Snowmobiling

Schoolcraft County, Michigan

The Upper Peninsula is a true destination for snowmobilers. Whether you want to take a quick ride along the Manistique River on a scenic trail or tap into the more than 3,000 miles of groomed trails the U.P. offers, there’s something for every snowmobiler.

Ken McNally

Schoolcraft County Motorized Trails Association

300 New Delta Ave - Manistique, Michigan 49854
Phone: (906) 341-4488

They maintain the trail system in their sector of the Central Upper Peninsula of Michigan. The SCMTA strives to provide a medium for exchange of snowmobile and ORV information and to be the catalyst between government entities, businesses and snowmobilers and ORV enthusiasts.

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Schoolcraft County Trail Map

There are more than 3,000 miles of groomed trails in the UP alone, with epic views and ideal riding conditions.

The Schoolcraft County snowmobile trail map is provided by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.

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West Zone Snowmobile Map

Hiawatha National Forest

Several hundred miles of snowmobiling trails are managed in a partnership between the Hiawatha National Forest, Michigan DNR, and local snowmobling clubs.

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Schoolcraft County Snowmobiling

Great Getaways TV

clip from "Great Getaways" episode #7724 "Snowshoes Way Up North" - Michigan's Upper Peninsula. With an average of 165 inches of snowfall, Schoolcraft Country is a winter paradise for outdoor enthusiasts - and especially snowmobilers, since there are nearly 400 miles of groomed trails. These trails are part of more than 2.500 miles of well marked and well-maintained pathways throughout the Upper Peninsula.

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Pure Michigan Trail

Haywire Grade Trail

Trail Length: 32 miles between Manistique and Shingleton

MANISTIQUE TRAILHEAD
Location: Intake Park Road - Manistique, Michigan (across from Manistique Pumping Station)

JACK PINE TRAILHEAD
Location: Jack Pine Lodge on M-94 (about half way between Manistique and Shingleton).

NORTHERN TRAILHEAD
Location: A sign marks the northern trailhead on the east side of M-94 just south of Shingleton. There is no parking, but spaces are available east of the Tanglewood Restaurant and Antique Shop on M-28 in Shingleton less than a quarter mile north of the trail.

The multiuse Haywire Grade Trail stretches 32 miles and crosses the Upper Peninsula, south to north, from Intake Park in Manistique to Shingleton in Schoolcraft and Alger counties. The trail was Michigan’s first rail trail. The trail runs along the old Manistique and Lake Superior Railroad and has since been reclassified as a year-round, multiuse trail – the first in Michigan's Upper Peninsula.

The trail surface is a mix of sand, gravel and coarse limestone, designed for snowmobiles and ATVs, but suitable for fat-tire biking. Mile markers help you track your progress through this secluded second growth forest. You’ll find a small grocery store in the tiny hamlet of Steuben, the last vestige of the many logging camps or towns that vanished after the railroad was abandoned.

The trail has been recognized as a Pure Michigan Designated Trail and designated as a heritage trail. The heritage trail project includes a series of 11 historical interpretive kiosks that explore the natural and cultural history of the area.

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Approximate Mileage

Gray Wolf LodgeTrail Head3.5 miles

ManistiqueBig Spring16 miles

ManistiqueJack Pine19 miles

ManistiqueShingleton39 miles

ManistiqueMunising47 miles

ManistiqueSide Tracks18 miles

ManistiqueBlaney47 miles

ManistiqueGrand Marais91 miles

ManistiqueBig Bay140 miles

ManistiqueParadise137 miles

ManistiqueGwinn112 miles

Jack PineBig Spring19 miles

ShingletonBuck Horn12 miles

Grand MaraisParadise78 miles

CurtisSeney23 miles

SeneyGrand Marais46 miles

ShingletonGrand Marais52 miles

NewberryParadise63 miles

NewberryGrand Marais59 miles

ManistiqueNaubinway66 miles

ManistiqueNewberry75 miles

ManistiqueBuck Horn51 miles

ManistiqueGarden30 miles

ManistiqueCurtis68 miles

ManistiqueAuTrain59 miles

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SCMTA Trail Groomer

Great Getaways TV

clip from "Great Getaways" episode #8055 "Frozen Stiff" - Michigan's Upper Peninsula. There are snowmobiling opportunities aplenty in Schoolcraft County with hundreds of miles of groomed trails leading off in every direction regardless of where you start. The snowmobile trail system from Manistique to Munising is one of the best in the state. One of the reasons a trail is good for sledding is how it is groomed and the organization that handles it and Schoolcraft County has one of the best. We started our tour in the garage where the maintenance and storage of the groomer is done.

Pure Michigan Snowmobiling Resources

State-designated trails are open Dec. 1 - March 31 and trail grooming occurs when there is enough snow on the ground. Explore Michigan's vast network of snowmobile trails and experience the thrill of winter adventure. Ride miles of groomed trails through glistening scenery — pausing at frozen waterfalls, historic lighthouses and breathtaking Great Lake shorelines along the way.

Permits and Requirements

Michigan

Learn the requirements for purchasing a snowmobile trail permit and registering your sled with the Secretary of State.

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Snowmobile Regulations Handbook

Michigan

A handbook defining Michigan snowmobile laws and regulations, safety information, vehicle operation, riding instructions and more.

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Interactive Snowmobile Trail Map

Michigan

Find designated snowmobile trails, shared use trails, closures, parking lots and more in this interactive map. This application contains a complex map.

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Free Snowmobile Weekend - Grab your friends and ride 6,000-plus miles of DNR-designated snowmobile trails, public roads and public lands (where authorized) with a full weekend of free snowmobiling. Residents and out-of-state visitors legally can ride without without the requirement of a snowmobile registration or trail permit.

This year's free weekends take place February 9-11, 2024.

See Other Outdoor Recreation Opportunities