Iowa’s Winter Playground: Nearly 9,000 Miles of Snowmobile Trails Open

Iowa is now home to almost 9,000 miles of snowmobile trails. And while some residents are frustrated by two straight weekends of moderate to heavy snowfall, others are thrilled — seeing it as the perfect chance to enjoy everything a Midwest winter can bring.

Matt Miner, president of the Iowa State Snowmobile Association in Cresco, says snowmobiling can be a great pastime as long as riders stick to the fundamentals of safety.

“We want everyone to have fun, but we also want everyone to be safe,” Miner says. “It’s about enjoying the sport with friends and family. We always stress riding responsibly — don’t do anything on a sled that you wouldn’t do in your car. We know people like to celebrate, but that shouldn’t carry over into riding when it’s not safe.”

Miner adds that the Iowa Department of Natural Resources provides an online safety course for new riders ages 12 to 17.

“Go to the Iowa DNR website, click on the Snowmobile tab, and you can find the classes there,” Miner says. “Right now, that’s what’s available. But we’re hoping within the next year to bring back in-person training for youth.”

According to Miner, Iowa has close to 60 snowmobiling clubs across the state, each offering its own events and trail-riding opportunities.

“My local club hosts Snow Fest — this will be its 55th year, happening the last weekend in January,” Miner says. “There are also the Winter Games in Okoboji. And down in Huxley, we partner with kids who have spina bifida to get them out riding on snowmobiles.”

Miner says the association helps support trail grooming efforts and maintains a statewide trail network totaling about 8,800 miles.