Arrowhead State Trail – Minnesota

Stretching roughly 135 miles through the wild heart of northeastern Minnesota, the Arrowhead State Trail connects the town of Tower to International Falls along a corridor of boreal forest, wetlands, and rolling terrain. This is deep North Woods country — the kind of landscape where moose browse at dawn and the northern lights ripple across winter skies.

The trail is best known as one of Minnesota’s premier snowmobile routes. When snow blankets the region from December through March, the groomed corridor draws riders from across the Upper Midwest for long-distance touring through some of the state’s most remote and beautiful scenery. The route passes through small communities where you can warm up, refuel, and grab a meal before heading back into the wilderness.

In the warmer months, sections of the trail open to hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, and ATV use, though conditions vary — some stretches cross wetland areas that stay soft well into summer. Fall brings spectacular color as birch and aspen turn gold against the dark backdrop of spruce and pine.

Camping options are limited directly on the trail, but several state forests and campgrounds lie nearby, including those around Lake Vermilion and along the Rainy River corridor. Plan to be self-sufficient, especially on longer stretches between towns.

The best time to visit depends on your plans: mid-January through February for snowmobiling in peak conditions, or September for hiking through the autumn color. Come prepared for solitude — that’s the whole point.

Explore Nearby

• Lake Vermilion Public Islands — Public Land in Minnesota
• Edge of the Wilderness Scenic Byway — Scenic Byway in Minnesota
• Superior National Forest — National Forest in Minnesota
• Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness — Dark Sky Site in Minnesota
• Chippewa National Forest — National Forest in Minnesota