Twin Cities Area Winter Fatbike Trail Opportunities

Winter fatbiking is big in Minnesota and the Twin Cities have quite a few trail systems that are groomed or snowshoe stomped by volunteers to pack the trails for riding.  With the ever increasing popularity of  these wide low pressure tire bikes, new trail riding opportunities have popped up.  I have compiled a list of these trails open to winter mountain biking with links to maps, trail information, trail conditions and Facebook/Twitter pages if available.  Trails that have Facebook or Twitter pages will post trail openings and conditions or closures due to warm weather.

Low tire pressure, usually 10 psi or lower and tires 3.8 inches or wider are recommended for use on these trails in the Winter.  Skinny tires can be used when trails are firmly packed enough to not cause ruts or damage.

Image Credit: Bertram Lakes Singletrack Facebook Page

Bertram Chain of Lakes

Monticello

Map     Trail Info     Facebook  

MORC Trail Conditions

Winter fatbiking is allowed but please stay off the cross-country ski trails.  Group ride information can be found on the MORC Group Rides Forum and the MN Fatbike Group Rides Facebook group.

Image Credit: Brookview Golf Course website

Brookview Golf Course

Golden Valley

Fat Tire Biking Info     Trail Info      

Facebook

Brookview Golf Course has multi-use trails that are open to fatbiking for the second year.  Fatbike rentals are available and the Fattyshack grill is open on weekends serving up food and cocktails.  For more information see the City of Golden Valley's recent article.

Carver Lake Park
Woodbury

Map     Trail Info     Facebook  

MORC Trail Conditions

Carver Lake Park is host to the Cold Catfish Cup that takes place January 24th.  Watch the MORC Racing Forum for updates.  Group ride information can be found on the MORC Group Rides Forum  and the MN Fatbike Group Rides Facebook group.

Image Credit: Three Rivers Park District

Cleary Lake Region Park

Prior Lake

Map     Trail Info     Facebook

Cleary Lake Regional Park in Prior Lake grooms trails for cross-country skiing and according to Explore Minnesota it also has a "fat tire" trail with bike rentals available during the winter.  Call Cleary Lake Regional Park (763-694-7777) for more information.

Elm Creek Park Reserve 
Maple Grove

Map     Trail Info     Facebook

MORC Trail Conditions

Elm Creek is home to the Fatbike Frozen 40 taking place on February 13, 2016 and two of the the four races in the Frozen Frolic Winter Mountain Bike Race Series.  Group ride information can be found on the MORC Group Rides Forum and the MN Fatbike Group Rides Facebook group.

Image Credit: Bonnie Moebeck

Fort Snelling State Park 
Maple Grove

Map     Trail Info     Facebook

The Minnesota DNR added 6 new miles of packed multi-use trails last year as part of its Winter Fat Biking Pilot Project. 

Credit: Mistermoose.org

Hillside City Park* 

 Elk River

Map     Trail Info

MORC Trail Conditions

Hillside is home to FatBikeFest taking place on February 28th.  Watch the MORC Racing Forum for updates.  *Day Pass fee required.

Lebanon Hills Regional Park-West 
Eagan

Map     Trail Info     Facebook     Twitter

MORC Trail Conditions

 

Check in with the Lebanon Hills Mountain Bike Trail Facebook page for trail openings and closures from Dakota County Parks due to weather.  Group ride information can be found on the MORC Group Rides Forum and the MN Fatbike Group Rides Facebook group.

Mendota Trail (MN River Bottoms) 
Eagan

Map     Trail Info

MORC Trail Conditions

This multi-use trail has access points in Eagan at the Cedar Ave. bridge and in the town of Mendota.  It follows the Minnesota River through Fort Snelling State Park and access to the Minnesota River Bottoms on the North side of the river can be done by taking the pedestrian bridge on the Cedar Ave. bridge.
 

Minnesota River Bottoms 
Bloomington

Map     Trail Info

MORC Trail Conditions

The 4th Annual Get Phat With Pat Winter fatbike races will be held at the Minnesota River Bottoms on January 23rd and January 30th.  These races will include new and challenging groomed trails through sections of the Minnesota River Bottoms you don't normally get to ride through.  There are several weekly group rides held here and more information can be found about them on the MORC Group Rides Forum and the MN Fatbike Group Rides Facebook group.

Image Credit:  Deathrider

Murphy-Hanrehan Park Reserve 
Savage

Map     Trail Info

MORC Trail Conditions

Murphy-Hanrehan hosts two of the the four races in the Frozen Frolic Winter Mountain Bike Race Series.  Group ride information can be found on the MORC Group Rides Forum  and the MN Fatbike Group Rides Facebook group.

Salem Hills/Harmon Park Reserve

Inver Grove Heights

Map     Trail Info     Facebook

MORC Trail Conditions

Credit: Minneapolis Off-Road Cycling Advocates Facebook Page

Theodore Wirth Park 
Minneapolis

Map     Trail Info     Facebook     Twitter

MORC Trail Conditions

The mountain bike trails at Theodore Wirth Park are monitored and maintained by MOCA volunteers.  Closures and trail conditions can be found on the MOCA website in the upper left-hand corner of the page and rider reports are listed on the Theodore Wirth MORC Trail Conditions Forum page.

Other informative Twin Cities mountain biking links can be found below and remember to always follow IMBA's Fat Bike Best Practices to maintain and gain more trail access and give our sport a good name.

MORC-Minnesota Off-Road Cyclists

Website

Facebook

Twitter

MORC Trail Conditions on Twitter

MORC Trail Conditions Forum

Minneapolis Off-Road Cycling Advocates

Website

Facebook

Twitter

IMBA's Fat Bike Best Practices

For a complete listing of this Winter's fatbike events, see my post Winter '15-'16 Minnesota Fatbike Events.

Bookmark this post for quick reference. 

Singletrack Alternatives to Continue Riding During Freeze/Thaw Periods

The unusually warm December weather we are experiencing has put us in a freeze/thaw cycle closing many of the singletrack trails around the state.  To keep the legs fresh and still get some miles in the saddle on a regular basis I have put together some places to ride until the snow comes offering us some groomed singletrack.

Gravel

If it's one thing Minnesota has plenty of it's gravel.  With an ever growing list of gravel rides and races throughout the year, you're sure to have plenty of route options following one of these courses. If you're new to gravel, Gravelmap.com will help you find roads to ride.  I have also posted some of my favorite gravel rides on MN Bike Trail Navigator complete with maps, cue sheets, gpx file download links and Strava route links.  Gravel never closes and is a great way to get in some miles with varied terrain and climbing.

Aggregate Trails

Minnesota has several aggregate trails that are similar to riding gravel.  Most are built on former railway beds so there won't be much elevation change but they will allow you to get in some miles, none the less.  Some of these include the Luce Line State Trail, Minnesota River Bluffs LRT Regional Trail, Lake Minnetonka LRT Regional Trail.

State Trails

Several of Minnesota's State Trails have a natural surface treadway suitable for horseback riding or mtb/fatbike use.  If sharing the trail with horseback riders please use proper trail etiquette.  These trails include:

Casey Jones State Trail     Map

C.J. Ramstad/North Shore State Trail     Map

Douglas State Trail    Map 

Gateway State Trail     Map 

Glacial Lakes State Trail     Map 

Goodhue Pionneer State Trail     Map 

Great River Ridge State Trail    Map

Heartland State Trail     Map 

Luce Line State Trail     Map 

Matthew Lourey State Trail     Map

Minnesota Valley State Trail     Map 

 

River Bottoms Bushwacking

River bottoms floodplains have some great riding opportunities.  Two of the areas I have done some "bushwacking" are the Vermillion River Bottoms and the Minnesota River Bottoms.  Bushwacking is riding through areas where there is no trail and river bottoms floodplains are a great place to do this.  Fall and early Winter are great times to ride these areas of flat wooded expanses.

The Mississippi National River & Recreation Area near Ravenna TWP southeast of Hastings along the Vermillion River is definitely worth exploring.  The Minnesota River Bottoms is also a good place to roll through floodplain forests and fields.  Respect the area you ride and remember to leave no trace.

Forest Service/Logging Roads

Image Credit: Joe Sacco

The Chippewa National Forest and Superior National Forest have plenty of Forest Service roads, logging roads and unpaved trails with some beautiful scenery to be explored.  Some of these areas are remote so make sure you have everything you need to get you out of a jam and back to where you started.

Chippewa National Forest Biking Brochure

Superior National Forest Recreation Opportunity Guides

State Forests

Image Credit: Joe Sacco

Minnesota State Forests are also full of riding opportunities.  These opportunities include non-motorized trails, multi-use trails, State Forest roads, Minimum Maintenance Forest Roads and OHV/ATV trails.  Below are links to maps and more information on these State Forests.

Southern MN State Forests

Richard J. Dorer Memorial Hardwood State Forest 

• Bronk Unit Plowline Trail     Map 
• Kruger Campground & Management Unit     Map 
• Oak Ridge/Wet Bark Recreation Area     Map 
• Snake Creek Management Unit     Map
• Trout Valley Management Unit     Map

Central MN State Forests

 Birch Lakes State Forest     Map

Chengwatana State Forest     Map

Rum River State Forest     Map

St. Croix State Forest     Map

Sand Dunes State Forest     Map

Northern MN State Forests

Bear Island State Forest     Map

Beltrami Island State Forest     Map

Cloquet Valley State Forest     Map

Emily State Forest

Finland State Forest     Map

Fond Du Lac State Forest     Map

Foot Hills State Forest     Map

George Washington State Forest     Map

Golden Anniversary State Forest     Map

Grand Portage State Forest     Map

Hill River State Forest     Map

Kabetogama State Forest     Map

Koochiching State Forest     Map

Land O' Lakes State Forest     Map

Lyons State Forest

Nemadji State Forest     Map

Paul Bunyan State Forest     Map

Pillsbury State Forest     Map       

Pine Island State Forest     Map

Savanna State Forest     Map

Smoky Hills State Forest     Map

Sturgeon River State Forest     Map

Two Inlets State Forest     Map

White Earth State Forest     Map 

The Minnesota DNR reminds you, when biking in State Forests:

• Mountain biking is permitted on all state forest roads and trails unless posted closed with the exception of Richard J. Dorer Memorial Hardwood State forest, where mountain bikes are permitted only on designated trails.
• State forest roads can range from asphalt to gravel, maintained to minimal maintenance road surfaces.
• Forest roads are used by cars, logging trucks, and other forest users (hikers, hunters, horseback riders, ATVs, and off-highway motorcycles).
• All laws for public road use must be followed on state forest roads.
• Watch out for logging trucks and heavy equipment in a state forest.
• Check the state forest maps and Web site for road and trail closures.
• Share the trail with others.
• Stay on designated trails.
• Keep right so others can pass.
• Keep all pets on leash.
• Obey traffic signs and rules.
• Pack out all garbage and litter.
• Respect adjoining landowners’ rights and privacy.
• Warn other trail users when passing by giving an audible signal.
• Let horses know you are passing. Some may be spooked by quiet bikers or inline skaters.
• Overnight camping and campfires are permitted only on designated campsites.
• Do not leave campfires unattended.
• Enjoy the beauty of wild plants and animals, but leave them undisturbed for all to enjoy.

For more information on mountain biking in Minnesota State Forests, see my post, Explore Minnesota's State Forests by Mountain Bike With Resources From the MN DNR.

To order a State Forest map, contact the Minnesota DNR Information Center.

Phone:  651-296-6157 or 888-646-6367
Email:   info.dnr@state.mn.us
Address:  500 Lafayette Road
St. Paul, MN 55155-4040

Paved Trails

Paved trails are always open and many of them in Minnesota have some great scenery.  For a list of trails throughout the state of Minnesota with links to more information and maps visit the appropriate MN Bike Trail Navigator trail links page for your area.

Twin Cities Area Map Links

Southern MN Map Links 

Central MN Map Links 

Northern MN Map Links

MN Fatbike Enthusiast Recommendations 

I received several recommendations from MN Fatbike Enthusiasts Facebook Group members when posed with this question "...places to ride for mountain bikers/fat bikers during this freeze/thaw period that we are in. With the trails closed, where are you guys riding to get miles in?

"7 mile creek park in Nicollet county...located off Hwy 169 between Mankato and St. Peter. Their multi-use trails have gravel and are always open." - Clay Haglund

"Road bike on the trackstand, and fat-bike at Wayside Prairie and Dalbo Memorial Forest County Parks. Both dry off quickly after rain do to heavy pine cover." - Hans Erdman

"The MRT trails in St. Paul along the river. I've been doing lots of 'urban exploring'. I've also ridden some gravel out towards Rosemount." - Tony Lema

"All early morning rides...... Forest road/woods/mining areas, frozen gravel. Paved trails..... anywhere but established sweat earned single track goodness.... that will come next week!!" - Joe Sacco

"Gateway Trail heading towards Pine Point park (don't ride in Pine Point). Lots of horse trail and singletrack there . All sand and good water wicking dirt and back." - Papito Gregorio

"Soo Line Recreation Trails in Central MN. (Approxiately 50 miles one way of trail). Lots of minimum maintenence roads that connect to these trails. Several county parks, forests, and some state trails. Check out Stearns County Recreational Trails for a list of fat bike friendly locations. I would suggest get a hold of your local bike shops, trail advocates, and bike clubs for a complete list of fat bike friendly routes. Then there is lots and lots of gravel roads winding through the country side. Several turn into minimum maintenance roads. Get up to Central MN and "get your fat on"." - Theresa Gregory

Hopefully this post will give you some ideas of where to ride so you can keep getting miles of riding enjoyment in until the singletrack trails open once we get some snow and below freezing temperatures.

Penn Cycle To Host Two Weekly Mountain Bike Rides This Spring and Summer

The 2015 Women's Wednesday Night Mountain Bike Ride is open to women of all riding abilities.  Riders must be at least 18 years of age and helmets are required.  The ride schedule starts May 27th and goes through September 16th where it will wrap up with an end of the season party.

Trail locations include Lebanon Hills, Murphey-Hanrehan, MN River Bottoms, Terrace Oaks, Carver Lake Park and Theodore Wirth Park.  Depending on the trail location, riders will meet either at the park or the nearest Penn Cycle store.  Rides leave at 6pm.  June 24th at Lebanon Hills will include a Giant Liv Demo and skills session.  Ride leaders Valerie Dosland and Janet Atkinson can be contacted for more information.  See the ride schedule for dates, locations and contact information.

The 2015 Penn Cycle Tuesday Night Mountain Bike Ride was put together and will be led by members of the Penn Cycle Mountain Bike Team.  It is for anyone (male or female) that has intermediate to advanced MTB riding skills.  Riders must be at least 18 years of age and helmets are required.  The ride schedule starts May 5th and goes through September 29th.

Trail locations include Lebanon Hills, Murphey-Hanrehan and the MN River Bottoms.  All rides will start/finish at the Penn Cycle Eagan store located at 2290 Cliff Road and will depart at 5:30pm sharp.  Ride locations will be determined by ride leaders by Sunday for the following Tuesday and will be posted on the Penn Cycle Tuesday Night Mountain Bike Ride Facebook Group.  Join the group to stay in the loop.  In cases of inclement weather or trail closures due to wet conditions, a decision to cancel the ride will be made by 5:00 pm.  Call Penn Cycle Eagan at 651-882-1241 for more information or for availability of mountain bike rentals.

Save The River Bottoms Flyer Available for Download

From the Save the River Bottoms Facebook page:

"We....meaning the multi-talented Porter Million....created a flier that we will have down at the Midwest Mountaineering Outdoor Expo. See the link below.

Please feel free to download, print and disperse responsibly. We ask that you NOT stick them randomly under windshield wipers and such. We want to Save the River Bottoms...not pollute it."

Steve for Save the River Bottoms

Download Link:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/wbcngwy5tzm361d/Save%20the%20River%20Bottoms.pdf?dl=0 

Download, print and post responsibly. 

#savetheriverbottoms

 

Sign the Petition

MORC has started a petition that will be presented to the MN DNR, Bloomington City Council and Representative Ann Lenczewski.  Please visit Change.org to let your voice be heard that you want to stop the plan to put a paved trail in the Minnesota River Valley between the Bloomington Ferry Bridge and the Old Cedar Avenue Bridge.

Facebook Group Brings Minnesota Fatbikers Together for Group Rides

Last Saturday night I came up with an idea that would help bring those that love to ride fatbikes together for group rides of their own.  I figured creating a Facebook group would be the easiest way to get the word out to a lot of people in short amount of time because riding fatbikes is more fun when done with others.  Thus, the MN Fatbike Group Rides Facebook group was formed.  I posted it at around 11pm that night and by noon the next day there were over 100 members.  The group continues to grow and rides are being posted.  If you like riding with the well-endowed tire crowd then I invite you to become a member of the group and post rides of your own or join in on those posted by others.

 Group Description

I created this group to make it easy for my fatbike friends and their friends to get together by posting their own group rides.  Minnesota has a lot of fatbikers with riding schedules that may not include the weekends.  This is a place where they can organize their own rides with friends and new acquaintances any day of the week.  My work schedule keeps me from joining in on Saturday group rides but I'm available on Sundays and Mondays.  Others of you may have other availabilities, that's why I created this group.  Are you looking for some Tuesday afternoon ride partners at Murphy or Thursday night ride companions at Elm Creek?  This group is designed to get fatbikers together for rides that fit their schedules.  I miss out on so many fatbike group rides because of my work schedule that I wanted to create a Facebook group that was open to the public and would allow other members, not just those with weekends off to connect and ride together.  Invite your friends and let's ride fatbikes together this Winter.

Already there have been rides and pictures posted and activity in the group is bound to increase as more members join and snow begins to fall.  Although many members may be from the Twin Cities Metro Area, I encourage those in Greater Minnesota to join as well.  My goal for this Facebook group is to see group rides from all over the state being posted on a regular basis.  Become a group member today and tell your fatbike friends about the MN Fatbike Group Rides Facebook group.

Save the Minnesota River Bottoms: Sign the Petition

For those of us that use the Minnesota River Bottoms, whether it be for hiking, running, mountain biking or bird watching, this area has been a favorite of nature lovers during all seasons for many years because of its natural beauty.  I first introduced my son to mountain biking here years ago and it was a special place for us to go and ride together.  For over 20 years MORC members have helped maintain this natural surface trail that runs between the Bloomington Ferry Bridge and Indian Mounds School in Bloomington.

This area is prone to repeated flooding and the idea of millions of dollars being used to develop a paved or aggregate trail here seems like an expensive plan that will require a lot of  yearly maintenance costs and has been one that many people have opposed for years.  Many of us would like to see this area expanded, improved and preserved in its natural state as a natural surface multi-use trail open to hikers, runners, cyclists and nature lovers.  MORC has started a petition that will be presented to the MN DNR, Bloomington City Council and Representative Ann Lenczewski.  Please visit Change.org to let your voice be heard that you want to stop the plan to put a paved trail in the Minnesota River Valley between the Bloomington Ferry Bridge and the Old Cedar Avenue Bridge.

For updates on this important issue please visit the Save the River Bottoms Facebook page.  Join MORC today to help safeguard the future of mountain biking in Minnesota through the promotion of responsible riding, establishment and maintenance of mountain biking trails, and preservation of Minnesota's natural resources.

Twin Cities Area Winter Fatbike Trails

Winter fatbiking is big in Minnesota and the Twin Cities have quite a few trail systems that are groomed or snowshoe stomped by volunteers to pack the trails for riding.  I have compiled a list of these trails open to winter mountain biking with links to maps, trail information, trail conditions and Facebook/Twitter pages if available.  Trails that have Facebook or Twitter pages will post trail openings and conditions or closures due to warm weather.  Low tire pressure, usually 10 psi or lower and tires 3.8 inches or wider are recommended for use on these trails in the Winter.  Skinny tires can be used when trails are firmly packed enough to not cause ruts or damage.

Credit: Carver Lake Park Off-Road Cycling Trail Facebook Page

Carver Lake Park  

Woodbury 

Map     Trail Info     Facebook  

MORC Trail Conditions   

Carver Lake Park is host to the Cold Catfish Cup that takes place in January.  Watch the MORC Racing Forum for the 2015 race date and updates on the race.  Group ride information can be found on the MORC Group Rides Forum.

Elm Creek Park Reserve

Maple Grove

Map     Trail Info     Facebook

MORC Trail Conditions

Elm Creek is home to the Fatbike Frozen 40 taking place on February 14, 2015 and three of the the six races in the Frozen Frolic Winter Mountain Bike Race Series.  The Frozen Frolic race dates are December 6th, January 10th and February 7th.  Group ride information can be found on the MORC Group Rides Forum.

Credit: Mistermoose.org

Hillside City Park* 

 Elk River

Map     Trail Info

MORC Trail Conditions

Hillside has a set of three races taking place in January and February called the Cold Bear Challenge Winter Racing Series that ends with FatBikeFest on the day of the third race.  This will be the 9th year of the Cold Bear Challenge.  Watch the MORC Racing Forum for 2015 race dates and updates on these races.  *Day Pass fee required.

Lebanon Hills Regional Park-West

Eagan

Map     Trail Info     Facebook     Twitter

MORC Trail Conditions

 

Check in with the Lebanon Hills Mountain Bike Trail Facebook page for trail openings and closures from Dakota County Parks due to weather.

Mendota Trail (MN River Bottoms)

Eagan

Map     Trail Info

MORC Trail Conditions

This multi-use trail has access points in Eagan at the Cedar Ave. bridge and in the town of Mendota.  It follows the Minnesota River through Fort Snelling State Park and access to the Minnesota River Bottoms on the North side of the river can be done by taking the pedestrian bridge on the Cedar Ave. bridge.

Minnesota River Bottoms

Bloomington

Map     Trail Info

MORC Trail Conditions

The 3rd Annual Get Phat With Pat Winter fatbike races will be held at the Minnesota River Bottoms on January 17th and 24th.  These races will include new and challenging groomed trails through sections of the Minnesota River Bottoms you don't normally get to ride through.  There are several weekly group rides held here and more information can be found about them on the MORC Group Rides Forum.

Image Credit:  Deathrider

 Murphy-Hanrehan Park Reserve

Savage

Map     Trail Info

MORC Trail Conditions

Murphy-Hanrehan hosts three of the the six races in the Frozen Frolic Winter Mountain Bike Race Series.  The Frozen Frolic race dates are December 13th, January 24th and February 28th.  Group ride information can be found on the MORC Group Rides Forum.

Credit: Minneapolis Off-Road Cycling Advocates Facebook Page

Theodore Wirth Park

Minneapolis

Map     Trail Info     Facebook     Twitter

MORC Trail Conditions

The mountain bike trails at Theodore Wirth Park are monitored and maintained by MOCA volunteers.  Closures and trail conditions can be found on the MOCA website in the upper left-hand corner of the page and rider reports are listed on the Theodore Wirth MORC Trail Conditions Forum page.

Other informative Twin Cities mountain biking links can be found below and remember to always follow IMBA's Fat Bike Best Practices to maintain and gain more trail access and give our sport a good name.

MORC-Minnesota Off-Road Cyclists

Website

Facebook

Twitter

MORC Trail Conditions on Twitter

MORC Trail Conditions Forum

Minneapolis Off-Road Cycling Advocates

Website

Facebook

Twitter

IMBA's Fat Bike Best Practices

For a complete listing of this Winter's fatbike events, see my post Winter '14-'15 Minnesota Fatbike Events.

Bookmark this post for quick reference.