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Most people who visit Prescott in summer have no idea that, come winter, this corner of Wisconsin is laced with hundreds of miles of groomed snowmobile trail. Farm fields, wooded coulees, ridge tops with long views over the river valleys: once the snow sets in, it all opens up, and much of it is maintained by local volunteer clubs who’ve been at it for decades.
If you’re trailering your sleds over from the Twin Cities this winter, Prescott makes an easy base. You’re 30 minutes from St. Paul, the trails start in the county you’re sleeping in, and there’s a warm room and a hot dinner waiting at the end of the day. Here’s what you need to know for the 2026–27 season.
Pierce County is home base. It has more than 220 miles of signed, groomed trail covering the whole county, and almost all of it runs across private farmland, thanks to landowners who say yes every winter. The trails are groomed and maintained by the Pierce County Snowmobile Council and its nine member clubs, including the Prescott Sno-Bees, a family-oriented club founded by local riders in the late 1960s and incorporated in 1971. Other clubs include the Bay City Bluff Busters, the River Falls County Liners, the Rush River Trail Riders and the Plum Creek Ridge Runners. Those names alone tell you what kind of country you’ll be riding.
Expect rolling farmland, ridges and long views east into the coulees, with connections into the neighboring counties. The council’s website shows the current open or closed status and trail reports, and the conditions hotline is 715-639-6311.
Insider tip: Because the trails cross private land, stay on the marked trail and respect every sign. That’s how these trails stay open year after year. And if you ride Pierce County often, think about joining or donating to the Sno-Bees. The grooming doesn’t happen by itself.
Just north of Pierce County, St. Croix County has nearly 250 miles of groomed, state-funded trail run by a dozen clubs, from Hudson Snow Trails Unlimited to the Somerset SnoSports and the Roberts Night Riders. The terrain opens up into wider farm country around Hudson, River Falls, Baldwin and New Richmond, with easy connections between towns for a lunch stop. Conditions are on the county hotline at 715-772-6824.
For a full day out, head down the river to Pepin County. About 120 miles of trail are maintained by the Pepin County Snowmobile Association, and the riding here is bluff country, with climbs and valleys you won’t find farther north. There’s a loop around the Stockholm area, and trails connect to Plum City, Mondovi and Durand. Durand has trailside stops including Alex’s Pizza, the Corral Bar and Riverside Grill, and the Lone Pine Grill and Tavern, plus gas. Pepin has gas and several restaurants and bars, many of which sponsor the club. For maps and conditions, call 715-672-7242.
Wisconsin doesn’t have a set opening date. Each county decides once there’s enough snow, the trails are signed and cleared, and the nine-day gun deer season is over, since many trails cross hunting land. In a snowy year that can be soon after deer season. In a thin year, trails can open and then close again mid-season, as Pierce County’s did in early January 2026. Before you load the trailer, check:
There’s nothing better than coming in off the trail to a hot dinner. In Prescott, walk to Two Rivers Lodge for a 12-ounce walleye dinner or Mom’s Pot Roast, or grab a seat at the bar at Muddy Waters for their house-smoked prime rib on Friday and Saturday nights. Prescott Tap has massive wings, homemade queso and big pizzas, plus pool and darts if you’ve still got energy. In the morning, the Hangover Hash at The Kitchen Table will get you back on the sled.
Want to mix it up? See my guides to skiing near Prescott and winter events near Prescott.
Make downtown Prescott your home base and book direct with us: The Port of Prescott for boutique king suites steps from the river, Port After Dark for romantic suites made for couples, The Harbor Hotel for themed rooms and extended stays, and The Cove Guest House for downtown condos and group getaways.
