Four Amazing Snowmobile Trails to Try in Illinois and Wisconsin + Snowmobile Safety Basics

Jan 23, 2024

It’s snowmobile safety week! We’ve picked out four great spots that are worth your while for snowmobiling adventures. And of course, since driver safety is our priority here at Classic, we’ve included some basic safety reminders to snowmobile responsibly.

Four Great Places to Snowmobile

Des Plaines River Trail in Wadsworth

This preserve in Lake County offers 8 miles of trails that are open to riders from December 10th through March 31st. Check the weather reports before you head out, as a 4in snow base is required before riders will be permitted to use the snowmobiles.

Grant Woods in Ingleside Illinois

A gorgeous scenic preserve of 1,226 acres with 6 miles of gravel trail perfect for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, and 4.5 miles of trails for the snowmobile enthusiast make this a perfect destination for day-trips! Plus, it’s just a hop skip and a jump from our Waukegan dealerships, making it the top choice for some fairly local snow day fun.

Argyle Lake State Park in Colchester Illinois

This beautiful nature preserve is just waiting for you to come and explore the grounds. You can enjoy a wide variety of wintertime activities such as ice skating, ice-fishing, snowshoeing, sledding, and of course: snowmobiling! With over 1,700 acres of property to explore such as 5 miles of foot trails through virgin wooded forests, a 93-acre lake, and plenty of year round options for camping and outdoor exploration.

Snowmobiling in Rhinelander

With more than 1,000 miles of grounds to cover on the Ho-Dag Sno Trails, you’ll have opportunities for infinite amounts of fun on your snowmobile! The Hodag Organization maintains over 140 miles of adventure trails, and publishes maps that you can pick up in the local area. These will help plan your route through the connecting trails from the following areas: Tomahawk, Lake Tomahawk, Minocqua, St. Germain, Eagle River, Three Lakes, Sugar Camp, Monico, Crandon Pelican Lake, and Antigo. Rhinelander is an amazing destination for snowy family fun! You’ll find lots of trails to explore, ice skating at Pioneer Park or the Rhinelander Ice Arena, and it’s also known as the Ice Fishing Capital of the World!

The Basics of Snowmobile Safety!

Know the risks and be prepared for anything.
Don’t drink/use and ride; much like getting behind the wheel of a car while drunk or high, snowmobiling while intoxicated is a no go.
No one under the age of 16 should be allowed to drive, and children younger than 6 should not be a passenger.
Do not take on more passengers than your vehicle is designed for; if it isa solo riding snowmobile, do not add a second person, and if designed for dual riders do not take on more than that. Use extreme caution if/when towing passengers on sleds, tubes, tires, or other ride-on items.
Never ride alone. There’s safety in numbers, and two or more people will keep you safest while snowmobiling.
Wear a safety helmet and fully protective waterproof clothing with reflective strips, full eye protection, and solid boots.
Stay on the trails, obey posted signage and markers, and don’t go off-map.
Ensure all participants are equipped with additional safety gear such as a compass and map, waterproof matches and flare/candles, crank flashlight and/or headlamp and/or flashlight with spare batteries, extra ignition key, a tow strap, first aid kit, survival kit, etc. Consider two-way radios and/or satellite phones if typical cell tower reception is low.
Maintain a safe speed to minimize odds of losing control of the vehicle, injury to passengers, or other catastrophic accident.
Avoid driving on lakes, rivers, and other frozen bodies of water; these may appear to be solid, but weather can change very, very quickly and once you fall in things can get dangerous very fast. You may wish to check ice and snow reports for the trails before you head out to see which areas may be off-limits, or what time storms are expected in to hit the area.
Keep your eyes peeled for potential hazards on the trail including other snowmobiles, people, and animals as well as weather and natural elements. Keep your emotions regulated to avoid road rage and distracted driving.