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.
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| Image Credit: Bertram Lakes Singletrack Facebook Page |
Bertram Chain of Lakes
Monticello
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.
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| Image Credit: Brookview Golf Course website |
Brookview Golf Course
Golden Valley
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
Woodbury
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.
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| Image Credit: Three Rivers Park District |
Cleary Lake Region Park
Prior Lake
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
Maple Grove
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.
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| Image Credit: Bonnie Moebeck |
Fort Snelling State Park
Maple Grove
Maple Grove
Map Trail Info Facebook
Hillside City Park*
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.
Bookmark this post for quick reference.
The Minnesota DNR added 6 new miles of packed multi-use trails last year as part of its Winter Fat Biking Pilot Project.
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| Credit: Mistermoose.org |
Elk River
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
Eagan
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
Eagan
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
Bloomington
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.
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| Image Credit: Deathrider |
Murphy-Hanrehan Park Reserve
Savage
Savage
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.
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| Credit: Minneapolis Off-Road Cycling Advocates Facebook Page |
Theodore Wirth Park
Minneapolis
Minneapolis
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
Minneapolis Off-Road Cycling Advocates
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.
