Chilling Out in Nature

In the winter, the Town of Presque Isle, Wisconsin grooms 2.5 miles of the trails at TNC’s Catherine Wolter Wilderness Area for cross-country skiing. The rest of the trails are open for back country skiing and snowshoeing. Please note, if you are snowshoeing on the trails that are groomed, please walk beside the ski tracks rather than on top of them. Also, snowmobiles may use the existing snowmobile trail near County Highway B for winter recreation.

Located above the towns of Cle Elum, Roslyn and Ronald in Kittitas County, this property’s 3,700’ (elevation) ridgeline serves as the towns’ scenic viewshed and is managed by TNC for the purpose of safeguarding clean water, wildlife habitat and outdoor, year-round recreation. Cle Elum Ridge is part of the Mountains to Sound Greenway Trust National Heritage Area, and during Washington state winters, this wide landscape offers abundant opportunities for snowshoeing, cross-country and downhill skiing and exploring quaint towns along the I-90 corridor. And wildlife abounds at Cle Elum Ridge. We have proof! Check out what TNC has recently caught on the wildlife camera! 

Nestled in the Mount Washington Valley, TNC’s 5,500-acre Green Hills Preserve protects a rugged landscape of rocky ridges, red pine forests and three peaks—Black Cap, Middle and Peaked mountains. In winter, snowshoeing is the best way to explore these quiet trails and take in sweeping views of the Presidential Range, where snow-capped summits dominate the horizon. For a faster pace, snowmobiling is allowed on designated routes maintained by a local club. And from the top of Peaked Mountain, the reward is unforgettable: a clear, dramatic view of Mount Washington rising above the valley.

Rising from the sagebrush sea along the eastern edge of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, TNC's Heart Mountain Ranch Preserve is home to mule deer, elk and other iconic American wildlife. The preserve is open to winter visitors from December 31 to Feb 28 each year. However, keep in mind that a wintertime visit to this preserve is not for the faint of heart—blizzards are common and the four-wheel-drive roads are often impassible. But lucky, weather-prepared visitors are often rewarded with sightings of golden eagles and pronghorn in addition to the expansive solitude for which Wyoming is renowned.

Nestled in the western Adirondack foothills, TNC's Lake Julia Preserve offers a 2-mile loop trail for hiking, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. Its mix of hardwood forests, spruce fir swamps, bogs and pine plantations supports owls, hawks, wood ducks and over 140 bird species along with deer and porcupine. With varied terrain and rich wildlife, it’s a top spot for winter exploration.

Hiking in winter can be invigorating, especially when it involves trekking towards a rocky summit that is 1,073 feet in elevation. But the view! TNC’s Mount Tom Preserve boasts several day-use hiking trails for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. It also hosts a 1.14-mile snowmobile trail that is part of a larger network maintained by the Interstate Sno-goers. Beautiful forests and 3,500 feet of frontage along the Saco River make Mount Tom a must see for nature enthusiasts craving nature during this season.

Located in the heart of the City of Brainerd, TNC’s Paul Bunyan Savanna Preserve is accessible to many looking to get outdoors in any season. During winter, the adjacent Northland Arboretum ski club maintains cross-country ski trails, including some that pass through the preserve, which provide access to diverse habitats, including one of five remaining jack pine savannas in the state. The preserve also abuts the Paul Bunyan Trail, a popular walking, hiking and snowmobile trail maintained by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. 

Located in the Wood River Valley of central Idaho, TNC's 10,400-acre Rinker Rock Creek Ranch encompasses the entire Rock Creek drainage and consists of high-quality sagebrush-steppe habitat, aspen forest and river miles. Because of its diverse range and water sources, the Ranch supports a myriad of wildlife and provides a unique “living laboratory” through which land managers, students and researchers are learning how to best manage rangeland for the benefit of people and nature. In winter, it’s also an ideal playground for those seeking outdoors cross-country skiing and snowshoeing adventures offering pristine surroundings and endless views.

Read more in our Cool Green Science Blog: How Deer, Elk and Other Western Wildlife Cope in Harsh Winters.

Discover winter’s quiet beauty at Ross Coastal Plain Marsh Preserve in southwest Michigan. This 1,400-acre sanctuary features rare coastal plain marshes, frozen ponds and forested dunes just east of Lake Michigan. In winter, the preserve’s more than five miles of trails transform into peaceful paths for snowshoeing, offering a serene escape surrounded by towering trees and glistening wetlands. Keep an eye out for animal tracks in the snow! Plenty of wildlife will leave signs of their winter wandering.