The Hoot Owl Ridge shelter is a great place to stop.
The South Soo Line rail trail provides quick connections.
MILACA – WAHKON LOOP: A PERFECT MIX
Two incredibly snowmobile-friendly restaurant owners who truly set the standard for trail support anchor this area. The Rough-Cut Grill and Bar, just north of Milaca, and Muggs of Mille Lacs in Wahkon are both huge supporters of the local trail systems. If there’ s ever been a model for owners who get involved and give back to the sport, these two are it.
For this loop, we usually start at the Rough-Cut at the Rum River Sno Riders parking lot, and head north toward Wahkon. About 11 miles from the parking area, there’ s a great trail shelter, Hoot Owl Ridge, provided by the Mystic Riders snowmobile club. From there, it’ s roughly 20 miles to Wahkon, where we typically roll into town for lunch at Muggs.
After lunch, we’ ll usually hop on the Soo Line Trail heading east and do a little loop around tight and twisty Red Top. This area is expertly maintained by the Mille Lacs Drift Skippers club. We then make our way back on the eastern route toward the Sno Riders parking lot. The full loop comes in around 95 miles and offers a great mix of riding— winding woods, open fields, stretches of railroad grade, and the bonus of a few neat trailside shelters along the way.
Like most areas in central Minnesota, you can easily shorten or lengthen this ride depending on the conditions or how much seat time you’ re after. Either way, this ride never disappoints.
A Mille Lacs Drift Skippers groomer in action.
LITTLE FALLS / BRAINERD LOOP: MINI-MINNESOTA
This 126-mile loop through central Minnesota delivers it all— from prairie stretches to pine forests and frozen lakes, it’ s a ride that changes character around every bend.
Launch from the Soo Line trail just off Highway 10 south of Little Falls. There’ s plenty of trailer parking and quick access to the main corridor.
Ride east toward Pierz on a wide, well-groomed trail that flows through open countryside with just enough curves to keep it fun.
From Pierz, turn north on Trail 258 toward Upper Long Lake. Stop at Paradise Shores Resort, a longtime rider favorite, for lunch with a view— the burgers and lake backdrop are hard to beat.
Continue west on Trail 121 to Brainerd, then follow Trail 161 to Pillager. If time allows, detour into Pillsbury State Forest for some tight,
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