Frequently Asked Questions

• Explore Minnesota Website
• Department of Natural Resources Website
• Local ATV Club Websites
  • Carlton County Riders
  • Evergreen Pine-Aitkin-Carlton
• City of Moose Lake phone: 218-485-4010
• Moose Lake Chamber of Commerce phone: 218-485-4140

The Soo Line Trail is an abandoned railroad grade purchased from Soo Line Railroad.  The stated purpose of the Trail is for multiple uses, including logging access, snowmobile, ATV and OHM, utilities.

Carlton County Ordinance #14 - Soo Line Trail Rules & Safety Regulations (PDF)

The entire trail is 226 miles long. This includes the 112-mile Northern Route from Moose Lake in Carlton County to Cass Lake in Cass County and the 114-mile Southern Route from Genola in Morrison County to Superior in Douglas County, Wisconsin.  

Within Carlton County, the Trail is 25 miles from Moose Lake to the Wisconsin State Line, 4 miles from Moose Lake to the Pine County Line (towards Denham) and 15 miles from Moose Lake to the Aitkin County Line (towards Lawler and McGregor)

Snowmobiles, ATVs and motorcycles as defined by Minnesota State Statutes 84.787 through 84.796 and 84.81 through 84.929. Snowmobiles are machines designed for travel on snow or ice and steered by skis or runners. Minnesota Statute defines Class I as an ATV that has a total width of 50 inches or less from outside of tire rim to outside of tire rim and Class II ATV's as having a total width greater than 50 inches but not more than 65 inches from outside of tire rim to outside of tire rim . Off Highway Motorcycle means a motorized, off-highway vehicle traveling on two wheels and having a seat or saddle designed to be straddled by the operator and handlebars for steering control, including a vehicle that is registered under chapter 168 for highway use if it is also used for off-highway operation on trails or unimproved terrain.

No. Carlton County will not issue easements for use of the Trail as access to private property per the Ordinance.

In Carlton County, ATVs are allowed on the Trail year around. In counties where the ATV and snowmobile seasons alternate, the ATV season is April 1st to November 30th.

• There are restrictions that apply during firearms deer season: View the MN DNR Hunting and ATVs Brochure
• Listing of state forest road & trail closures

In Carlton County, there are gas stations and restaurants in Moose Lake within 2 to 3 blocks of the Trail. In Kettle River, there is a  bar and grill ½ block from the Trail. A map of acceptable routes through Moose Lake to access these services is available at:

Moose Lake City Office
313 Elm Avenue
Moose Lake, MN 55767

Phone: 218-485-4010

ATV Map

Download the Moose Lake ATV Trial Map (PDF) 

In Carlton County, there are satellites along the Soo Line Trail in three places:

• The Soo Pit
• At the Automba siding (NE1/4 - NE1/4, Section 32, Township 47N, Range 21W, Automba Township), on the west side of County Road 19
• Trail Access parking lot in Wrenshall Township (NE1/4 - SE1/4, Section 20, Township 47N, R16W) on the west side of County Road 1

Yes.  Permits may be purchased where hunting and fishing licenses are sold.

Buy your permit online

Yes.  Operators under 18 years of age must wear a helmet when operating a machine on the Soo Line Trail.  Carlton County recommends to all riders of any age to wear a helmet.

Carlton County does not groom the Trail for snowmobiling. Grooming is done by local snowmobile clubs using grant-in-aid monies from the State of Minnesota.

The Moose Lake Chamber of Commerce provides this information at 1-800-635-3680. The recording is updated weekly.

In Carlton County the best place to access the Soo Line Trail is in the City of Moose Lake. Parking is available at the historic Moose Lake Depot.  Another Parking Lot is at the intersection of Old County Road 8 and the Halgren Road, near the North Moose Lake Exit off Interstate 35.

Visit the Department of Natural Resources website or at the Carlton County Land Department.  An interactive map will be available in 2018 that can be used on a smartphone or tablet.