Deer Yard Cross Country Ski Trails

Deer Yard Lake and the Pioneer Trail Cross Country Skiing Conditions provided by Cascade Lodge Lutsen, Minnesota   218-387-1112

From Hwy 61, drive north on County Road 7 to County Road 44, north to Pike Lake Road (County Road 45), then west to intersection with forest road, and west on road in to parking (known locally as Babineau Corner.)

Fees - MN Ski Pass required and if you park in the State Park, a Park Permit is required; both sold at office (open 10am-4pm weekends)

Level of Difficulty - easy, more difficult & most difficult
Connects - southwest to Cascade River and north to Bally Creek

Trail Description
tracked only trails; ski the easy 3K trail or ski the more difficult Deer Yard loop.

Bally Creek Cross Country Ski Trails

From Hwy 61, drive northeast on County Road 7 to County Road 48, then north to Forest Road 158 (Bally Creek Rd), take Forest Road 158 in about 2 miles.

Level of Difficulty - easy to more difficult

Connects - south to the Deer Yard and Cascade trail systems

Trail Description
25K with skating on 8K of unplowed road (FR158 beyond parking area)

10.4K Moose Trail, a downhill connector to the Cascade River State Park system.

Grand Marais Lodging and Dining

Lutsen Mountains Nordic Center Cross Country Ski Trails

From Hwy 61 in Lutsen, drive north on Ski Hill Rd 218-663-7281 

Amenities - rentals, maps, restrooms and food available

Fees - daily fees charged 

Maps - available at ticket office

Level of Difficulty - easy with more & most difficult

Trail Description
31K tracked & skating lane.

Lutsen Lodging and Dining

Pincushion Mountain
Pincushion Mountain Cross Country Ski Trails

From Hwy 61 in Grand Marais, drive north on Gunflint Trail (County Road 12) about 2 miles, then turn right / east on County Road 53 less than one minute to scenic overlook.

Level of Difficulty - easy, more difficult & most difficult.

Trail Description
25K single tracked with skating lane.

7K expert trails including 
loops from 1K to 4.1K; the entire system is in a birch forest featuring Devil Track River valley and hilly terrain.

Gunflint Trail
800-338-6932 (Gunflint Trail Association / GTA)

Trail Description
180K of groomed, signed and tracked trails

More details of Gunflint Trail ski areas

Gunflint Trail Lodging and Dining

Central Gunflint Cross Country Ski Trails
218-388-2203 or 800-346-2203 Golden Eagle Lodge

Amenities - ski lessons and rentals at lodges

Fees - $10 per day or $7.50 per half-day for non-guests; season pass 
available

Trailheads
Golden Eagle Lodge, 25 1/2 miles up the Gunflint Lodge & 2 1/2 miles in on the Clearwater Rd
Bearskin Lodge, 27 miles up the Gunflint Trail & 1 mile in on Bearskin Rd

Level of Difficulty - easy, more difficult & most difficult

Trail Description
66K with single or double track and 36K of skating lanes

Beginner Loops
5K Summer Home Road loop, the 5.2K Ox Cart trail or either lodge's 1K lit trail.

Gunflint Trail Lodging and Dining

Upper Gunflint Cross Country Ski Trails

218-388-2294 or 800-328-3325 Gunflint Lodge
218-388-4454 or 800-533-5814 Gunflint Pines

Amenities - 1.5K electric lit and 2K lantern lit trails and amenities at lodges

Trailheads
At Gunflint Lodge, Gunflint Pines both on South Gunflint Lake Rd / County Road 50

Level of Difficulty - easy, more difficult & most difficult

Trail Description
90K single or double tracked with 24K skating lanes

Experienced skiers will like the 9.7K
South Rim Trail and 6.5K (+ access) Highlands Trail with Wipeout Hill, a large S-curve descending 120 feet to the Cross River.

Gunflint Trail Lodging and Dining

Judge C R Magney State Park Cross Country Ski Trails

218-387-2929
On Hwy 61 about 14 miles NE of Grand Marais 

Fees - MN Ski Pass required and if you park in the State Park, a Park Permit is 
required

Level of Difficulty - more difficult

Trail Description
7.5K single tracked

6K Long Loop climbs the bluffs along the Brule River

Grand Portage Lodging and Dining

Judge C R Magney State Park info and maps