Snowmobiles are not allowed in
the Boundary Waters Canoe Area, but there are a large number of areas to
ride in surrounding areas. In fact, Minnesota has nearly 20,000
miles of groomed trails. Please keep in mind that the speed limit
is 50 mph on any trail, lake, or public land. Be cautious of other
outdoor activity participants and of wildlife. The penalty
for snowmobiling in Federally protected lands, including the BWCA, is up
to $5000.00 and six months imprisonment.
All motorized and mechanized forms of winter travel are
prohibited by federal law in the BWCAW except for the purpose of
accessing Canada via the overland portage between Crane
Lake and Little Vermilion Lake, and in Cook County, via a specific
corridor from Seagull River through Saganaga Lake. Motorized
transportation on these routes is restricted to snowmobiles which are 40
inches or less in width, manufactured for ice and snow travel only, and
of a type which was in regular use in the BWCAW prior to the passage of
the 1978 BWCAW Act.
All terrain vehicle (ATV)
use is not allowed on these routes or anywhere else in the BWCAW. There
is no provision that allows motorized or mechanized travel along the Canadian
border within the BWCAW beyond the specific exception for
snowmobiles on these two routes.
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