This post may contain affiliate links. When you purchase something through these links, I receive a small commission that helps me create this blog’s content. There’s no extra cost to you. Read my privacy policy to learn more.
Updated: 10/31/2025
Plan Your Next Magical Ice Skating Adventure
If you think ice skating means an echoey arena or dodging kamikaze skaters on crowded outdoor rinks, it’s time to discover the best ice skating trails in North America for your next winter travel adventure. Regardless of if you favor hockey, figure, or Nordic skates, these trails offer an instant jolt of cold weather joy no matter your skating skill level.
Ranging from the world-famous Ottawa Rideau Canal Skateway to remote forest ice skating on the edge of Minnesota’s Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, these smooth ice paths whisk you through famous American cities or set you gliding on wild ice amongst woodland birds and critters.
In this post I’ve rounded up the nine very best ice skating trails on the continent. As you might expect, these paths are most prevalent in Canada and the northern United States, especially in New England and the Midwest. I’ve been kicking around in skates since I was a toddler (hi, Minnesotan here!) so I made sure these trails held up to rigorous scrutiny before including them.
You absolutely can (and should!) plan entire winter travels around these skating trails. In fact, my travels to Ottawa last winter inspired this entire post. Whether you’re looking for a winter city break or remote cabin getaway, there’s no excuse for not to include a skating trail to in your winter adventures.
Let’s lace up those skates and hit the ice for what I truly believe is the most magical winter experience out there!
Map of Favorite North America Ice Skating Trails
List of the Best North American Ice Skating Trails
- Lake Morey Skate Trail – Fairlee, Vermont
- Domaine Enchanteur – Notre-Dame-du-Mont-Carmel, Quebec
- Patinage en Foret – Lac-des-Loups, Quebec
- Rideau Canal Skateway – Ottawa, Ontario
- Maggie Daley Ice Skating Ribbon – Chicago, Illinois
- Sleeping Giant Provincial Park skating trail – Pass Lake, Ontario
- Gunflint Trail wild ice skating trails – Grand Marais, Minnesota
- Riverbend Skate Path – Warroad, Minnesota
- Lake Windermere Whiteway – Invermere, British Columbia
I’ve included a mixture of both wild and manmade trails on this list. Wild ice refers to ice that naturally occurs each winter on a body of water like a lake, river, or canal.
I tend to associate wild ice with elusive ice skating season that can occur in the Boundary Waters in early winter, but technically any ice surface that doesn’t require initial flooding – like Ottawa’s Rideau Canal – is wild ice. Skate paths that wind through forests like Quebec’s Patinage en Foret might feel like the very definition of wild ice skating, but are actually manmade.
Regardless of how the ice forms, these paths demand unrelenting upkeep during the skating season. Always respect any closures for resurfacing, snow removal, or because of warm weather. Many of these trails are completely free to use so the very least we can do is abide by each path’s rules.
Common guidelines for skating trails include no hockey sticks or pucks, no pets, and of course, being a courteous, community-minded skater both on the ice and in any shared changing spaces.
What you need to go skating on an ice trail
Most of the paths on this list offer rental skates, so really the only requirement for heading out on a skating trail is good outdoor winter clothing and enthusiasm. If you’re a new skater, many of these trails also rent skate aids (similar to walkers) which help you balance but won’t necessarily help you hone your skating skills.
Here are some things to considering bringing along for your next ice skating adventure:
Skates – Rental skates are notoriously dull and ill-fitting; if you have them, bring your own skates! Hockey, figure, or Nordic skates will work on these trails.
If you’re skating on wild ice, you might prefer Nordic skates since the longer blades will help you glide over rough patches. They have an additional bonus of clipping into cross-country ski boots. If you love your traditional skates, remember that outdoor ice is very hard, so resign yourself to heading straight to the sharpener after each toddle around a skating trail.
Ice picks – If you’re skating on a wild ice trail, the trail will only be open when there’s safe ice thickness. (The Minnesota DNR recommends at least 4 inches of ice for any activities like skating or ice fishing, while Ottawa doesn’t open the Rideau Canal to skaters until there’s at least 12 inches of ice.) Even so, wild ice is never 100% safe. A pair of ice picks slung around your neck is cheap peace of mind.
Small backpack – This isn’t your typical skating experiences: you could end up miles away from the warming house! A small backpack is great way to carry a few essentials that isn’t cumbersome.
Water bottle – It might be well below freezing, but don’t forget to hydrate. Ice skating trails are real exercise!
Thermos and snacks – If you’re on a skating trail that doesn’t provide refreshments, you’ll want to bring some refreshments to keep spirits high. You can’t beat a Thermos of hot chocolate or coffee and maybe some homemade cookies. If it’s an all-day adventure, I love Hydroflask insulated food jars so you can enjoy some hot soup on the trail.
Tissues – Don’t forget a small pack of Kleenex for the inevitable drippy nose!
Headlamp – Nothing beats gliding down a skate trail after dark, but few of these trails are illuminated. Even on urban trails like the Rideau Canal, the streetlights were so far apart that I really wished I had a headlamp to help me spot cracks and uneven ice during my night skates.
Dry socks – Ice skates make pretty crappy winter boots and after a six-mile skate, you might have the fun combo of both sweat and chilled feet. A fresh pair of socks to slip into as you change out of your skates is such a treat.
Helmet –No one’s going to make fun of you for wanting to protect your noggin with a helmet. After all, slips and falls are going to happen when ice skating. As a lifelong skater, I beg you to please, please, please lead with your butt if you feel yourself slipping. Do not catch yourself with a wrist or knee! A helmet and a butt-first landing should ensure that your ice skating adventure doesn’t end at urgent care.
Where To Head on Your Next Wild Ice Skating Adventure
Lake Morey Skate Trail
Nestled in Connecticut River Valley between Vermont and New Hampshire, Lake Morey in eastern Vermont provides idyllic ice skating for all ages. Each winter a 4.5 mile skating trail is established and maintained Lake Morey Resort. The track allows you to circumnavigate the small 550 acre lake surrounded by Vermont’s hills and mountains.
For years, Lake Morey claimed to be the longest ice skating track in the United States. (Read on to see who’s recently beat them out of that claim!) In addition to the 20’ wide track, rink areas are also cleared on the lake for those who want to push around a ball or puck.
Skate rentals are available through Lake Morey Resort and you’re welcome to bring skate aids, sleds, hockey sticks and pucks, etc. onto the ice. They also offer kicksled (or kickspark) rentals for a unique way to cruise around the frozen lake. Snacks and hot drinks are available at the main resort or clubhouse.
This skate trail’s location makes it super easy to dovetail a class at King Arthur Baking Company in Norwich, VT or explore the charming Franconia, NH area (two absolute New England road trip essentials, in my opinion) into your ice skating adventure.
About Lake Morey Skate Trail
- Location: Fairlee, Vermont
- Operating season: Mid-January – late February
- Cost: Free!
- How To Get There: Lake Morey is located just half a mile off of Interstate 91 in eastern Vermont, about a 20-minute drive from Hanover, NH. Access the skate trail from the Lake Morey Resort (82 Clubhouse Rd) or the Town Beach (226 Clubhouse Rd). The lake is about a 2.5 hour drive from Boston or 1.5 hours from Burlington, VT.
Domaine Enchanteur
 |
 |
Contributed by Melanie of BRB Travel Blog
Domaine Enchanteur’s ice skating trail is nestled in Notre-Dame-du-Mont-Carmel, just north of Trois-Rivières, Quebec in the Mauricie region. The forest is about 2.5 hours from Montreal, which makes it the perfect Montreal winter day trip. There are roughly 15 km of loops winding through forest trails, including a section where visitors can see, feed, and pet friendly farm animals such as goats and alpacas.
The trail usually opens from mid-December through mid-March, with hours often running from morning until late evening (around 9 p.m. or 10 p.m.). In the evenings, portions of the trail are illuminated, and they sometimes host “soirées enchantées” (enchanted evenings) featuring forest lighting or small special events.
However, since this is an outdoor activity and winters have become increasingly unpredictable, it’s best to check the weather and ice conditions before going.
On-site, Domaine Enchanteur offers skate rentals, helmets, and stabilizer bars for those who don’t bring their own equipment, as well as a skate-sharpening (affûtage) service at the pro shop. Heated cabins and shelters along the trails provide cozy rest stops, and there are heated buildings with changing rooms, toilets, and gear lockers.
Since you’ll be spending time outdoors, you might get hungry. There’s also a snack counter that serves simple meals and warm drinks.
About the Domaine Enchanteur
- Location: Notre-Dame-du-Mont-Carmel, Quebec
- Operating season: Mid-December – Mid-March
- Cost: $9 CAD per person
- How To Get There: Getting there is straightforward if you’re coming from Trois-Rivières or Shawinigan—it’s about a 20-minute drive to 1180 Rang Saint-Félix Est, Notre-Dame-du-Mont-Carmel, Québec G0X 3J0. There’s free parking on site.
Patinage en Foret
 |
 |
Head deep into the Quebec forest just north of Ottawa to discover Patinage en Foret. The magical maze of ice trails is 6 km long, but with endless intersections and loops. During our two hours on site, we ended up skating more than 7 miles!
Now in its tenth year, Patinage en Foret is really a backyard pet project. You can really feel the care and pride that the owners and employees take in providing visitors with a festive and unique outdoor skating experience. When we visited in mid-February, we found Valentine’s Day decorations as well as bird feeders and benches scattered along the trails.
A large warming house offers at comfortable place to change and stow your boots. You’ll also find skate, helmet, and skate aid rentals here. If you want to remember your experience, shop a small selection of souvenirs. Of course you’ll want to hit up the snack bar for a warm beverage and homemade beavertail (er, I mean wolf tail) pastry.
Although the skate trail usually closes at sunset, keep your eye on their Facebook page for announcements of special lit trail evening skates.
Since this forest skate trail is manmade and doesn’t require the thickness of wild ice to be open, Patinage en Foret is an excellent alternative if the Rideau Canal is unavailable for skating during your Ottawa visit.
About Patinage en Foret
- Location: Lac-des-Loups, Quebec
- Operating season: Mid-December – early March.
- Cost: $20 CAD per person
- How To Get There: Located at 9 Montée Beausoleil, Lac-des-Loups, Quebec, about a 50 minute drive northwest from downtown Ottawa. From Ottawa follow A5 North to Quebec Route 366. There is ample onsite parking.
Rideau Canal Skateway
This is the OG of winter ice skating trails. Since 1971, the City of Ottawa has transformed the frozen Rideau Canal into a 7.8 km skateway with the bold claim of being the largest ice skating rink in the world. Beloved by locals and visitors alike, young parents celebrate their baby’s first skate on the Canal and lucky locals use it to skate to and from work.
Recognized as an UNESCO World Heritage site, the Canal is open 24/7 once the ice reaches a thickness of at least 30 cm (about 1 ft). The Rideau Canal turns into a veritable Frost Fair during skate season with warming houses, skate rental and sharpening shops, food and drink booths, and even first-aid tents set up right on the ice.
The city works overtime to make sure the canal is meticulously maintained. Sadly, global warming has started to really shorten and sometimes (like in 2023) completely inhibit the skating season. That’s all the more reason to get out on the ice every chance you can!
You just can’t beat skating for miles through central Ottawa and stopping for a mid-skate snack of a fresh BeaverTail pastry from one of the many on-ice kiosks. In my opinion it’s the very best winter thing to do in Ottawa.
 |
 |
About the Rideau Canal Skateway
- Location: Ottawa, Ontario
- Operating season: Mid-January – late February
- Cost: Free!
- How To Get There: Located in downtown Ottawa, there are dozens of access points to the skateway. Most popular access points with nearby parking include Rideau (near Rideau Centre), Lansdowne, and Dows Lake.
Maggie Daley Ice Skating Ribbon
Perhaps a little too short to truly qualify as an ice skating trail, the Maggie Daley Ice Skating Ribbon in downtown Chicago clocks in at just .25 miles. That’s pretty puny compared to the rest of this list. However, the Ice Ribbon offers one thing that none of the other longer trails do: elevation gains!
Located in Maggie Daley Park in downtown Chicago, just east of Millennium Park and “The Bean” sculpture, the Ice Ribbon winds in a curvy loop that at times goes up and down as you circle the park’s climbing wall. The distinctive roofline of the Millennium Park bandshell serves as a backdrop. Beyond the park rises the spectacular Chicago skyline.
I spent my entire childhood heading into downtown Chicago to ice skate with my dad’s family and I can assure you nothing beats whirling around on ice skates in a stiff breeze off Lake Michigan.
Reservations are always required for the Ice Ribbon, so be sure to plan ahead. If you need to rent skates, you can reserve them when you reserve your skating slot. After you’ve had your fill of skating and grabbed a snack from the on-site cafe, you might as well make a day of it by swinging into the nearby Art Institute of Chicago.
About Maggie Daley Ice Skating Ribbon:
- Location: Chicago, Illinois
- Operating season: Mid-November – early March
- Cost: $0 – 5 per person, depending popularity of the time slot you’ve chosen. Reservations are always required, even if you’re bringing your own skates.
- How To Get There: The Ice Ribbon is located in the heart of Maggie Daley Park at 337 E Randolph St. The easiest parking option is the Millennium Park Garage. If using public transit, disembark at either the Lake and Washington stations.
Sleeping Giant Provincial Park skating trail
Each winter, Sleeping Giant Provincial Park floods the campground loop between sites 85-96 in Marie Louise Lake Campground to create a 300 metre skating trail. Tucked at the far end of Lake Superior’s Sibley Peninsula, this skating path might be manmade, but it’s feels decidedly wild. When we visited the skating trail, we had the entire place to ourselves except for the lynx we spotted along the lakeshore.
Given the skating trail’s remoteness, it requires a certain level of self-sufficiency. There’s a small three-sided shelter where you can change into your skates. Since there’s no on-site skate rental (and really no skate rentals in Thunder Bay either), you must bring your own skates.
The park staff keeps firewood stocked for the trailside fire pit, so throw in some marshmallows to add to your hot cocoa for your mid-skate snack!
For updates on current conditions, check out the park’s Facebook page.
About the Sleeping Giant skate trail:
- Location: Pass Lake, Ontario
- Operating season: Late December – early March
- Cost: Day use fee for the park ($15.50 CAD per vehicle)
- How To Get There: Sleeping Giant Provincial Park is located about a one-hour drive from Thunder Bay, Ontario. Park in the campground office parking lot and hike about 800 metres to the ice.
Gunflint Trail wild ice skating trails
Move over Lake Morey, Minnesota’s Gunflint Trail community has stolen the title of longest lake skating trail in the United States for the last two winters in a row.
In the winter of 2023 – 24, Hungry Jack Lodge opened and maintained an 8-mile ice skating trail that looped around Hungry Jack Lake. In 2024-25, Gunflint Lodge followed suit with a 6-mile skating trail on the western end of Gunflint Lake.
These remote ice skating trails depend on good wild ice conditions to open. A smooth lake freeze-up in early – mid December dictates whether or not the lodges opt to maintain a skate trail each winter. Even if the lodges do establish skating trails on their lakes, it’s a constant battle against blowing, drifting snow to keep the trails open for skaters. Always call ahead of time to make sure the trails are open and skate-able.
You can’t beat the scenery when the skate trails are up and running. Dramatic cliffs surround both Hungry Jack and Gunflint Lakes. On Gunflint Lake, you skate between two countries, with Canada on the north shore and the United States on the south.
About Gunflint Trail skating trails:
- Location: Grand Marais, Minnesota
- Operating season: Early December – until Mother Nature reclaims the ice, often late January or early February
- Cost: Free – but since these trails are maintained by local resorts, popping into their restaurants for a drink or meal is a great way to say “thank you.”
- How To Get There: These skate trails are located up the Gunflint Trail (Cook County Highway 12), northwest from Grand Marais, MN – about a 5 hour drive from Minneapolis.
Riverbend Skate Path
It only makes sense that Hockeytown, USA – aka Warroad, MN – would be home to a destination skate trail.
Originally a pandemic response to closed ice arenas, this path originated when two families wanted to connect the ice rinks they’d each cleared on the frozen Warroad River. The result was .75 mile connector path that grew to 5 miles and has now settled into a 2.5 mile track that navigates the twisty river from near its mouth on Lake of the Woods in downtown Warroad into the surrounding forest.
A true community project, Riverbend Ice path is lined with evergreen trees donated by a local nursery and homeowners. The local high school have built three warming huts for skaters and you’ll also find several fire pits along the path. Lights are strung along the path for after dark skating.
As you would expect in Hockeytown, you’ll find plenty of kids with sticks and pucks on the trail, as well as folks pulling each other in sleds. Just refrain from setting up your ice fishing shack on the path, eh? (You’ve got a whole lake for that available at the end of the trail!)
Snowmobile and a cross country ski trails run parallel to the skate path, so no matter which winter sport you favor, there’s no excuse to not get out on the Riverbend Skate Path in Warroad.
About Riverbend Skate Path:
- Location: Warroad, Minnesota
- Operating season: Early December – early March
- Cost: Free, but donations towards the path’s maintenance can be made to Warroad Community Partners
- How To Get There: If you have your own skates, the easiest access is from Lake of the Woods Coffee Company or Lake of the Woods Brewing Company. Public parking available off of Main Ave, just north of Lake of the Woods Brewing Company. If renting skates at Doc’s Harbor Inn, you can access the
Lake Windermere Whiteway
The Lake Windermere Whiteway is the big kahuna of ice skating trails, not only in North America, but the entire world. It’s officially the world’s longest groomed skating trail according to the Guinness World Records.
This beauty measures in at over 20 miles. The path was originally created as a Nordic skiing trail to connect the various communities on the shores of Lake Windermere. Surrounded by the Purcell Mountains with the Canadian Rockies rising in the distance, Lake Windermere is actually a widening in the Columbia River.
The trail is also maintained for cross-country skiing with groomed tracks for both classic and skate skiing. There’s also a fat biking path. Although open 24/7, you definitely want your headlamp (or a full moon) if you’re opting for a nighttime skate since there’s no lighting along the Whiteway.
The track make several loops of varying distance, so don’t worry, you don’t need to skate all 20 miles to get back to where you started if you don’t want to! While there are benches on the ice for changing and resting, there aren’t many amenities on the ice. If you need a snack, you’ll want to head into one of the lakeside communities to hit up a local café or resort restaurant.
For skate rental, your best bet is to head to Inside Edge Boutique and Sports in Invermere. Current conditions available on the Toby Creek Nordic Ski Club Facebook page.
About Lake Windermere Whiteway:
- Location: Invermere, British Columbia
- Operating season: Mid-December – early March
- Cost: $5 day pass per person
- How To Get There: Lake Windermere is located about a 3 hour drive west of Calgary, Alberta or a 5 hour drive from Spokane, WA. Access the lake for skating from either Kinsmen Beach in Invermere on the lake’s west shore or Windermere Beach in the town of Windermere on the lake’s east shore.
Conclusion: Amazing Ice Skating Adventures Await You This Winter
These nine ice skating trails prove that downhill skiing isn’t the only winter sport you can plan amazing travels around. Regardless of your skating skills, these trails provide a fun environment where you can hone your skating chops. Most offer skate rentals and skate aids to make the trails accessible to all interested skaters.
As you can see, these trails whisk to some of the most iconic places in North America like downtown Chicago or the Canadian Rockies. Even if you’re a hesitant skater, these trails are located in amazing winter travel destinations with access to other great winter activities like skiing, dog sledding, and watching for the northern lights. Urban skate trails like the Maggie Daley Ice Ribbon and the Rideau Canal Skateway provide access to world class museums, shopping, and dining.
Whether you opt to skate the Rideau Canal in search of your next BeaverTail pastry and hot beverage or to glide through the depths of the American/Canadian wilderness on skates, I hope I’ve inspired you to plan your next outdoor winter adventures around one of these trails.
I’m working to make this post a detailed list of the very best ice skating trails in North America, so if you think I overlooked a “must-skate” trail in the United States or Canada, drop me a line and I’ll get it added tout de suite.
Happy skating!
 |
 |
If you enjoyed this post about ice skating trails in North America, be sure to check out my other Canada posts!
