strongly recommend doing some research and hiring a local guide service. Most snow-rich states offer dozens if not hundreds of profession snowmobile outfitters who know how to make your trip as fun and safe as possible.

Snowmobile vacations are great for family getaways, or for weekend excursions with friends. So grab your coat and boots, and head for the best snowmobile trails nearest you!