Skijoring & Skiing with your Dog on Minnesota's North Shore

Northeastern Minnesota is home to hundreds of miles of world class cross-country skiing.  Unfortunately, the overwhelming majority of local cross-country ski trails are closed to dogs.  Below is a list of a few dog-friendly places to ski or skijor with your dog in Cook County, MN. Please remember to follow all local rules and regulations when skiing with your dog.  Always clean-up after your pet and practice good stewardship while recreating on public lands.  Go Dog North Shore does not support the use of ski trails and areas that are closed to dogs.  Please help us with our mission to make more trails accessible to dogs by respecting the rights of other user groups.   

George Washington Pines Ski and Hiking Trail 

This 2.5 mile long loop is popular with both skiers with and without dogs.  Its close proximately to Grand Marais and gentle terrain make it accessible to inexperienced skiers and those who like to sneak away on a lunch break or after work.  The trail is groomed for classic skiing and also has a snowshoe lane.  The George Washington Pines trail is an excellent place to learn how to skijor with your dog.  The trail is a one-way however, occasionally skiers will ski in the wrong direction which can cause unsafe conditions for skijorers.   Only ski in the proper direction and always pick up after your dog!  More information is available from the Superior National Forest's website at:

Norpine Ski Trails

The Norpine Trail Association now allows dogs on the cross-country ski trail between Cascade Lodge and the Caribou Trail. For details visit the Norpine website at http://www.norpinetrails.org/UseAndPassInfo.html

Banadad Ski Trail

Located approximately 25 miles up the Gunflint Trail from Grand Marais, this 27 km groomed trail is excellent for skijoring and skiing.  Much of the trail passes through the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW) which makes for a unique experience.  A BWCAW self-issued permit is required when skiing the Wilderness portions of this trail.  Permits are free and available at each end of the trail system.  A Minnesota Ski Pass is also required for skiing the Banadad. The trail is maintained by the US Forest Service and Banadad Trail Association (BTA).  Check out the BTA's website at www.banadad.org for details on skiing the Banadad. 

Upland Loop

The Upland Loop is a short (2.4 km) loop that is a part of the Sugarbush Ski Trail System located outside of Tofte, MN.  Check out the Sugarbush Trail Association's website at www.sugarbushtrails.org for details.  A Minnesota Ski Pass is required for using this trail.