Michigan Snowmobile Trails
Michigan Snowmobile Trails
The Best Snowmobile Trails in Michigan
If you’re wondering whether Michigan is one of the best places to snowmobile, consider that there are more than 200,000 snowmobiles registered in the state, and there are currently 110 snowmobile clubs. That’s a lot on both counts. No surprise because the state’s location, terrain and weather are just you want for your snowmobile adventures. For purposes of snowmobiling, the state tends to be split into two parts, both of which are blessed with miles of exciting snowmobile trails and major average snowfalls. Many consider the upper peninsula snowmobile trails to be best, but you’ll get a strong argument from those that regularly ride the lower peninsula trails. Combined, there are over 6,500 miles of some of the best snowmobile trails you’ll find anywhere in the U.S. Where are the best snowmobile trails Michigan has to offer? Is it difficult to find snowmobiling near me when I’m in Michigan? What are the best places to go snowmobiling in the state? Below is a list of just a few of the most popular Michigan snowmobile trails, compiled by the experts at Treadworld, with location information and websites where available. It’s always a good idea to keep in mind that snowmobile trail conditions can vary depending on the weather, so getting an update from the Michigan snowmobile trail report is a wise choice.
UPPER PENINSULA Curtis
Location: Mackinac County, south central in the upper peninsula
Website: https://www.curtismi.com/index.php?page=Snowmobiling
This 140-mile stretch of snowmobile trails in the Manistique Lakes Area of Michigan’s upper peninsula was voted the “Best Overall Snowmobiling Area” and “Best Power Riding in the United States” by SnowGoer Magazine. And no wonder when you consider the 20,000 acres of beautiful, wildlife-packed terrain that make for some of the best snowmobiling Michigan has to offer. Additionally, this trail can connect you with another 2,500 miles of Michigan snowmobiling trails so you can ride all week if you feel like it.
Lake Gogebic
Location: far western end of the Upper Peninsula, close to the Wisconsin border, and in parts of both Gogebic and Ontonagon Counties
Website: http://www.lakegogebic.com/16-2/
This area receives an average snowfall of 200 inches and has hundreds of miles of connecting trails through pristine, winding forest lands. Plus, you’ll appreciate that residents of this winter wonderland welcome those seeking snowmobiling adventures with open arms. Well-groomed trails pass by waterfalls that are a work of art, to scenic overlooks, and over railroad grades, bridges, hills, lakes, cedar swamps, and logging roads, all during the course of your trek. If you’re looking to ride snowmobile for a few miles, head around the perimeter of Lake Gogebic. For a longer ride of 150 miles, start at Lake Gogebic and head to Iron River and Iron Mountain, then back, or for a 100-mile expedition, you can ride the snowmobile trails into Wisconsin and back.
Marquette
Location: Marquette County, mid-east upper peninsula
Website: https://www.travelmarquette.com/things-to-do/winter-activities/snowmobiling/
With 150-plus inches of snowfall each season and more than 400 miles of trails, Marquette offers some of the best snowmobiling in Michigan. Plus, it’s located pretty much dead center in the Upper Peninsula in Marquette County. Six groomed trails in the area showcase spectacular views while you experience twisting curves leading to flat spaces where you can get the kinks out of your machine. These snowmobiling trails are interconnected to the extensive Michigan trail system so you can ride for days. Literally.
Munising
Location: Alger County, middle of the upper peninsula
Website: https://www.munising.org/top-snowmobile-stops-in-the-munising-area/
The reason that residents of the area don’t get any pushback when they refer to Munising as the “Snowmobile Capital of the Midwest” is undoubtedly because the ten groomed trails covering over 300 miles offer some of the best snowmobile trails in Michigan. Connecting the cities of Shingleton, Grand Marais, Seney, Chatham, Manistique, Rapid River, and Marquette, the trails weave through beautiful hardwoods, spruce and fir trees forests, offering many wonderful photo ops. You may also want to set your sights on exploring the Eben Ice Caves about 15 miles west of Munising, or visiting Lakenland Sculpture Park located between Munising and Marquette.
Paradise
Location: Chippewa County, southeastern-most point in upper peninsula
Website: https://www.fishweb.com/maps/chippewa/trails/paradise/index.html
Well-named for Michigan snowmobilers, this area averages over 200 inches of snowfall annually keeping its more than 200 miles of well-groomed trails through unspoiled wilderness ready for all your snowmobile adventures. This trail system connects to other trails crossing the entire Upper Peninsula, leading to such beautiful sites as the 35,000-acre Tahquamenon Falls State Park with the spectacular falls that frequently ice-over in winter, and the rugged shore line of both Lake Michigan and Lake Superior. Directly north of Paradise you’ll find the oldest working lighthouse on Lake Superior (since 1849!).
Sault Ste. Marie
Location: Chippewa County, at the northeastern edge of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula
Website: https://www.saultstemarie.com/four-seasons/snowmobile-sault-ste-marie-area/
Though it has over 100 miles of snowmobile trails, the city of Sault Ste. Marie is most famous for hosting the International 500 for the last 50 years. The 500 is a NASCAR-like event in the snow that features some of the best snowmobile riders in the world testing their mettle, and their machines, in a in a 500-mile endurance race to prove who is the best. Even if you’re not racing, the atmosphere in the town is electric, and you’ll love that you can ride snowmobile trails that connect Newberry, Paradise, Strongs, Pickford, Cedarville and St. Ignace.
Seney
Location: Schoolcraft County, south central part of the upper peninsula
Website: https://www.upsnowmobiling.com/trail-reports/seney
Three trailheads in the Seney area lead to 90 miles of well-groomed and maintained snowmobile trails that take you through beautiful forests and vast wilderness areas. Seney serves as the crossroads for the snowmobile trails coming from Munising, Curtis, Newberry and Grand Marais, so from this starting point you can easily travel anywhere in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.
LOWER PENINSULA
Allegan County
Location: Allegan County, southern western quarter of the lower peninsula
Website: http://cms.allegancounty.org/services/GIS/maps/Online%20Maps/Snowmobile%20Allegan.pdf
Featuring 98 miles of groomed trails, this area is a draw because of its prime conditions, pristine wilderness trails and abundant wildlife. Annual snowfall averages around 70 inches, and the Allegan Trails are interconnected to other Michigan snowmobile trails so you can ride as long as you want. But pay attention because these trails are often winding and hilly, and can lead inexperienced riders to take a wrong turn.
Cadillac
Location: Wexford County, located at the eastern edge of the Manistee National Forest
Website: https://www.michigan.org/article/woods%E2%80%94destination-cadillac
Among the best places to go snowmobiling in Michigan’s Lower Peninsula, the Cadillac trail system networks hilly forest spurs with speed-friendly railroad grades and the Huron-Manistee National Forest to comprise 200 miles of the 600 miles of well-marked, well-groomed connected trails, while also linking in any direction to other Michigan trails in the state’s extensive network. Many follow the 92-mile White Pine Trail to enjoy the unparalleled beauty of the White Pine State Park, and to enjoy the 88-mile section open from Cadillac to Grand Rapids.
Gaylord
Location: Otsego County, middle northern part of the Lower Peninsula
Website: https://www.gaylordmichigan.net/the-white-stuff-weve-got-it-heaps-of-it/snowmobile/
Located in Michigan’s Northern Lower Peninsula’s snow belt, the Gaylord area averages around 180 inches of snowfall every year putting the finishing touch on what is an outstanding trail infrastructure that allows you to explore all the communities in the L.P., and connects to the Upper Peninsula as well. Popular trails include the North Branch Trail, a former railroad corridor that stretches for 73 groomed miles through vast farmlands, forests and villages to Mackinaw City. Since 2015 (during non-pandemic years) Gaylord has hosted the Michigan Snowmobile Festival, a two-day event focused on bringing snowmobilers together to ride area trail systems, featuring Michigan’s Richest Snowmobile Fun Run and a chance to win $1,000.
That’s Only A Few…
Basically, the whole state is vast snowmobile trail during the season. With thousands of miles of groomed snowmobile trails stretching from the Keweenaw Peninsula in the north, all the way to Michigan’s southern border, you’ll find plenty of opportunity in Michigan to allow your snowmobile to be all that it can be as you navigate across frozen lakes, weave through dense forests, and quick-stop in snowmobile-friendly towns. We’ve only highlighted a few of the most memorable Michigan snowmobile trails here, but there are many others.
We’re Treadworld, Home of the Best Specialty Tires Anywhere
Whether you’re snowmobiling in Michigan or one of the other states that provide outstanding winter sports adventures, when you decide to snowmobile outside your own backyard, one of the safest ways to transport your machines is with a snowmobile trailer. And you can count on us to provide you with the high performance tires for snowmobile trailer that will get you safely where you’re going. Face it, even the best snowmobile trailer is worthless if it’s not equipped with dependable tires. Here at Treadworld, we have the right trailer tires for every occasion. You can count on Rubbermaster brand trailer tires to provide the best in top quality, long-lasting, never-let-you-down reliability, manufactured with strict tolerances from top rubber compounds, triple-tested for quality before being X-rayed to be sure they’re perfect, then covered by our Ultimate Advantage Lifetime Warranty. Don’t hesitate to contact our tire experts via live chat or email with any questions you may have.
