Snowmobiling

Whenever an ATV, ORM, ORV, or snowmobile is involved in an accident resulting in injury or death to any person or property damage amounting to $1,500 or more, the operator of the vehicle or a person acting for the operator shall immediately notify the county sheriff or another law enforcement agency in the state.

If the accident occurred on public land, a designated riding area, a designated riding trail, or ice under the jurisdiction of the Natural Resource Commission, the operator shall file a report of the accident with the Department of Natural Resources within 72 hours. The report shall be on DNR Form 542-8093.

All reports shall be submitted to: 

Iowa DNR State Parks Bureau
6200 Park Ave Ste 2000
Des Moines, Iowa 50321

and shall include a full description of the collision, occurrence, or other casualty. If you have any questions, please call the DNR Des Moines Office at 515-725-8200.

Operator Incident Report Form: 542-8093

The Iowa DNR is authorized to approve a club or individual to hold an organized special event (an organized race, exhibition, or demonstration of limited duration which is conducted according to a prearranged schedule and in which general public interest is manifested) within the state if the event is scheduled to be held on public land or public ice under the jurisdiction of the Natural Resource Commission. The DNR shall designate the equipment and facilities necessary for the safe operation of vehicles and for the safety of operators, participants, and observers.

Residents participating in a special event must display a current registration on their vehicles  Nonresidents must display a valid, Iowa nonresident user permit on their vehicles.

For clarification on when a Special Event Permit is needed, applicants are encouraged to speak with their local Conservation Officer prior to submitting their application.

At least 30 days before the scheduled date of a special event, an application must be filed with the DNR using the Special Events web-based application.

For more information, contact DNR Customer Service: 515-725-8200 or webmaster@dnr.iowa.gov.

The State of Iowa offers financial assistance through the Iowa Snowmobile Program for the development and maintenance of snowmobile trails. This program is funded from snowmobile registration fees and use permits. Incorporated private organizations, cities, and counties are eligible to apply for these grants.

Effective September 5, 2017, administration of this grant program has been assigned to the Iowa State Snowmobile Association. Seventy percent of the revenue deposited into the snowmobile fund by the state treasury will be used by the association for the purposes of providing access to trails and the purchase and upkeep of the grooming fleet.

The Iowa State Snowmobile Association is required to develop forms, rules, scoring criteria, and the timeframes for the grant program. A cooperative contract between the DNR and ISSA is in place to provide oversight of the use of state money by ISSA.

For more information about changes to the program, please go to www.iowasnowmobiler.com.

Are you a recreational vehicle dealer, or interested in becoming one? Learn more about how to get a license to become a recreational vehicle dealer.