Snowmobiling in the Northwoods

With direct GROOMED trail access from your cabin or suite, Northern Lights Lodge is the perfect base for your next snowmobile trip. Explore miles of groomed wilderness trails that wind through the Northwoods. Since Northern Lights Lodge is located in the middle of the Ely/Babbitt area trail system you won't have to travel across miles of the same trail each day just to try another trail. We offer plenty of space for trailer parking, plug-ins as well as on-site gas and oil.

Put your winter passion to the test on our trail system and ride:

The Tomahawk Trail which was awarded the distinction of being ranked amongst the 10 Best Incomparable Snowmobile Adventures by Supertrax in 2004. This is a 65 mile trail that connects Ely to the Northshore. Our very own Bear Island cut off trail also received special mention!

The Taconite Trail and the Taconite Spur Trail wind through the Superior National Forest and Bear Head State park. Stretching 170 miles between Ely and Grand Rapids to the southwest, there are many spur routes will take you just about anywhere you want to go.

The Stony Spur Trail is a 26 mile trail that connects with the Tomahawk Trail and the Taconite Spur Trail and makes for a great day trip loop from the resort through Babbitt and Ely.

The Ely/Babbitt area trails are groomed by the DNR, Ely Igloo Club and the Babbitt ATV and Snowmobile Club. If you have Adobe Acrobat Reader installed on your computer and can view a PDF file, click here to view a portion of our local trail map.

We have put together a collection of day trips to make the most of a long weekend or a midweek adventure. Our front desk always has up-to-date trail reports, complimentary trail maps and this year's Minnesota snowmobiling regulations are available for our guests.

Northern Lights Lodge offers a 5% lodging discount with a three night minimum to ANY and ALL Snowmobile Club Members, just mention your club at the time of your reservation and present your club membership card at check-in! Out-of-state guests, please remember to obtain your trail sticker. Stickers can be obtained in Ely or in advance online through the Minnesota DNR if you want to make the most of your visit!

If you are interested in renting a snowmobile during your stay, we can coordinate rentals for Polaris or Arctic Cat touring sleds. Please call for details.

At the end of a hard day on the trails, Northern Lights Lodge is the perfect place to relax and unwind. Each of our cabins and suites offer a fireplace and most of our accommodations also have a whirlpool bath PLUS our new sauna is centrally located-the perfect way to relax after a day on the trail!