Nordic Skiing
For those wishing to enjoy winter's solitude with Nordic skiing, the Grand Rapids area offers more than 200K of skiing on 19 groomed trails.  Enjoy a variety of terrain for the beginner, intermediate and expert; both classic and freestyle techniques. Use the handy trail head locator and map to plan your outing.  A variety of Lodging choices are available ranging from elegant, full service to budget conscious and comfortable.

Ski Pass
DNR InformationThe Department of Natural Resources offers three ways for cross-country skiers to get the Great Minnesota Ski Pass. Cross-country skiers aged 16 and older must have a ski pass on most public ski trails.

  • Purchase online
  • Phone: You can purchase licenses by phone: 1-888-665-4236 (1-MN-LICENse). Call any time of day or night, seven days a week. This toll-free call provides immediate licensing by way of a license identification number, which will be issued at the time of the call. The license identification number is valid until you receive an actual license in the mail. All purchases must be made by credit card. There is $3.50 convenience fee per call.
  • In Person: Select from a location in the Grand Rapids Area.

Trailhead Map: Available from Visit Grand Rapids by calling 1-800-355-9740 or contacting us. 

Forget your skis at home?
Click trail numbers for a description
Cross Country Ski Trail Maps

Cross-Country Ski Trails
 All trails are tracked.  Groomed for skating as noted.
Short Outings
Trail KM  Map Skill Level Location & Description
1. University of MN North Central Exp. Station
(218) 327-4490		 8   Beginner East Hwy 169 to first college entrance road to end, park by gate. Classic trails through pine overstory.
2. Forest History Center
(218) 327-4482		 4.5   Beginner South Hwy 169 to Golf Course Rd, west 2 miles, 1/2 mi. on Co Rd 76. Trails wind through 1900 Logging Camp and Virgin timber. Interpretive Center open daily. Full moon ski in January.
3. Sylvan Point Trail
(218) 326-2500		 6   Beginner 1 mile west on Golf Course Road, north on SW 14th Ave. to trailhead. Connects new Grand Itasca Hospital with Forest History Center
4. Legion Trails
(218) 326-2500		 3.5 PDF Trail Map Beginner Intermediate Grand Rapids City Park with lighted trails located near High School just off North Hwy 38. Skate lane and classic tracks set.
5. Minnesota Power
(218) 328-5711		 3.4   Beginner West Hwy 2 to Cohasset, turn left (one block after stoplight) on to Co. Rd. 87. One mile to Trailhead building and lighted trails that loop along the Mississippi River. Deer often on trail. Skate and classic.
6. Portage Park
(218) 328-6225		 4   Beginner West Hwy 2, turn left on to Co. Rd. 63 for 2 miles, then right on Lake Street to sports complex and trail head in Cohasset. Level classic track.
MAP
Nearby Areas
Trail KM Map Skill Level Location & Description
7. Alder Pond
(218) 327-2855		 10   Beginner E. Hwy 169 across Prairie River, 2 miles E on Co. 21, 1 mile south on E Rangeline Road, 1 mile to trailhead parking. Dogs allowed.
8. Big Ridge
(218) 327-2855		 10   Intermediate From Goodland, 4 mi. N. on Hwy 65, then W. on Co. Rd. 560 for .5 mi. to parking
9. Boomer-Blue Multipurpose Trail
 		 6.5   Beginner River Road south 6 mi. turn right and stay on Wendigo Rd. 4 mi. Turn left into parking lot at green gate. Double tracked forest road. Allows for dogs or snowshoe travel out 2 mi. & back. Intersects Cowhorn ski trail (no pets or foot travel on Cowhorn).
10. Cowhorn Lake
 		 7.6 PDF Trail Map Intermediate River Rd south 6 mil., turn right on Wendigo Rd 3 mi., turn left on Co 427 to trailhead. Classic ski only. No foot travel or pets.
11. Golden Anniversary River Road
 		 2.7 PDF Trail Map Intermediate River Road south 7 mi. Watch for signs on the left. Hills, pines.
12. Mount Itasca
(218) 245-3487		 10 PDF Trail Map Intermediate Expert East Hwy 169 to Coleraine west on Co. 61 to RR track. Hilly terrain for skate and classic. Fee for use of Biathlon range, public trails west of chalet. Snowmaking facilities, chalet.
13. Trout Lake, Joyce Estate, Doan Lake
(218) 246-2123
 		 10 PDF Trail Map Beginner Intermediate North Hwy 38 12 mi., east on Co 60 two mi., north on Co 335 2 mi. Double tracked classic ski 3 mi. out to Historic site and return, or venture off into the Doan Lake trail that is connected.
14. Wabana Trails
(218) 327-2855		 9.7   Beginner Intermediate North Hwy 38 7 miles, NE on Co 49 8 miles, continue east on Co 59 half mile. Scenic winding classic trail.
MAP
The Hills
Trail KM Map Skill Level Location & Description
15. Amen Lake
(218) 327-2855		 6.9   Beginner Intermediate North Hwy 38 12 mi., west on 19, 2 mi. right on Co. 246. Hilly trails connect with Suomi Trails
16. Blueberry Hills
(218) 328-5191		 12 PDF Trail Map Intermediate Expert West Hwy 2 to Deer River, north on Hwy 6 2 mi., 3 mi east on Chase Lake Rd, then right half-mile into trailhead building often heated on weekend afternoons. Skate and classic.
17. Sugar Hills
 		 28 PDF Trail Map Intermediate Expert South Hwy 169 7 mi., West on Co. 17 4 mi., south on Co. 449. Challenging hilly terrain through hardwood forest. Panoramic view. Skate and classic.
18. Suomi Hills
(218) 246-2123		 34.3   Intermediate Expert North Hwy 38 13 mi. to south Suomi or 15 mi. to north Suomi parking. Hilly terrain winds through forest and lakes. South trail connects to Amen Lake trails.
MAP
Big Snow Areas
Trail KM Skill Level Location & Description
19. Simpson Creek
(218) 246-2123		 20 Beginner Intermediate From Deer River, 18 mi. NW on Hwy. 46 to Cutfoot Sioux Visitor Center at Junct. of Hwy 46
20. Scenic State Park
(218) 743-3362
 16.1 Intermediate From Big Fork, 7 mi., SE on Co. Rd. 7 or from Grand Rapids Hwy 169 E 10 miles, 40 miles northwest on Co Rd 7.
21. Thistledew
(218) 999-7923		 16 Beginner
Intermediate 		34 mi. N. of Nashwauk on Hwy. 65, then 4 mi. W. on Hwy. 1 to parking at Carpenter Town Hall.
MAP
Ski Passes
 DNR InformationA Minnesota Ski Pass is required on all grant-in-aid trails. Some trails require a Great Minnesota Ski Pass which may be purchased at any electronic licensing agent. Funds generated by the sale of ski passes help local, county and state organizations maintain trails. Trails are maintained  by the Itasca County Parks & Trail Department, Chippewa National Forest, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Trails & Waterways division, and the Northern Lights Nordic Ski Club volunteers.  Your support to help maintain the trails is appreciated. 
 
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Visit Grand Rapids
(Formerly the Grand Rapids Area Convention & Visitors Bureau)
501 S Pokegama Ave, Ste 3 · Grand Rapids, Minnesota  55744
 1-800-355-9740 · 218-326-9607
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