Des Moines, IA – For Matt K., a farmer from near Charles City, last winter’s trail ride ended with a broken arm after his sled hit a hidden fence post just outside a field crossing. “I’d ridden that same trail a hundred times,” he said. “But snow drifted differently that night — it caught me off guard.”
According to the Accident Data Center, around 200 people die annually in snowmobile crashes across the U.S., and officials say many are preventable with better preparation and adherence to local laws.
Iowa boasts more than 8,000 miles of groomed snowmobile trails, maintained by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and local snowmobile clubs. To ride legally, all sleds must be registered and display current decals. Registration costs $15 annually, and all out-of-state riders must also purchase a $15 trail pass.
Trail passes, registration renewals, and permits from neighboring states can be purchased at local retailers — including Walmart, hardware stores, and convenience stores — that serve as electronic licensing agents for the Iowa DNR.
Helmets are recommended but not required, and riders must stay on designated trails. Operating a snowmobile on public roads is generally prohibited, except to cross at 90-degree angles or where local ordinances specifically allow it.
State officials remind snowmobilers that operating under the influence is treated the same as a DUI in a vehicle, carrying license suspensions and fines. The DNR also encourages pre-ride checks: inspect belts and brakes, carry a tow rope, and avoid riding alone.
For live trail maps and snow depth updates, visit iowadnr.gov.
