Snowmobile Trails Closed April to November
North Dakota’s snowmobile trail season is limited, so an ATV or UTV trip planned for warmer months can run into a simple problem: the trail you had in mind is closed. Here’s when snowmobile trails operate, what that closure means for other machines, and how to check access and permits before you travel.
When North Dakota snowmobile trails are open
North Dakota’s state snowmobile trails are open from December 1 through April 1, according to the North Dakota Parks and Recreation Department. That leaves the trails closed to snowmobiling from April through November. The department also says trails need at least four inches of packed snow to be open, so the seasonal dates alone do not guarantee a trail is rideable.
The network includes 13 state snowmobile trails totaling just over 2,800 miles, according to the North Dakota Parks and Recreation Department. Members of Snowmobile North Dakota maintain the trails. The department posts trail condition updates during the snowmobile season each week by noon Central Standard Time on Thursday.
| Planning question | What the North Dakota Parks and Recreation Department says |
|---|---|
| When is the snowmobile season? | December 1 through April 1 |
| How much packed snow is needed? | At least four inches |
| How often are trail updates posted during the season? | Weekly, by noon CST on Thursday |
| How many state snowmobile trails are there? | 13 |
| How long is the state network? | Just over 2,800 miles |
A posted seasonal opening period is not a promise that every route will be open on a particular day. Snow cover and current trail conditions matter, so check the latest update before loading your machine. If you are planning an ATV or UTV outing instead, do not assume that a snowmobile trail becomes an OHV route after the snow melts. Confirm the rules for the specific riding area.
For more on finding updates and maps, see North Dakota Trail Status by App and Phone and North Dakota OHV Trail Map Downloads. State park and recreation-area trail information is available through the OuterSpatial app, according to the North Dakota Parks and Recreation Department.
What the closure means for ATVs, UTVs, and tracked dirt bikes
A snowmobile trail and an ATV or UTV riding area are not interchangeable. The seasonal schedule describes access for snowmobiling on the state snowmobile trail system; it does not by itself establish that an ATV or side-by-side can use those trails outside the snow season. Likewise, a snowmobile trail’s winter opening does not mean every other type of vehicle is allowed there.
The North Dakota Parks and Recreation Department says tracked dirt bikes are allowed on snowmobile trails with a tracked dirt bike permit. That is a specific allowance for tracked dirt bikes, not a general authorization for wheeled ATVs or UTVs. If you own a tracked dirt bike, check permit requirements and trail status before setting out. North Dakota Tracked Dirt Bike Permits explains the separate permit.
For ATV and UTV riders, the practical takeaway is to choose a riding area that is designated for the kind of machine you plan to use. North Dakota has separate OHV destinations, including Pembina Gorge, Roughrider OHV Trail, Turtle Mountain State Recreation Area, and Kimball Bottoms. Their access rules and conditions can differ from the snowmobile trail schedule. North Dakota OHV Trails: All Four Riding Areas is a useful starting point for comparing them.
A closure also does not mean that every kind of OHV riding in North Dakota is automatically prohibited. It means you should not treat a closed snowmobile route as an available alternative. Check the rules for the actual land or trail you intend to use, and make sure your machine is permitted there. A destination’s name, winter use, or visible tracks are not a substitute for current access information.
Registration and permits are separate from trail access
Being properly registered or permitted is one part of legal riding, not proof that a specific route is open to your machine. The North Dakota Parks and Recreation Department says OHVs operated on public land in North Dakota generally must be registered with the North Dakota Department of Transportation, and all riders must be properly registered or permitted to ride legally.
According to the North Dakota Parks and Recreation Department, resident OHV registration costs $20 for a two-year period, while an out-of-state OHV owner must buy a non-resident public trails and lands access permit costing $10 per year. Those amounts are as of November 2026. The registration period expires on even-numbered years, and the non-resident permit is valid from January 1 through December 31.
For a North Dakota OHV registration application, the North Dakota Parks and Recreation Department says owners need to provide the owner’s name and address, the machine’s make and year, and its serial number. Review North Dakota Non-Resident OHV Permit if you are visiting with an out-of-state ATV or UTV, and North Dakota Has No Trail Permit for Residents for more on how resident registration differs from a trail permit.
Snowmobiles have their own registration and permit requirements. The North Dakota Parks and Recreation Department says snowmobiles operated on public land must be registered with the North Dakota Department of Transportation. Owners of out-of-state registered snowmobiles must purchase a non-resident public trails and lands access permit. Those requirements do not extend the snowmobile trail season: a permit is not a substitute for an open trail.
Before departure, sort out these questions separately:
- Is the route open? Check the current trail status and seasonal schedule.
- Is your machine allowed on that route? Confirm whether the route is for snowmobiles, tracked dirt bikes, or another permitted use.
- Does your machine have the required registration or permit? Requirements depend on the machine and whether it is registered in North Dakota.
- Are there rider requirements to plan for? Youth certification and helmet rules may apply even when the route is open.
Keeping those checks distinct helps prevent a common planning mistake: having the right paperwork for the machine but arriving at a route that is closed or does not allow that machine.
How to plan a ride outside the snowmobile season
If your travel dates fall from April through November, start by choosing a destination intended for the vehicle you will ride. Then verify current conditions directly through the relevant trail information rather than relying on a winter map, an old trip report, or the fact that a route appears on a general recreation map.
For a snowmobile trip, check the weekly seasonal update and confirm the trail has the required packed snow. For an ATV or UTV trip, look for an appropriate OHV riding area and verify its own access information. North Dakota OHV Trails Have No Season and North Dakota Trails Closed by Wet Weather can help with the broader distinction between an OHV destination and the conditions that may affect access, but confirm the current status for your intended location.
Build a backup plan in case conditions or access change. That might mean choosing a different designated OHV area, postponing a snowmobile trip until the trail is open, or changing the trip’s purpose rather than attempting to use a closed route. If you are traveling with a group, tell everyone which machine types are allowed and what the plan is if the intended trail is unavailable.
For riders bringing a machine from outside North Dakota, check the appropriate permit before travel and keep proof of registration or permit accessible. A non-resident OHV permit and a snowmobile permit are not interchangeable simply because both machines may use public land. For more on visitor paperwork, see North Dakota Permits for Visiting Riders.
Youth riders need additional preparation. According to the North Dakota Parks and Recreation Department, youth ages 12 through 15 without a valid driver’s license or learner’s permit must complete OHV safety certification to legally operate on allowed public lands. Certification is required for operation on land other than a parent’s, including designated trails and ditches. Riders and passengers under 18 must wear a DOT-approved helmet when riding an OHV. These rules do not make a closed trail available, but they are worth checking before a family ride.
The safest rule is simple: check access, machine eligibility, current conditions, and paperwork as separate items. A route being open for snowmobiles in winter does not make it a summer ATV route, and having a permit does not override a seasonal closure.
Sources
- North Dakota Parks and Recreation Department — OHV Permits & Registration | ND Parks and Recreation – Business and Grants (checked November 3, 2026)
- North Dakota Parks and Recreation Department — OHV Safety | ND Parks and Recreation – Business and Grants (checked November 3, 2026)
- North Dakota Parks and Recreation Department — Motorized Safety | North Dakota Parks and Recreation (checked November 3, 2026)
- North Dakota Parks and Recreation Department — Snowmobile Permits & Registration | ND Parks and Recreation – Business and Grants (checked November 3, 2026)
- North Dakota Parks and Recreation Department — Snowmobile Safety | ND Parks and Recreation – Business and Grants (checked November 3, 2026)
- North Dakota Parks and Recreation Department — Snowmobile Trails | ND Parks and Recreation – Business and Grants (checked November 3, 2026)
- North Dakota Parks and Recreation Department — 04-2022%20OHV%20Brochure%20WEB.pdf (checked November 3, 2026)
Disclaimer
This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Laws, prices and regulations vary by location and change over time. Consult a qualified professional for guidance on your specific situation.
