Three Amazing States for Fat Tire Biking in the Midwest (Wisconsin, Minnesota, Michigan!)

Feb 11, 2025

We’re taking a break from our skiing, snowboarding, and snowshoeing coverage to bring you an exciting change up in winter sports: fat tire biking! Fat Tire biking features a frame similar to the typical mountain bike, but the key difference being the bikes are built to accommodate much wider, thicker tires: anywhere from 3.5” up to 6” in average width, and wheel sizes of 26”-27.5”. These special tires allow cyclists to run the bikes at low pressure and afford additional grift on softer, slippery surfaces such as mud, sand, and snow. They come in a standard pedal bike option as well as an E-Bike option.

What to Know When Starting Out Fat Tire Biking

First, dress warmly in comfortable, stretchy layers of winter and water repellant clothing. We recommend a wool base layer for insulation and a hard-shell outer layer for a wind/waterproof option. You’ll want comfortable, grippy boots and UV protectant eyewear or goggles. Be sure to pack plenty of water, snacks, and an additional set of clothing in case you run into water, snow, or mud and need to change into something dry.

Always pack a flashlight, reflective flags and flares, and a digital tire gauge/portable pump. Charge all of your devices and bring a portable power bank as well, and in case of emergencies such as no signal or low power, we recommend purchasing or downloading a physical copy of trail maps in the areas you’re traversing. Stay on marked and designated trails for your safety, especially in winter when ice and snow are potential hazards. Stay alert for wildlife, other cyclists, snowshoe travelers, and fallen trees.

Some trails allow you to bring your own bikes, while others request that you rent them (generally between $25-$100 for timed rentals, some offer by hour and some per day rate.) If you’re new to the sport, we recommend selecting well-groomed trails with easy terrain to start.

Great Midwest Destinations for Fat Tire Biking: Wisconsin, Michigan, Minnesota

Fat Tire Biking in Wisconsin

The Northwoods and Lake Superior shoreline offer a beautiful scenic ride for fat tire biking. Check out the Jack Lake Mountain Bike and Winter Fat Tire Trail with 12 miles of trails. The CAMBA Trail System offers more than 50 miles of groomed fat tire biking trails! You can also stop by during the special “Fat Bike Birkie” event to access even more famous ski trails.

Levis Trow-Mounds offer more than 20 miles of single track off-road bicycle trails and many of them are marked for winter fat-tire biking options. Daily passes are required.

Woolly Trail in St Croix offers a 6 mile loop with plenty of twists and turns along its singletrack trail.

CamRock Trails in Cambridge offers 10 mule of Singletrack and 8 miles of multitrack biking that is perfect for all skill levels.

Awassa Trail near St. Germain offers groomed trails for fat tire biking as well as snowshoeing.

Kettle Moraine State Park offers select mountain biking trails converted to Fat Tire Biking trails, weather permitting.

Silver Lake Park offers several loops of single-track trails and if conditions permit you may even see groomed trails across the lake in mid-winter season.

Newport State Park in Door County offers 11 miles of groomed and ungroomed trails along the shores of Lake Michigan.

Fat Tire Biking in Michigan

Crystal Mountain resort offers 12 miles of groomed and packed trails on the property and connected to the nearby DNR Betsie River Pathway for 5 additional miles. Trails are open daily! Bike rentals and trail passes are available for purchase.

Boyne Mountain offers about 3 miles of groomed trail open 9AM to 4PM Wednesday through Sunday (closed Mon-Tue) and offers rentals for regular and electric fat tire biking for 1, 2, and 5 hour increments depending on bike choice.

Boyne Highlands offers around 4 miles of groomed trail. Bike rentals are available to rent for 2 and 6 hour rentals or an all-day pass. Trail passes are $5.

Treetops offers a 3 mile groomed bike trail when weather conditions permit, and reservations are required. Bikes rent for 1, 2 or 3 hour increments.

Marquette has more than 80 miles of shoreline along Lake Superior and offers 3 groomed trails to choose from: Noquemanon SBR, Noquemanon NSBR, or Ramba SBT trails. Guided tours with bike rentals are also available

Fat Tire Biking in Minnesota

Giants Ridge has almost 40 miles of groomed Nordic Trails along the Superior National Forest and Gopher State’s Iron Range. Lift service for fat tire biking is available on marked trails when weather permits. Bike rentals are available for 4 hours or BYO, and trail passes with lift access are available.

Minnesota River Trail, aka River Bottoms, runs parallel to the river for 11 miles. This is a very unique trail that winds through the river floodplain and is never the same experience twice, including sand, logs, and water crossings.

Mission Creek offers 20 miles of single track trails through the woods west of Duluth. If you’re looking for a challenge this offers rollers, berms, and bridges for additional excitement.

Jay Cooke State Park offers nearly 6 miles of dedicated fat tire bike marked trails. Icy conditions are common in this area, so use caution, but otherwise you’ll have a quiet, serene ride.

Cannon River in Northfield has a looping 3.5 mile trail along with a skills park for practicing and testing your talents.

Douglas state trail offers 12.5 mile blacktop trail and predictable, maintained trail terrain through the forests and local agricultural fields between Pine Island and Rochester.