Each year, snowfall totals in Minnesota average 36 inches in the southwest region of the state to more than 70 inches in the northeast. With all of that snow and more than 20,000 miles of groomed trails, snowmobiling is a popular activity in Minnesota. You’ll find many four-season resorts that cater to snowmobilers during the winter, offering easy access to thousands of miles of trails.
Located roughly 200 miles northeast of Minneapolis, the Wildwood Resort is in one of the state’s prime snowmobiling regions. From your cabin you can connect to the nearby Bushwacker Trail in just a few minutes. From there, you can tie into the county trail system as well as the Taconite Trail that links the entire northern part of the state. After a day on the trails, head back to the resort, which features two-, three- and four-bedroom cabins that sleep up to 12 people. All cabins have a gas fireplace, cable television and kitchen with stove, refrigerator, coffee maker and microwave. Bed linens, dishes and cookware are provided.
Wildwood Resort
35748 Wildwood Road
Grand Rapids, MN 55744
888-328-5858
wildwoodresort.net
Cragun’s Resort and Hotel is located in the Brainerd Lakes area, 135 miles northwest of Minneapolis. The Gull Lake Lighted Trail, which runs right past the resort, connects to a thousand miles of trails in the region. If you don’t have your own snowmobile, you can rent one at the resort after receiving the required safety instructions. The resort also offers snowmobiling guides. Lodging choices at Cragun’s include lakeside cabins and hotel rooms, some with views of the lake or indoor pool. The one- to five-bedroom cabins have fireplaces with either a kitchenette or full kitchen. Standard hotel rooms come with two double beds; larger rooms have fireplaces, whirlpool tubs, kitchenettes and sitting areas. The resort provides free Wi-Fi in all rooms. When you aren’t out on the trail, you can take advantage of the resort’s 22,000-square foot indoor sports facility with tennis, basketball, volleyball, running track and fitness center.
Cragun’s Resort and Hotel on Gull Lake
11000 Craguns Drive
Brainerd, MN 56401
800-272-4867
brainerd.com
In business since 1934, Boyd Lodge is located in Crosslake, approximately 150 miles northeast of Minneapolis. The resort is near the Paul Bunyan Trail, which extends more than 100 miles. Although Boyd Lodge does not rent snowmobiles on site, the owners will help arrange rentals. Lodging options include a four-bedroom cottage or three- to five-bedroom loft cabins equipped with a wood-burning fireplace, kitchen, cable television with DVD player and Wi-Fi. If you want to try something other than snowmobiling, the resort rents cross-country skis and has its own private trails.
Boyd Lodge
36653 Silver Peak Road
Crosslake, MN 56442
800-450-2693
boydlodge.com
