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Rules to Snowmobile by in Iowa
    In Iowa, snowmobiles must be registered on an annual basis at $15
per year plus writing fees. An antique registration is available for $25 for
snowmobiles 30 years and older. By early 2006, renewals can be made
electronically, and only the issued sticker/decal is required to be affixed on
the sled. Registration numbers are not.
    Effective in 2006, $15 trail passes are required for non-resident
snowmobilers in Iowa and may be purchased electronically at any
agent
where hunting and fishing licenses are sold. Trails are patrolled by a fleet
of IDNR
recreational safety officers.
What follows here are other general rules and regulations to follow in
Iowa:
  • Ride Safe.
  • Zero Tolerance on Alcohol.
  • Stay on Trails. Do Not Trespass.
  • No Safety Flag Required.
  • No ATVs on snowmobile trails.
  • Snowmobile Must Be Currently Registered in County of Residence.
  • Certain Restrictions Apply to Riders Under 18 Years of Age.
    At right are just a few of the signs and hand signals you can expect to
see while out on Iowa's snowmobile trails. Additional signs as well as the
complete rules and regulations governing the sport of snowmobiling in
Iowa can be found in the online version (.pdf) of the Iowa Department of
Natural Resources'
'Iowa Snowmobile Regulations' manual.
Current Iowa DNR Snowmobile Regulation
Trail signs.
Click above
to enlarge.
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Event Permits from IDNR
    Snowmobile clubs in Iowa which sponsor functions throughout the
year are reminded by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources to
request Special Event Permits from the department four weeks prior to a
scheduled event.
    According to Snowmobile Program Coordinator David Downing, this
paperwork procedure--which has been on the books for better than 30
years--informs local authorities of the functions and ensures “everybody
is on the same page and insured.”
    Events include but are not limited to snowmobile grass and ice drags,
radar runs and fun runs. There is no charge for the permit, and forms can
be obtained by contacting Downing’s office at (515) 281-3449 or
david.
downing@dnr.state.ia.us.
    “Our officers can and will shut you down if you fail to secure a
permit,” Downing said. “Also remember if your event involves children
12 to 18, they must have their snowmobile youth safety certificates in
their possession.”
Copyright 2003-09 Iowa State Snowmobile Association. All Rights Reserved.
Questions or comments?
webmaster@iowasnowmobiler.com
Iowa GPS trail map.
Click to enlarge.
Having trouble getting a landowner to sign a snowmobile
trail lease in Iowa? David Downing with the Iowa
Department of Natural Resources offers the following:

Meet Rhonda Fowler, new program
planner for the Iowa Department of Natural
Resources'
Snowmobile/ATV programs.

She can be reached at the following:
Rhonda.Fowler@dnr.iowa.gov
(515) 281-3208
Say Hello to a New Friend in Iowa Snowmobiling
State Agencies Launch Joint Website to Educate
Iowa Snowmobilers on Areas of Legal Operation
   The Iowa Department of Natural Resources and the Iowa Department of
Transportation have launched a new website to inform and educate Iowa
snowmobilers on the legal and responsible areas to recreate.
   Riders can visit
www.iowadot.gov/snowmobiles/areasofop.html to learn
more about the following:
  • Areas where snowmobiles are allowed to operate.  
  • Operation during an emergency.
  • Crossing a street or highway.
  • Snowmobile operator requirements.
  • General operating regulations.
  • Snowmobile registration.
  • Reporting accidents.
   The Iowa DOT and DNR are encouraging snowmobile operators and
parents of young riders and operators to visit the site to learn more about
operating legally and making it a safe ride.  
Winneshiek Trail Twisters
Blank groomer log
form available
here.
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