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General
Generally speaking use of snowmobiles in Voyageurs is similar to the
rules and regulations of the State of Minnesota. Visitors should keep
safety at the forefront of all operations of snowmobiles in and out of
the Park. There are a few exceptions:
Permits
There is no special registration permits required for operating a
snowmobile in Voyageurs. There is no fee specific to the park for use of
a snowmobile. A state registration sticker/permit is required. The state
registration sticker must be displayed in accordance with the state that
the snowmobile is registered.
Speed Limit
The speed limit in Voyageurs is 45 mph on lake surfaces and 25 mph on
safety portages and land-based trails. This is different than operating
snowmobiles outside the park where MN DNR speed limits prevail (50MPH on
trails).
National Park Service Rangers as well as state and county enforcement
officers enforce speed limits by radar gun and by aircraft. Please adhere
to the appropriate speed limits for safety sake.
Marked Groomed Lake Trails
Marked and groomed trails on the lake surfaces of the park are unique to
Voyageurs. Great care is taken by park and Society participants to
determine ice thickness and quality to assure safety for park visitors.
Lake trails are marked with wooden stakes at intervals (about .2 miles
apart) for navigation day and night. The stakes are color coded to
coordinate navigation between points within Voyageurs using the
"Voyageurs National Park and Surrounding Area" snowmobile trail
map. The Society map is free to the public and may be obtained from area
resorts and businesses, by internet (request info page on this site),
from the National Park Service and area visitors and convention bureaus.
The trail marking stakes feature reflective material, which illuminates
well from the headlight of a snowmobile. The reflection allows for easy
navigation through the Park at night and during inclement weather.
The stakes indicate the middle of the trail and snowmobilers must operate
to the right of the stakes much like the centerline of a highway. Ice
thickness is assured within 50ft of the trail centerline. Please operate
with the knowledge that conditions along the marked trail can change.
Conditions such as slush, pressure ridges, snow drifting and more occur.
Please operate with caution at all times. Our motto is "If It's
Marked It is Safe".
Off -Trail Operations
Snowmobiles may be operated in the park on most frozen lakes and on
designated land routes. Please refer to the Society trail map for
information. Snowmobile operation is prohibited on land surfaces not
marked for operation. Off trail hill climbing is not permitted. For the
adventurer a never-ending experience can be found in bays and along
shorelines on the four major lakes (Rainy, Sandpoint, Kabetogama and
Namakan Lake). A few of the Park's interior lakes are open to
snowmobiling and offer incredible sightseeing and powder riding
opportunities. The trail map indicates areas of unsafe ice with red hash
marks. These areas can change
with weather conditions so please use the utmost in caution when
operating in their vicinity. Please
refer to the Society Snowmobile map for information. Remember, safety
first!
Wildlife and snowmobiles
There is opportunity to view park wildlife while visiting on snowmobile.
It is illegal to harass wildlife or pursue wildlife from a snowmobile.
The most common animals sighted are deer, various birds and wolves.
Environmental groups have worked hard to restrict the use of snowmobiles
in large embayments throughout the park on the basis that snowmobile
operation displaces wildlife and causes harm to their existence. To date
their efforts have failed and the restricted embayments are open for your
enjoyment. Please operate your snowmobile using good snowmobile etiquette,
safety practices and common sense. Enjoy the wildlife but do it from a
distance
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