Bismarck, ND – North Dakota’s snowmobile season opened on Dec. 1, but several conditions must be met before the state’s 2,800 miles of snowmobile trails are open, groomed and ready for travel.
Adequate snow cover of four inches must be on the ground to allow for trail packing and grooming. Signs must be put in place, and to travel across wetland areas the ice must be thick enough to support the weight of trail groomers.
The public is encouraged to download the free Snowmobile North Dakota interactive trail map mobile app to view updates on trail conditions throughout the season, which concludes on April 1, 2024. The app also tracks trips, current location on a trail using GPS, and offers locations of nearby amenities while allowing users to save and load itineraries. More features are available by upgrading to the pro version.
In addition to the app, online trail maps and current trail conditions can be found at www.snowmobilend.org/.
While snowmobilers await the arrival of adequate snowfall and groomed trails, now is a good time to make sure registrations are current and snowmobiles are in good operating condition. All snowmobiles operated on public land must be registered with the North Dakota Department of Transportation at any of their statewide offices.
The North Dakota Parks and Recreation online registration system will be unavailable from January 1-10, so non-resident public trails and lands access permits must be purchased before or after that timeframe.
Celebrating 50 Years
Snowmobile North Dakota celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2024 with its state ride scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 17 in Rugby, hosted by the Northern Lights Trailblazers Snowmobile Club. Snowmobile North Dakota is planning special events to commemorate the anniversary to include a vintage sled show. Follow Snowmobile North Dakota’s Facebook page for a complete list of events.
North Dakota law requires youth ages 10 and older who do not have a valid driver's license or permit to take a safety certification class. The safety certification class can be taken online at any time. More information can be found here.
The mission of the North Dakota Parks and Recreation Department is to enrich generations through experiences that connect people and places.
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For More Information Contact:
Kristin Byram at kcbyram@nd.gov