Bozeman is truly an outdoor enthusiasts paradise – no matter your activity of choice you’re bound to find high quality adventures right near town. Mountain biking is no exception of course! There’s so much stellar mountain biking in the SW Montana Region that it would be impossible to cover even a fraction of it here – this article focuses on several of my favorite rides that are within 30 – 45 minutes driving of Bozeman.

Access, Advocacy, & Etiquette

All of the rides in this article are on public land surrounding Bozeman. This land belongs to all of us – be a good steward so bikers can enjoy these trails in the years to come. Clean up trash and dog waste, be courteous to others, and respect the local flora & fauna.

The Southwest Montana Mountain Biking Association (SWMMBA) is a non-profit organization that helps advocate for biking access, builds and maintains trails in SW Montana, hosts community events, and more. If you’re riding in or near Bozeman, consider supporting them with a one time or recurring donation.

Some trails are subject to usage timeshares – be sure to check these before heading out for your ride.

Don’t forget that bikers yield to hikers, and uphill traffic has the right of way. Montana is bear country, so always bring bear spray and ride in groups when possible!

There is a solid mountain biking guidebook for SW Montana – the Southern Montana Singletrack Guidebook can be found in outdoor stores around Bozeman.

Now, let’s get to riding!

Favorite Quick Rides (1-2 hrs)

Leverich Canyon – 5.1 miles, 1,265 ft ascent, 1 hr ride time

If you’re looking for the best quick ride near Bozeman, look no further. Only about 15 minutes outside of town, Leverich’s climb will have you working and the descent will have you coming back time and time again. The road can get a bit rough, a higher clearance vehicle is nice but not required.

South Cottonwood – 8 miles, 870 ft ascent, 1.5 hr ride time

South Cottonwood is a beautiful, moderate trail that follows the South Cottonwood Creek into the Gallatin range. This trail continues for quite a long ways into the mountains and you can definitely follow it for a longer ride, but I really enjoy riding it about 4 miles out. At 4 miles there’s a wonderful clearing on the creek to stop for a snack and maybe some meditation if that’s your thing. The trail also gets much more technical and rocky after mile 4, so if I’m just out for a shorter ride mile 4 is an ideal spot to turn around. This trail gets busy with hikers, it’s best to ride it at a low usage time.

Tripletree Loop – 5.5 miles, 975 ft ascent, 1 hr ride time

Oh, Tripletree! This is the trail I frequent most due to its close proximity to my house, fun terrain, and water access for my dogs. This one will keep you coming back for the same reasons – you can also link TT into Painted Hills for a really nice ride around Bozeman.

Sypes Canyon – 6.9 miles, 1816 ft ascent, 1 hr 45 min ride time

If you want a steep uphill battle and an incredibly fun downhill with great views mixed in, look no further. Sypes is definitely a challenging ride, with some sections that are probably hike a bike for all but the strongest riders. It’s a great workout though, and the views on the ridge are stellar. Then the best part – the downhill – makes it all worth it.

Moser / Buckskin Meadows – 5.7 miles, 940 ft climb, 1 hr ride time

Hyalite has tons of great riding, but the drive up the canyon makes a good amount of the riding available only on days when you have lots of time. For those days that you don’t, Moser to Buckskins Meadows is perfect. Beautiful rides through winding trails and grassy meadows make for a great day out on the steed.

Painted Hills / Town Trails – Rider’s choice

Right in the heart of Bozeman sits the Painted Hills trails. This trail system starts downtown and continues all the way to Tripletree – you can start pretty much anywhere you like on the trail system and take it as far as you want to! Painted Hills is great for those days that you don’t feel like driving.

Best Medium Rides (2-5 hrs)

Corbly Gulch – 9 miles, ~1500 ft ascent, ~2 hrs

This is by far my favorite trail in the Bozeman area. Wonderful uphill pedaling on smooth trails through a beautiful forest leads into one of the most enjoyable downhill rides I’ve done on a mountain bike. This trail has a little bit of everything and is a blast to ride again and again. The Trailforks track doesn’t include the washed out road you have to bike up to get to the the trailhead, and it continues on into a rocky section near the end. I usually stop at the last switchback to soak in the views – you’ll know where it is when you get there.

Johnson Canyon – 12 miles, ~2000 ft ascent, 2.5 hrs

On the northern end of the Bridgers sits the Johnson Canyon trailhead. Tucked back into the mountains and less frequented than many of the other trails on this list, chances are you’ll have the area to yourself as you pedal away from the semi-remote trailhead. The uphill is awesome, with a wonderful side hill that puts wildflowers on full display in the summer. As you reach the end of the trail you have a choice – you can either bomb down for one last downhill and pedal back up the way you came, or continue on down North Cottonwood (hike a bike) and ride the road back to your car (15 miles, 2700 ft ascent).

Copper City – Rider’s Choice

It would practically be a crime to not mention Copper City in this article. Just 45 minutes out of Bozeman is the mountain biking haven of Copper City! 30 miles of single track through a variety of terrain makes this the perfect place to spend a whole day riding. While the arid environment of CC can lead to some very hot days in the summer, mornings are very pleasant at CC, and spring and fall pretty much always provide perfect conditions at CC. You can even get some good days in the shoulder season and in winter depending on snowfall.

Copper City is on BLM land, so there is some camping available in the area as well as a pit toilet at the trailhead.

Emerald Lake – 8.6 miles, 1900 ft ascent, 2.5 hrs

There isn’t a ton of riding in Hyalite mentioned in this article – getting up into Hyalite usually takes at least 45 minutes or more, so most of the riding is a little beyond the scope of this article. Emerald Lake, however, is right around 45 minutes from Bozeman and is an definitely worth the drive up the canyon! A steep, techy uphill leads to a beautiful system of lakes in a mountain basin. Nice place to eat a quick snack before bombing back downhill!

Garnet Mountain – 8.6 miles, 2800 ft ascent, 3 hrs

Talk about an uphill sufferfest – Garnet Mountain will have you questioning why you chose to bike here until you reach the top. Once there you’ll be rewarded with incredible views of the Madison and Bridger mountain ranges, and you get to hangout at a cool forest service fire lookout (that you can rent out!) for a bit. You’ll also take your break with the knowledge that the hard part is behind you, and now you get to enjoy the sweet, sweet reward of the 2800 foot descent.

Wheeler Gulch – 7.2 miles, 1700 ft ascent, 2 hrs

Starting off from South Cottonwood, about a mile in you’ll run into the Wheeler Gulch turnoff on the right. Deviating from the stream, you’ll head uphill through a lush forest and past several switchbacks to a nice viewpoint before descending one of the most fun downhills in the Bozeman area.

Epic Adventure Rides (5+ hrs)

Bangtail Divide – 23 miles, 4000 ft ascent, 3 – 5 hours

Bangtail is the premiere bike ride in the Bozeman area. Fun uphill, stellar downhill, and over 20 miles of singletrack in one ride all add up for an epic day that you’ll want to relive over and over again.

While these certainly are some of the most popular trails in the Bozeman area, it’s just scratching the surface of the mountain biking SW Montana has to offer. Beyond the borders of the Bozeman area you’ll find tons of epic trails with long rides abound. Don’t be afraid to explore the path less traveled and get on some of the trails not listed here – if you have suggestions for trails that you think should make the list please let us know. Happy trails!

Disclaimer: Rock climbing and mountaineering in general is a dangerous pastime that can lead to serious injury or worse. You should not undertake these without proper training or equipment.

By using this site you acknowledge that the information here is not a replacement for a professional guide, and Fantasium Media cannot be held liable for any damage or injury that may be caused by use of this website.

When you think of a climbing destination the first place that comes to mind isn’t generally Montana – the winters are long, summers are warm, and the mountain ranges remote. However, Bozeman is a gem of a climbing region, with classic cracks, killer sport lines, beautiful boulders, and huge multi-pitch lines abound. While finding the climbs can often be challenging, once you’ve located them you’re sure to have a day of climbing you won’t soon forget.

With quality rock and minimal crowds, routes around Bozeman can provide exceptional rock climbing at almost all times of the year. The best time to climb is May – October, but even in the winter some nice climbs can be found on warm days.

This article is focused on climbing that is within roughly an hour’s drive of Bozeman, usually shorter.

Let’s dive in and learn more about the climbing around Bozeman!

Guidebooks

There are several guidebooks that cover most of the areas around Bozeman. There’s lots of climbing that isn’t here or anywhere on the internet, so ask around and get to know your local climbing community!

These books can be found at Spire and REI, with the exception of Rock Climbs of Southwest Montana.

Bozeman Rock Climbs by Bill Dockins & Tom Kalakay

Rock Climbs of Southwest Montana by Kyle Vassilopoulos

SW MT Blocs by Erik Christensen

Select Alpine Climbs to Montana by Ron Brunckhorst

Rock Guides in Bozeman

Montana Alpine Guides and Montana Mountaineering Association are the premiere guides in Bozeman. If you’re looking to hone your skills, haven’t climbed in a while, or just want to find the best climbs, getting out with them for a day or two is a great way to do all of these!

Access & Ethics

Southwest Montana Climber’s Coalition

The Southwest Montana Climbers Coalition (SMCC) is an organization dedicated to securing, protecting, and improving climbing access in Southwest Montana. With a mission to preserve and enhance the climbing resources in the region, SMCC strives to ensure that climbers have the opportunity to explore and enjoy the vast array of climbing options available.

If you do climb near Bozeman, you should strongly consider donating to the SMCC. Your donations go to building trails, replacing hardware, securing climbing access, and more.

Climbing Ethics

The climbing near Bozeman could definitely be described as “old school” – tough grading, moderate runouts, and minimal beta can be the name of the game in many places. Usually if a line goes on gear or there are gear placements on parts of a climb, you won’t find bolts. All of these things make for better climbs and better climbs in my opinion!

Most routes have rap rings on them. Rappel off climbs when you can.

As for establishing new routes, most climbs in the area have been established from the ground up. There is definitely still tons of opportunity for development in the area. Never go altering an existing climb without first discussing those changes with the climb’s first ascender.

Camping

Most of the climbing near Bozeman is in National Forests, and dispersed camping is very easy to find. In Gallatin Canyon there are also very nice pay campgrounds scattered throughout the canyon, and if you’re in a van or RV street parking in Bozeman for a few nights is readily available.

Remember to practice Leave No Trace principles when you camp, and always use the installed toilet facilities if you can.

Access

As I mentioned above, most climbing is on National Forests and access is generally fairly straightforward. That being said, there are a few locations that abut private property (Allenspur in particular), so always be conscious of how lucky we are to access these climbing areas. Keep your pets under control, keep the areas clean, use established trails, keep music to a reasonable volume, etc. Let’s give the best impression of climbers that we can to ensure we can access these locations for years to come.

Safety

Best All Around Climbing – Gallatin Canyon

Ahhh, Gallatin Canyon. What a special place! Home to every style of climbing imaginable, the climbing in Gallatin Canyon is varied enough in style and grade to keep you occupied for a lifetime of rock climbing. Hard lines, classic boulders, and fun multi-pitch romps make this the best place by far to climb near Bozeman. There are several different crags in the Canyon – my favorites are the Gallatin Tower and the routes on the East Side of the Gallatin River. The other areas are fun, but these two are absolutely classic and will have you grinning from ear to ear after each day here.

You’ll see the Gallatin mentioned in every other category as well – it’s so good that it deserves its own special mention. In the following categories I will outline specific areas that are great for each style of climbing.

Grades in the Gallatin can be a bit sandbagged – the Dockins & Kalakay guidebook states comedically that in the Gallatin, “instead of climbs being rated for the hardest move, they are rated for the easiest move”. That evaluation might not be too far off, but they are stellar climbs nonetheless so get out there and get on them!

Best Trad Climbing

Gallatin Canyon

The trad climbing in the Gallatin is unbeatable. The gear can be tricky at first with flaring cracks and sometimes challenging placements, but once you get the style figured out there’s a climb here for everyone. Test your mettle on classic “moderates” like Diesel Driver and Pineapple Thunderpussy, or push yourself on hard lines like Stigmata or The Fugitive.

Rock Type: Gneiss

Favorite Crags: Gallatin Tower, Black Line Buttress, Skyline Buttress, Fish Face, Pineapple Buttress

Classic Routes: Diesel Driver (5.9), Pineapple Thunderpussy (5.9), Black Line (5.10b), Stigmata (5.11d), Sparerib (5.8), Thing in Between (5.9+), First Best (5.10-), Soft in the Middle (5.11c), Tigger (5.10-), Spare Tire (5.10b), Orange Crack (5.11b, 5.9 1st pitch)

Hyalite Canyon

While it’s known for ice climbing, Hyalite is also home to some of the best traditional climbing near Bozeman. It doesn’t have the incredible multi-pitch climbs that Gallatin offers, but contains high quality lines of all grades.

Rock Type: Gneiss

Favorite Crag: Practice Rock

Classic Routes: Wizard’s Well (5.9+), Theoretically (5.10c), Tough Trip Through Paradise (5.11c), Last of the Wild Ones (5.12c)

Rock Type: Gneiss, Limestone

Best Sport Climbing

There is tons of high quality sport climbing within 30 minutes of Bozeman if you know where to look! While there are several smaller sport crags, the three most highly concentrated crags are Allenspur, the Limestone crags in Gallatin Canyon, and Wolverine bowl in the Bridgers.

Allenspur

I love climbing at Allenspur! The environment is awesome, the views are stellar, and the climbs are super fun. There are lots of moderate to very difficult climbs here, some of them being quite long. The access at Allenspur is delicate – please be sure to use one of the dedicated climber’s trails and don’t bring dogs up this approach!

Rock Type: Limestone

Favorite Crags: Main Crag, 7-11 Crag

Classic Routes: Sully’s Route (5.10a), The Prow (5.10c), Bee Yourself (5.11a), Flake Fest (5.10b), Rancho Deluxe (5.11b), Out of the Whole (5.11c)

Gallatin Canyon Limestone

Although Gallatin Canyon’s Gneiss buttresses are where it’s at in my humble opinion, there is fun sport climbing to be had on the limestone cliffs that line the entrance to the canyon. These routes can be fun, hard, and adventurous – the difficulty varies, but some of the hardest climbs in the area can be found in Hantavirus Cave if that’s what you’re looking for!

Rock Type: Limestone

Favorite Crags: Scorched Earth, Hantavirus Cave

Classic Routes: Geriatrix, It’s-It, Endless Summer, Pearl Necklace, Fistful of Steel, Dogleg Arete, Weapons of Mass Destruction

Wolverine Bowl

What a wonderful place Wolverine Bowl is! Set in the Northeastern Bridger Range, Wolverine is an alpine limestone sport climbing paradise. Long, hard routes abound here, all on bomber gray limestone that is the stuff of dreams. This is easily the best sport climbing venue near Bozeman. The approach is a bit long, and the walls get early morning sun – a midmorning start will put you in the shade around 1 pm with a full afternoon and evening of perfect climbing temps. It can get chilly here too, so be prepared!

Rock Type: Limestone

Favorite Crags: Lower Replica, Upper Replica, Bud Wall

Classic Routes: The Beat Connection (5.10c), Hate Street Dialogue (5.11b), Single Synapse Rat Brain (5.11b), Stud Finder (5.12a)

Best Multi-Pitch Climbing

Gallatin Canyon

Surprise surprise, Gallatin Canyon makes the list again! Here is where Gallatin really shines – the multi-pitch routes here are absolutely stellar, and for the most part are fairly moderate grades. Almost every single one of the buttress faces contains a stellar multi-pitch climb, with the ability to link several climbs together for a full day of climbing if you want!

Rock Type: Gneiss, Limestone

Favorite Crags: Gallatin Tower, Eastside Buttresses, Scorched Earth

Classic Routes: Skyline Arete (5.6), Sparerib (5.8), Watchtower Standard (5.8), The Waltz (5.8), Silver Foxes (5.10a)

Ross Peak

In my opinion Ross Peak holds some of the best rock climbs in the Bozeman area and in all of Montana. These are some of my highest rated climbs I’ve ever done – exposure, stunning setting, high quality rock, and clipping bolts on a 1000ft wall. What more could you ask for?

While these are sport routes, they were all bolted from stances and can be quite run out at times. The bolts are there when you need them, but be on your game for these climbs. Some gear can help supplement these runouts. It’s an alpine environment, so keep an eye out for loose rock, and make sure you dial the descent before heading up.

Rock Type: Limestone

Classic Routes: All of them!

Best Bouldering Areas

The bouldering near Bozeman is a bit more scattered, with quality lines being found in many locations, but not in extreme abundance in any location besides Whiskey Gulch. That being said, the bouldering scene is alive and well and growing quickly around Bozeman. New climbs are being established daily in these and in new locations, and quality lines are to be found everywhere. These two areas are my favorites and have a huge concentration of problems, but check out some of the other areas if you do get a chance!

Whiskey Gulch

While Whiskey Gulch isn’t exactly in the Bozeman area, the climbing here is good enough that I think it’s more than worth listing as the best bouldering area near Bozeman. A huge expansive area with tons of boulders, Whiskey Gulch will scratch your bouldering itch – whether that means highballs, crimps, traverses, you’ll find something here that is stellar climbing. There’s tons of opportunity to continue developing problems here. Depending on snowfall you can climb here year round.

Rock Type: Granite

Classic Problems: Fear of Friction (V0), Adam’s Wall (V3), Osteoporosis (V3), Globe Trotter (V3), Wave Runner (V4), Emphysema Traverse Low (V4+), The Pope’s Penis (V7)

Gallatin Canyon

You didn’t think there would be a section without the Gallatin in it, did you? Gallatin provides, my friend. The bouldering here is also stellar, with classic boulders found throughout the canyon. Cascade Creek holds most of and the best of these lines; with the beautiful setting and good rock you’ll find yourself coming back for more and more.

Rock Type: Gneiss

Favorite Crags: Cascade Creek, The Nunnery, Hidden Lakes

Classic Routes: Tick Tick Boom (V3), Leviathan (V4), Fear Factor (V6), Intergalactic Jellyfish (V6), Hymenoptera (AKA the Gargoyle (V6+), The Enchiridion (V5), The Battle of Hoth (V8)

Best Winter Climbing – Madison River Area

You didn’t think there would be any climbing in the frozen tundra of Montana in the winter, did you? While snow does put the kibosh on rock climbing plans for most of the winter, during warm spells you can get out to the Madison River area’s desert like environment and find quality climbing only 25 minutes outside of Bozeman. There is great bouldering and rope climbing here, and on a sunny day in February you’ll be climbing shirtless.

Rock Type: Gneiss

Favorite Crags: Bear Trap Road Boulders, Neat Rock Area, Winter Wall

Classic Routes: Balance of Power (5.10b), Sheep Herder (V4), The Fallen (V7 – V8), Garmonbozia (V6), Yesteryear (V5), Standard Route (5.9), Drive-By Shooting (5.10b), In Spite of Ourselves (5.11b)

Bozeman is truly a hidden gem for climbers looking for adventure and quality rock. While Montana may not be the first place that comes to mind when searching for climbing destinations, the Gallatin Canyon is a special place that offers every style of climbing imaginable. In addition to Gallatin, there’s lots of climbing that isn’t recorded online, so it’s worth getting to know the local climbing community and asking around for tips on the best places to climb. With quality rock and minimal crowds, routes around Bozeman can provide exceptional climbing experiences at almost all times of the year. Pack your gear, grab some friends, and join us in exploring the amazing climbing near Bozeman!

About the Author: Daniel Loudenback

Daniel is the founder of Fantasium and an avid outdoorsman. Whether he’s rock climbing, ice climbing, mountaineering, skiing, snowboarding, or mountain biking, you’ll find him outside almost every day of the year – usually with his two dogs, Chance & Aldo in tow!

Bozeman is Daniel’s home base and where he spends most of the year. When he’s not in Bozeman he’s traveling around in his van or hopping on a plane to explore a foreign destination.

Daniel’s life goal (besides being outside of course) is helping people achieve their dreams and build a life that they love to live.

There’s nothing quite like the crisp, clean air of the Northwoods on a beautiful day. Surrounded by trees, water, and friends, Minocqua in Northern Wisconsin is one of the most wonderful places to spend your time – summer or winter! There’s no shortage of activities to keep yourself busy and bodies of water to jump into when you get too hot, not to mention strong drinks to put a fire in your belly in the winter. Minocqua is one of my favorite places in the Midwest and indeed the United States – everywhere you turn there are folks having a good time no matter what the season. After spending lots of time in the Minocqua area here are some of my recommendations for things to do while you spend your time in this beautiful place.

Go boating

If you’re lucky enough to have access to a boat while you’re in Minocqua, there’s no better way to spend a beautiful summer day than out on the water. You can boat from bar to bar on the chain of lakes, and you’ll be sure to make friends with other fellow boaters as you cruise from spot to spot. Be sure to boat responsibly – remember that the rules for operating a boat while under the influence are the same as operating a car. With lots of other people enjoying summer days out on the lake, traffic can be high. Designate a driver, then head out for a wonderful day in the sun.

Waterski, wakeboard, or a tube

Adding one of these great accessories to your day is a surefire way to enhance your Minocqua experience. You can rent these from one of the many watersport providers in the area. Chances are you’ll spot lots of other folks out on the water doing the same thing, including the infamous Min-Aqua Bats. Be sure to check out one of their shows while you’re in town!

Go for a hike

If you’ve had enough of the water for one trip, get out for a hike in one of the many trails in the area. One of my favorites close to town is the Raven trail system, but after doing some quick research you’ll learn that there are countless hiking options not far from Minocqua.

Take out a canoe or kayaks

Just couldn’t get enough of the watersports, could you? Canoes and kayaks are a great way to enjoy the majesty of the Northwoods without the roar of modern machinery or the crowds that the chain of lakes attracts. Get out on one of the many remote lakes in the area – lots of them don’t allow any sort of motorcraft, and you’re likely to have the place to yourself if you choose a lake that’s slightly off the beaten path.

Ride mountain bikes

Lots of the same trails in the area that make hiking so enjoyable are also great choices for mountain biking. With countless options to choose from in the area you are certain to stay entertained – one of my favorite options for mountain biking is the Win Man trails, only about 30 – 45 minutes outside of Minocqua.

If you need bikes you can easily rent them. We rented from Coontail Sports and had a great experience.

Watch wildlife

You may have noticed that many of the recommendations on this list take you out into nature – chances are, if you do enough of them, you’ll run into some sort of wildlife in the sparsely populated Northwoods. Moose, bears, coyotes, birds, rodents, and more all call this part of the country home. If you’re lucky you’ll get to share your experience with them – remember that this is their home, and you’re just visiting. Always give wildlife a wide berth and respect the fact they are wild animals. Human interactions can be very stressful for them, so enjoy the experience for a moment, then let them be on their way.

Get a fish fry

Now that we’ve been outside working up an appetite, it’s time to head into town for some food. You can’t go wrong with many of the restaurants in Minocqua for any meal, but one of my favorite meals is the weekly fish fries. Yacht Club and Boathouse both have great fish fries, and both are staple establishments that you have to visit at least once while you’re here.

Drink a bucket at the Thirsty Whale

After you’ve eaten your fill of fried, fish, it’s time to head out for a night on the town. The de-facto place to start (and often end) your night is the Thirsty Whale. Right on the lake, you can pull up with your boat, or easily walk to the Whale from in town. You’ll probably hate yourself for it in the morning, but you’ll definitely get pressured into ordering a bucket at some point during your time there. Drink your bucket, rip up the dance floor, play some shuffleboard, and enjoy your night in Minocqua post buckets.

Put a dollar up at the Little Brown Jug

The night isn’t over yet – indeed, many nights out in Minocqua don’t end until the sun rises. It’s time to head to the LBJ, dive bar of all dive bars, Order a PBR for about $2, tip your bartender $1, then pound your other dollar somewhere over someone else’s and join the plethora of drunks who have done the same at the LBJ.

Attend Beef-A-Rama

What better way to recover from a hangover than consuming far too much high quality meat? The annual Beef-A-Rama is an incredibly fun event, hosting vendors from all over Wisconsin promoting their wares, giving free samples, and – you guessed – cooking up some meets. Make sure to stick around for the beef eating contest and various events that accompany this day of beef and beer.

Head out for a night of stargazing

Thanks to it being one of the most sparsely populated regions in the United States, the stargazing in Northern Wisconsin is unmatched. There are few better feelings than sitting underneath the Milky Way on a warm summer night, especially if you’re in a kayak or canoe. You can use Dark Site Finder or Dark Sky to locate a site that has premium stargazing and limited light pollution. If you want to take your stargazing to the camera check out our Beginner’s Guide to Landscape Astrophotography.

Go snowmobiling

Ah, winter in Minocqua. It’s cold and it snows a TON – which can be miserable if you don’t pick up a winter hobby or two to keep you occupied. Snowmobiling is a prime past time for locals of the area and for visitors alike. Travelers come from all over the world to take advantage of the world class snowmobiling that Minocqua has to offer. There are hundreds of miles of backwoods trails, and you can sled across the frozen lakes to head out for a drink or dinner at the end of the day.

Warning – Snowmobiling is an inherently dangerous activity. Always wear a protective helmet, warm clothes, and never operate a snowmobile under the influence of alcohol.

Head out for a cross country ski

The endless acres of the Northwoods lend themselves to incredibly immersive cross country skiing. There are dozens of trail systems in the Minocqua area, but one of my favorites is the Raven Trail system. The Raven offers a great option in a beautiful area, with enough variety to provide a full day or several days of exploration. Check out beautiful Hemlock Lake right up the road once you’re done with your XC skiing adventure!

Ride fat bikes

Fat biking is an incredible way to spend cold winter days, and Minocqua has a plethora of world class fat biking trails just a short drive outside of town. The wind on your face, pedals beneath your feet, snow beneath your tires – you don’t need much more than that on a beautiful winter day in Minocqua. I mentioned Win Man trails for mountain biking earlier – during the winter they transform into some of the best fat bike trails I have ever ridden. You can also check out the Raven trails if you’re looking for something closer to town.

Hit the slopes

If downhill sliding is your thing, there are tons of great skiing and snowboarding options not far from Minocqua. Just across the border in Michigan are the twin resorts of Blackjack and Indianhead, and not far from Minocqua is the local classic Mount Bohemia. With the lake effect coming off of mother Superior, these locations boast over 200 inches of snowfall each year. If you spend a few days skiing here you are almost guaranteed one or two solid powder days!

Go snowshoeing

Snow is a theme in Minocqua and in the Northwood – you absolutely need to find some way to enjoy the winters in this incredible place. Snowshoeing is probably the most accessible option to do so – all you need is a pair of baskets on your feet and you’re good to go! There are tons of options for snowshoeing around the area – many of the trail systems offer dedicated snowshoeing paths, but if you really want to get the value out of your snowshoes, head off trail into some deep snow for a full value experience.

Minocqua is truly a paradise – a playground all times of the year with activities and fun for everyone. Get out and experience some of the recommendations on this list, and you’ll have a smile as big as mine was!