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Spring 2026 | MINNESOTA TRAILS 1
Crosby | Ironton Deerwood | Bay Lake Cuyuna | Emily 522 Sinclair Lewis Avenue Sauk Centre, MN 56378
www.MnTrails.com Minnesota Trails Staff Jan Lasar Editor/Publisher Joyce Frericks Accounting Karen Knoblach Page Layout & Design Graphic Design
Vol. 31, No. 1 March 2026
SERVICES SPECIALTY STORES EAT / DRINK CANA WINE BAR 64 1st Ave SW, Crosby (218) 772-0086 www.canawinebarmn.com Self-service wine bar
Minnesota Trails magazine is a continuation of Minnesota Bike Trails & Rides, published quarterly in cooperation with the Parks & Trails Council of Minnesota, a nonprofit organization that acquires, protects and enhances critical lands for public enjoyment. Your $35 membership subscription supports this work. Minnesota Trails is not responsible for the return of unsolicited materials and reserves the right to reject unsuitable advertising. Information in this publication is as accurate as possible. Opinions expressed are those of the authors and not of Minnesota Trails. Continuing the
COMMON GOODS 27 W Main St, Crosby (218) 772-2999 www.commongoodsmn.org
LODGING
A curated collection of Scandinavian favorites
CUYUNA LAKES CHAMBER 21236 Archibald Rd, Deerwood (218) 546-8131 www.cuyunalakes.com
OARS-N-MINE 22640 MN-6, Crosby (218) 546-6912 www.oarsnmine.com Docks, lifts, bait and tackle
21704 Dewing Road, Crosby (218) 228-2991 www.cuyunarangecampground.com Full hookup RV sites in the Cuyuna woods!
VICTUAL 124 W Main St, Crosby (218) 545-1000 www.shopvictual.com Ice cream, cheese, charcuterie, deli meat, fresh bread, gourmet gifts, spirits
23457 Co Rd 31, Crosby (218) 838-6858 www.redriderresort.com Cabins and camping right off the MTB trails.
222 2nd St NW, Crosby (218) 622-0321 www.thesanctuarycrosby.com
SPORTS
CUYUNA ROLLING HILLS GOLF COURSE 24410 MN-210, Deerwood (218) 534-3489 www.cuyunarollinghillsgolf.com
FINANCIAL DEERWOOD BANK 21236 Archibald Rd, Deerwood (218) 534-3111 www.deerwoodbank.com Banking Made Nice & Simple
MID MINNESOTA FEDERAL CREDIT UNION 117 West Main St, Crosby (218) 546-5428 www.mmfcu.org Member owned and working for you
Resort quality golf without resort price
A boutique hotel just blocks from downtown Crosby and the bike trails
218-546-8131
www.CuyunaLakes.com 2 MINNESOTA TRAILS | Spring 2026
CRMC Services: Hospital, Emergency Department, Pharmacy & Clinics: Crosby, Baxter, Longville & Nisswa Coming Soon!
Thrifting for the greater good! Crosby, Baxter, Crosslake
DEERSTAND RESTAURANT & BAR 24188 Mohs St, Deerwood NORD HUS SCANDINAVIAN GIFTS (218) 534-9253 28 W Main St., Crosby www.deerstandrestaurant.com (218) 545-0110 Meat Raffle Thursdays 6pm, www.nordhusmn.com Saturdays 2pm
CLINIC – PHARMACY Inside Crosby Super One Store (218) 545-5350
Cuyuna Lakes Chamber members are ready to serve you!
SPRING 2026 FEATURES
Contents
24 Trail Takes 24 Cuyuna Adaptive Trails Chris Pascone
26 Split Rock ‘n’ Roll Rick Pertl
28 Carving Flow from Stone Rick Fuentes
30 100 Miles Above Superior Steve Johnson
32 Cook County Gravel Ride Guide
COVER & ABOVE: Rockwell Adventure Park, Mankato, MN Jan Lasar photos
Bryan Hansel
35 A Place for Everyone IMBA’s Impact on Minnesota’s Mountain Bike Trails Steve Johnson
COLUMNS
6 Minnesota Miles Jan Lasar
DEPARTMENTS
4 Parks & Trails Council News Lisa Filter
7 Trails Q&A Conversations with Trail Users
8 Minnesota Mountain Bike Guide Minnesota Trails by Region
17 Bike Ride Guide Minnesota Events April–October
38 MN Trails Map Minnesota’s Trails At-A-Glance
39 Trail Partners Find Trail-Friendly Businesses
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Steve Young / P&TC
UPDATE FROM PARKS & TRAILS COUNCIL OF MINNESOTA
PROTECTING THE LAND, CONNECTING THE PARK
TWO MILESTONES FOR WILLIAM O’BRIEN STATE PARK
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arely does prime real estate along the St. Croix River become available. So when 5.4 DFUHV RI XQGHYHORSHG EOXɞDQG overlooking this wild and scenic river—directly adjacent to William O’Brien State Park—came on the market, we knew we couldn’t let the opportunity pass. On Nov. 19, Parks & Trails Council of Minnesota RɝFLDOO\ SXUFKDVHG WKH SURSHUW\ marking our ninth land acquisition in support of this beloved state park. Bringing this project to fruition was no small feat. The acquisition required more than two years of careful due diligence, including resolving a historic survey discrepancy and formalizing a long-used but unrecorded road easement. The land had been held by the previous owner for
4 MINNESOTA TRAILS | Spring 2026
decades and was passed to his family following his death, adding additional layers of complexity to the process. The property itself is quietly tucked away from the road, shielded by dense trees and shrubs that open into a gently sloping grassland EHIRUH GHVFHQGLQJ GRZQ WKH EOX toward the river. In the lower portion of the property, a dirt road crosses the land, providing access to four privately owned historic cabins along the St. Croix—one of which remains with the previous owner’s family. Although this road had been used for generations, it KDG QHYHU EHHQ RɝFLDOO\ UHFRUGHG Parks & Trails Council worked to formally establish the easement, ensuring continued access for cabin owners while enabling the land’s permanent protection.
View toward the St. Croix River (the river is visible in the lower left of the top photo) IURP DWRS WKH EOX RQ WKH SURSHUW\
For now, Parks & Trails Council will hold the property in trust as we partner with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources to expand William O’Brien State Park’s statutory boundary to include this land. While the parcel already borders the park, this step will ensure it is fully integrated and protected for generations to come—strengthening the park just DV DQRWKHU ORQJ SODQQHG HRUW aims to better connect people to it.
PLANNED GATEWAY STATE TRAIL EXTENSION TO WILLIAM O’BRIEN STATE PARK 7KDW HRUW LV WKH PLOH *DWHZD\ State Trail extension linking William O’Brien State Park to the city of Scandia. Planned for decades, the trail was recently cast into doubt when a small but vocal group of Scandia residents prompted
Map by Andrew Oftedal / P&TC
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hesitation from the city council, raising the possibility that years of work could be paused or undone. With that risk on the table, community members and trail supporters rallied. Parks & Trails &RXQFLO MRLQHG WKH HRUW LQ November, just one month before a pivotal city council vote, working alongside longtime partners Friends of Scandia Parks and Trails DQG WKH *DWHZD\Ȃ%URZQȇV &UHHN Trail Association. Together, we highlighted the extensive planning, public engagement, and public resources already invested in the project.
The trail extension has been in development since 2000, when the township formally adopted a resolution supporting it. Over the years, detailed plans were created, D URXWH ZDV LGHQWLȴHG DQG 3DUNV Trails Council secured several land easements from willing sellers. On 'HF WKH 6FDQGLD &LW\ &RXQFLO voted on whether to move forward with the contractor bid selected by FLW\ VWD 7KH ELG FDPH LQ XQGHU budget, clearing one more hurdle. Ultimately, it was the groundswell of community support—from more than a dozen organizations, residents, and trail advocates—
that tipped the scales. The city FRXQFLO YRWHG XQDQLPRXVO\ Ȃ to proceed, advancing a project that, together with recent land SURWHFWLRQ HRUWV KHOSV HQVXUH William O’Brien State Park is both safeguarded and meaningfully connected to the people who love it. STORY BY LISA FILTER/P&TC
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Spring 2026 | MINNESOTA TRAILS 5
Minnesota Miles
NOT GUILTY AS CHARGED
If you’ve read my column before, you know about Old Silver, my 1996, no-shocks, hard-tailed, 26-inch-wheeled retro steel ride. He came into my life way before I had any clue what mountain biking was, and even if I had, the pickins for offroad trails were slim back then. Enter the Cuyuna mountain bike trails in the early 2010s, and a lightbulb flickered on in my head. Mountain biking became a thing I did along with road and trail riding. But even with all of my enthusiasm, a 10-mile day on the red dirt trails was about all I had the stamina for. My wife, Jen, tagged along, reluctantly, but she never caught the bug. Because she has much more regard for her personal safety, she’d take it easy on the downhills, making the next uphill a struggle and burning out her legs quickly. And, driving two hours to ride only two hours meant our mountain biking trips were few. Early last year, we visited Alexandria and rented a couple of e-mountain bikes out of curiosity. To be against it, we figured, we’d need to find out why the e-bike is the gateway to laziness and spiritual corruption like some claim. When we popped out of the woods after the ride at Rune Stone Park, Jen turned to me and said: “Well. That was fun,” a first in all of our mountain biking excursions. It was also the first time we rode together the entire time. Another lightbulb flickered on, but went out immediately after we learned how much an electric mountain bike can cost. It was fun, but no thank you, maybe someday, we thought. It wasn’t until after Jen’s second rental in Austin, MN, that something clicked with her. An accountant by trade, she began to move numbers around to see how she could swing it. Last August, the universe smiled, the math worked out, and Jen picked up her Trek Marlin Plus 8, which she named Bob after Bob Marley. She loved the new bike, and we came out of the gate hot with back to back trips to Cuyuna, Saint Cloud, Princeton, Sartell, and Monticello, while the gravel bikes gathered
the familiar Cuyuna trails, our range increased to almost 30 miles, adding a new section to our repertoire every time. And, we had enough energy left to do some killer tailgating and get ice cream in town afterwards. The waning dust. daylight of the fall became more of an issue This could have been the end of the story: than stamina, or even battery power, and we Woman buys e-bike and now enjoys riding with eventually had to park them for the season. her husband. I was hanging on to Old Silver, We each experienced pangs of guilt when even though Jen did what she could to make we first embraced the e-mountain bike. It me give him up. I had just invested $60 in new seemed unnecessary for two able-bodied peoJan Lasar tires, so he was as good as new, right? Besides, Trails Editor/Publisher ple like us to ride anything motorized for fun, I loved fiddling with the triple chainring and and that having a boost up hills would negate enjoyed the spine tingle I got from every bump any shred of the exercise benefit that comes with a mountain on the trail. I was secure in my high tower, looking out over the bike ride. Again, I had no help from my friends on the subject. mountain biking land from my fortress. E-bike? Egad! Gary reluctantly test drove the e-bike and handed it back to We kept going like this for a while; Jen on her new, shiny me with fingertips at arm’s length, like a dirty diaper. Another ride, and me on the vintage battle axe. On our rides over the next few weeks, a scene played out again and again. “You know friend was truly astonished and asked, “You’re at that point in your life already?” hinting that a walker with tennis balls and you can get one, too,” Jen would say when I had to catch my Velcro closure shoes were just around the corner. breath after struggling up a hill. “I’m good,” I’d cough between After rolling that around in my head for a while, I’ve breaths. She’d shrug and be off with a smile and an “OK, tough gotten over it, because the e-mountain bike has sparked a guy,” while I watched her disappear into the woods. The slow big transformation in Jen and me. We both ride longer. The drip of corrosion had started. experience is more pleasant, so we ride more often too, and My friends didn’t help, either. “You just ride that old thing so the net benefit is that we have both become better at mounyou can be THAT guy, don’t you?” said one (let’s call him Gary). tain biking. I’ve seen Jen go from being lukewarm about Ouch. Another hole in the turret. the sport and just tagging along, to being the driving force The day my castle finally fell came when we made a trip to Chisholm to ride at Redhead, a place I had been looking forward behind finding new places to ride. She’s now hitting the trails with a spark that had been reserved for the gravel bike before, to visiting again for a while. I was unloading Old Silver from and that alone made the e-mountain bike a worthwhile, the truck and suddenly had a vision of a day cut short because guilt-free investment in my eyes. There’s no doubt in my mind I was out of juice, and having to walk back to the parking lot she’s Googling a new destination right now. while Jen did another lap, floating up hills effortlessly, like Bob and my as of yet unnamed bike are now patiently Mary Poppins with her magic umbrella. I ended up renting an e-mountain bike for the day, and when it was over, I knew I was waiting in the porch for the trails to re-open, and Jen and I can’t wait to get back out there. If you share that outlook on getting one too. spring, consult our mountain bike trail guide on page 8 and September and October were filled with many rides as Jen read the inspiring features we have in this issue. and I expanded our scope and found more trails to explore. At
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2026
Trails Q & A
Trails
Snapshots of people we meet along the trail
Jake Peeters
Julie Kemp
Jason Thate
Tiffanie Knapp
Menahga, MN
Cloquet, MN
Pemberton, MN
Brainerd, MN
Occupation: Nursing student in Duluth, MN Seen: Riding the Black’s Grove mountain bike trails near Wadena, MN Gear: Trek Marlin 6 mountain bike How many miles do you mountain bike per year? Maybe 20 to 30 miles. What does being outdoors mean to you? It’s grounding. It distracts me from the day to day. It’s pretty peaceful for me. Favorite Minnesota Trail? I started mountain biking in Cuyuna, but I ride all the time in Duluth. The entrance to Hartley Park is right in my back yard. Best Minnesota experience? Keeping up with my uncle, who is an experienced rider, in Cuyuna. I was really riding the high after that. Worst Minnesota experience? Watching a buddy go over the handlebars at Hawk’s Ridge in Duluth. Advice for the novice? Try to get out there with whatever bike you have and don’t be intimidated by the big, electric bikes and people in their big ol’ suits. What’s on your Minnesota bucket list? Hiking the Superior Hiking Trail. What would you do with $1,000? I’d get a dropper post for my mountain bike, and a kayak. Trail Treat? A Mucho Mango AriZona Iced Tea and some Oreos.
Occupation: Carpenter and massage Occupation: Bike mechanic at Scheels in therapist Mankato, and President of the Mankato Seen: Mountain biking at the Tioga Trails Area Mountain Bikers (MAMB) in Cohasset, MN with her brother Matt and Seen: Test riding the demo section at the future Rockwell mountain bike trails in nephew Micah Mankato, MN Gear: Juliana Wilder C full suspension Gear: Trek Fuel EXE 9.7 full suspension mountain bike mountain bike How many miles do you mountain bike How many miles do you bike per year? per year? 600 to 700. I have a 1,500 mile goal, but I can usually get 1,000. What does being outdoors mean to you? Happiness. Everything. I’d be What does being outdoors mean to depressed without it. you? It means everything; being healthy, Favorite Minnesota Trail? Jackpot Trail staying active. Favorite Minnesota Trail? I absolutely in Tofte, MN love the Cuyuna area. You can ride all day Best Minnesota experience? My annual and not cross the same trail twice. birthday ride in the Cuyuna Lakes Rec Area Best Minnesota experience? Watching with friends and family. a group of kids from the high school Worst Minnesota experience? There mountain bike team ride the demo have been no bad mountain biking section. It was amazing to see and it was experiences in Minnesota! one of the best days I’ve had since I started Advice for the novice? Get a good bike. mountain biking. Don’t start on crap, because it’s harder. I’d Worst Minnesota experience? Having a send them to Cuyuna because they have so heart attack while mountain biking. many flat, easy trails there. Advice for the novice? Get a real, What’s on your Minnesota bucket list? solid name brand mountain bike and Go back to Tofte and ride the Jackpot and some protective gear, so you can ride confidently. High Climber trails together. What’s on your Minnesota bucket What would you do with $1,000? I’d list? I want to get out, ride more, and spend it on lodging and travel. experience more trails. Trail Treat? Cinnamon Juju Bears from Ace What would you do with $1,000? I’d Hardware in Grand Rapids. buy tools to help build this trail. Trail Treat? Plain old vanilla ice cream.
Occupation: Landscape Maintenance Seen: Riding the Sagamore trails in the Cuyuna Lakes State Rec Area with sons Taite and Lee, and their friend, Max. Gear: Yeti full suspension mountain bike How many miles do you mountain bike per year? Maybe 50 miles? What does being outdoors mean to you? I’d rather be outdoors than anywhere else, all the time. Favorite Minnesota Trail? The ski trails at Maplelag Resort. It’s a lot of nice hills through maple forest. It’s just beautiful. Best Minnesota experience? Walking at Crow Wing State Park when the kids were little and seeing them explore and get excited about things. Worst Minnesota experience? I am slower than anyone else, and directionally challenged, so I have been lost at several state parks. Advice for the novice? Just try it. What’s on your Minnesota bucket list? I want to get better at mountain biking and do the trails my kids do. What would you do with $1,000? I’d get a single rowing scull. Trail Treat? A scoop of sunflower lavender honey ice cream from Victual in Crosby.
Spring 2026 | MINNESOTA TRAILS 7
NORTHEAST MN
Minnesota Mountain Bike Trails
2026
NORTHEASTERN MINNESOTA HAS THE SAWTOOTH MOUNTAINS ALONG THE NORTH SHORE OF LAKE SUPERIOR, SKI HILLS AT SPIRIT MOUNTAIN AND GIANT’S RIDGE, THE DEEP FORESTS OF THE SUPERIOR AND CHIPPEWA NATIONAL FORESTS, THE 135-MILE ARROWHEAD STATE TRAIL, AND THE PRISTINE BEAUTY OF SOME OF THE STATE’S MOST BEAUTIFUL STATE PARKS. Carlton | Jay Cooke State Park–13 miles: Trails are a combination of grass, dirt and pavement, with spectacular views. Silver Creek Trail and Summer Trail are groomed for fatbikes in the winter. Cloquet | Pine Valley Mountain Bike Trails– 5 miles: Stacked loops rated beginner to intermediate with switchbacks and flow sections through stands of pine trees and open areas. These gravel trails are machine built and feature two expert and one intermediate jump trail. Because of the nature of the soil, trails remain open even when wet. Skinnies and gap jumps with b-lines keep things interesting. Groomed for fatbiking in a park that also has ski trails. A dirt parking lot with a porta-potty is available adjacent to the Cloquet hockey arena. Cohasset | Tioga Trails–25 miles: This mountain bike trail system in the location of a former mine pit offers trails for all skill levels as well as jump lines, flow trails and a beginner skills section. Groomed for fatbikes in the winter.
Details at www.mntrails.com/ mountain-bike-trails
Duluth Area Duluth has been named Gold Level Ride Center by the International Mountain Biking Association (IMBA), one of six such destinations in the world. The Cyclists of Gitchee Gumee Shores (COGGS) maintain and develop Duluth’s extensive trail system.
• Mission Creek–23 miles: Beginner to intermediate. Fast and flowing singletrack with many bridges, berms, and rollers. This trail network traverses a dramatic, heavily forested landscape with spectacular views of the St. Louis River Valley and Jay Cooke State Park. Groomed for fatbiking in the winter.
• Craft Connector–1.1 miles: Two-way trail connecting the Enger Tower Scenic Overlook and the Lincoln Park Craft District. The downhill ride from Enger has some jump opportunities.
• Piedmont & Brewer Trails–9 miles: Intermediate to advanced, challenging trails with bridges and features. Significant elevation changes with large rocky bluffs. Groomed for fatbiking in the winter.
• Downer Park–0.5 miles: A work in progress for the advanced rider. More trails coming. • Duluth Traverse–40 miles: As beginner level, two-way singletrack, the Duluth Traverse (DT) connects the city’s trail networks at Lester Park, Hartley Park, Piedmont-Brewer Park, Spirit Mountain and Mission Creek like a spine across the city. • Hartley Park–9 miles: Beginner to intermediate trails through the hardwood forests and open marsh areas of Hartley Nature Center. Groomed for fatbikes in the winter. • Lester Park–12.5 miles : Beginner to intermediate. Beautiful views of the river valley and smooth, flowing single track. There are some rocky or rooty sections, but overall the trail is non-technical and the best option in the Duluth area if you are newer to mountain biking. Groomed for fatbikes in the winter.
Shake oī winter and hit the trails. From fast descents to scenic, long rides, the Iron Range is home to Minnesota’s hidden biking gems.
8 MINNESOTA TRAILS | Spring 2026
• Spirit Mountain Bike Park–Beginner to advanced. Outstanding views of Lake Superior are the norm at Spirit Mountain. The terrain is demanding, but is sure to reward with amazing vistas. Lift-assisted downhill mountain biking and fatbiking. • Stone Age–1.2 miles: Short, but quite a workout even for advanced riders. A long, technical uphill is rewarded with awesome views and the way down has challenges around every corner. Just north of the Mission Creek trails. Duluth to Grand Marais | C.J. Ramstad/North Shore State Trail–146 miles: This remote and rugged backcountry trail travels through wilderness areas on Minnesota’s North Shore. It’s primarily used for snowmobiling, but is open to hiking and biking and, in parts, ATV riding. Ely Area • Hidden Valley Recreation Area–23 miles: Hidden Valley’s ski trails turn into a mountain bike paradise during the warmer months. In addition to 13 miles of wide, grassy paths, there’s another 10 miles of singletrack trail. The system currently consists of four loops rated beginner to intermediate. The singletrack trail is groomed for fatbiking in the winter. Hidden Valley also has a one-mile mountain biking skills course near the club chalet. • Fenske Lake–This area has many opportunities to explore forest and logging roads. Trails cross over rolling hills and pass through spruce forests. • Fernberg Tower–This area is located along the Fernberg Road east of Ely. Several county and forest roads intersect giving an opportunity to explore the Superior National Forest, visit the hill that once held the Fernberg Lookout Tower and visit several lakes. The route includes both gravel and natural surface trails. • Nickel Lake Area–This area provides rolling wooded hills, grassy bogs and beaver dams. There is access to several isolated lakes and an abandoned granite quarry that last operated in the 1930s. Grand Marais | Pincushion Mountain– 10 miles: Challenging trails with awesome Lake Superior views. Switchbacks, bridges, rock gardens and lots of elevation changes. Groomed for fatbiking in the winter. Grand Rapids Area • Forest History Center–5 miles: Explore the Forest History Center by bike. Beginner trail through 1900s logging camp and virgin timber forest. • Legion Trails–7 miles: Hand-built singletrack trail ranging from fast and flowing to tight, twisty and technical. Near Grand Rapids High School.
2026
Minnesota Mountain Bike Trails
NORTHEAST MN
Grand Rapids to Ely | Taconite State Trail– 165 miles: Popular multipurpose trail that moves through out-of-the-way forests and lakes and stretches 165 miles from Grand Rapids to Ely. It intersects with the Arrowhead State Trail just west of Lake Vermillion. Passes through Bear Head Lake State Park. Some areas may be impassable in the summer. Hinckley | Saint Croix State Park–21 miles: Wide, grassy trail in the woods with some dirt sections on the Matthew Lourey State Trail. Mesabi Iron Range Area • Biwabik | Giants Ridge–10 miles: Giants Ridge offers lift-served mountain biking on ten downhill gravity trails ranging from easy to expert. The Mountain Bike Park has over ten miles of purpose-built trails on rolling hills through the Superior National Forest. In the winter, 60km of the groomed ski trails are available for fatbiking and the resort also offers lift-served downhill fatbiking on select downhill runs. • Chisholm | Redhead Mountain Bike Park–25 miles: An exciting trail system on the grounds of the Minnesota Discovery Center. Built around a series of former mine pits, this challenging trail system has some beginner trails, but is mostly for intermediate to advanced riders. Punchy climbs and descents, plenty of rock gardens and jumps make for a great ride while the scenery is nothing short of spectacular with its ravines, red cliffs and views of deep, blue lakes. There’s even a waterfall crossing on Fractured Falls Trail. The ultimate goal is to expand the system to 30 miles and offer trolley rides to some of the far trail loops near the Glen location, a restored, historic mining village. The Discovery Center has restrooms, a bike shop and a restaurant. Groomed for fat bikes in the winter.
Expansive views of the former Tioga Mine on The Rim Trail at Redhead Mountain Bike Park in Chisholm. Jan Lasar photo Tofte/Lutsen | Jackpot and High Climber Trails–16 miles: This unique ride follows the rolling ridges overlooking Lake Superior and features machine-built flow trail with big berms, rock gardens, drops, jumps and rock-armored creek crossings in a wilderness setting. It’s
laid out to be beginner-rated, but technical b-line options are up to expert level. Parking is available on either end at Britton Peak Trailhead (Tofte) and Ski Hill Road Trailhead (Lutsen Mountains) as well as on Onion River Road.
• Hibbing | Maple Hill Park–4 miles: Intermediate, two-way singletrack with a dirt surface in a 133-acre city park. • Virginia Big Aspen Trail–21 miles: The Big Aspen Trail in the Superior National Forest has many loop opportunities and beautiful scenic vistas. The trail is part of old logging roads and abandoned railroad grades from the Virginia and Rainy Lake Lumber Company. It is a multi-use trail, allowing mountain bikes, ATVs, horses, and in the winter, cross-country skiers. Lookout Mountain–11 miles: This trail system in the Superior National Forest has five miles of dedicated mountain bike singletrack with berms, bridges and rock gardens and six miles of rideable ski trails. Once you get to the top of a large hill it’s mostly rolling hills through forestland. There are a few large rock features and some challenging intermediate skill level sections. The trails are two-way, look out for oncoming bikes and hikers. Groomed for fatbikes in the winter. Side Lake | McCarthy Beach State Park– 17 miles: A choice of nice rides is available on the park trails and the low maintenance St. Louis County roads inside the park boundary. Bikers can venture out of the park on the Taconite State Trail. Tofte | Britton Peak Trails–5.5 miles: Trails are intermediate to advanced with a short beginner loop. Enjoy views of the Temperance River Valley and some advanced features like a rock garden and boardwalk. Access the Jackpot/ High Climber Trail System from the Britton Peak parking lot. Spring 2026 | MINNESOTA TRAILS 9
NORTHEAST MN
Minnesota Mountain Bike Trails
2026
Tower to International Falls | Arrowhead State Trail–135 miles: Approximately 69 miles of the trail are suitable for mountain biking in the summer, but there may be wet areas. Intersects with the Taconite State Trail. Mountain bikers should call the nearest Parks and Trails Area office before leaving for their destination to inquire about local trail conditions and amenities. This is a multi-use trail, including horseback riding. Two Harbors Area • Donald D. Ferguson Demonstration Forest– 10 miles: Easy beginner trails through boreal woods in the Superior National Forest, shared with hikers. Trail system is set to expand, with the ultimate goal of 15-20 miles. Groomed for fatbikes in the winter, skis and snowshoes are also allowed. • Split Rock Lighthouse State Park–3 miles: Easy trail with a mix of dirt and grass shared with hikers. No singletrack. Great views of the Split Rock Lighthouse along Lake Superior. Can be combined with a return on the paved Gitchi Gami Trail for a 6 mile loop. Snowshoers and fatbikers share a groomed 8-mile loop. • Split Rock Wilds Trail–24 miles: The newest mountain bike trail system in northeastern Minnesota offers a challenging, point to point backcountry riding experience connecting the new Shipwreck Creek campground at Split Rock Lighthouse State Park with the Cove Point Lodge property. Trail conditions vary from rugged and rocky to fast and flowy and include multiple advanced and expert level features like jumps, rock rolls and drops. There is, however a beginner-friendly loop near the campground.
The Tioga Recreation Area in Cohasset has 25 miles of trails for every skill level. Jan Lasar photo
IT'S A MINNESOTA CYCLING ADVENTURE UNLIKE ANYWHERE ELSE. But don't take our word for it. Come see for yourself.
MesabiTrail.com
IronRange.org
10 MINNESOTA TRAILS | Spring 2026
2026
Minnesota Mountain Bike Trails
METRO AREA
THE MANY COMMUNITIES THAT MAKE UP THE METROPOLITAN AREA OF THE TWIN CITIES PROVIDE AN EXTENSIVE NETWORK OF RUGGED SINGLETRACK AND EASY TO MODERATE MOUNTAIN BIKE TRAILS. MANY REGIONAL AND CITY PARKS MAINTAIN TRAILS TO PROVIDE SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE CLOSE TO A MAJOR METROPOLITAN AREA. Bethel | Bethel Haunted Forest Trails– 7 miles: A series of interconnected loops in an 80-acre wooded area, one mile south of the town of Bethel. Rated easy to intermediate with advanced sections featuring hills, twists and log crossings. Trails are shared with hikers and are open for fatbiking and snowshoeing in the winter. Bloomington | Minnesota River Trail– 11 miles: Intermediate: Nicknamed Minnesota River Bottoms. Mostly singletrack winds through wooded area near river. Challenging trail that can be muddy after rain. Plenty of jumps and some obstacles. Fatbike here in the winter. Burnsville Area • Buck Hill–6 miles: Beginner to intermediate, includes two downhill flow trails. Skills Park featuring a bermed course with drops, rock garden, skinnies and a dragon tail. • Terrace Oaks–2.3 miles: Intermediate: Mainly singletrack. A fairly technical trail with lots of climbs and amazing descents. Cambridge | Springvale County Park– 3 miles: Flowy singletrack trails with banked turns and beautiful rolling jumps weaving up and around a lake, traversing streams, swamps, forests and glacier moraine berms. These trails are fast and are great for beginner to intermediate riders. Constructed drops, teetertotters, rolling jumps, boardwalk sections and rock gardens keep the ride interesting. Trails can be accessed from both the north and south parking lots. There is a bike repair station along with a bathroom and drinking fountain in the south parking lot. Groomed for fatbikes in the winter. Chaska | Hawk’s Ridge Mountain Bike Trail– 4 miles: Hawk’s Ridge occupies a narrow sliver of land just east of Pioneer Ridge Middle School. It’s primarily an open, hilly, multi-use trail, handbuilt by volunteers of the Carver Trails group. Trails are beginner and intermediate levels with great views, challenging corners and verticals carved into the hillside. There is a green (easy) trail around the perimeter of the park, a short black (most difficult) trail as well. Note: Parking is available across the street at Pioneer Ridge Middle School during off-school hours only. Since there’s no parking on any of the residential streets around Hawk’s Ridge, riders need to park at nearby city parks and ride in during school hours. Cottage Grove | Cottage Grove Bike Park–This family-friendly bike park at 26-acre West Draw Park includes a 4x track, two pump tracks, and a complete dirt jump plaza. Eagan | Lebanon Hills Regional Park– 12 miles: This all skill level trail is a favorite for many. Good mixture of rolling hills and more technical singletrack. Woods provide secluded feel in suburban area. Groomed for fatbikes in the winter. Edina | Braemar Park–8 miles: Braemar features a variety of trails. The east side is predominantly intermediate (blue), while the west side presents a combination of intermediate and easy (green) trails, interspersed with an expert (black) trail. The Northwest Blue Jumpline is notable for its series of jumps and ramps that allow riders to catch air with moderate speed. The Northwest Green offers a flowing loop at the base of the ridge, providing a gradual ascent through oak trees. The Blue Loop meanders through the forest, offering impressive views towards the
Boardwalk section on the Esker Trail at Bertram Lakes Singletrack in Monticello. Jan Lasar photo east. The trail on the east side consists of a continuous, interconnected loop that navigates steep cambers and includes punchy step-ups. Riders can get significant air time on both sides of the trails, given sufficient speed. Less experienced riders can opt for the flowy trails nearby. Inver Grove Heights | Salem Hills– 4.4 miles: Gently rolling hills through woods and reclaimed prairie consisting of three loops: Harmon Park, Sawmill, Foul Pond Loop. Lake Elmo Area • Lake Elmo Park Reserve–14 miles: Beginner to intermediate: Beautiful park with a pleasant view of Eagle Point Lake. This is a multi-use trail, including horseback riding and features some hard-packed singletrack, some grassy trail. Fatbikes are allowed on Big Bluestem Trail in the winter. • Reid Park Trails–1 mile: This beginner-friendly trail at 30-acre Reid Park is a work in progress. • Sunfish Lake Park–6 miles: Three loops with distinct ratings of easy, intermediate and advanced skill levels. Features include a bridge, logs and switchbacks. Note that other trails exist in this park and biking is only allowed on the singletrack trails. Groomed for fatbikes in the winter. Lakeville | West Lake Marion Trail–5 miles: Beginner to advanced: Hard-packed singletrack through woods and fields on the west side of Lake Marion near Casperson Park. Groomed for fatbikes in the winter.
Lindstrom | Ki-Chi-Saga County Park–3 miles: This beginner loop features a flow-style layout with optional intermediate-rated elements. Riders can enjoy diverse scenery, transitioning between wooded areas and open prairie. Its highlights, include rollers, berms, small jump lines, and an optional advanced route with wooden drops, for those seeking an extra challenge. Lino Lakes | Rice Creek Chain of Lakes Regional Park–3.8 miles: Singletrack trails consist of two separate, one-way trail loops, one on the east side of the park (Sherman Lake Loop, 2.3 miles) and one on the west side (Rice Lake Loop, 1.5 miles), about two miles apart, connected by the paved Rice Creek North Regional Trail. Both are continuous loops with a single entry and exit point connected to an existing paved trail riders will use to access the loops. The two trails ride similarly with a flowy design, but a slightly different feel. Both are entry-level trails suitable for most riders. The trail loop on the west side features a few challenging climbs combined with fun, flowy segments. The east side loop features a few jump opportunities with a couple of downhill segments that should add a little thrill for gravity trail fans. Maple Grove | Elm Creek Park Preserve– 12.7 miles: Interconnected singletrack loop trails. Built to accommodate all skill levels of riders, but mostly intermediate with short sections of easy and advanced trails. Groomed for fatbikes in the winter.
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Spring 2026 | MINNESOTA TRAILS 11
METRO AREA
Minnesota Mountain Bike Trails
Minneapolis | Theodore Wirth Park–12 miles: Intermediate to advanced singletrack has twists and turns with many technical features. A great trail system consisting of several separate loops, just minutes from downtown Minneapolis. Groomed for fatbikes in the winter.
Spirit Trail, and the park can also be accessed from the off-road paved path off Jason Ave. Groomed for fatbikes in the winter.
Minnetonka | Lone Lake Park–5 miles: This trail system is designed to accommodate a variety of mountain biking skill levels. It offers ample challenges, from the steep topography to the fast, flowy single-track. The trail is also open to hiking and trail running in dry months, as well as snowshoeing and fatbiking in the winter. Two trailheads provide users easy access from Rowland Road, in the park’s southwest section, or Shady Oak Road in the east. Monticello Area • Bertram Chain of Lakes Regional Park– 14.25 miles: This trail offers many options for all skills levels including a fast singletrack, switchbacks and a meandering doubletrack. Be ready to deal with logs, roots, and wooden bridges. Groomed for fatbikes in the winter. • Montiview Mountain Bike Challenge Course– 2.75 miles: As the name implies, this trail demands good bike handling skills to negotiate. A very tight and twisty singletrack route with many short, steep hills runs through the woods and some open spots with great views of the surrounding area. Jumps, bridges, teeters, rock gardens, boulder piles and other features keep the ride interesting. The park also features a sculpture by a local artist and a bike repair station. Montiview Park is a work in progress, look for more trails to be developed here in the future. Parking and a restroom are available near the trailhead located at the top of Holy
Oak Park Heights| Valley View Trails– 3.2 miles: Intermediate singletrack with some beginner and advanced sections. Features include a bridge, boardwalk, rock garden and switchbacks. Trails are one way with an estimated 400’ elevation change. Rockford | Lake Rebecca Park Reserve– 13.25 miles: Easy to advanced singletrack loops through wooded landscape with wetlands. Start at the Hilltop picnic area. Groomed for fatbikes in the winter. Saint Paul Area • Battle Creek Regional Park-West–10 miles: Intermediate to advanced. Battle Creek features a wide selection of trails within its boundaries, including 3.3 miles of multi-use trails and 4.5 miles of singletrack. Thickly wooded, some limited visibility on turns. • Fort Snelling State Park–10 miles: Beginner: Enjoyable ride along the Dakota County side of the river. Generally flat trail, but scenic. Starts as a wide doubletrack, then narrows to singletrack. Trails are multi-use and include fatbiking in the winter. Savage | Murphy-Hanrehan Park Reserve– 10 miles: This trail features glacial ridges, hilly terrain and an extensive, lush forest. This is a challenging trail and a favorite for mountain bikers. Groomed for fatbikes in the winter.
2026
Shakopee | Excel Energy Mountain Bike Park– 4 miles: Loop trails circling Quarry Lake are rated beginner to intermediate. The singletrack course weaves between the tree cover and a larger prairie area, taking advantage of natural and constructed topography. This trail was designed and built to be ridden in any kind of weather, so it doesn’t close when it’s wet. One special feature is the so-called chicken foot, a fallen oak tree that’s been cut flat for riders to balance on as they ride across it. The park also has a pumptrack. Waconia | Monarch Singletrack–14 miles: This trails system at Carver Park Reserve is made up of five connected loops that accommodate all experience levels. Easy Rider features wider tread and few sharp turns and climbs, making it ideal for hand cyclists and beginners. The Raptor Ridge loop has flowy trails and a highlight of the entire singletrack: A vista overlooking Parley Lake followed by berms and a roller descent. Paradise Trail has the longest climb of the system and an expert feature area with a concrete rollout, jumps, a slalom section and a shorter, technical climb. It offers bypasses for the difficult features, to accommodate intermediate level riders. Groomed for fatbikes in the winter. Woodbury | Carver Lake Park–4 miles: Series of interconnected loops and switchbacks on the south side of Carver Lake. Groomed for fatbikes in the winter.
Details at www.mntrails.com/mountain-bike-trails
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12 MINNESOTA TRAILS | Spring 2026
2026
Minnesota Mountain Bike Trails
CENTRAL MN
THERE’S GREAT MOUNTAIN BIKING IN THE HEART OF MINNESOTA. FROM THE PURPOSE-BUILT RED DIRT FLOW TRAILS OF THE CUYUNA LAKES, TO THE GRANITE OUTCROPPINGS OF QUARRY PARK IN ST. CLOUD, THE CENTER OF THE STATE HAS A GREAT VARIETY OF TRAILS TO EXPLORE. Alexandria | Lake Brophy County Park– 6.5 miles: Beginner to expert gravity flow trail singletrack with 200’ elevation change. The top overlooks the entire park and the city of Alexandria and has a prairie landscape. Dock jumps, drops and a rock garden can be found on the more technical, expert sections on the west side of the trail system. The eastern part is more of a cross-country ride with long straightaways and sweeping turns. There are bathrooms, beach access and a playground. The paved Central Lakes Trail skirts the park and provides access by bike. Cuyuna, Crosby, Ironton | Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area –About 70 miles: An IMBA Silver Level Ride Center. Clearly marked, one-way singletrack trails from easy beginner to hardcore expert with stunning views from the top of overburden piles left from the area’s mining days. Deep mine lakes offer refreshment after a hard ride and invite you to dive in or take the kayak out for a paddle. Many trails are groomed for fat tire biking in the winter, including the paved Cuyuna State Trail, which runs through the heart of the system and connects many of the mountain bike trail clusters. The town of Cuyuna also has a pump track. Elk River | Hillside Park–6 miles: Easy to expert flow trails in an 80-acre oak forest. These flow trails accommodate a variety of users. Groomed for fatbikes in the winter. Fergus Falls | Ferber Park–2.2 miles: A mix of rolling hills and flat terrain in wooded and grassy areas with less difficult to more challenging trails. Trails were developed by volunteers with help from the city of Fergus Falls and continue
to be improved. Look for additional trails in the future. Glenwood | Barsness Park– 10 miles: Beginner to intermediate singletrack with two challenging climbs to panoramic views of Lake Minnewaska near downtown Glenwood. This system packs in a lot of rollers, berms and fun, flowy sections including some rock obstacles. Hutchinson | Stahl’s Lake County Park–4 miles: Moderate terrain with some small hills, a balance beam and seesaw. Kensington | Kensington Rune Stone Park– 7.5 miles: Beginner to intermediate, dedicated singletrack. The park has a visitor center with bathrooms. Groomed for fatbikes in the winter. McGregor | Savanna Portage State Park– 10 miles: Mixture of grass and dirt doubletrack. The trail offers varied topography in its several loops with a challenging climb up the Continental Divide with an awesome view as a reward. Milaca | Milaca City Trails–12 miles: Located near the Rum River, this singletrack offers a variety of trail options for riders of all skill levels. Most of the trails are singletrack and go through a mix of woods, hills and fields. Trails are groomed for skiing and fatbiking in the winter. Pillager | Pillsbury State Forest–27 miles: A combination of gravel logging roads, grass and dirt. The trail winds and twists through forest and past lakes with rolling terrain. All trails are multi-use, some include horseback riding. Pine River | Cut Lake Trail–10 miles: Wide, grassy trails through the forest around Deer and Cut Lakes, ranging from beginner to intermediate.
Great solitude and backcountry riding. Groomed only for skiing in the winter. Saint Cloud Area • Jail Trail–7.5 miles: Beginner to intermediate with advanced options. Singletrack trail runs through dense woods with sections along the fence of the Minnesota Correctional Facility. Groomed for fatbikes in the winter. • River Bluffs Regional Park–3 miles: Beginner singletrack loop near the Mississippi River. Groomed for fatbikes in the winter. Sartell | Sauk River Regional Park-2 miles: A great beginner trail for a quick round or running laps in a 46-acre park on the Sauk River. One technical line runs along a berm. Rock gardens in the woods add to the fun. Skills area at the trailhead lets beginners practice bike handling skills. Spicer | Prairie Woods ELC–4 miles: Easy singletrack trails at the Environmental Learning Center starts at the parking lot and winds through a mix of open prairie and deciduous woods. Wadena | Black’s Grove–8 miles: Beginner to advanced scenic trails that wind through a wooded setting and along Oak Creek. Groomed for skis and fatbikes in the winter. Waite Park | Quarry Park–2.2 miles: Intermediate: Doubletrack with a mixture of gravel, dirt and grass around some granite outcroppings. Runs through a heavily wooded area with a few fairly technical sections where you bike over billion-year old bedrock. This park has separate trails for walking, skiing and fatbiking in the winter.
SPRING STARTS
on the trails
Explore miles of trails in Alexandria. Bike the paved 55-mile Central Lakes Trail, stroll lakeside paths, or wander wooded routes at Lake Carlos State Park as trees bud and the birds return.
Plan Your Adventure at ExploreAlex.com Spring 2026 | MINNESOTA TRAILS 13
NORTHWEST MN
Minnesota Mountain Bike Trails
2026
MANY OF THE MOST POPULAR MOUNTAIN BIKE DESTINATIONS IN NORTHWESTERN MINNESOTA CAN BE FOUND IN STATE PARKS AND FORESTS. THIS AREA OFFERS MORE TWISTS AND TURNS AND A GREATER CHANCE TO COME ACROSS WILDLIFE WHILE ROLLING DOWN A HILL OR ALONG A HARD-PACKED SINGLETRACK. Bemidji Area • Lake Bemidji State Park–5 miles: Beginner to advanced: Park has much to offer with dirt and packed grass trails. System is well maintained. Forested terrain has some challenging sections. • Movil Maze–8 miles: This system lives up to its name, so bring a compass and use the map of the area. There are several spurs that branch off this trail. The trail is a combination of grassy sections and dirt singletrack with ramps. Parts of the system are groomed for fatbiking in the winter. Callaway | Maplelag–23 miles: Mixture of challenging singletrack and grassy doubletrack. Easy to expert. About 25km are groomed for fatbiking in the winter.
Detroit Lakes Area • Detroit Mountain–10 miles: This trail system has trails from beginner to expert. Ride contour flow trails, or take the lift up to the top and zip down the downhill flow trails, or ride the skills park. Lodge with bathrooms, bar, and concessions is a must-see. Connecting trail takes you to Mountain View Rec Area. Groomed fatbike trails are available in the winter. • Dunton Locks County Park–3 miles: Trail loops along the shores between Lake Sallie and Muskrat Lake. Some wind through hardwood forested hills. Trails are shared with hikers and are groomed for skiing in the winter.
Photo Credit: Explore MN
Walker, MN is connected to more than 150 miles of paved trails!
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• Mountain View Recreation Area– 3.1 miles: Singletrack loops through mature, mixed hardwood forest. Trails are laid out to be challenging. Connecting trail takes you to Detroit Mountain. Lake Bronson | Lake Bronson State Park– 5 miles: Good variety of easy trails and loops to allow for different choices. The trails go through forest and prairie and are a mixture of grass and gravel. Fargo/Moorhead Area • Gooseberry Park–3.5 miles: Flat and wide singletrack loops on the banks of the Red River of the North. Connects to a short skills building trail with bridges and rock gardens in Horn Park. Beginner-friendly, because obstacles have ridearound options. Groomed for fatbikes in the winter. • M.B. Johnson Park–5 miles: Singletrack loops along the banks of the Red River of the North with some obstacles. Trailhead has bathrooms, water and a shelter. Groomed for fatbikes in the winter. • Iwen Park (Fargo)–7 miles: Beginner-friendly trail consisting of a north and south section. Not groomed for fatbikes, but usually well-traveled by snowshoers. Roseau Area • Hayes Lake State Park–5 miles: Beginner trail on grassy, level terrain in a wooded area. Trails start at Hayes Dam. • Mount Roseau–6 miles: Twisting trails on rolling hills in an open, grassy area, rated beginner to intermediate. Lots of switchbacks on this 60-foot artificial hill keep you on your toes. Ulen to Crookston | Agassiz Recreational Trail–53 miles: This abandoned railroad grade is a designated multiple use trail shared by pedestrians, cyclists, equestrians and ATV riders. It passes through Ulen, Twin Valley, Gary, Fertile and Crookston and offers scenic views of the Sand Hill and Wild Rice Rivers and Minnesota farmland.
Details at www.mntrails.com/ mountain-bike-trails
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14 MINNESOTA TRAILS | Spring 2026
2026
Minnesota Mountain Bike Trails
SOUTHERN MN
STUNNING BLUFF COUNTRY, MEANDERING RIVERS AND OPEN PRAIRIES GIVE SOUTHERN MINNESOTA A WIDE VARIETY OF NATURAL TERRAIN FOR MOUNTAIN BIKERS TO ENJOY. GO SOUTH AND FIND OUT WHAT TRAILS ARE WAITING FOR YOU. Albert Lea | Myre Big Island State Park– 7 miles: Intermediate: Well-marked trails shared with hikers through forested hills and by Albert Lea Lake. Lots of trails to choose from, but limited access when wet. Austin | Schindler’s Way–5 miles: This flat and fast singletrack system flows through forest and prairie and sweeps along the Cedar River near the Hormel Foods campus and Todd Park. A great beginner trail that’s groomed for fatbikes in the winter. Faribault Area • Caron Park–2 miles: Beginner and intermediate singletrack loops with a dirt surface through a completely wooded area. Runs by Prairie Creek and features a natural waterfall. One interesting feature is a large erratic boulder on the intermediate loop. Trails are bi-directional. • River Bend Nature Center–10 miles: Multi-use, dirt and grass trail is shared with hikers and travels through hardwoods along the Straight River with scenic bluff views. Fatbikes are allowed in the winter, but must stay off groomed ski trails. • Shattuck-St. Mary’s Trail–5 miles: The trails at Shattuck-St. Mary’s are built into the side of the riverbank above the Straight River in Faribault. Hand built, old school singletrack traverses up one ravine and down the next. Although the trails aren’t rated as expert, fitness and skills for riding switchbacks are key as you make your way up and down the many ravines. The trail is an out and back with a loop at both ends. Ridden as an out and back there is about 5 miles of trail.
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For the most part, trails at Camden State Park in Lynd are wide, mowed paths. Jan Lasar photo Henderson | Ney Nature Center Trail–1.5 miles: Two single-direction trails: Trail one is rated intermediate and trail two is rated difficult with berms, drops and a rock garden. Trail access is not on Ney Nature Center property, but just north of the intersection of Henderson Station Road and County Road 19. Jackson | Belmont County Park–5.3 miles: Beginner to advanced natural surface singletrack under the mature canopies of oak, walnut and ash trees with a beautiful view of the Des Moines River. Bobsled-style flow trails on intermediate and advanced portions of the trails system have plenty of switchbacks, berms and jumps as they drop 120 feet into the river valley. The one-mile beginner trail
near the parking lot is balance-bike friendly. Other amenities are an enclosed log shelter house with fireplace, picnic tables, outdoor grills, bonfire area, hand pump for water and an enclosed pit bathroom. Lanesboro | Eagle Bluff Environmental Learning Center–3 miles: This flow trail travels through the 250-acre campus of Eagle Bluff and rolls through mixed hardwood forest with views of the Root River in the valley below. Lynd | Camden State Park–4.25 miles: Beginner to advanced: Mixture of fire roads and singletrack rolls through hardwood forests and prairie with a 1-mile section of rake-and-ride trail on top of the river valley.
BREWERIES DISTILLERY RESTAURANTS BIKE SHOPS
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Spring 2026 | MINNESOTA TRAILS 15
SOUTHERN MN
Minnesota Mountain Bike Trails
Mankato Area • Kiwanis Mountain Bike Trail–6 miles: Two single-direction loops on the Minnesota River. The short beginner loop consists of rolling, berm filled singletrack in the river bottom land with no obstacles or challenging climbs for the novice rider. More advanced features and options like log piles, jumps and drops can be found on b-lines with ride-arounds on the intermediate loop. A kids’ loop and skill park are accessible from the trailhead. Groomed for fatbiking in the winter. • Mount Kato–7 miles: Mount Kato has roughly seven miles of cross-country singletrack winding through the wooded hills of their ski area for novice to expert riders. Riders who like a challenge will enjoy the climbs and descents. • Seven Mile Creek–8 miles: Seven Mile Creek’s multi-use bi-directional trails feature little technical challenge but some climbs and descents are steep and very challenging. The area transitions from the Minnesota River to grasslands in the valley, to deciduous forests on either side and up the bluffs of the creek.
Owatonna | Kaplan’s Woods–5 miles: Moderately difficult singletrack through hardwood forest in a 225-acre park. Some log jumps add challenges. The Owatonna Trails Association maintains five miles of mountain bike trail and grooms for fatbikes in the winter.
Northfield Area • Heath Creek Trail–1 mile: Across County Road 78 from the Sechler Park Trails you’ll find a short, more technical trail with a rock garden along Heath Creek. Great views in a densely wooded area. • Sechler Park–1.75 miles: Trail is designed to introduce beginners to mountain biking and runs along the woods on the shore of the Cannon River. Part of this system is a skills park with berms, jumps, drops, log piles, a teetertotter and more. Connects to Heath Creek Trail across County Road 78.
Red Wing | Memorial Park Trails–12 miles: This beginner to advanced trail has many options: long climbs, challenging obstacles, outstanding views, twisting singletrack. Select a ride that matches your skills and enjoy the view off Sorin’s Bluff. 7.5 miles of this system is dedicated singletrack; the rest is shared with hikers. Rochester Area • Eastwood Park–7 miles: Three easy and two intermediate trails by Eastwood Golf Course. Trail is mostly wooded with many tight twists and turns along the Zumbro River. • Gamehaven Trails–12 miles: Five easy and two intermediate singletrack loops with scenic overlooks on Gamehaven Lake. Groomed for fatbikes in the winter. • Northern Heights Park–1.4 miles: Easy, multiuse singletrack. Constructed in 2024 and newly opened for 2025, Northern Heights Park is a small, closed loop, multi-use trail in Northeast Rochester, open to mountain biking and hiking. Enjoy this professionally designed trail through the southern portion of these 65-acre woods and you’ll forget you’re in the middle of a city. Despite the steep surroundings, and thanks to three constructed bridges, the trail only demands 95 feet of elevation gain for one lap, so it is perfect for beginners and casual users.
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St. Peter | Traverse des Sioux Park– 11 miles: This system consists of rolling and winding trail through the Minnesota River bottoms weaving through the trees and over the undulating flood plain. The trails are bidirectional with trail difficulty rated easy and beginner friendly. These trails have some of the area’s best views of the Minnesota River. Winona | Bluffside Park–15 miles: Easy to difficult singletrack. From a short, blufftop beginner loop to steep, twisty expert lines, this growing system is just minutes from downtown and offers views of the Mississippi River. Some trails are groomed for fatbikes. The Bluffs Traverse Recreation and Conservation Area project links Bluffside, Garvin Heights and Sugar Loaf parks in an ambitious effort to expand the Winona mountain bike trail system in the future. A bike skills course and tot track are also part of this system.
Mountain Bike Trail Guide Sources: BAMB, LAMBAT, Fargo Moorhead Trail Builders, MNDNR, MTBProject.com, Singletracks.com, TrailForks.com, individual cities, counties and organizations.
Details at www.mntrails.com/ mountain-bike-trails
Over 17 miles of trails
CYCLE YOUR HEART OUT ON
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Luverne’ Trails UNIQUE
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507.283.4061 16 MINNESOTA TRAILS | Spring 2026
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2026
Bike Rides & Tours
Ragnarok 105
Bike MS: Twin Cities Ride
Lake Pepin 3-Speed Tour
Gravel | Red Wing, MN
Road | Saint Paul, MN
Road | Red Wing, MN
April 4, 2026
May 9, 2026
May 16-17, 2026
www.mntrails.com/event/ragnarok-105
mntrails.com/event/bike-ms-twin-cities-ride
www.mntrails.com/event/lake-pepin-3speed-tour
Fat And Happy–Spring Thaw
The Heywood
Fatbike | Hugo, MN
April 18, 2026
Gravel | Northfield, MN
www.mntrails.com/event/fat-and-happyspring-thaw
May 16, 2026
www.mntrails.com/event/the-heywood
Miesville 56 Gravel | Miesville, MN
Spring Valley 100
April 26, 2026
May 16, 2026
Le Grand Du Nord Gravel | Grand Marais, MN
May 23, 2026
www.mntrails.com/event/le-grand-du-nord Gravel | Spring Valley, MN
www.mntrails.com/event/miesville-56
www.mntrails.com/event/spring-valley-100
May 23, 2026
BIRDS AND BISON BIKE TOUR Trail | Hastings, MN and Prescott, WI
May 2, 2026
Take in spectacular views of the mighty Mississippi along the Mississippi River Greenway Trail, where soaring birds from Carpenter Nature Center and a fascinating bison interpretive stop at Spring Lake Park make the day unforgettable.
ORANGE CITY TULIP FESTIVAL TOUR DE TULIPS Road | Orange City, IA
May 16, 2026
May 2, 2026
This supported ride is just the beginning of the fun at Orange City’s Tulip Festival, a celebration bursting with color, culture, and Dutch pride. When you’re done pedaling, join in the festivities of this nationally recognized event, where over 100,000 visitors gather each year to experience one of the Midwest’s most charming traditions.
www.mntrails.com/event/grannys-gravelgrinder
www.octulipfestival.com/portfolio-item/ tour-de-tulips
www.visithastingsmn.org/bike-tours
Granny’s Gravel Grinder Gravel | Princeton, MN
MED CITY MEANDER Trail | Rochester, MN Join the friendly crew from BikeMN’s We Bike Rochester Chapter for a celebration of the city’s amazing trail network that winds through parks, rivers, and neighborhoods in Minnesota’s thirdlargest city.
www.bikemn.org/all-events/med-citymeander
Minnesota Tour de Cure Road | Eagan, MN
May 30, 2026
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BEAUTIFUL. HARD. EPIC. WORTH IT.
ROSS WIS July 11, 2026 Eau Claire, WI MILE OPTIONS:
A fundraiser for the Wisconsin Bike Fed.
12, 60, 100, 175
Learn More: rideacrosswisconsin.com Spring 2026 | MINNESOTA TRAILS 17
2026
Bike Rides & Tours TOUR DE LOOP
TOUR OF LAKES
THE TOUR OF MINNESOTA
Trail | Luverne, MN
Road | Crosby, MN
June 4, 2026
June 6, 2026
Road/Trail | Mankato, Faribault, Albert Lea, MN
Enjoy a leisurely spring loop around Luverne, register for fun prize drawings, and gather for a sweet treat afterward! Stay for the weekend and dive into Luverne’s lively Buffalo Days, featuring a classic car show, parade, craft fair, and tons of family-friendly fun.
This ride promises an abundance of beautiful scenery, fresh air and terrific rest stops. The Tour of Lakes is a one day recreational, not for-profit bicycle tour hosted by the Paul Bunyan Cyclists Bicycle Club.
June 13-19 2026
www.paulbunyancyclists.com
www.tourofminnesota.com
THE SPRING BIKE FLING
MICKELSON SUMMER TRAIL TREK
Celebrating over 50 years of adventure, this iconic Minnesota ride continues to inspire cyclists with its mix of scenic roads, rolling trails, and lasting camaraderie.
www.luvernechamber.com
Trail | Walker, MN
KKD Gravel Gravel/Farmington, MN
June 6, 2026
www.mntrails.com/event/kkd-gravel
June 13, 2026
Trail/Gravel | Custer, SD
www.leech-lake.com/spring-bike-fling
Discover the heart of the Black Hills on the Mickelson Trail, pedaling through valleys, tunnels, and historic mining towns on this 119-mile bucket list adventure.
Hop on the Paul Bunyan Trail from Walker to Hackensack and pedal through the stunning forests and lake country of Paul Bunyan’s own backyard.
Bike MS: MS 150
TOUR DE PEPIN
June 19-21, 2026
mickelsontrail.com
Road | Lake City, MN
Road/Trail | Saint Peter, MN
June 6, 2026
June 13-14, 2026
MIDWEST MOUNTAIN BIKE FEST
www.mntrails.com/event/bike-ms-ms-150
Mountain Bike | Cuyuna, MN
Experience one of the Midwest’s most unique and beloved cycling tours, the Tour de Pepin. Choose your route and explore the captivating terrain and historic river towns surrounding beautiful Lake Pepin.
www.lakecity.org/tour-de-pepin
June 19-21, 2026
The Hotdish Gravel | Winona, MN
June 13-14, 2026
www.mntrails.com/event/the-hotdish
A rider-driven, non-competitive festival in the legendary red dirt of Cuyuna, built for mountain bikers, by mountain bikers. Explore over 60 miles of iconic red dirt singletrack that makes Cuyuna a true bucket-list destination.
www.midwestmountainbikefest.com
August 1-8, 2026 Southern Wisconsin scenic country lanes!
One week & 400+ miles. Velva, ND
Velva
LOOP THE LAKE RIDE Trail | Bemidji, MN
June 20, 2026
Take a fun bike cruise around Lake Bemidji with the whole family and experience the charm of the first city on the Mississippi from the seat of your bike. Enjoy beautiful lakeside views, community spirit, and plenty of family-friendly activities.
www.bikebemidji.com Local flavor stops Daily happy hours Hotel stays
June 26 - July 1
www.scscbiketour.com
(Fri. eve. Wed.)
The Drift Pr airie Tour
CaNDak.net
SWISS CHEESE AND SPOTTED COWS BIKE TOUR Road | Sauk City, WI
June 26-July 1, 2026
This fully supported bike tour explores the best of southern Wisconsin, from the rolling hills of the Driftless region to the gentle countryside beyond, along quiet pastoral roads lined with small farms and charming towns.
www.scscbiketour.com
0@pqlK@y q_M Bike to Duluth ¬ƪƋƋŨƎƢėĐ ¤ļĐė 'ļƖƢíŞĉė ~ƋƢļŨŞƖ ŨíƢ ¬ķƪƢƢœėƖ ėíƪƢļįƪœ ×ļƖƢíƖ
2$3/ , , "£ $! 18 MINNESOTA TRAILS | Spring 2026
Road/Trail | Minneapolis, MN
June 27, 2026
www.mntrails.com/event/bike-to-duluth
Lutsen 99er Mountain Bike | Lutsen, MN
June 27, 2026
www.mntrails.com/event/lutsen-99er
2026
Bike Rides & Tours
WoodTickr Gravel Fondo
TOUR OF SAINTS
Gravel | Hawley, MN
Road/Trail | Saint Joseph, MN
June 27, 2026
July 19, 2026
www.mntrails.com/event/woodtickr-gravelfondo
Freedom From Pants Ride Road | Minneapolis, MN
July 4, 2026
www.mntrails.com/event/freedom-from-pantsride
TOUR DE BUN BICYCLE CLASSIC
It’s not a race. It’s a heavenly little ride. From cities across Minnesota and neighboring states, each year 1,000 or more cyclists gather in St. Joseph to wind their way along quiet byways and rolling hills of central Minnesota. Distances: 18, 35, 50 miles.
www.bikemn.org/all-events/tour-of-saints
Road/Gravel | Montgomery, MN
July 25, 2026
Pedal through the heart of Minnesota Czech Country in scenic Le Sueur County, where refreshment stops, quiet rural roads, and two adventurous gravel routes make for an unforgettable day on the bike.
www.montgomerymn.org/tour-de-bun-bikeclassic
GREAT SCOTT CLASSIC BIKE RIDE Road | Prior Lake, MN
July 4, 2026
Savor the sights and sounds of rural Scott County on this welcoming ride hosted by the Great Scott Cycling Club. Choose from 25 or 50-mile routes, enjoy SAG support and rest stops, and cap off the day with a delicious post-ride lunch.
Tour of Lakes | June 6, 2026
www.mntrails.com/event/the-wolf
in Rideul Pa n’s a Bunyyard! Back
BLUENOSE GOPHER 50
Crosby, MN
bikereg.com/great-scott-classic-bike-ride
The Wolf Gravel | Finland, MN
July 10-12, 2026
Gravel | Granite Falls, MN
July 11, 2026
Fully Supported Great Rest Stops
WWW.PAULBUNYANCYCLISTS.COM
This gravel ride explores the challenging ups and downs of the Minnesota River Valley in search of the route of a longforgotten 1890s bike race. Breathtaking views, billion-year-old granite and quiet back roads steeped in history are the backdrop for a unique ride.
7TH ANNUAL
www.bluenose.coop/bluenosegopher50
Freedhem 76 Gravel | Freedhem, MN
July 11, 2026
www.mntrails.com/event/freedhem-76
RIDE ACROSS WISCONSIN (RAW) Road | Eau Claire, WI
July 11, 2026
Riders from across the country come together to tackle epic distances, cruise through breathtaking countryside, and discover the hospitality of small-town USA.
www.wisconsinbikefed.org/ride-acrosswisconsin-raw
Bike.Build.Home 500 Road/Trail | Mankato, MN
July 14-19, 2026
www.mntrails.com/event/bike-buildhome-500
Tour de SAVE Road | Northfield, MN
July 18, 2026
www.mntrails.com/event/tour-de-save
Ride from Walker to “Hack and Back” through the amazing scenery of the Chippewa National Forest on the Paul Bunyan Trail.
Walker to Hackensack, MN
June 13, Craft beer, music and swag at Rendezvous Brewing in Hackensack and Portage Brewing in Walker.
2026 24 36 48 miles
W WW.BIKE RE G.COM/ SPRING-BIKE -F LING Spring 2026 | MINNESOTA TRAILS 19
2026
Bike Rides & Tours SCENIC SHORE BIKE TOUR
TOUR DE TONKA
Road | Mequon, Manitowoc, Sturgeon Bay, WI
Road | Minnetonka, MN
July 25-26, 2026
The Tour de Tonka is a Minnesota classic. Roll through the Lake Minnetonka area and its surrounding communities on your choice of routes, there’s a perfect distance for every rider.
The Scenic Shore Bike Tour delivers two days and 150 miles of pure cycling joy along the sparkling shoreline of Lake Michigan. With full support and over 1,500 enthusiastic riders, it’s a weekend that blends challenge, beauty, and community.
August 1, 2026
www.tourdetonka.org
BRIDGE THE VALLEY BIKE RALLY Road/Gravel | Stillwater, MN
August 9, 2026
Join the Stillwater Sunrise Rotary Club on an epic trip through the hills and valleys around Stillwater, MN. Part of the Rivers, Lakes, Fields Ride Series, including the Northfield Rotary Bike Tour. Ride both for extra swag and prize drawings.
www.bridgethevalley.org
www.scenicshore150.org
River Towns on the Mississippi Bike MS: Ride Across Minnesota 2026 Road | Menahga, MN
Road/Trail | Cottage Grove, MN
August 2-7, 2026
www.mntrails.com/event/river-towns-onthe-mississippi
July 27-31, 2026
mntrails.com/event/bike-ms-ride-acrossminnesota-2026
Road | Velva, ND
Road/Trail | Detroit Lakes, MN
August 13-16, 2026
August 5-9, 2026
BAM riders enjoy rolling over paved, lowtraffic roads and bikeways in Minnesota, and each year the route moves to a different region of the state to promote the wonderful communities there.
www.mntrails.com/event/the-grand-300
www.bambiketour.org
DULUTH TRAILS FEST
Apple Blossom Bike Tour
The Grand 300 Road/Trail | Grand Portage to Minneapolis
CANDAK
BICYCLING AROUND MINNESOTA (BAM)
August 1-8, 2026
This ride carries on the tradition of the CANDISK ride of North Dakota with daily routes ranging from 35 to 70 miles and a century option. This is a multi-day tour through North Dakota with terrain varying from flat fields to steep hills.
Mountain Bike | Duluth, MN
August 7-9, 2026
Road | La Crescent, MN
August 15, 2026
Whether you’re chasing gravity in thrilling downhill runs, tackling timed enduro stages across increasingly technical terrain, cruising cross-country loops, or testing your endurance on adventurous trail courses, there’s a challenge waiting for you.
www.mntrails.com/event/apple-blossombike-tour
www.mntrails.com/event/the-day-acrossminnesota-damn
www.duluthtrailsfest.com
Trail | Gooseberry Falls State Park
GREAT RIVER ENERGY MESABI TRAIL TOUR
Hollo Gravel Classic
www.candak.net
The Day Across MN (DAMN) Gravel | Gary, SD
August 1, 2026
Trail | Embarrass, MN
August 15, 2026
Gravel | Battle Lake, MN
August 8, 2026
www.mntrails.com/event/hollo-gravel-classic
August 1, 2026
While you pedal fully supported along one of Minnesota’s premiere paved bike trails, you’ll encounter historic and scenic points of interest, and enjoy food and music at rest stops. In 2026, the ride will travel between Embarrass and McKinley, with multiple ride options.
www.mesabitrail.com/events/annual tour
MN
Sun., Aug. 9, 2026 bridgethevalley.org
Iron Trail Road and Trail Tour Road/Trail | Duluth, MN
August 8-14, 2026
mntrails.com/event/iron-trail-road-and-trailtour
SPECIAL DISCOUNTS when you sign up for both rides!
Northfield, MN
Sat., Sept. 12, 2026
REGISTER: WWW.BIKEREG.COM/RIVERSLAKESANDFIELDS 20 MINNESOTA TRAILS | Spring 2026
Enjoy a supported, recreational ride on the Gitchi-Gami State Trail along Lake Superior’s spectacular North Shore. Get up close to breathtaking shoreline views, listen to the rhythm of rushing waterfalls, and wind your way through beautiful state parks.
www.ggta.org/ride.php
great rides this year! rivers, lakes & fields Two
Stillwater,
GITCHI-GAMI NORTH SHORE RIDE
northfieldrotary.org/page/ northfield-rotary-bike-tour Proceeds go towards Rotary service
Up-To-Date Information & Details at: WWW.MNTRAILS.COM/EVENTS
‘Heart of the Lakes’
THURSDAY-SUNDAY
AUG. 13-16, 2026 bambiketour.com
2026
Bike Rides & Tours
ROCK-N-ROLL THE LAKES
Gray Duck Grit
Road | Albert Lea, MN
Gravel | Cannon Falls, MN
August 15, 2026
September 5-6, 2026
Trail/Road | Saint Paul, MN
www.mntrails.com/event/gray-duck-grit
September 13, 2026
Albert Lea knows how to rock! Riders can choose from one of three different routes of SAG-supported, “rolling” fun around town. All three courses hug picturesque lake shores and offer beautiful southern Minnesota scenery.
2026 USA Cycling Gravel National Championships Gravel | La Crescent, MN
www.bikemn.org/all-events/rock-n-roll-thelakes
September 12, 2026
Grit & Gratitude
Gritty Goose Gravel Grinder
Gravel/Road | Two Harbors, MN
mntrails.com/event/2026-usa-cycling-gravelnational-championships Gravel | Monticello, MN
August 16, 2026
September 12, 2026
www.mntrails.com/event/grit-and-gratitude
www.mntrails.com/event/gritty-goose
Hero Gravel Classic
NORTHFIELD ROTARY BIKE TOUR
Gravel | Stillwater, MN
August 22, 2026
Road/Gravel | Northfield, MN
www.mntrails.com/event/hero-gravel-classic
There’s a route for everyone: Road, gravel or family. Part of the Rivers, Lakes, Fields Ride Series, including Bridge the Valley Bike Rally. Ride both for extra swag and prize drawings.
CAMDEN CRUISE Trail | Marshall, MN
August 23, 2026
Part of the Sounds of Summer celebration, this free ride travels the scenic Camden Trail into nearby Camden State Park. Rest stops along the way keep you fed, and the first 50 riders receive a free water bottle.
www.visitmarshallmn.com/sounds-ofsummer
September 12, 2026
SAINT PAUL CLASSIC BIKE TOUR As always, Classic riders enjoy the scenic and historic Grand Round in Saint Paul. Enjoy a delightful tour of five regional parks, plus a jaunt over the Mississippi River over to lovely Lilydale Park. Live music at every rest stop!
bikeclassic.org
RIDEMN1 Road | Fargo, ND to Duluth, MN
September 13-19, 2026
Join RideMN1 on their inspiring ride across Minnesota to raise awareness about cancer. This year’s route visits Fargo, Detroit Lakes, Itasca State Park, Federal Dam, Crosslake, Cromwell, and Duluth, with optional pre-ride camping and dinner to kick off the journey.
www.ridemn1.org
www.northfieldrotary.org/page/northfieldrotary-bike-tour
North Star Bicycle Race
Race Across Duluth
Road | Saint Paul, MN to US-Canada border
Mountain Bike | Duluth, MN
September 16, 2026
September 12, 2026
www.mntrails.com/event/north-star-bicyclerace
www.mntrails.com/event/race-across-duluth
Spring 2026 | MINNESOTA TRAILS 21
2026
Bike Rides & Tours Tomassoni Tour
RIDE THE RIDGES
IWP Ride Against Suicide
Trail | Biwabik, MN
Road | Winona, MN
Road | Zumbrota, MN
September 17-19, 2026
September 19, 2026
September 23-26, 2026
www.mntrails.com/event/tomassoni-tour
MICKELSON TRAIL TREK Trail/Gravel | Custer, SD
September 18-20, 2026
Discover the heart of the Black Hills on the Mickelson Trail, pedaling through valleys, tunnels, and historic mining towns on this 119-mile bucket list adventure.
Ride the Ridges takes cyclists through some of the most scenic areas in southeastern Minnesota, from lush valleys along winding streams to bluffs overlooking the Mississippi River. Every route features well-stocked rest stops with local delicacies to keep you fueled and happy.
www.ridetheridges.bike
www.mntrails.com/event/iwp-ride-againstsuicide
Headwaters 100 Road | Park Rapids, MN
September 26, 2026
www.mntrails.com/event/headwaters-100
mickelsontrail.com
Ride to End ALZ MORA BIKE TOUR Road | Mora, MN
September 19, 2026
Join the annual Mora Bike Tour, starting and finishing at the Vasaloppet Nordic Center. With two beautiful rural routes, well-stocked rest stops, and mobile repair support, it’s a perfect blend of Minnesota charm and cycling spirit.
www.vasaloppet.us/mora-bike-tour
IDEMN1
Up-To-Date Information & Details at: WWW.MNTRAILS.COM/EVENTS
Crossing Minnesota to End Cancer
202
6R
Septe mber 1 3-19
RIDEMN1.ORG
Road | Stillwater, MN
Heck of the North
September 19, 2026
Gravel | Two Harbors, MN
www.mntrails.com/event/ride-to-end-alz
September 26, 2026
ROSEWOOD GRAMBLE
www.mntrails.com/event/heck-of-the-north
Road, Gravel | Thief River Falls, MN
WHEELIN’ TO WALL
September 19, 2026
Road/Gravel | Wall, SD
Join Bike Thief River Falls on this ramble on gravel (Gramble) and see rural Pennington and Marshall Counties. You’ll ride the former beach ridges of Glacial Lake Agassiz, minimum maintenance roads and a bit of trail.
www.bikemn.org/all-events/rosewoodgramble
September 26, 2026
Experience the magic of Badlands National Park and its striking rock formations during this cycling celebration. Both road and gravel routes are available on this fully supported ride through one of America’s most dramatic landscapes.
www.wheelintowall.com
explore Itasca State Park and the 49-mile Heartland State Trail
in the
www.RideTheRidges.bike One of the most challenging & beautiful rides in the Midwest!
SATURDAY, SEPT. 19, 2026 22 MINNESOTA TRAILS | Spring 2026
| 218-732-4111 | www.parkrapids.com
2026
Bike Rides & Tours
KATO BIKE FALL FEST Road, Trail | Mankato, MN
September 26-27, 2026
The Kato Bike Fall Fest is a weekendlong celebration highlighting the vibrant bike culture of the greater Mankato area. Expect spectacular routes, tasty treats, and plenty of fun surrounded by the serenity of a southern Minnesota autumn.
ALBANY · AVON · BOWLUS · FREEP PORT HOLDINGFORD · MELROSE · OSAKIS SAUK CENTR RE · WAITE PA ARK · WEST UNION
www.bikemn.org/all-events/kato-bike-fallfest
DIRT BAG GRAVEL GRINDER Gravel | Clearwater, MN
October 3, 2026
This central Minnesota fall ride on the backroads around Clearwater honors the memory of the late John Egbers. In the spirit of gravel riding, it’s free and unsupported.
Visit the ride’s Facebook page for more details.
The Gunflint Scramble! Mountain Bike | Grand Marais, MN
October 3, 2026
www.mntrails.com/event/the-gunflintscramble
Old Fashioned Gravel
Ride
Lake Wobegon Country LakeWobegonTrail.com
Gravel | Hokah, MN
October 3, 2026
www.mntrails.com/event/old-fashionedgravel
TWIN CITIES BIKE TOUR Road/Trail | Minneapolis, MN
October 10, 2026
Celebrate the trails and communities that power Minnesota’s cycling culture. With support vehicles, mechanics, and rest stops along the way, all you need to do is ride, smile, and soak up the scenery.
www.bikemn.org/all-events/tcbt
THE FILTHY 50 Gravel | Lanesboro, MN
October 10, 2026
Pedal through rolling Bluff Country roads and vibrant autumn hues in Lanesboro’s iconic gravel ride where challenge meets community spirit. With miles of scenic terrain and a lively race-day atmosphere, it’s a fall biking tradition you won’t want to miss.
www.the-filthy.com As of deadline, the information in this calendar was accurate. Check www.MnTrails.com/events for additional information. Spring 2026 | MINNESOTA TRAILS 23
TRAILTAKES The system progresses in difficulty from white to green to blue, allowing riders to advance with time and string together longer rides using the interconnected routes.
CUYUNA TRAILS ADAPT TO ALL USERS STORY BY CHRIS PASCONE
Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area’s adaptive mountain bike trails give riders seven and a half miles of “universal” biking that’s unique among most of its peers in the state. These trails, first opened in 2022, accommodate anyone from little kids on Strider bikes to adaptive cyclists on three-wheeled offroad handcycles. At the Sagamore Unit in Riverton trails like Copper Nugget, Blaster, Klondyke, and Syracuse tap into adaptive riding and might just change how you interpret mountain biking’s risks and rewards. Physically, they’re an obvious departure from the other trails in the area. Softer tread, made from packed dirt, not rock, with a gentle 3% average grade and a comfortable width of five to six feet make mountain biking accessible to more people. The system progresses in difficulty from white to green to blue, allowing riders to advance with time and string together longer rides using the interconnected routes. The trailhead is designed with amenities like flat, open parking, as well as wheelchair-friendly vault toilets and picnic tables. Cuyuna’s Sagamore Unit trails have raised awareness of adaptive riders’ needs, but what, specifically, makes the trails adaptive? Alec Kadlec, Program Coordinator at Northland Adaptive Recreation, based out of Duluth, says that “adaptive-optimized, universally designed trails are built with the needs of wider, longer bikes in mind.” He notes that adaptive-optimized trails “have larger turn radii, wider bridges and other wooden features, and they minimize pinch points.” 24 MINNESOTA TRAILS | Spring 2026
SAGAMORE UNIT TRAILS Copper Nugget: 0.5 miles (easiest-adaptive)
Klondyke: 2.7 miles (easiest-adaptive)
Blaster: 1.2 miles (easy-adaptive)
Syracuse: 3 miles (more difficult-adaptive)
Bison Run: 6 miles (more difficult-not adaptive)
Dynamite: 2 miles (very difficult-not adaptive) Lacey Heward leads the group on a Northland Adaptive ride in the Cuyuna Lakes State Recreation Area. LACEY HEWARD PHOTO
However, Kadlec emphasizes that adaptive trails don’t “dumb down” the technical skills requirement for riders: “These trails remove barriers like tree gaps that don’t fit a 36"-wide bike, or off-camber sections that would tip a 3-wheeled bike. These changes don’t change the underlying character of the trail for 2-wheeled bikes, but allow access for a broader scope of riders and equipment.” With no ride-stopping obstacles or tip hazards in your way, you can embrace the flow at Cuyuna’s adaptive trails. Families will find the trails fun, flowy, and safe for those still building their mountain biking confidence, like my 13-year-old daughter and me. This past summer we rode the Copper Nugget loop to start, then pushed it harder and faster on Blaster. When we picked up speed, we found the trail was still grippy, easily navigable,
and full of open sightlines. As a beginner mountain biker myself, I liked being able to relax enough mentally to enjoy the woodsy scenery, even while sling-shotting through the forest. Lacey Heward is an adaptive rider living in the Eau Claire, Wisconsin, area who has ridden Cuyuna’s adaptive trails multiple times. She goes with her husband, Benjamin Thompson, and other adaptive riders who come together with Northland Adaptive Recreation, a Duluth-based organization that offers adaptive recreation programs to people with disabilities. Heward “loves speed,” and she was not disappointed in the trails at Cuyuna. “The first time we went, we didn’t know what to expect. I was anticipating that it would be a really easy trail, like a road. And it wasn’t. It exceeded our expectations. We had so much fun.”
And Heward and her husband weren’t alone: “The first thing we noticed right away was the diversity of people using the trails. We ran into a woman who was 86, mountain biking.” Heward likes the progression in the Sagamore trails: “As you go on through the system, the trails get more challenging and pumpy. Such a blast! You’re not just on a ‘greenbelt’ the whole way. There’s some really great turns, and when you pick up speed, you can just carry it through the turns. There were definitely some moments when I was just flying.” The bikes used by adaptive riders like Heward are specialized and modified. Heward lies down in a prone position facing forward on her Bomber off-road handcycle, which has a suspension and rear-wheel drive, and disc brakes on all three wheels. “I use my hands for both braking and pedaling,” she explains. “My legs are behind me, and then I pedal in front of me. The pedaling system is separate from the handlebars, where the brakes are.” The major players in developing the Cuyuna adaptive trail system are the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MNDNR), Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation (IRRR), the city of Riverton, and the Cuyuna Lakes Mountain Bike Crew – a volunteer group which provides and promotes maintenance, stewardship, and advocacy for the trail systems in the Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area. Shae Rossetti, executive director of “The Crew,” points out that adaptive trails offer more choice: “The adaptive trails are designed in a way that you can pass by the features, size them up for your next run, and then come back and try them the next time you come around. That can break down barriers.
You realize, ‘Oh, that’s possible, I can do that.’ We say ‘Pre-ride, re-ride, free ride.’ You go slow and pre-ride, then you come back through and re-ride it with a little more confidence, and then, when you’re feeling good, you free ride it and hit it however you want.” Barry Osborne, manager of the Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area, sees great potential for growth of adaptive trails within MNDNR trail systems: “We’re always on a continuous development process, and the industry is changing, too. By adding the adaptive, or universal trails, it’s definitely opened up more opportunities for us. We’ve seen how successful the adaptive trails are, and we realize we have to increase those types of trails for the public.” Today, Cuyuna’s adaptive mountain bike trails are informing builds and changes in other trail systems around the state – there are multiple adaptive trails at the Spirit Mountain network in Duluth, for example. Another possible progression for adaptive riders within Cuyuna itself is the Galloping Goose trail in the South Mahnomen Unit near Crosby and Ironton. This trail is “adaptive-friendly,” says Kadlec: “We’ve been successful riding Galloping Goose with off-road hand cycles, even though that trail wasn’t intentionally built for 3- or 4-wheeled bikes.” Overall, the Cuyuna adaptive experience is the complete package. The Sagamore cluster features the only purpose-built accessible trails in the system, but also two trails not designed for adaptive use. “There’s even a really nice big sign, and you can scan a QR code of the trail map, and take it with you as you ride,” says Heward. “All the amenities are just lovely.”
Sagamore’s Bison Run is rated More Difficult and contains plenty of rock obstacles. JAN LASAR PHOTO
NORTHLAND ADAPTIVE RECREATION Northland Adaptive Recreation (NAR) works with people who’ve had spinal cord injuries, and don’t have full movement in their legs. They also work with people with developmental disabilities that may have changed the rider’s musculature, or with riders who’ve had a stroke, or other injury that has impacted their balance. NAR owns four offroad handcycles (AKA adaptive mountain bikes) for programming use. FIND PROGRAMMING INFORMATION AT WWW.NORTHLANDADAPTIVE.ORG.
(LEFT) Signs at each trail entrance show a map and list difficulty rating and features. JAN LASAR PHOTO (BELOW) Participants at a Northland Adaptive group ride gather at the Sagamore unit parking lot in Riverton, MN. LACEY HEWARD PHOTO
Spring 2026 | MINNESOTA TRAILS 25
TRAILTAKES Made of meticulously placed rocks, they twist, turn, climb, and descend to create a unique riding experience full of challenges and expert sections.
SPLIT ROCK ’N’ ROLL
STORY BY RICK PERTL
The author poses for a picture on an expert section of trail. SAM PERTL PHOTO
The 22-mile Split Rock Wilds mountain off-road bike trails in the hills above Lake Superior stretch from Split Rock Lighthouse State Park to Beaver Bay, MN. This system of interconnected loops officially opened in July 2022 and broke the mold of what was possible in mountain biking in our state. It wasn’t just another flow trail; it gave Minnesotans a rugged backcountry riding experience like no other. Technical rock gardens stretch farther than the eye can see. Made of meticulously
placed rocks, they twist, turn, climb, and descend to create a unique riding experience full of challenges and expert sections. There is a collection of beginner and intermediate trails for those less ambitious or new to the sport, but a fullsuspension bike is highly recommended here. Knowing all of this, I was very apprehensive about riding the Split Rock Wilds system. Asking others about their experience would elicit a serious, cautious look on their face, and I knew
(LEFT) View of Lake Superior, Ellingson Island and the historic lighthouse from Split Rock Lighthouse State Park. (BELOW) Sam Pertl takes in the view at a scenic overlook. RICK PERTL PHOTOS
26 MINNESOTA TRAILS | Spring 2026
that my skills and bike would be pushed to the limit. But curiosity got the best of me, and my son, Sam, and I made plans to ride the whole thing last June. We had a beautiful tent site overlooking Lake Superior at Split Rock Lighthouse State Park, near the southwestern trailhead. A one-mile climb on a paved trail took us to the start and made for a good warm-up. Knowing there was a downhill finish at the end of a long, punishing ride set the mood for the day. Based on the advice of others, we decided on a clockwise loop, which meant hitting the black, most difficult runs earlier in the day when our energy levels were high. Trails at Split Rock Wilds are two-way, so we rode with oncoming traffic in mind. Turns out, we didn’t see anybody else the entire time, and I rarely glanced at my Garmin because the trails were well marked with maps at intersections. The singletrack started off with an easy, gentle green trail called Shipwreck Loop. It led us deep into the woods, twisting over creeks and climbing rolling hills. It was beautiful, but we soon realized we were on our own out there. Riders looking for a short, easy ride will
enjoy this area. The green trails make a loop back to the beginning, and adding Rufus, Yuka’s Paradise, and Merril Grade bumps up the mileage, if needed. Sellers was the first section of blue, intermediate trails we encountered. I consider them a dark blue, and they could very well be called black at other mountain bike parks. Right away, we encountered the infamous rock gardens with so many step-ups and step-downs. There are no jumps or drops in the system, but in most cases, no alternative lines exist to circumvent the rock gardens, and there is no time to pick each rock to hit. The rock gardens, a good combination of flat, smooth stones and big, round boulders, were constructed with precision, like cobblestones on steroids. My advice is to ride the middle line, keep your speed up, and trust the builders. When we reached Fade to Blue, things started to get serious, and the singletrack became a black, 5-mile expert section of trail. The rock gardens were even more technical, bigger and longer, and they came at us relentlessly, one after another. My ride had just turned from mountain biking into adventure riding. I was able to clear most of it, but I did plenty of hike-a-biking up the rugged terrain. My carbon-soled mountain bike shoes were not ideal for traction, so even walking was challenging at times. I focused on the beautiful, sunny day, comfortable temperatures, and enjoyed the amazing scenery all around me. It was a humbling experience, especially as my 20-something son hopped up the stone staircases like a mountain goat. His experience riding the rocky Duluth-area trails came into play here, and he was right at home on the technical sections. Wellworth It, Over Cove, and Neovision, a combination of blue and black trails, gradually led us downhill to the northeastern trailhead in Beaver Bay. These trails were an engineering marvel, but they never got any easier. We were a little over halfway through our ride and decided to refuel at a gas station, where we topped off our water bottles, had some sandwiches, and prepared for our return home. With the expert sections behind us, the hardest part was over, but I felt like I had already had a full day of riding. Highway 61 (the green trail, not the road) and Mail Route, a blue intermediate trail, comprised the next 5 miles of our journey. This section was very fun, with some flow and much easier rock gardens. Everything was rideable, yet still challenging, and would be a good place for a new rider to work on their skills. We had sampled a portion of Mail Route the day before and made it through one rock garden as long as a
football field. After riding 10 miles of black trails, this time felt easier. Finally, the southwest trailhead emerged, and we realized we had done it. A thin mist hung in the air as we coasted down the final mile to our campsite—what a treat. Sam had had a good ride, and I had survived a 25-mile battle through the most challenging and punishing conditions I’ve ever experienced. It was very satisfying, and it forced me to become a better rider. I recommend every mountain biker try this system at least once, but it may not be the place to introduce someone to the sport. Would I go back? Yes, because time heals all wounds.
(TOP) Basecamp at Split Rock Lighthouse State Park, overlooking Lake Superior and the historic lighthouse. (BOTTOM) Sam Pertl descends one of many rock gardens in the Split Rock Wilds trail system. RICK PERTL PHOTOS Spring 2026 | MINNESOTA TRAILS 27
TRAILTAKES
CARVING FLOW FROM STONE
STORY BY RICK FUENTES PHOTOS BY JAN LASAR
NEW MOUNTAIN BIKE TRAILS AIM TO CHANGE THE RIDE MAP IN MANKATO
Imagine climbing a swirling set of switchbacks on your mountain bike. You cross a limestone bridge, shoot down, then loop back up to the peak along a rocky rise. At the top, you pause to take in the view of this giant hole in the ground and imagine a scene from long ago: The smoke of a black powder charge hangs in the air, wooden derricks hoist huge slabs of rock, men drive steel spikes into the stone with heavy hammersworking much harder than you did to get up there. A drop and hairpin turn later, you cross a waterfall-filled pond, and do it all again. A quick ride on the demo trail at a quarry on the outskirts of Mankato offers a glimpse of what the new Rockwell Adventure Park can be while giving new purpose to a place that’s supplied building projects across the Midwest with its sought-after Mankato-Kasota 28 MINNESOTA TRAILS | Spring 2026
stone since the late 1800s. Slated for a late summer or fall 2026 opening, Rockwell promises 16 miles of varied singletrack, rock gardens, and skills areas for a wide variety of riders. But the entire project comprises RV camping, concessions, and, in time, a floating obstacle course and a cable park for boat-free wakeboarding. “When it’s open, people are going to see a beautiful campground, beautiful water, beautiful mountain bike trails when they pull in,” said Kyle Kaldor, project manager for Rockwell Adventure Park. “It’s going to be a place people want to come to and come back to year after year.” Rockwell’s opening will also be a welcome sight for the more than 100 members of the Mankato Area Mountain Bikers (MAMB) who already know every turn of nearby Mount Kato’s
trails or ride elsewhere when a swollen Minnesota River floods the Kiwanis Recreation Area. The new trails in Lime Township will sit on 90 acres of repurposed industrial property, just a mile and a half northeast of there. Holtmeier Construction, which currently operates the site, expected the limestone deposits to be exhausted by the end of 2025. Rather than sell the land to a developer or another industrial user, owner Joe Holtmeier proposed the idea for a mountain bike and RV park. He’s not a mountain biker but envisioned creating an asset to the Mankato area and committed to turning it into a regional attraction. “We wanted to make something neat out of it. There’s a lot of cool features with the limestone rock,” Kaldor said. “We want to be able to let the community use it, let visitors use it,
bring people to Mankato.” Trails are still a work in progress, but a 1,000-foot demo section is a preview of what’s to come. At the center of the park is a picturesque limestone waterfall pond bridged by huge, flat slabs of limestone. Those big blocks carry riders across the water and lead to a zigzag trail that crosses over itself and circles up a story for a swoop back down the quarry floor. Once built, tread will vary between hardpack, rock, and gravel, which makes for a resilient ride surface not prone to washouts. Expect fast laps over a varied flow of trails that will keep riders on their toes but won’t intimidate newbies. Kaldor says some features will be as beautiful to look at as they’ll be fun to ride. “We want to suspend some steel bridges, make kind of a cool feature,” Kaldor said. “It will incorporate some of the historic aspects to this trail. There was an old Mankato Holstein barn that was torn down in 2006. We’re hoping to keep the silos and make it a feature.” Afton, Minnesota-based Pathfinder Trail Building is designing the course, while Holtmeier Construction’s equipment will move earth to make it happen. Other site improvements are coming from Confluence Landscape and Design, a landscape architecture and urban design firm based in the Midwest. Once everything’s built, MAMB
volunteers will maintain the trails, and the club will have a permanent lease on the property to ensure they’ll always be open and free. When a parcel of property adjacent to the Rockwell site became available over the summer of 2025, MAMB purchased it. That additional lot will be part of Rockwell’s phase two, featuring a winding, woody section after a climb to the top of the pit. “That’s the part where we’re going to be stepping in and consulting, building, and being a large part of it,” said Jason Thate, MAMB’s president. “You can always have more trails. One or two riding areas is not enough. We want a trail system that’s open to the public, free to ride, and sustainable.” No public funds have been used to develop the trails or the park so far. In a true grassroots effort, MAMB members stepped in with donations and asked local businesses to help with the club’s vision to turn empty fields into trails. “That’s what we’ve been trying to do for ten years now,” Thate said. “We want people to think of the Mankato area. We’ve got a lot in our backyard that’s ready to ride.” Kaldor has seen similar momentum build as one local business contributed $50,000 at a recent summer fundraiser, and another made an even larger
donation in early 2026. “We’ve had some local businesses say they’re excited about this,” he said. “They’re excited and want to support it.” The total investment into the park is expected to require $3 million. So far, more than half a million dollars in excavation and trail building has come from Holtmeier Construction, according to Kaldor. Part of the larger vision is an RV campground and an aqua park featuring a floating obstacle course, cable-pull water skiing and wakeboarding, and a vendor area that allows local businesses to set up shop on the premises. Based on an estimated 15,000-25,000 riders per year, the project is expected to create 30 jobs and have a $4 million impact on the local economy. Someday, riders might even be able to bike to Rockwell from their Mankato home or hotel. “That’s our future hope, to have trail access. There’s a paved trail that follows along the river, and we want to be able to connect to that,” Thate said. Rockwell Mountain Bike Park still has some environmental hurdles to clear to ensure the park meets land and water regulations. That’s expected to happen in the spring of 2026, followed by township design permits and a late summer or early fall opening.
your next great ride.
Fresh Air, Wide-Open Landscapes and Miles of Trails to Discover:
BikeMankatoMN.com L E AG U E O F A M E R I C A N B I C YC L I S T S B RO N Z E B I C YC L E F R I E N D LY CO M M U N I T Y Spring 2026 | MINNESOTA TRAILS 29
TRAILTAKES
100 MILES ABOVE SUPERIOR STORY BY STEVE JOHNSON
When some buddies floated the idea of mountain biking in Duluth, I was in immediately. Great trails, beauteous scenery, rubbing shoulders with the greatest of all lakes? Let’s go. Then the deliberations. Where to ride, and when? Clamor among the troops uttered in strong opinion, bold bravado, and Magellan-like routeplanning faculties but no real unanimity. “Piedmont has some sweet, gnarly sections,” was one opinion. “How about railing the berms at Lester?” said someone else. “Naw, the Mission flow trails are the best.” I wasn’t particularly attached to any of those locations, but I’d recently heard about the Duluth Traverse, DT for short, a continuous trail running the length of the city. I like hiking long trails, so why not ride one, I thought. “Let’s do the whole thing,” was my vote, and Brian, Ted, Shannon and Joe were all aboard. But this wouldn’t be just another trail ride. The DT ranks among the longest urban mountain bike trails in the country, with just over 40 miles and roughly 3,500 feet of elevation gain. That’s a big day out, and what better place than in Minnesota’s queen city for outdoor recreation. The DT’s story started about 25 years ago when the city of Duluth and Cyclists of Gitchee Gumee Shores (COGGS) had a vision of a continuous, purpose-built recreation trail tracing the entire length of Duluth’s bedrock ridgeline. Countless volunteer hours and trail design wizardry
Descending Lower Burner at Piedmont. STEVE JOHNSON PHOTO 30 MINNESOTA TRAILS | Spring 2026
Slickrock mound on the Brewer trails. BRIAN CEULICH PHOTO
A DAY ON THE DULUTH TRAVERSE MOUNTAIN BIKE TRAIL incorporated natural, existing terrain and faded historical routes. Today, you can roll from Chambers Grove in the southwest to Lester Park in the northeast on singletrack, punctuated only by five miles of the old Duluth, Winnipeg and Pacific (DWP) railbed and short chunks of in-town streets. That kind of dedication and passion notched Duluth as a goldlevel International Mountain Biking Association (IMBA) Ride Center, with everything from easy-going beginner trails to white-knuckle rock jumps. On the ground, the DT links Duluth’s five marquee trail centers—Mission Creek, Spirit Mountain, PiedmontBrewer, Hartley Park, and Lester Park— serving up roughly 100 combined miles of trail strategically routed to pass within a half mile of any neighborhood in town. We chose a west-to-east day from the Mission Creek trails at Chambers Grove Park, at the edge of Fond du Lac. I had high expectations of this section, lauded as the best scenic flow trails of the entire DT. It was a clear, crisp fall day, perfect for sketching some fat-tire lines. From Chambers, the trail starts out tracing the St. Louis River, with a gradual climb to an overlook of the river valley and the historic hydro plant on the opposite bank. After that, things got squiggly. We swooped around tight berms that slung us into narrow ravines creased by tendril creeks and sped over short, hand-built wooden bridges, following contours to the next furrow. The whole place was Northwoods forest at its best, lit up in oranges, yellows, and reds, pierced by skyscraper pines in showy greens. I found this splendor made it hard to concentrate on riding. A gradual, twisty grade loped uphill to Highway 210 and the start of the Mission Creek Parkway stretch. We cruised a long, gradual descent into the
Mission Creek valley, ripped over the creek to another uphill grind to a bridge spanning the Munger Trail, resplendently flanked in autumn dress and rolled across Beck’s Road. From there, the DT shared billing with the DWP, a gravel-asphalt doubletrack rail trail en route to West Duluth. After a breather on a bridge high above Sargent Creek, we followed a lazy southerly curve to the western portal of the 520-foot-long DWP tunnel, bored through the base of Ely’s Peak in 1911. It’s very dark in there, and lights are recommended. The trail then slants steadily downhill for about five miles, with handsome views of the St. Louis River environs south and east. For geographic reference, the Munger Trail sits at the base of the ridgeline here, and the Superior Hiking Trail is up the same ridge to the west. We made great time on the DWP section, which finally levels out at the base of Spirit Mountain. It’s the place to go for gnarly gravity runs, big-air jumps, tooling around the woodsy runs, or taking a lift ride to the summit. We blew past it all, passing through some lowland areas around Knowlton and Kingsbury creeks to the start of the Keene Creek climb, which meant 500 feet of elevation gain in a mile and a half. I like a good hill climb and slipped past the other guys to make first tracks. Then came Lollygagger, part of the Piedmont-Brewer trails, which has the DT’s highest challenge-to-miles ratio, with some double black diamond features and bike-hucking boulder piles to test your technical mettle. Some parts of the trail proper were loose and rocky, demanding more quick-hit attention. My black diamond days are behind me, and I was fine letting the more skilled go airborne from a giant
rock. Riding around said rock, I heard someone let out a whoop behind me. No sickening sound of a broken bike or bones meant he stuck the landing. We barreled across a long stretch of Lower Burner to the switchbacks on either side of Skyline Parkway, which drop to the Lincoln section, eastbound to its namesake park. This long, skinny park is pretty as they come and remains one of my favorites in Duluth. I demanded a rest stop to refuel and let my heart rate settle. From Lincoln Park, we traced the long U-shaped Enger stretch to a switchback-y grunt up Observation Hill and the Antenna Farm straightaway, which then turns determinedly to the north. A scattering of short city street sections and crossings lead to the old Duluth Central High School campus and beyond to a fun blast through pine woods along the rim of Chester Bowl. This park is another town gem, highlighted by its glacial scoop of billion-year-old gabbro and intimate creek-carved ravine. As we rode toward Hartley Park, thoughts began to creep in. “Are the other guys tired too? I think the pace is slowing; I hope it’s slowing.” The mileage was piling up far higher than I was used to on a mountain bike, but the DT and its scenery were irresistible. I was fading, but soldiered on.
Duluth, Winnipeg and Pacific (DWP) Tunnel West Portal. STEVE JOHNSON PHOTO
Next up was Hawk Ridge, a wellknown birding hot spot. My kingdom for a pair of wings on this day! If we hadn’t been so close to the finish line, I would’ve climbed off my bike for a nap. This stretch of trail is tough enough if you’re not technically savvy and obstacleagile. It’s littered with rocks of various shapes and sizes, with a few ragged stairstep flights thrown in. With nearly 40 miles in my legs by this point, I was cooked and not ashamed to admit I merged over to the adjacent Skyline Parkway (gravel at this end) to regain some composure and energy before the home stretch. At the “bottom” of Hawk Ridge, the DT meets Amity Creek, a lively little stream that twists and squiggles through a steep, narrow, rugged gorge whiskered
with cedar and spruce. Biking and hiking trails flank both sides of the gorge, making for a stunner up-and-down loop from the Lester Park trailhead. “Another time for me,” I thought. “When I’m not borderline hallucinating.” “It’s mostly downhill from here,” someone announced, as we hooked toward the Lester River. I loathed the word “mostly,” despite my braggadocio about enjoying climbs earlier in the day. I wanted all downhill, but didn’t mind the few short, punchy ramps on the trail’s closing miles. Many of the swoopy berms and switchbacks along that last leg were machine-built, with final touches imparted by landscape artisans who’ve earned my eternal respect. Eventually, our group of valiant adventurers wheeled into the parking area at the base of Lester Park. The fortyone-mile trek took us something like eight hours, two and a half hours slower than the fastest known time. But the only time that mattered on our DT day was not having enough of it. Unless you’re racing, don’t worry about watts and heart rate or how fast you can get there. Ride one mile, or five, or forty. Stop for the views. Watch the hawks. Nap next to a creek. Duluth is an extraordinary place. However you do the Duluth Traverse, do it again, every time out.
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Spring 2026 | MINNESOTA TRAILS 31
New Northern Minnesota STORY & PHOTOS BY BRYAN HANSEL
for Cook County I’ve lived and ridden in Cookk County for over two decades. As a landscape scape photographer, guide, photo workshop rkshop leader, and longtime resident, I spend much of my time exploring the backroads by car, on foot, and by bike. Between U.S. Forest Service, ce, state, and county roads, Cook Countyy has over 2,000 miles of roads, most of them gravel. I’ve ridden almost all of them. They’ve taken me deep into the he boreal forest, past remote lakes, over ancient glacial eskers, and along sketchy double track that sometimes ends in a patch of blueberries orr a river that de and quiet needs fording. I’ve found solitude so complete it makes birdsong sound out of place. I’ve listened to the loons calling out across lakes as the sun sets, and I’m still miles away from my destination. Inspired to create something useful for ture in the other cyclists looking for adventure ern Minnesota Northwoods, I built the Northern nty Edition Gravel Ride Guide: Cook County from scratch. To give you a sense of what’s waiting on these backroads, here are some of my favorite routes from the book.
The author on a chilly morning after a quick overnight bikepacking trip to a nearby U.S. Forest Service campground 32 MINNESOTA TRAILS | Spring 2026
Brilliant fall colors along a U.S. Forest Service road
Heartbreak Hill 18.4 miles | Elevation: 1,404 feet up and down This route is a long-established route in Cook County, and I love riding it. It starts in Tofte and travels clockwise, first on the Gitchi-Gami and then up Temperance River Road, which is a 5-mile, 700-foot climb. Next is the Six Hundred Road, a popular road in the fall because it’s like going through a tunnel of maples. A 200-foot climb over about ½ a mile, with an average grade of 7%, takes you to the top of Heartbreak Hill. The peak is at the middle of the route, and that makes for a fast return to Tofte city park and a dip in Lake Superior to cool off on hot summer days. On the map, the route looks like an outline of the state of Minnesota, and that makes it even more fun.
20-Mile Cook County Bike Ride 20.4 miles | Elevation: 1,239 feet up and down This is by far my favorite route because it’s an interesting ride with a mix of gravel roads that go from wide, like County Road 45 to narrow, like CR48, Bally Creek, and Cascade River Road. It’s not as scenic as other routes, but I find the variety of ups and downs to be more engaging than some of the flatter routes in the area. Start at the Superior Hiking Trail parking lot at the Cascade River and CR45. It’s at the bottom of a steep, fast descent where I almost always get into the 30 mph range on my bike—wind roaring, tires sliding on the gravel, that slight feeling of being out of control but still in control—that’s engaging when coming down a steep gravel hill. I’ll often stop on the side of Bally Creek Road and eat some of the abundant wild strawberries and dewberries.
Northern Minnesota Gravel Ride Guide: Cook County Edition is available locally at Sawtooth Outfitters in Tofte, and at Lake Superior Trading Post, Drury Lane Books, the North House Folk School, and Northern Goods in Grand Marais. The 60-page paperback guide features 27 rides, ranging from 8 to 84 miles, each with a QR code that links to an electronic map on Ride With GPS.
Order print or digital copies at www.bryanhansel.com
Spring 2026 | MINNESOTA TRAILS 33
Minnesota Low-High-Low 40 MILES | ELEVATION: 2,444 FEET UP AND DOWN I passed on riding this route for years because it intimidated me. After I finally did, it felt so rewarding that I included it in the book. Start at the U.S. Coast Guard building in Grand Marais with an optional rear tire dip in Lake Superior. Then ride through town, up CR7/Bally Creek Road to the Eagle Mountain parking lot, and hike to the top. Before the summit, there’s a view to the south over the boreal forest that seems to extend forever. Bomb back downhill to Grand Marais and pat yourself on the back for traveling from Minnesota’s lowest to its highest point in the same day. A front tire dip is optional, too.
Honeymoon Loop 22.9 MILES | 1,253 FEET UP AND DOWN This route was originally mapped as an off-road bike trail, but it’s primarily gravel and double-track jeep trail. There are rolling hills that eventually climb onto a glacial esker with steep drops looking down into the tops of trees and open forest below. During peak fall color, looking down magnifies the reds and yellows against the stillgreen forest floor, and it’s one of the most spectacular views in the county. On good fall color years, the road is a tunnel of reds and yellows. After that, it’s a rougher ride on Pancore Lake Road, which is a U.S. Forest Service double-track trail. I find this kind of riding exciting. Dodging rocks, picking the smoother track, and crossing the raised center engages me so much that the world disappears and it’s just the bike and road and me. Eventually, the route hooks up with Clara Lake Road, heading back to the parking lot on Sawbill Trail.
WHY I LOVE GRAVEL ROADS Fewer cars mean more room to breathe. Unpaved roads tend to be more twisty, more engaging, and there’s so much more to see than on the shoulder of a highway with traffic rushing past. What I crave most is the solitude, that feeling of getting away from it all. Gravel riding has taken me down so many roads that reveal a side of Cook County most people never experience. (TOP) Heartbreak Hill is one of the steepest hills in Cook County, and an interesting sign at the top provides a place to take a “My Bike Leaning Against Stuff ” photo. (BOTTOM) While most surfaces in Cook County are solid, compacted dirt or gravel, there’s a short section of sand on Rice Lake Road.
Grand Portage
Hovland
Grand Marais
Lutsen
Lake Superior Tofte Schroeder
MAP BY BRYAN HANSEL 34 MINNESOTA TRAILS | Spring 2026
Gravel Rides of Cook County A: 8-Mile Bogus Trail Route B: 10-Mile Kimbel Trails C: 10-Mile Gitchi-Gami State Bike Trail D: 12-Mile Hovland Woods ATV Trails E: 17-Mile Ride Grand Marais Loop West F: 17-Mile Firebox Loop G: 18-Mile Heartbreak Hill H: 19-Mile Schroeder Loop I: 19-Mile Bike Ride J: 20-Mile Murmur Creek and Ward Lake Loop K: 20-Mile Pike Lake Loop L: 20-Mile Bike Ride M: 23-Mile Honeymoon Loop
N: 25-Mile Bike Ride 0: 26-Mile Lima Greenwood Butterfly P: 27-Mile Bike Ride Q: 29-Mile Bike Ride R: 40-Mile Bike Ride S: 45-Mile Schroeder Loop T: 46-Mile Bike Ride U: 50-Mile Bike Ride V: 60-Mile Bike Ride W: 70-Mile Bike Ride X: 80-Mile Bike Ride Y: 84-Mile Bike Ride Z: Minnesota Low-High-Low ZZ: Berserker
A place for everyone STORY BY STEVE JOHNSON
IMBA’s Impact on Minnesota’s Mountain Bike Trails “Move to the side!” Tooling ing alo along a trail at Carver Park on m my old Rockhopper hardtail, ardta I heard a few kids somewhere mew in the woods, not too far off, chattering tterin excitedly. ly. Something methi about trails trails, jumps, and skinnies. jum innie Then one of them, them apparently their heir leader, heralded the order again: (TOP) The Back Country Trail in “Move to the the Mahnomen side!” North Unit of the I glanced Cuyuna Lakes State back to Recreation Area see three near Ironton. spirited young IMBA PHOTO riders bearing down fast. I was in the way, and that command was meant for me. I chuckled and drifted right so the speedsters could carry on shredding, leaving me to navigate their dust. It was a fun fat-tire encounter (I didn’t mind being bested by small fry), and even better, real-time confirmation of mountain biking’s place in Minnesota’s vibrant outdoor recreation pantheon. How did we get here? Many of us grew up tearing around gravel roads and renegade paths in the proverbial “back
,” carefree and just glad to be in the day,” here. We never imagined Minneso out there. Minnesota would become anywhere special for fattire riding and scoffed at the idea of our state being on par with the likes of Moab or Colorado or Arkansas. The scene looks radically different today, and tracing the early origins of Minnesota’s current mountain biking glory leads to 1996, at a Buck Hill mountain bike event, when IMBA, the International Mountain Biking Association, entered the picture. Barely eight years old at the time, IMBA dispatched Tim Blumenthal, then executive director, to talk all things bikes and trails, which got the attention of another industry influencer, Minneapolis local Gary Sjoquist. A moment of perspective: Sjoquist is Minnesota mountain biking. Point to nearly every prominent trail system here in our state and throughout the Upper Midwest, and Sjoquist had a hand in making it happen. In fact, Sjoquist was the mountain bike industry’s first fulltime advocate, an instrumental force in shaping and sharing all that’s great about riding a bike. A nearly 30-year dedication to the sport earned him a seat in the Mountain Bike Hall of Fame and bestowed Minnesota mountain bikers
h hundreds of miles of sublime bl rai with trails. ew could have predicted mo n Few mountain g’s eexplosive growth in Minnesota, nn biking’s fus was successfully lit in n but the fuse 06 with visits from IMBA’s A’s 2005–2006 Tr al Trail Care Cre Crew. “That’s when critical ec decisions weree m made about Lebanon lls and Murphy hy [Hanrehan Park], Hills ow tto design and build and we learned how he right way,” Sjo trails the Sjoquist said. “It ly a pivotal point int for mountain was really M leg biking in Minnesota as a legitimate, sp th sustainable sport. On top off that, nne d Cy MORC [Minnesota Off-Road Cyclists] had volunteer cre crews that worked on the d key k people to oversee ersee trails and assigned nce. We don’t have ongoing maintenance. ave great trails.” mountains, but we have Those great trails havee ev evolved into untr on some of the best in the country, ns like li par with renowned destinations Bentonville, AR; Crested Butte, CO; and Moab, UT. Here in Minnesota, mere mention of Iron Range trails like Cuyuna, Tioga, or Redhead sparks the fat-tire fires of riders of all stripes. Built on former mining sites and etched into the sides of huge overburden piles, these trails offer days worth of riding close to home, and when you drop 300 feet through red rock into the former mine at Redhead, gripping your handlebars on Spring 2026 | MINNESOTA TRAILS 35
the way down, there is a moment when you wonder if you’re still in the North Star State. “IMBA’s contributions cannot be overstated, from their technical expertise and federal lobbying efforts to trail care crews,” said Sjoquist, “but it’s really the locals that pick up on it, and land managers who embrace the vision.” Indeed, Minnesota has been fortunate to have officials who understood our passion for mountain biking and recognized its potential as a recreational use with an enduring, positive impact. Enter the Minnesota Cycling Association, launched by Sjoquist in 2012 as the High School Cycling League. Today’s iteration has nearly 3,000 kids actively participating around the state in teams up to 100 strong. It’s common to see swarms of young riders in the wild, training together in an organized fashion—unimaginable just a decade ago. And the high school league represents more than just youth development. It’s fueling a conservationrecreation mindset. Sjoquist noted, “We’re turning out kids who could go on to be part of the DNR [Department of Natural Resources] or Forest Service in some capacity. We’re not just creating more riders; we’re creating more advocates, too.”
IMBA and More Trails Close to Home We all get used to what’s in our backyards, and that becomes our frame of reference. But experiencing communities beyond that property line opens our eyes to what’s possible. That sentiment, shared by George Chevalier, Promotions Manager at IMBA, exemplifies the heart of the organization’s current focus on exploring and defining what’s out there. “Our designers, construction crews, and the projects they’re involved in are creating easier on-ramps for newcomers, whether that’s kids in youth cycling programs who need something approachable or other people who’ve just started riding in recent years and need trails where they
IMBA Ride Centers in Minnesota IMBA recognizes destinations with large-scale mountain bike facilities across the United States. Duluth’s network of trails (page 8) brings home the gold, followed by silver medalist Cuyuna Lakes State Recreation Area (page 13). Bronze goes to the large trail system in the Twin Cities (page 11). 36 MINNESOTA TRAILS | Spring 2026
won’t get in over their heads,” Chevalier said. “My first mountain biking experience as a kid wasn’t great. My dad wanted to get me on a bike in Moab, but we rode steep, gnarly trails that had me thinking, ‘Nah, this isn’t fun. I’m not into this.’ It took a while to get back into the sport. The point is, if that’s your first experience, it can turn people off permanently. But if you have a progressive experience where you can learn and grow as your skills and fitness improve, you’ll have a completely different relationship with the sport. None of us rode a century on day one. There’s progression in cycling, and it’s been rewarding to see this progression executed in other places and to bring that knowledge back home, capture some of that magic, and create progression at scale. It can take years to achieve small wins here and there, and then suddenly the green flag drops and big progress starts happening.” IMBA started in 1988 as mountain biking advocates, but their approach to trail work has evolved in the years since, illustrated with resounding success on the ground through their More Trails Close to Home program. Chevalier emphasized, “Whether we’re assessing landscape opportunities, planning, designing, or constructing trails, we’re not just building bike-optimized trails. We’re looking holistically at what communities need. If trails near residential areas can connect to neighborhoods, riders can access trails without getting in a car. This is especially game-changing for communities building youth cycling programs. If kids can get to practice without depending on parents to drive them, it transforms everything.” IMBA saw opportunity in easy-access trails from different communities and neighborhoods using a hub-and-spoke design, with convening junctions where
riders (or walkers on multiuse trails) arrive at a slower pace, which naturally creates a smooth flow with less conflict. “We’re making a better trail experience for everyone. Everybody wins and comes away with a smile,” Chevalier said. “We need to be mindful that because we have ‘mountain bike’ in our name, it can come with particular expectations. We need to emphasize that we’re willing and able to build trails of all difficulty levels that factor in all users. One thing that really heartens me is seeing communities that include professional planners, designers, and builders, coupled with the energy of volunteers who have particular connections to the land. Being able to address these gaps and cater to different types of users ensures everyone has a place and an opportunity to enjoy themselves outdoors. Back when everything was traditionally volunteer-based, the approach was more like, ‘What can we knock out and still have time to go ride after work?’ But having that longerterm view and systematic plan to work toward goals that give everyone space is awesome. It’s about opening their eyes to where this can take them. What really excites me is helping them understand that since they love bike life and are all about it, this could be something that’s not just fun while they’re kids—they could get into this professionally in the future. I’ve been fortunate to be involved in the outdoor industry for quite a while, and I like being in a position to pass that along. How can they know if someone doesn’t share it with them?” And having gold-medal trails nearby doesn’t just mean fun for riders; a significant economic impact comes with them. In a Trust for Public Land (TPL) review of studies on trails, particularly mountain biking, from thirteen different communities across the country, it’s clear
At IMBA Foundations workshops like this one, held in Bentonville, AR in 2024, participants learn what it takes to bring mountain bike trails to their communities. A similar event is coming to Minnesota in 2026. LIZ CHRISMAN PHOTO
IMBA Chapters in Minnesota
Crews build a berm on the Bluffs Traverse Trail in Winona. IMBA PHOTO
there is more to this than “road builders scratching in the dirt.” In those communities reviewed, TPL found close to $55 million in annual economic activity. That’s per community, not nationwide. Here in Minnesota, Crosby is community trails done right. Sjoquist reflected on the area’s remarkable transformation. “I attended my first meeting about trail development there in 1995, then worked with Congressman Oberstar to secure funding for trail construction. Drive down Main Street
any day of the week today and you’ll see cars with bike racks everywhere. Clear evidence of mountain biking’s economic contribution to the community. None of this would have been possible without dedicated individuals who championed the cause.” It’s a big deal seeing this kind of work getting whole families out, bringing generations together, and gathering entire communities. That’s what mountain biking has become and what it can continue to be. A place for everyone.
WAMB Winona Area Mountain Bikers MMCC Mid Minnesota Cycling Club CLMTB Cuyuna Lakes Mountain Bike Crew GRIMBA Grand Rapids and Itasca Mountain Bicycling Association IROC Iron Range Off Road Cyclists SCA Superior Cycling Association LAMBAT Lakes Area Mountain Bike Alliance and Trails
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Garden Island Rec. Area Lake of
Minnesota’s bike trails, long distance hiking trails, water trails, state parks, state recreation areas and biomes
the Woods
Zippel Bay Lake Bronson
Red River of the North
Rainy River
Hayes Lake
Franz Jevne
75
International Falls
Old Mill
Red Lake
59
Crookston
Lake Bemidji Lake Cass Winnibigoshish Lake Paul Bunyan Migizi Schoolcraft
Bemidji
La Salle Lake Rec. Area
75
Moorhead
Heartland Park Buffalo River Detroit Rapids Lakes North Country Trail Crow 59 Pelican Wing Perham Rapids
North Paul Country Bunyan Trail
Brainerd Glendalough
Fergus Falls
Glendalough
Alexandria
75
Glacial Lakes Pomme de Terre
Big Stone Lake 12
Chippewa
59 71
Lake Rec. Area
Minnesota
Fair Ridge
Marshall Fort Ridgely Camden Cottonwood
14
75
Lake Shetek Pipestone National Monument
Split Rock Creek
Pipestone Casey Jones
Blue Mounds
Blue Mounds Luverne
59
Des Moines
90 Worthington
Watonwan St. James
Kilen Woods
DECIDUOUS FOREST
Banning
35
North Branch Sunrise Prairie Hardwood Creek
CONIFEROUS FOREST
St. Croix River
STATE PARKS
Grand Rounds Hugo Saint Paul
STATE RECREATION AREAS
Wild River
BIKE TRAILS Interstate
ROADS
William O’Brien Marine on St. Croix Brown’s Creek Stillwater Gateway
Afton
Hastings Fort 52 Snelling Cannon Red Wing Minnesota Valley 61 Frontenac Valley Cannon
New Ulm Mankato
Sakatah Lake
MAP LEGEND PRAIRIE
Rum
Rec. Area
Flandrau
Moose Lake
Alex Laveau Segment
TALLGRASS ASPEN PARKLAND
Minneapolis
212
Gitchi Gami Trail Two Harbors
St. Croix Snake
Luce Line Hutchinson Crow, Dakota LRT South Fork Greenleaf Rail
212
Camden
12
Split Rock Lighthouse
Gooseberry Falls
Hinckley
Lake Maria
George H. Crosby Manitou Silver Bay
Sandstone
Father Hennepin
Charles A.
Willmar
Lac qui Parle
Kettle
Mora
169 Lindbergh Sauk Sauk Centre Soo Line Albany Saint Cloud St. Joseph ROCORI 94 Mississippi Paynesville Sibley Crow, Glacial North Fork Lakes
Monson Lake
Redwood
Mille Lacs
Soo Line Little Falls
Lake Carlos Lake Wobegon
Munger
Mille Lacs Lake Kathio
71 Long Prairie 10
Central Lakes
Jay Cooke Savanna Portage Willard
Crosby
Crow Wing
Lake Superior
Superior Hiking Trail Lake Superior Duluth
2
Cuyuna Country Rec. Area
Monument
Tofte
Tettegouche
Cloquet
169 Mississippi
Maplewood
Otter 94 Tail
St. Louis
Grand Marais
Temperance Cascade River River
Chisholm Iron Range
Grand Rapids
Pine
Bear Head Lake
OHV Rec. Area
Leech Lake Walker
Itasca
Judge C.R. Portage Magney Grand National
Kekekabic Trail
Eveleth
Mesabi
Grand Portage
BWCA
Ely
Lake Vermilion /Soudan Undergound Mine 169
McCarthy Beach
Scenic
Erskine
2
Border Route Trail
53 Vermillion
Big Fork
71
Lower Red Lake
Red River Rec. Area
Voyageurs National Park
Little Fork
Big Bog Rec. Area
Upper Red Lake
Rainy Lake
Rainy Lake
35 Falls Cannon
Goodhue
STATE WATER TRAILS CITIES LONG DISTANCE HIKING TRAILS Not for Navigation April 2025
Lake City
Mississippi Pioneer 63 Nerstrand Great Zumbro Big Woods River Carley
Faribault Straight Douglas Ridge John A. Latsch Sakatah Singing Hills Whitewater 14 Winona Owatanna Rice Lake Great River Bluffs Rochester Whitewater Root 52 Cedar Root River Myre Blue Blazing 90 Lanesboro Big Island Earth Star Shooting Beaver Creek Valley Preston Star 63 Blue Austin Shell Albert Harmony-Preston Valley Earth Rock Lea Lake Louise Harmony Forestville /
Minneopa
Mystery Cave
18 HOLE C COURSE O MANY ACTIVITIES
MILES OF TRAILS
ExplorePaynesville.com 3 MINNESOTA 38 MI NES MIN NE OTA TR TRAIL TRAILS A S | Spring Spr 20 2026 026 2
LAKE KORONIS
TRAIL PARTNERS
Minnesota Trails Directory Regions
Northwest Region
Need a place to eat, stay, play and upgrade your gear? Our Trail Partners are here to help!
Northeast Region
2
Bemidji
61
71 2
GEAR RENTALS
BIKE SHOPS FITZHARRIS BIKE & SPORT
320-251-2844
105 7th Avenue S, St. Cloud www.fitzharrismn.com
JAKE’S BIKES
320-219-7433
419 N. Nokomis Street, Alexandria www.jakesbikes.com
REVOLUTION CYCLE AND SKI
320-251-2453
160 29th Avenue S, St. Cloud www.revolutioncycleandski.com
TOURIGHT BICYCLE SHOP
320-639-2453
124 2nd Street NE, Little Falls www.tourightbicycleshop.com
SPORTS
651-457-7766
6489 Cahill Avenue, Inver Grove Heights www.bike-king.com
CARS BIKE SHOP
763-784-6966
2661 Co Road I & Old Hwy. 10, Mounds View www.carsbikeshop.com
RAMSEY BICYCLE
763-323-6666
6825 Hwy. 10 NW, Ramsey www.ramseybicycles.com
Southern Region
Metro Region Mankato
71 35
90
90
CUYUNA ROLLING HILLS GOLF COURSE 218-534-3489
24410 MN-210, Deerwood www.cuyunarollinghillsgolf.com
SPECIALTY STORES COMMON GOODS
BIKE KING
Duluth
St. Cloud
GALLOPING GOOSE RENTALS 218-7317181 Glendalough State Park and Battle Lake MN www.gallopinggooserentals.net
35
Central Region
94
218-772-2999
27 W Main Street, Crosby www.commongoodsmn.org
LITTLE ROCKS DESIGN STICKERS 320-333-2520
Sauk Centre www.littlerocksdesign.com
NORD HUS SCANDINAVIAN GIFTS 218-545-0110
28 W Main Street, Crosby www.nordhusmn.com
VICTUAL
218-545-1000
124 West Main Street, Crosby www.shopvictual.com
LODGING/B&Bs/ CAMPING BIG RIVER RESORT
SERVICES 651-565-9932
1110 Hiawatha Drive E, Wabasha www.bigriverresort.com
BATTLE LAKE INN
218-862-2500
102 Glenhaven Drive, Battle Lake www.battlelakeinn.com
CUYUNA RANGE CAMPGROUND 218-228-2991 218-838-6858
23457 Co. Rd. 31, Crosby www.redriderresort.com
THE SANCTUARY
DEERWOOD BANK
MID MINNESOTA FEDERAL CREDIT UNION 218-546-5428
117 W Main Street, Crosby www.mmfcu.org
OARS-N-MINE
INFORMATION EXPLORE ALEX
320-763-0102
203 Broadway Street, Alexandria www.explorealex.com
EAT & DRINK THE DEERSTAND RESTAURANT AND BAR 24188 Mohs Street, Deerwood 218-534-9253 www.deerstandrestaurant.com
218-772-0086
64 1st Ave SW, Crosby www.canawinebarmn.com
HUTCHINSON CHAMBER
320-845-6455
320-587-5252
2 Main Street, Hutchinson www.explorehutchinson.com
VISIT BRAINERD
800-450-7247
214 S 7th Street, Brainerd www.visitbrainerd.com
LOVIN’ LAKE COUNTY
THE MILL 730 Church Avenue, Albany www.themillalbanymn.com
218-546-6912
22640 MN-6, Crosby www.oarsnmine.com
218-622-0321
222 2nd Street NW, Crosby www.thesanctuarycrosby.com
CANA WINE BAR
218-534-3111
21236 Archibald Road, Deerwood www.deerwoodbank.com
21704 Dewing Road, Crosby www.cuyunarangecampground.com
RED RIDER RESORT
CUYUNA REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER 218-546-7000
320 E Main Street, Crosby www.cuyunamed.org
218-595-2800
1330 MN-61, Two Harbors www.lovinlakecounty.com
See more details at: www.mntrails.com/trail-partners Spring 2026 | MINNESOTA TRAILS 39
IT’S TRAIL SEASON Looking to hit the trails, but don’t know where to start? Visit your authorized Trek retailer today to learn about the different ways to ride off-road. We’re here to help you choose the right mountain bike for however and wherever you want to ride.
Adventure Cycle & Ski advcycle.com | Winona All Seasons Sports allseasonssports.net | Delano DL Bike Shop dlbikeshop.com | Detroit Lakes Downtown Bicycles downtownbicyclesllc.com | Northfield & Lakeville Gateway Cycle gatewaycycle.com | Oakdale Jake’s Bikes jakesbikes.com | Alexandria Outdoor Motion outdoormotionbikes.com | Hutchinson Ramsey Bicycle ramseybicycle.com | Ramsey Revolution Cycle and Ski revolutioncycleandski.com | St. Cloud Rick’s Cycling and Sports Center rickscycling.com | Willmar Rochester Cycling cycling-fitness.com | Rochester Rydjor Bike Shop rydjor.com | Austin The Bike Shop thebikeshopmarshall.com | Marshall Touright Bicycle Shop tourightbicycleshop.com | Little Falls
40 MINNESOTA TRAILS | Spring 2026 TK26_MN_Retailers_MTB_Spring_Group_Ad.indd 1
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