The Ely area is northern Minnesotas premier snowmobile hub with numerous on-trail facilities, accommodations for both large and small groups, and with plenty of food, entertainment and service centers. The Taconite Trail is the main thoroughfare in and out of Ely in the winter. Stretching 170 miles between Ely and Grand Rapids to the southwest, many spur routes will take you just about anywhere you want to go. The Tomahawk Trail, heading to the east, has 86 miles of varied terrain which the avid snowmobiler can use to connect up with hundreds of miles more of groomed trails.
If good snowmobiling gets you excited about winter, then try out the 170 mile long Taconite Trail and the 80 mile Tomahawk Trail. The Taconite Trail, or the Mighty Taconite as the locals call it, runs from Ely to Grand Rapids. It streches across three state forests and the Superior National Forest. Smooth rides aslong this famous route are loaded with history and the Taconites many spurs and loops amke for some quality modern day pioneering. The Tomahawk Trail runs from Ely to the North Shore and Yukon Trails. The trail works closely with natural terrain and is one of the most scenic trails in the state. The tree cover that surrounds the trail edges, the lack of traffic and development allows you to have an unihabited experience.
The snowmobiling trailhead is 0.75 miles south of Ely on SR1. Use east side of SR1 for snowmobile parking.
Overall, Ely is the 15th most popular snowmobile trail of all 38 snowmobiling rides in Minnesota.
