 Enjoy 35km of remote, quiet cross country ski trails winding through 2,000 acres of Superior National Forest. Thanks to being located at the top of the continental divide, snow comes early in the season and stays late, making for excellent conditions well into March. The trails are groomed for classical skiing and offer an “off the beaten path” alternative to many of the trail systems found in other areas. A variety of terrain offers something for everyone, from beginner to expert. The area is off limits to snowmobiles so our guests can truly experience the quiet beauty of this remote area.
Trails can be accessed directly from the cabins. One of our guest favorites is the Flathorn Lake trail. Here you can ski across the Little Isabella River over several small wooden bridges. The river flows year-round and provides a scenic backdrop, giving everybody a reason to ski over to the lake. The black spruce and cedar swamps possess a beauty all their own and are not to be missed!
The experience of skiing through the “Big Pines” at National Forest Lodge can be found in few other places… picture a brilliant blue sky, towering red and white pines blanketed in heavy snow. Stop for a moment and take in the utter silence of Minnesota’s north woods in the depths of winter, and you will understand what makes this season so special up here!
Flathorn/Gegoka Cross Country Ski Trails & Map
Explore Our Snowshoe Trails
 For a change of pace, you may want to try snowshoeing and do some exploring on or off the marked snowshoe trails. The trail system is accessed directly across Highway 1 from the lodge. While trails are numbered and marked, some of our guests like to do a little off-trail exploring on their own. The terrain is quietly beautiful, with a mix of old and new growth conifers on the higher grounds and the cedars and other varieties common in the wetlands.
You’ll see lots of animal tracks and other subtle signs of life in the forest. On a sunny day with the deep blue sky overhead, the white pines take on a majestic look. All in all, the snowshoe trails are a great place to spend a morning or afternoon just “moseying” around! We have a limited number of snowshoes available free of charge at the lodge.
Our Four-Legged Friends Are Welcome
 Pets are allowed on the ski and snowshoe trails, so it is not unusual for our guest dogs to be seen in harness with a skier in tow, bounding through the deep snow, or being escorted by our resident guide dog, Sam.
Don’t forget your skijoring gear! Please see our Rates & Reservations page for more information on our pet policies.
The Sliding Hill…A Favorite Of Our Younger Guests
 For the younger (or younger at heart) set, the trail down to the lake doubles as a fabulous sliding hill with a gentle run-out at the bottom. If you are more adventurous, there are also a couple of steeper hills in front of the lodge to try.
Whatever activities you choose for the day, we know you’ll find NFL a truly unique experience with all the wonders and beauty winter in Minnesota has to offer!
"We couldn’t have hoped for better weather. The showshoeing was really fantastic! Everything exceeded our expectations. We’ll be back!” - Chris & Jessica
"We have had a wonderful time at National Forest Lodge! We skied, went snowshoeing and used the hot tub. Food was great and the company even better. The ski trails are wonderful and the red & white pine magnificent.” - Bob
"Thanks, Mark, for another GREAT weekend of skiing and activities. Love the NFL!” -
Ann
"First time here. We love it! Trails were perfect, soft snow falling all day… I set a new Polar Plunge record of 21 times in the lake.” - Don & Lori
"It doesn’t get any better than this! Wonderful snow, sauna, hot tub, but best of all this place attracts great people!” - Joan
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