It's the Law—Iowa's Snowmobile Laws

Crossing Roads or Highways

A snowmobile may make a direct crossing of a street or highway provided:

• The crossing is made at an angle of approximately 90 degrees to the direction of the highway and at a place where no obstruction prevents a quick and safe crossing; and…
• The snowmobile is brought to a complete stop before crossing the shoulder or main traveled way of the highway which constitutes an immediate hazard; and…
• The driver yields the right-of-way to all oncoming traffic which constitutes an immediate hazard; and…
• In crossing a divided highway, the crossing is made only at an intersection of such highway with another public street or highway.

Operation Prohibited in Streambeds

This section does not prohibit the use of ford crossings of public or private roads or any other ford crossing when used for: agricultural purposes, the operation of construction vehicles engaged in lawful construction, repair, or maintenance in a streambed, or the operation of motor vehicles on ice (see “motor vehicle” definition)

• Except as provided above, a person shall NOT operate any motor vehicle in any of the following situations:
  • Any portion of a meandered stream.
  • Any portion of the bed of a non-meandered stream which has been identified as a navigable stream or river adopted by the department and which is covered by water.
  • The Department of Natural Resources shall adopt rules identifying the navigable streams and rivers in which a motor vehicle may be operated. The department may exempt participants of organized special events from this section approved by a state or local authority.