Ask a Conservation Officer

[Lee Borgersen]

Ask a Conservation Officer?:

    When the snow melts, are ATVs allowed on snowmobile trails?


Q: The snow has melted off of the Grant-in-Aid/Club snowmobile trail near my house, and I want to take the trail to a fishing spot on my ATV. Am I allowed to ride the trail on the wheeler now that the snow is gone?

A: No. Grant-In-Aid snowmobile trails are established through a network of easements obtained from landowners who allow the trail to cross their land for a specified purpose and a specified time. In many situations, these easements have been obtained allowing only the operation of snowmobiles on the trail corridor.
State law affecting these easements allows only the operation of snowmobiles between Dec. 1 and April 1. Outside of these dates in most areas, the trail then "ceases" to exist, and any use reverts back to that of the private land, meaning you should get permission from the landowner before crossing their land. Where these trails cross public land, contact the managing entity for info on their regulations relating to operation of other machines.