Brainerd MN Snowmobile Trail Conditions
Our Brainerd MN snowmobile trails are perfect for a weekend getaway in MN or for a longer MN vacation. The Brainerd Lakes Area has over 1200 miles of groomed snowmobile trails to enjoy, and our color-coded trail signing system and corresponding trail maps will make getting around easier. Plus, you can get the latest snowmobile trail conditions for snowmobile trails in the Brainerd Lakes Area all right here at Brainerd.com: Brainerd Lakes Vacation Land! View Trail Conditions for Other Brainerd Lakes Area Trails.
2023/2024 Brainerd Snowmobile Trail Conditions
February 5, 2024
We have received about 5″ of fluffy snow so far for the season and most of that has now melted. With the long range forecast we don’t see anything for the next couple weeks in the way of snow or cold. The problem the clubs are now talking about is if we do get snow, we have no base and the swamps are not frozen, grooming will be difficult and may not be done. Stay tuned for further information but at this point we have no snow forecasted out through 2-19-24 and temps this week in the high 40’s low 50’s.
Provided by Crow Wing County Snowmobile Trails Association
January 16, 2024
5” of fluffy snow, ice is still unsafe in many locations, some have been out riding but most of the trail gates are still closed. End of this week will see our first sub-zero weather, which we need to freeze lakes and swamps but we will need another 3″ to 5″ of snow to get out on the trails.
Provided by Crow Wing County Snowmobile Trails Association
2022/2023 Brainerd Snowmobile Trail Conditions
January 24, 2023
This is the first week that we have not had fresh snow to work with, though we are supposed to get 1″- 2″ tonight. We have had 33” of snow so far this season and the good news is that all the trails in the Brainerd Lakes Area are open. The clubs are now resuming regular grooming operations and we will post as we receive reports. However, there are some spotty problem areas throughout the system that the clubs are having issues with because of swamps or lakes not freezing enough to support the groomers. This past week we have received some above average temperatures that have slowed grooming as the clubs are waiting for colder weather.
Provided by Crow Wing County Snowmobile Trails Association
January 3, 2023
We have had about 28” of snow so far this season but the 16” of wet, heavy snow we had before Christmas basically shut down our trail system. We had so many trees and brush down on our trails it was nearly impossible to get through. The clubs are catching up and many of the trails have been opened and are passable. Also, many of the clubs are going to start resuming grooming operations on most of the trails by the end of the week. You can really help the clubs by stopping and removing any debris you encounter on the trails. Swamps still have soft spots so use caution, lakes are freezing nicely but still have slushy spots. As always check locally for the ice conditions on lakes.
Provided by Crow Wing County Snowmobile Trails Association
December 13, 2022
Technically the trails opened December 1st but our area does not have enough snow to ride so there are still some gates closed across private land. We also have not had enough cold temps to freeze the swamps and lakes so travel at this point is dangerous.
Provided by Crow Wing County Snowmobile Trails Association
2021/2022 Brainerd Snowmobile Trail Conditions
February 17, 2022
Great news, we picked up another 3” of new good snow bringing our season total to 44″ so that should get us through another couple weeks. Most of the clubs are on their regular grooming schedules. Please use extreme caution on the lakes, though frozen they are never completely safe. Lots of snow does not give you permission to go onto private property – NO TRESPASSING!!!!!
Provided by Crow Wing County Snowmobile Trails Association
February 10, 2022
Great news, we picked up 3” of new good snow so that will get us through another week. Most of the clubs are on their regular grooming schedules. Please use extreme caution on the lakes, though frozen they are never completely safe. Lots of snow does not give you permission to go onto private property – NO TRESPASSING!!!!!
Provided by Crow Wing County Snowmobile Trails Association
January 7, 2022
We received 17″ of new snow on 12-27 followed by another 5″ on 12-28 plus another 5″ on 1-5-22, bringing our season total to about 35″. The clubs have been continually out on the trails and most of the trails have been run 2 or 3 times and clubs are moving to their regular grooming schedules. Please use extreme caution on the lakes, though frozen they are never completely safe. We have had 3 sleds go through and a couple trucks so be careful and “know before you go”. Lots of snow does not give you permission to go onto private property – NO TRESPASSING!!!!!
Provided by Crow Wing County Snowmobile Trails Association
December 29, 2021
We received 17″ of new snow on 12-27 followed by another 5″ on 12-28 bringing our season total to about 30″. The clubs are out on the trails but it’s difficult dealing with this much snow with very little base under it. Also, the road approaches on ditch trails are causing a lot of problems. The lakes had been freezing nicely but you can now expect a lot of slush and the swamps still aren’t completely froze so you extreme caution.
Provided by Crow Wing County Snowmobile Trails Association
2020/2021 Brainerd Snowmobile Trail Conditions
February 23, 2021
The Brainerd Lakes Area has only received about 18″ of snow this season so needless to say the trails aren’t in terrific condition. The lack of snow and warm temperatures have made any attempt at grooming difficult, so for now, the most of the clubs have suspended grooming operations. However, some of the clubs have reported riding in the wooded trails is ok but the warm temps are going to take its toll. Also, remember that the “Line 3” pipeline construction is going on in the Backus, Emily area so use caution.
Provided by Crow Wing County Snowmobile Trails Association
February 12, 2021
The Brainerd Lakes Area has only received about 16″ of snow this season so needless to say the trails aren’t in terrific condition. The lack of snow and temperatures with highs at the below zero mark have made any attempt at grooming difficult, so for now, the clubs have suspended grooming operations. However, some of the clubs have reported decent riding in the wooded trails. Also, remember that the “Line 3” pipeline construction is going on in the Backus, Emily area so use caution.
Provided by Crow Wing County Snowmobile Trails Association
January 20, 2021
The Brainerd Lakes Area has received about 14″ of snow this season with 6″ of that coming the evening of 12-29-20. We had an incredible amount of traffic over the New Year’s holiday and it shows on the amount of wear on the trails. The lakes still have many thin spots and slush in many areas so use caution. We have also had trespass issues on many of the trails, remember the landowners give us only permission for the trail not any of the adjacent land!! We have been getting skiffs of snow throughout the area so some of the clubs are out packing trails and doing trail work. Also, remember that the “Line 3” pipeline construction is going on in the Backus, Emily area so use caution.
Provided by Crow Wing County Snowmobile Trails Association
January 6, 2021
The Brainerd Lakes Area has received about 10″ of snow this season with 6″ of that coming the evening of 12-29-20. We had an incredible amount of traffic over the New Year’s holiday and it shows on the amount of wear on the trails. With no base and the warm temps there is not much the clubs can do with grooming at this point. The lakes still have many thin spots and slush in many areas so use caution. We have also had trespass issues on many of the trails, remember the landowners give us only permission for the trail not any of the adjacent land!!
Provided by Crow Wing County Snowmobile Trails Association
December 28, 2020
We are waiting for more snow! Gates have been opened but there will be no grooming until there is enough snow to do something with. If you choose to ride, try to pack the snow on the trails by NOT riding in each others track (PLEASE stay on the marked trails). The more the trails across swamps get packed the quicker they freeze so our machines can safely groom. Thanks!
Provided by Gull Lake Drifters Snowmobile Club
December 26, 2020
All gates on the Merrifield Marathons trails have been opened, but keep in mind that minimal snow conditions mean that we are not grooming the trails yet. We will groom as soon as we can, but we need more snow. If you ride our trails, please realize they are not groomed, travel at safe speeds and try not to spin your track. When crossing swampy or lowland areas, spread out to help widen and pack down the trail; it helps it freeze so our groomer can safely cross. This will pay off for all of us over the entire winter. Please stay on the trails and respect the landowners who generously allow our trails to cross their property.
And last, enjoy our trails and pray for snow! Be safe and healthy!
Provided by Merrifield Marathons Snowmobile Club
December 24, 2020
"MESSAGE TO SNOWMOBILERS"
"The Crow Wing County Snowmobile Trails Association (CWCSTA), which represents the 12 snowmobile clubs in Crow Wing County, want to urge caution to snowmobilers this season. While the snowmobile trails in Minnesota officially open on December 1st there are still a number of issues that thesnowmobile clubs must address and this can’t be accomplished until we can get our equipment out on the trails. The clubs will move as fast as we can to get the trails open and useable for the season but please remember that we are all “volunteers” so our schedules vary. Please respect private property and stay on designated trails when they open, remember club members work very hard to obtain easements from private landowners and these trails exist because those landowners allow us to use their property."
Mark Kavanaugh
President of the Crow Wing County Snowmobile Trails Association
Provided by Crow Wing County Snowmobile Trails Association Clubs
December 15, 2020
The lakes are just starting to freeze over in the Brainerd Lakes Area, at this point they are unsafe for most travel. We only have about an inch of snow so no trails are open at this point. Think Snow!!
Provided by Crow Wing County Snowmobile Trails Association Clubs
2019/2020 Brainerd Snowmobile Trail Conditions
March 3, 2020
We have now moved to “spring conditions” on all the CWCSTA trails. While we still have a pretty good base the lack of snow is beginning to show. All clubs have ceased grooming operations unless we get new snow.
Provided by Crow Wing County Snowmobile Trails Association Clubs
February 20, 2020
Trail Conditions in the area are surprisingly good. The trails are very hard and getting a little icy in some of the open areas but are holding up well, 2″ to 3″ of new snow would make them incredible again. In the northern part of CWCSTA land they did get that 3″ of snow this week. We still have some issues with unfrozen swamps but those are working themselves out but, as always, use caution. MnDot and County road crews are once again “winging” shoulders and leaving huge ice chunks on some of the trail ditches, use caution.
Provided by Crow Wing County Snowmobile Trails Association Clubs
February 18, 2020
Trail Conditions in the area are good. The trails are very hard and getting icy in some of the open areas but are holding up well, 2″ to 3″ of new snow would make them incredible again. We still have some issues with unfrozen swamps but those are working themselves out but, as always, use caution. MnDot and County road crews are once again “winging” shoulders and leaving huge ice chunks on some of the trail ditches, use caution.
Provided by Crow Wing County Snowmobile Trails Association Clubs
January 16, 2020
We received another 4″ of fresh snow yesterday on top of the 3″ we received Tuesday. The trails have a terrific base, even though we are still having problems in some of the swamps, so riding is going to excellent. The forecasters are predicting another 8″ to 12″ of new snow for Friday and Saturday.
Provided by Crow Wing County Snowmobile Trails Association Clubs
January 7, 2020
Conditions are slowly improving and the colder temperatures this week will help a lot. The swamps still have some bad spots and lakes are sketchy in places, use caution. Clubs have been out with all their equipment trying to get the trail system safe and operational.
Provided by Crow Wing County Snowmobile Trails Association Clubs
December 21, 2019
The clubs are doing what they can on the higher ground but many of the trails run through swamps or go across lakes. The swamps have not froze and the lakes do not have adequate ice yet, so we are having a difficult time getting our equipment into these places. Some of the clubs are running Argos, Side by Sides and sleds trying to pack the swamps but we are getting stuck even with those. Please be patient while we hope that Mother Nature does it’s part with some colder weather.
Provided by Crow Wing County Snowmobile Trails Association Clubs
December 17, 2019
We don’t have much to update on grooming yet. The clubs are doing what they can on the higher ground but many of the trails run through swamps or go across lakes. The swamps have not froze and the lakes do not have adequate ice yet, so we are having a difficult time getting our equipment into these places. Some of the clubs are running Argos, Side by Sides and sleds trying to pack the swamps but we are getting stuck even with those. Please be patient while we hope that Mother Nature does it’s part with some colder weather.
Provided by Crow Wing County Snowmobile Trails Association Clubs
December 8, 2019
The Crow Wing County Snowmobile Trails Association (CWCSTA), which represents the 12 snowmobile clubs in Crow Wing County, want to urge caution to snowmobilers this season. While the snowmobile trails in Minnesota officially open on December 1st there are still a number of issues that the snowmobile clubs must address and this can’t be accomplished until we can get our equipment out on the trails. Remember we really haven’t had much cold weather so the swamps are open and there is little ice on the lakes. The clubs will move as fast as we can to get the trails open and usable for the season but please remember that we are all “volunteers” so our schedules vary. Please respect private property and stay on designated trails when they open, remember club members work very hard to obtain easements from private landowners and these trails exist because those landowners allow us to use their property.
Provided by Crow Wing County Snowmobile Trails Association Clubs
December 5, 2019
The clubs are doing their best to get the trails in riding shape but unfrozen swamps and lakes are slowing the progress. Please use extreme caution when riding.
Provided by Crow Wing County Snowmobile Trails Association Clubs
December 3, 2019
The Paul Bunyan trail from Merrifield to Pequot Lakes was groomed today and is in excellent condition. County Road 3 from Merrifield to the Woods Restaurant and from County Road 19 to Ossipee will be groomed tomorrow. Bill went out with the Can Am side-by-side today and opened all trail gates. He did break through the ice in many swamps. On the Merri-Trail the big swamps by Mile Marker 9 and Mud Lake by Mile Marker 19 are not safe.
THE LAKES ARE NOT SAFE.
We really want people to be EXTRA careful, packing swamps will help and a good dose of some cold weather to get everything frozen will help.
Ride Smart, it’s early yet!
Provided by the Merrifield Marathons Snowmobile Club
October 10, 2019
All GIA Trails of the CWCSTA will open no earlier than December 1st or when snow conditions allow. Trail reports will begin then so think snow!
Provided by Crow Wing County Snowmobile Trails Association Clubs
2018-2019 Brainerd Snowmobile Trail Conditions
2/26/19 The Brainerd Lakes Area has received more than 56″ of snow this season. The clubs will be out grooming this week (mostly dealing with the drifts caused by the blizzard). We will post updated reports from the clubs as we receive them.
Provided by Crow Wing County Snowmobile Trails Association Clubs
2/6/19 The Brainerd Lakes Area received another 2″ of fresh snow on last night bringing our annual total to about 34″. The groomers are out and we will update as we get reports in.
Provided by Crow Wing County Snowmobile Trails Association Clubs
2/1/19 The Brainerd Lakes Area received another 6″ of fresh snow on Sunday night bringing our annual total to about 32″. With the extreme cold and wind the clubs probably won’t start groomer operations until Thursday or Friday so we have everything ready for the weekend.
Provided by Crow Wing County Snowmobile Trails Association Clubs
1/24/19 The Brainerd Lakes Area received another 1″ of snow last night and the clubs have been out grooming this past week. Though the temps look a little brisk the trails should be in great shape.
Provided by Crow Wing County Snowmobile Trails Association Clubs
1/20/19 The Brainerd Lakes Area has 20″ of snow but we have loss some with the warmer temps. We also received about 2/10th of an inch of rain glazing everything over on 1-6-19, it makes for tricky footing but it did help solidify the base. The trails are wearing thin in the open areas and corners but the riding gets better in the northern part of the system. Monday 1-21-19 is looking promising for a snow storm moving into the area with accumulations of 3″ to 5″ expected. Stay Tuned!!!
Provided by Crow Wing County Snowmobile Trails Association Clubs
1/10/19 The Brainerd Lakes Area has 20″ of snow but we have loss some with the warmer temps. We did receive about 2/10th of an inch of rain glazing everything over on Sunday night. Some of the trails are wearing thin in the open areas and corners. The clubs will be out grooming this week and we will update this site as we receive their reports.
Provided by Crow Wing County Snowmobile Trails Association Clubs
12/26/18 The Brainerd Lakes Area has 1″ of snow at this time but weather is predicting 8″-12″ of snow tonight and tomorrow. Most of the clubs have their trails ready to go but there is always issues with getting to certain areas because of swamps and gate closures because of landowners requests. The cold has helped with freezing up the swamps and lakes but always remember that the ice is never safe. Remember, when we do get snow the clubs will groom as soon as they determine that conditions allow it. We will continue to update this site as conditions change.
Provided by Crow Wing County Snowmobile Trails Association Clubs
10/11/2018 Brainerd saw it's first dusting of snow this week, but trails generally stay closed until early December. Check back regularly for trail conditions updates for the Brainerd Lakes Area.
View the Annual Snowmobile Trail Conditions from Previous Years.