Redhead Mountain Bike Park
Welcome to Redhead Mountain Bike Park
VISITOR NOTICE :Closed until further notice
- Redhead merchandise available inside the Minnesota Discovery Center Gift Shop (All purchases support Redhead trail maintenance).
- 30 West Bike Shop - located inside Minnesota Discovery Center Summer Admissions Entrance.
Redhead MTB Park is a public park free to ride and is open 7-days a week excluding rain days and/or seasonal change over. Come discover the new world-class Redhead Mountain Bike Park at the Minnesota Discovery Center (MDC) in Chisholm, MN. Carved from the walls of an abandoned water-filled iron ore mine pit, Redhead offers outdoor enthusiast an oasis of fun year-round. Redhead has something for everyone – with 25-miles of hand crafted, purpose built mountain bike trails already on the ground and more on the way. Difficulty ranges from beginner to expert level with a wide array of terrain features and options for riders to test out their skills. Adventure seekers can also hike on designated trails as well as kayak, canoe, paddle board, and swim!
“The Redhead Mountain Bike Park, being built on 1,225-acres of former Iron Range mineland, is shaping up to arguably be the most scenic and unequaled mountain bike park in the Midwest.” – Business North
Trailhead Facility Hours (MDC)
MDC Trailhead Facility Autumn/Winter Hours:
Tuesday: 10 am - 5 pm
Wednesday: 10 am - 5 pm
Thursday: 10 am - 8 pm
Friday: 10 am - 5 pm
Saturday: 10 am - 5 pm
Sunday: CLOSED
Monday: CLOSED
Redhead MTB Park is now on the Trailforks APP or online at www.trailforks.com!
Have questions? Scroll down for some FAQs and area lodging. If your question isn't listed, give us a call at 218-254-7959, send us an email at info@mndiscoverycenter.com, or send us a message on Facebook!
Riding Redhead? Share the experience by tagging your photos! @redheadmtbpark @mndiscoverycenter on Facebook | @MNDiscoveryCtr on Twitter!
Download Winter and Summer Maps Below
Click here to download the Redhead Winter Map
Winter Recreation
Winter Trail Rules: When it rains (or snows, if the ground is not frozen), the single-track trails will be immediately closed to all users (foot or bike) until trail conditions dry out and firm up. Trails typically reopen a few hours after rain ends, but the cooler the temperature, the longer this may take. Wet, soft or muddy trails are extremely easy to damage, which is why we close them until they dry out. If you are leaving tire ruts or footprints in the trail or your bike or footwear is muddy, you are damaging a trail that is currently too soft to use. All trails at Redhead MTB Park close to all uses (foot or bike) for three weeks in November for the firearms deer hunting season.
Permitted Winter Uses: Fat biking and snowshoeing only. Biking is prohibited on the snowmobile trail from December 1 - April 1 within the boundaries of the Redhead MTB Park. This causes the middle section of the Rim Trail to be closed, this will be marked with trail signage.
Winter Regulations: Bicycle tires must be at least 3.7" wide | Foot travel on snowshoes only | Snowshoes are available for rent at the Minnesota Discovery Center
Prohibited Winter Uses: Foot travel (except as permitted with snowshoes) | Pets on groomed trails |Activities that can damage groomed trails | Biking on the snowmobile trail from December 1 - April 1
Winter Trail Grooming: Volunteers generally groom trails in the evening after snowfall ends. Freshly groomed trails are very soft and easily damaged until they can refreeze and firm up. For this reason, we ask for bikes to stay off freshly groomed trail for 12-24 hours after they have been groomed for surface conditions to be ideal for biking again. Snowshoes are welcome on the freshly groomed trail as they help pack the snow. Visit www.trailforks.com or download the Trailforks Phone App for the latest trail grooming conditions.
Winter tips: If you are leaving tire ruts in groomed trails, that is considered damage and the trails are closed to that activity. Bring snowshoes as a backup activity in case trail conditions are too soft for biking. (Most days when temperatures are above freezing.) Snowshoeing helps pack the surface on freshly groomed or soft trails, which can get bikes back on the trail sooner. Reduce tire pressure in your bike. 2-4 psi in soft snow; up to 8 psi in firm snow. Use studded tires for variable trail conditions and added safety. Check the Chisholm, MN weather before you travel (ZIP 55719).
Click here to download the Redhead MTB Park Summer Map
Area Lodging:
The Chisholm Inn and Suites (directly across Hwy. 169 from Redhead MTB Park) is offering visitors coming up to experience the new park, 10% off rooms. Call 218-254-2000 for more information. Click the link below to check out additional lodging options.
Chisholm Iron Trail Camp Ground less than 2 miles from the trailhead offering 35 full hookup (electricity, water, sewer), 14 sites with (electricity & water) and 7 tent sites.
Iron Range Tourism: Click here to check out more campgrounds, hotels, and resorts for the perfect accommodations.
Redhead Trails FAQs:
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- Where is the Redhead Trail Entrance? At the MN Discovery Center in Chisholm, MN (1005 Discovery Drive Chisholm, MN 55719).
- When is the bike trail open? The first 20+ miles of the trails are currently open from dawn to dusk 7 days a week. Another 5 miles is being completed (The Rim Trail, remains closed and will open sometime in June).
- When can I ride the trails? Riders can enjoy the bike trails from sunrise to sunset 7-days a week. The trails are closed when there is significant rainfall and remain closed for at least 6 hours after rainfall or until dry.
- Do I have to pay to use the bike trails? Nope! You will only pay if you’d like to go through the MN Discovery Center museum and exhibits.
- What other uses does Redhead allow (i.e. hiking, walking, etc.)? Each trail has designated use signage. A majority allow walking/hiking but not all. No motorized vehicles. E bikes are allowed. Trail running is allowed. No public driving of vehicles in the park. Dogs allowed but must be leashed (6ft or less) and cleaned up after. Kayaking, swimming, paddle boarding, canoeing coming June/July 2021.
- What should I do in an emergency at Redhead MTB Park? Please call 911 for all emergencies.
- Is Redhead Mountain Bike Park available on Trailforks? Yes! We are also on base camp. For additional trail condition updates, follow Redhead MTB Park and Iron Range Off Road Cyclists (IROC) on Facebook and Instagram.
- What should I do if I see an issue on Redhead? Download the free Trailforks app. All issues can be reported on the app as a user. Or you can report to MN Discovery Center (during our open hours). IROC prefers the app as the volunteers can be notified right away and go out to fix it. Trails are inspected weekly by IROC volunteers.
- Who owns and maintains the Redhead Mountain Bike Park? – Redhead is a cooperative effort between IROC, The City of Chisholm, and The Minnesota Discovery Center. The Funding for the trail system came from the Department of Iron Range Resources which utilizes taxes generated by mining to foster vibrant growth and economic prosperity in northeastern Minnesota. The City of Chisholm owns the Redhead Mountain Bike Trails. Iron Range Off-Road Cyclists (IROC) maintains general maintenance. If any technical maintenance is needed, the City of Chisholm will call the appropriate vendor. The MN Discovery Center is the trailhead facility.
- Is Redhead MTB Park open year-round? Yes, Redhead will be open year-round with a closure in early spring and late fall early winter. Not all trails will be open during winter months. Allowable uses include: fat biking, snowshoeing.
- Can you ride normal bikes on in the park? Yes, but your experience will be a little more difficult without the suspension and weight of a mountain bike.
- Where can I learn more about Redhead Mountain Bike Park? IROC’s website at irocmtb.com or their facebook page IROC MTB.
MDC Offerings:
- Do you have bike rentals? 30West is the Minnesota Discovery Center’s onsite bike shop with certified bike repair, gear, and bike rentals! 30West Fitness & Rec will have an online reservation system on their website and will encourage people to book online and in advance.
- Do you have water recreation rentals? The Minnesota Discovery Center offers kayak and canoe rentals as well as a shuttle service to the beach area and southern side of the park.
- Do you have bathrooms? There are two outdoor bathrooms at the trailhead and one Porta Potty out at Glen Location. The restrooms at the MN Discovery Center will be available for use during our open hours.
- Is there camping or lodging around? The City of Chisholm campground is open for seasonal booking and are getting it ready to open for reservations. The Chisholm Inn & Suites is a hotel right across the highway from the MN Discovery Center. We are looking for more camping opportunities in the future.
- Do you have any bike supplies in your gift shop? Yes, our gift shop will offer a variety of bike parts.