Winters Outdoors

Thief River Falls has access to more than 500 miles of groomed trails that interconnect to over 1,500 miles of trails in northwest Minnesota. Thief River Falls is a snowmobile hub for northwest Minnesota with five different trails leading out of the city. Snowmobilers can choose from countless daily loop rides ranging from 50-200 miles. Snowmobiling was born in this part of Minnesota and the many food and fuel stops along the trails welcome all riders, whatever their brand. Click here for a TRF Snowmobile Trail Map or click here for a NW MN Regional Snowmobile Trail Map.

For weekly snowmobile trail reports, click here. For print copies of snowmobile trail maps, contact Visit Thief River Falls at info@visittrf.com or 218-686-9785.

Arctic Cat snowmobiles have been manufactured in Thief River Falls for over 35 years. The Arctic Cat plant is listed as having one of the top 250 plant tours in the nation in the book entitled “Watch It Made In The USA: A Visitors Guide To The Companies That Make Your Favorite Products.” Plant tours are free of charge and offered weekdays at 1 p.m. (except during winter months.) Call ahead to schedule a tour: 218-681-8558.

Cross country ski trails are groomed regularly in the Greenwood Trails Recreation Area. Click here for a Cross Country Ski Trail Map. For print trail maps, contact Visit Thief River Falls at info@visittrf.com or 218-686-9785.

With 48 acres of wooden trails, the Greenwood Trails Recreation Area is a great place to snowshoe. Bring your own or rent a pair at TR Family Time Racquetball Club.

Thief River Falls has two large indoor arenas: the Ralph Engelstad Arena and the Huck Olson Memorial Civic Center, and both offer recreational ice skating. To view the ice skating schedule, visit the Ralph Engelstad Arena website. There are also two outdoor skating rinks in Thief River Falls. One is located at Engelstad Park (sometimes referred to as "Eastside") on 1st St. & Crocker Ave. and one is located at Northrop Park on 9th St. & LaBree Ave.

Hartz Park, located on Riverside Avenue along the river, offers a huge hill for sledding. Sledders can enter the area through the National Guard Armory parking lot which is located on Highway 32.

Thief River Falls is home to both the Greenwood Trails Recreation Area and the Northland Trails, next to Northland Community & Technical College. They are both excellent for hiking, and the 7 mile scenic River Walk connects the two. Click here for a River Walk Trail Map.

With over 2 million acres of public hunting land to choose from, the Thief River Falls area offers hunters choices of waterfowl ranging from geese, ducks and sandhill cranes to sharptail grouse, woodcock and wild turkeys. Thief River Falls is truly an untapped bonanza for waterfowlers! This area is also an outstanding hunting destination for bear and deer.

Thief Lake Wildlife Management Area is located only 35 miles northeast of Thief River Falls and is a Controlled Hunting Zone (CHZ) with 85 blinds and shooting positions (primarily for goose hunting). Wildlife habitat on the WMA is managed for resident and migratory wildlife and the area provides recreational sport hunting of many game species. The digital map found here is a great resource for more information on the WMA.

Agassiz National Wildlife Refuge is also a short drive from Thief River Falls located 23 miles north. Several different hunting opportunities are available on the Refuge, including firearms, archery, and muzzleloader deer seasons, as well as ruffed grouse and sharp-tailed grouse hunting. Youth waterfowl and deer hunts are permitted during State seasons in designated areas. Please see the hunting brochure for specific details and regulations.

For more detailed hunting information, contact Visit Thief River Falls at 218-686-9785/info@visittrf.com or MN DNR at 218-219-8580.