Duluth built the Duluth Traverse to run the length of the city along the Lake Superior hillside, stitching Piedmont, Mission Creek and Spirit Mountain into one continuous system. The riding is hard rock and root over thin soil, dropping steeply toward the lake, and it drains far better than the clay farther inland. Lake Superior moderates the shoulder seasons, so Duluth often rides when the rest of Minnesota is still frozen or thawing.
29 featured mountain bike trailselevation 594–1,417 ft
Is it muddy in Duluth right now?
Right now about 16 of 29 featured Duluth trails are riding well. Conditions change daily with rain and snowmelt, so the list below shows the live read for each trail, and the chart shows which day ahead is your best bet.
Done. We'll email you the day Duluth flips to good.
Best time of year to ride Duluth
Typical riding conditions by month, blending heat and trail conditions from 10 years of local climate data — so you can plan a trip for the right window.
The best time to ride Duluth is May and September through October, when daytime highs sit in the 53–67°F range and the dirt is typically dry. The high country is usually snowbound January through March and December. Planning a trip? Those are your safest bets — and for this week, the live forecast below shows exactly which days are riding well (right now 16 of 29 featured trails are good to go).
PrimeMud seasonColdSnowbound
Bar height = our ride-friendliness score for a typical year; colour = the main limiting factor; the number under each month is the average daytime high. Based on 1991–2020 climate normals (NOAA). This year's live conditions are below.
Trail networks in Duluth
Named riding areas in Duluth, each with its own live conditions and the trails inside it.
What are the best mountain bike trails to ride near Duluth right now?
Today the trails riding best near Duluth are Waabizheshikana: The Marten Trail, Hermantown Missing Link Snowmobile Trail and Duluth Cross City West Snowmobile Trail. The full list below is sorted by today's real conditions, best first, and refreshes every morning, so the top of the list is always your best bet right now. See live conditions →
When will the mountain bike trails in Duluth dry out?
It depends on recent rain and each trail's soil. The 10-day outlook on this page shows how many Duluth trails are expected to be riding well each day, with rain markers, so you can pick the right day instead of guessing. See the 10-day outlook →
Is it too muddy to ride in Duluth after rain?
Right now 13 of 29 featured Duluth trails are reading soft or too muddy to ride. Duluth is mostly loam soil, which drains at a moderate pace, so after a storm some trails firm up within a day while others stay greasy. Riding wet, soft dirt damages trails and leaves ruts, so check the live mud reading on each trail before you head out. Check the live mud reading →
How many mountain bike trails are in Duluth?
Duluth has 29 featured mountain bike trails tracked here for conditions, with more searchable on the live map.
How high are the Duluth trails?
Duluth trails run from about 594–1,417 ft. Higher trails hold snow later into spring and dry out later than the lower ones, so conditions can vary a lot across the same area on the same day.
When is the best time to ride mountain bikes in Duluth?
The best time to ride Duluth is May and September through October, when daytime highs are in the 53–67°F range and the trails are typically dry. The high country is usually snowbound January through March and December. This is based on 10 years of local climate data; check the live conditions on this page for how the trails are actually riding today.
What months can you mountain bike in Duluth?
The main riding season in Duluth is roughly April through November; the high trails are usually snowbound January through March and December and melt out through spring. This page tracks snow coverage and melt-out daily so you can time the high country.