Rainy Lake Ice Road
This winter-only roadway is unique for a national park.
Plan Around Rainy Lake Ice Road
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Rainy Lake Ice Road Details
This winter-only roadway is unique for a national park, and for anywhere in the lower 48 states, for that matter. The ice forms so thick on Rainy Lake that it can support a vehicle up to 7,000 pounds. The park service maintains a "plowed" roadway from Rainy Lake Visitor Center to Black Bay on Rainy Lake, so people without snowmobiles can reach the inner reaches of the park all year round (summer access is via boat). This ice road gives you access to the Black Bay ski trails as well as other ungroomed ski and snowshoe trails, hiking trails, and ice-fishing locations. The road is only open when the ice is thick enough to support a vehicle, and the route or length can change depending on ice conditions. The speed limit on the ice road is 30 miles per hour.
Difficulty
Open
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Nearby Parks Around Rainy Lake Ice Road
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