Iron County Snowmobile Trails
Iron County, Wisconsin
Iron County is the Snow Capital of Wisconsin — averaging 200 inches of annual snowfall with some years topping 300 inches. With 308 miles of groomed trails connecting to Michigan's Upper Peninsula and Vilas, Price, and Ashland Counties, Iron County offers over 1,000 miles of trails within a 50-mile radius of Hurley. Trails traverse former railroad grades, heavily forested county land, and the wide-open Turtle Flambeau Flowage. Make Hurley your snowmobile hub — Trail 17 connects Hurley to Mercer through scenic forests with access to the Giant Loon, Plummer Mine, B47 Memorial Site, and Saxon Harbor on Lake Superior.
Miles
308 mi
Difficulty
Varies
Groomed
Yes
Fee
Required
Don't Miss
Iron County is the Snow Capital of Wisconsin — averaging 200 inches of annual snowfall, sometimes exceeding 300. Combining Iron County's 308 miles with neighboring counties and Michigan's Upper Peninsula gives riders 1,000+ miles within a 50-mile radius of Hurley. Trail 17 from Hurley to Mercer offers scenic access to Saxon Harbor on Lake Superior.
Grooming Info
Trails groomed by White Thunder Riders (north) and Mercer Area Sno-Goers (south) in conjunction with Iron County Forestry. Check both clubs' Facebook pages twice weekly for the most current conditions.
Trail Systems
Northern Iron County — White Thunder Riders
200+ miles of groomed trails in northern Iron County centered on Hurley. Connects to Michigan's Upper Peninsula and the broader northern Wisconsin trail network. Trail 17 heads south to Mercer with numerous interior trails and scenic overlooks including Saxon Harbor on Lake Superior.
Trailheads
- 📍Hurley — multiple locations near Silver Street corridor
📞 White Thunder Riders Snowmobile Club — updates on Facebook | Trail conditions: 715-561-3866
Southern Iron County — Mercer Area Sno-Goers
Trail 17 and Trail 8 form the core of the southern system from the Mercer area. Connects to Vilas County to the east and Price County to the west. Features railroad grade sections, forested terrain, and access to the Turtle Flambeau Flowage.
Trailheads
- 📍Mercer — multiple locations near downtown
📞 Mercer Area Sno-Goers — updates on Facebook | Trail conditions: 715-476-7669
Rules & Regulations
- All snowmobiles must display Wisconsin State Trail Pass AND state registration sticker
- Wisconsin residents: $30 annual pass — OR $10 with AWSC club membership
- Out-of-state trail pass required — purchase at dnr.wi.gov
- Riders born after January 1, 1985 must complete DNR snowmobile safety course
- Children under 12 cannot operate snowmobile unless accompanied by parent or guardian
- Stay on marked trails — off-trail riding is trespassing
- Always wear a helmet — never ride alone
- Check White Thunder Riders (north) and Mercer Sno-Goers (south) Facebook pages for real-time trail conditions
Trailer Parking
| Location | Address | Trail Access |
|---|---|---|
| Hurley — multiple trailhead parking areas | Hurley WI — contact White Thunder Riders for specific lots | Northern Iron County system |
| Mercer — multiple trailhead parking areas | Mercer WI — contact Mercer Area Sno-Goers for specific lots | Southern Iron County system |
| Saxon Harbor County Park | Saxon Harbor, Iron County WI | Trail access to Lake Superior shoreline |
ATV / UTV Clubs
- 🏍️White Thunder Riders Snowmobile Club — Northern Iron County (200+ miles) — Facebook: White Thunder Riders
- 🏍️Mercer Area Sno-Goers — Southern Iron County — Facebook: Mercer Area Sno-Goers
- 🏍️Iron County Forestry Department — co-manages and grooms trails — co.iron
Official Resources
Nearby Trails
Location
Quick Facts
- County
- Iron County
- Trail Types
- Snowmobile
- Total Miles
- 308 miles
- Difficulty
- Varies
- Season
- winter
- Groomed
- Yes
- Fee
- Yes