With snow finally sticking around in the Raccoon Valley Radio listening area, there is a reminder for those who wish to enjoy it on some public ground.

Guthrie County Conservation Director Brad Halterman says that snowmobiles are not allowed in most public grounds, meaning that campgrounds like Nations Bridge and Lenon Mill, along with wildlife areas are off limits to the recreational vehicles. He does mention that the Raccoon River Valley Trail is an area where the machines are allowed, but only when there is four or more inches of snow on the trail. Halterman explains that this is to keep the treads of the snowmobiles from coming into contact with the asphalt and pavement of the trail, saving both the trail and machine from unnecessary damage.

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more details... from Dallas County Conservation (click "snowmobile Policy" tab).

Dallas County Conservation Board Snowmobile Policy for the Raccoon River Valley Trail

These rules also apply to the trail in Guthrie and Greene Counties. Effective 10-13-09

1. There must be 4 inches of snow cover on the trail before snowmobiles can use the trail.
2. Snowmobiles must remain on the hard surface trail within the county owned right-of way and respect no trespassing wishes of adjacent landowners.
3. Snowmobile users are subject to the RRVT user permit requirements.
4. No studs are allowed on the snowmobile track on snowmobiles that use the RRVT.
5. The Dallas County Conservation Board reserves the right to modify, alter, or repeal the provisions of this policy at any time.

The RRVT is open for snowmobiling from the parking lot in Waukee all the way to Jefferson on the South Route.

The North Route is also open for snowmobiling from the Waukee parking lot to the City of Dallas Center but Dallas Center does not allow snowmobiles to go through the city on the trail. The City of Minburn does allow snowmobiles,the City of Perry does not allow snowmobiles, the City of Dawson and the City of Jamaica both allow snowmobiles.