Why Tahquamenon Country Should Be Your Next Snowmobile Vacation
Start the ultimate snowmobile adventures near Tahquamenon Falls. Our thrilling trails connect to networks that let you roar your way across the U.P.
Here’s an interesting fact: If you bring your snowmobile to Tahquamenon Country, you are within minutes of 200-plus miles of superlative snowmobile trails with spectacular views along the way.
But, here’s the real kicker: Those trails don’t stop — they connect to an entire web of Upper Peninsula trail networks. That’s right sledders, from this one launch point, you can throttle your way across the entire U.P. This is where your Born-to-Be-Free machine is meant to roar.
Plan your next snowmobile vacation in Tahquamenon Country and see how far the snow will take you this winter. Here are a few compelling reasons to load your sled and ride before the spring thaw spoils your fun.
Tahquamenon Country’s state-designated snowmobile trails are open and groomed from December 1 to March 31, provided there’s snow. From December 1 to 14, trails have limited hours due to hunting seasons. Thanks to Tahquamenon Country’s 108-inch average annual snowfall, you can count on a solid base for much of the winter season. Before finalizing plans, check these up-to-date snowmobile trail conditions:
Want to give snowmobiling a try? Have friends you want to hook on snowmobiling in the U.P.? Mid-January is your chance to discover Tahquamenon’s thrills all weekend for FREE.
Ride this weekend once and you will be back!
A Paradise Area Night Rider (PANR) groomer, Chris Saunders recommends, “If you can get off from work on Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday, that's the time to come. The trails are 100% better with less traffic and are smoother because we can keep up on grooming. They do get pretty choppy on the weekend. On Saturday nights, it's not unusual to see 200 to 300 sleds on a six-hour grooming run. That's just on one section of the trail, too. With three other sections, you're talking thousands of sleds a weekend. The weekends will stay that busy as long as there is snow. However, on a Tuesday you might see 40 sleds on a trail section.”
The Tahquamenon Area Snowmobile Association trail system was voted the #5 snowmobiling destination in America’s Top 10. Our trail system was also ranked #1 in Lake Superior Magazine. Some of the reasons:
When you are in Newberry, you are at the hub of more than a hundred miles of snowmobiling trails that spoke in all directions for hundreds more miles. It’s critical to know where you are going on each ride and to stay on public land.
The Newberry Chamber of Commerce recommends checking at local restaurants and hotels for trail maps. Or visit the Tahquamenon Area Snowmobile Association (TASA) Groomer Barn on M-123, north of Newberry. They have maps for sale. You can also download these Michigan DNR maps:
Snowmobile Trails Luce County (Newberry)
Snowmobile Trails Chippewa County (Paradise)
TRAIL 45/Charcoal Grade Trail | Newberry to Paradise | 44 miles
One of the most popular trails, this thrill ride runs through Tahquamenon Falls State Park with a must-stop to see the magnificent Upper and icy Lower Tahquamenon Falls. Catch your breath at Tahquamenon Falls Brewery & Pub, eating a hearty meal or light snack with a thirst-quenching, local craft beer. This trail ride also includes 22 miles of the M-123 Scenic Byway with its forests and sled-stopping scenic views.
Trail 8 | Paradise to Grand Marais | Approximately 80 miles
The scenery is spectacular as you head north from Paradise and hug Lake Superior’s shoreline (its thundering waves will drown out your sled’s roar). If you’re not up for the full endurance ride to Grand Marais (on the far eastern boundary of the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore), take shorter jaunts. Two favorite stops are Whitefish Point or Crisp Point. Both historic lighthouses are closed for the season but the grounds are open year round. Keep your camera ready no matter how far you ride.
Trail 9 | Newberry to Pine Stump Junction | 19 miles
Fun ride, but stay on the marked trail — near 498 there are several groomed dog sled trails in the area. It’s a snowmobiling tradition to stop at the Cook Shack to fill up.
Trail 9/431 | Newberry to Seney | Approximately 45 miles
Keep your engine humming as you wind your way through state forest land and across the Danaher Plains to the Seney National Wildlife Refuge. Seney is a friendly town with refueling options and a warm-up meal or snack.
Trail 9/8 | Newberry to Grand Marais | Approximately 50 miles
An amazing ride north through Tahquamenon Country then west and north to Lake Superior. Be aware that the closer you get to the BIGGEST freshwater lake, the blowing snow can drop visibility. Check weather reports before going out.
Trail 9/45/2 | Newberry to Pullup Lake to Naubinway | 20 miles
This spoke from your Newberry hub takes you south to the shores of beautiful Lake Michigan. While in Naubinway find food, fuel and the Top of the Lake Snowmobile Museum. Extend your ride on Trail 2 to Trail 457 and north to 45/9. Gorgeous scenery all the way.
Trail 9/45/457/43/2 | Newberry to Manistique | 50 miles
This ride includes a stop in Curtis, hugging the shore of South Manistique Lake (plan for some lake riding) and then dropping down to snowmobile-fan Manistique on Lake Michigan. A well-worth-it side trip is to go north on Trail 7 to Kitch-iti-Kipi — it’s an ethereal experience to raft across the ever-bubbling Big Spring surrounded by snow-ladened trees.
Renze Power Sports | Newberry
Sledhouse Snowmobile Rentals | Newberry
Fish & Hunt | Curtis Adventures LLC | Curtis
Snowmobiling in Tahquamenon Country is one of the best winter vacations. Your safety and the protection of our beautiful wilderness, however, are top priorities. Please read the handbook below and follow our safety tips. We want to see you on our trails and in our snowmobile loving towns again and again.
You must read this Snowmobile handbook before finalizing your plans to explore Tahquamenon Country for a few days. Some key things to know are:
The handbook explains what snowmobile equipment is required, where you can ride, what is prohibited when riding and signs to follow. Reading the handbook will take less than 10 minutes.
Read Additional Rules (not in the handbook)
The Tahquamenon Country area has lots of great eating and drinking establishments to check out. Timber Charlies, Zellars, Seder’s Pizza are just a few in Newberry. The famous Pine Stump Junction Cook Shack off of Trail 9 and The Tahquamenon Falls Brewery off of Trail 45 are also hot spots. In Paradise, there is the Wheelhouse Inn, and for barbeque, you can't beat The INN. Stop by the Tavern and Lake Superior Brewing Co. in Grand Marais.
Restaurants in Tahquamenon Country
One of the biggest advantages of staying in Tahquamenon Country is you are not only near some of the best snowmobile trails in the U.P., but often they are right outside the lobby doors! You are also within driving or snowmobile distance of top U.P. attractions such as Tahquamenon Falls, Tahquamenon Logging Museum, Whitefish Point, Crisp Point, the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, Seney National Wildlife Refuge, Kitch-iti-Kipi and the Mackinac Bridge.
We want you to get the dates, amenities and rates you want, too. So make your reservations early and let’s go snowmobiling!
