10 Best Places To Snowmobile In The U.S.

There is perhaps no thrill greater than climbing aboard a snowmobile and hearing that engine turn over waiting for you to hit the throttle. Whether you’re whizzing across frozen fields, navigating groomed forest trails or riding in the shadow of an imposing mountain range, there are thousands of miles of trails to explore across the US. Wisconsin, Minnesota and Washington all have more than 20,000 miles of snowmobile trails alone within their borders.

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So, get suited and booted and don’t forget the helmet and goggles, it’s going to be an exhilarating ride! Here’s our list of the best places in the United States to snowmobile.

Eagle River – Wisconsin

While Wisconsin may be better known for its cheese and beer, the state is also a snowmobiler’s dream destination. The city of Eagle Creek is better known as “The Snowmobile Capital of the World” and has carried this official title since 1964. The state tops the list of states with the most miles of snowmobile trails. The area is home to a world championship snowmobile derby, the World Snowmobile Headquarters and five snowmobile clubs that groom the region’s more than 600 miles of trails daily. Along these trails, you’ll navigate your way past close to 2,400 lakes across two counties and through the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest.

Yellowstone National Park – Wyoming, Montana and Idaho

While most of the park resides in Wyoming, the rest does cross the borders of both Montana and Idaho. Our nation’s first national park is a bucket list item for many. However, visiting during the winter has the added benefit of seeing this geological spectacle devoid of the summertime crowds. Sitting atop a supervolcano, this veritable winter wonderland is a mecca for snowmobilers seeking solitude amidst geysers, hot springs and other thermal features. And if you’re lucky, perhaps you’ll spot bison, elk or some of the park’s resident wolves. 

Brundage Mountain Resort – Idaho

With over 544 miles of groomed snowmobile trails, the resort near McCall, Idaho is perfect for a powder day. Encompassing more than 2.3 million acres in west-central Idaho, Payette National Forest offers some of the most beautiful scenery in the state, if not the country. The best locations on this backcountry experience include rides like Brundage Reservoir, Goose Lake, Clow Point, Granite Lake and Hazard Lake with views of the Salmon River Mountains and the Payette Lakes. 

Old Forge – New York

In this self-proclaimed “Snowmobile Capital of the East,” Old Forge is the gateway to some of the best snowmobiling in the Adirondacks. With over 500 miles of trails groomed twice daily during the winter, the area’s trails connect with all of the other major trails in New York as well as the Canadian border. Additionally, the town streets are open to riders and the plethora of trails connect Old Forge with nearby towns. Many of the trails are loops which allow for beginning and ending in town and there are more than 200 lakes that dot the landscape. 

Brainerd Lakes Area – Minnesota 

As one of the top three destinations for snowmobiling trails in the United States, the Brainerd Lakes Area has an interconnected trail system boasting more than 1,200 miles of trails. The region has more than 500 lakes that freeze during the winter which creates a seemingly endless playground for open riding. The Paul Bunyan Trail stretches for 115 miles and is one of the most popular long-distance rides in the state. The color coded trail-signing system along with corresponding trail maps make navigating this winter wonderland a breeze.

Steamboat Springs – Colorado

Due to its high elevation and scenic vistas, it’s no wonder Colorado made the list of top locations in the United States to ride snowmobiles. On average, Steamboat Springs receives more than 300 inches of “Champagne Powder” snow annually. This is the trademarked name given to the snow found in the area around the resort: Since snow here contains only 6% of water compared to 12% at other places in the state, its especially light and fluffy. This translates to extremely great powder skiing, snowboarding and you guessed it, snowmobiling. The terrain in Steamboat Springs can be challenging, but the payoff is the million dollar views.

Chugach National Forest – Alaska

If you are truly looking for the longest potential season for snowmobiling, look no further than our 49th state. Obviously, being the furthest north, it has the longest winter season and the most opportunity to enjoy the extended time on snowmobiles. More than a staggering 6.9-million acres, Chugach National Forest is located in south central Alaska and encompasses portions of Prince William Sound, the Copper River Delta and the Kenai Peninsula. Snowmobiles, also called snowmachines by Alaskans, are the perfect way to see “The Last Frontier”.

Katahdin Region – Maine

Located in the area surrounding the northern terminus of the Appalachian Trail, the Katahdin Region has more than 350 miles of curated trails. Named after the mountain bearing the same name, Mount Katahdin is the state’s highest point at 5,267-feet. The Penobscot Tribes hunted and fished this region for centuries and Henry David Thoreau was inspired by his time here. The trails in the region are also part of the Interconnected Trail System (ITS) of Maine that, like the name implies, interconnects trails throughout the state and extends into New Hampshire and even Canada.

Upper Peninsula – Michigan

Also known as Upper Michigan or just the U.P. – the trails in the most northerly portion of the state are bordered by three of the Great Lakes. While the state at large has more than 6,500 miles of trails, almost half of those are in the Upper Peninsula, with more than 3,000 miles of groomed trails open from December 1 to March 31 each season. The U.P. regularly receives several hundred inches of snow annually thanks to the efforts from Lake Michigan, Lake Superior and Lake Huron. 

New Hampshire

The smallest state in this roundup, but pound for snowmobiling pound, NH packs a punch. With over 7,000 miles of snowmobile routes throughout the state, it possesses more miles of trails than states like Colorado, Michigan, Montana, Idaho and Wyoming. What’s more, the vast network of trails in New Hampshire also link to trails in neighboring states, including Maine (also on this list). Here’s the best part. Many of the snowboard routes are through areas that have trailside access to cabins, hotels and restaurants. You can literally ride from area to area camping and dining along the way.