Fat Tire Bike Riding in the Grand Rapids, mN Area
In Grand Rapids, Minnesota there are 32 miles of trails to ride. The three most popular groomed trails are Tioga Recreation Area (20 miles of groomed trails), Legion Trail (7 miles of occasionally groomed trails), and Forest History Center (approximately 5 miles of groomed trails). Please note that the Forest History Center is not open on a regular basis throughout the winter, but they are open Saturdays in December for Horse Drawn Sleigh Rides, and during certain winter dates for winter programming events. During these days you are able to ride their fat tire bike trails. All of these fat tire bike trails are part of the Ride The Range mountain bike trail system, where you can ride over 200 miles of groomed trails within a 80 mile radius in Northeastern Minnesota.
Tioga Recreation Area
The Tioga Recreation Area is your best bet for weekly groomed fat tire biking trails in the Grand Rapids, MN area. The Grand Rapids and Itasca Mountain Bike Association volunteers groom weekly at Tioga. There are approximately 20 miles of groomed trails to ride at Tioga. Each week the volunteers ensure that the trails are in good riding condition. Visiting the GRIMBA Website HERE before heading out to ride is a good idea so that you know what the riding conditions are. You can also follow them on Facebook and Instagram as well.
The City of Cohasset and GRIMBA worked together to create a world-class, single-track trail that offers multiple level riding from green to double black diamond. Which means there is a trail for every level of rider. The entire family will find fun and exhilarating trails to ride. The City of Cohasset and GRIMBA together maintain the trails, with GRIMBA taking the lead on grooming.
The trails at Tioga overlook Tioga Pit Lake and Pokegama Lake (backwaters of the Mississippi River). Therefore making it a part of the Great River Road and Mississippi River Trail systems.
Find more information about Tioga Recreation Area HERE.
Legion Trail
The Legion Trail is a multi-level trail system where people can cross country ski, snowshoe, and fat tire bike. There is designated trails for each type of winter outdoor recreation sport. The main trail system is a hiking trail Spring-Fall, and then is the groomed cross country ski trail. This trail is groomed each week for cross country skiing. There is lights that automatically turn on at 5pm and around 11pm.
Then there is a randomly groomed, single-track, fat tire bike trail system that is perfect for low snow conditions. There is something very special about creating your own tracks in low snow conditions. Once a good freeze, this trail sets up nicely. Riding there is 32 degrees or less.
For snowshoeing, this area has 15 acres of forest land that can be snowshoed. This land wraps around Hale Lake, and sit adjacent to the Grand Rapids High School and The Reif Performing Arts Center. If you can hike, you can snowshoe, and equipment is relatively low cost, and if you don’t want to buy, you can rent snowshoes at Ardent Bicycles.
Forest History Center
The Forest History Center is open on Saturdays in December for their Horse Drawn Sleigh Rides through the forest. Find details about these events HERE. When the Forest History Center is open, and with admission, people can ride Fat Tire Bikes on their 200+ acres of forest trails. In the winter they groomed trails for cross country skiing, and pack trails for fat tire biking. Please be aware of which trails are for which outdoor winter activity.
If you are looking for a unique ride, and some interesting historic education programming events, then the Forest History Center is a perfect Grand Rapids Area Attraction to visit in the winter. There is programming scheduled each month on a Saturday throughout the winter.
Where To Stay
In Grand Rapids, Minnesota you will find that all properties are welcoming to fat tire biking. You will find a wide variety of overnight lodging. There are in-town and conveniently located Motels and Hotels, open year-round resort cabins and vacation rentals, and charming bed and breakfasts. There are a wide variety of amenities available at these properties from on-site bar/restaurant, pool, hot tubs, continental breakfast, cooked to order breakfast, in-room services, full kitchens, in-room fridge, kitchenettes, multiple bedrooms, and multiple bathrooms, free Wi-Fi, and located on trails and area lakes.
Whether you are looking for a place that you can ride your bike to the trails, looking to rent an entire cabin or vacation rental home, or if you are looking for a pool and hot tub to soak in after a hard days fat tire biking in Grand Rapids…you will find many places to stay.
Find Places to Stay in Grand Rapids HERE.
Eat, Drink and Be Entertained in Grand Rapids
After you have worked up a hearty appetite on the bike trails, you will find that Grand Rapids, MN offers a wide variety of places to eat & drink, and places where you can enjoy live performances, events and live music.
Locally owned breweries like Klockow Brewing Co and Rapids Brewing Co. Unwined Up North which is a Minnesota Wine Bar that sells Minnesota Wine and Craft Beer. Then you will find the locally owned restaurants that are a Grand Rapids tradition like Dotties, Forest Lake Restaurant, Sammy’s Pizza, and Timberlake Restaurant. Places that have lake views like Zorbaz, and Pickled Loon Saloon. If you are looking for authentic ethnic cuisine then you should check out Fuji Japenes Grill, El Potro and Mucho Si. And there are the restaurants that are located outside of Grand Rapids that are a must stop like Antler Lodge, Cedar Creek Grille, Florio’s Tavern, Rileys, Sportsman Cafe, The Locker Room, Timberwolf Inn, and Wizards Bar.& Grill. Find fun places to eat & drink HERE.
Every week the local breweries, bars & grills offer free live music and events. And The Reif Performing Center offers Broadway style theater, concerts and more. Their performance calendar is full this winter. Find more details about the Grand Rapids Winter Events HERE.