Top Mountain Bike Trails in Wisconsin: A Guide to the Best Trails.
Wisconsin state welcome sign off of Hwy 90.
Hey y’all! I love riding in Wisconsin. With various mountain biking trails that cater to all skill levels, there’s something for every rider. I’ve tried most of the trails below and can’t wait to explore the rest—there’s a lot to love about them. Wisconsin has it all, whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned rider looking for technical challenges. Here’s my guide to some of the state's top mountain bike trail systems.
Map showing the locations of all the listed trails across Wisconsin.
1. CAMBA Trails - Chequamegon Area Mountain Bike Association
A more advanced section off of Seeley Pass in the CAMBA trail system in Wisconsin.
One of my favorites in Wisconsin is the CAMBA Trails in the Northwoods. Managed by the Chequamegon Area Mountain Bike Association, this trail system offers over 100 miles of singletrack, with a mix of smooth, flowing forest trails and more technical sections with rocks, berms, and roots. Recently, Trek added new trails near Telemark Village, including modern cross-country trails (green-blue-black), Enduro, and Downhill, all connecting to the broader CAMBA network.
The system is divided into clusters, each offering unique trails and scenery:
Hayward Cluster: Great for all skill levels, with smooth and technical singletrack.
Seeley Cluster: Offers technical sections and flowy descents. Key trails include Seeley Pass, Flow Mama, and Gravity Cavity.
Cable Cluster: Home to the new Trek Trails at Mt. Telemark Village, featuring cross-country, Enduro, and Downhill trails.
Namakagon Cluster: Ideal for intermediate riders, with a mix of easy and challenging trails.
Ashwabay Cluster: Near Bayfield, this cluster features scenic and challenging trails that are perfect for exploring a new area.
Location: Cable and Hayward, WI
Trail Features: Mixed terrain, rock gardens, forested paths
Trail Grading: Green (Beginner) to Double Black Diamond (Expert)
Fee: No fee is required for riding.
Trails to Check Out:
Seeley Pass (8 miles): A fast, flowy trail with scenic views, great for intermediate riders.
Flow Mama: Known for its fun, flowing sections with minimal technical features.
Makwa Trail (11 miles): A long, flowing singletrack, ideal for beginner to intermediate riders looking to build endurance.
To learn more about CAMBA trail system, visit Trailforks.
Check out our video on Seeley Pass, Introducing the CAMBA Trails in Northern Wisconsin: in search of Flow Mama.
Finnish Sauna at Roam Basecamp.
Pro Tip: For a place to stay, check out Roam Basecamp. The base camp is in the middle of the trail system and caters to cyclists. And they have a Finnish Sauna. You can read more about Roam in my blog, Roam Basecamp Review: A Solo Camping Adventure in Wisconsin.
2. WinMan Trails - Northern Wisconsin.
The WinMan Trails near Winchester are a mountain biking trail system in Northern Wisconsin that offers a variety of trails for riders of all levels. I haven’t made it up there yet, but I’ve heard great things. The system features over 15 miles of singletrack, plus a pump track and skills area, making it a versatile spot for everything from laid-back rides to challenging technical runs. The trails wind through dense forests, offering a scenic ride with technical elements to keep things interesting.
Location: Winchester, WI
Trail Features: Flowing singletrack, pump track, skills area
Trail Grading: Green (Beginner) to Black Diamond (Advanced)
Fee: $10 for a daily pass or $50 for an annual pass.
Trails to Check Out:
Beginner Route (2.7 miles): Scout Trail to WinMan One.
Flowy Fun (6.6 miles): WinMan One to Flowage, with a return via Roller Creek.
A Bit More Technical (5.5 miles): Includes Flowage, Lake Trail, and Bridge Trail.
A Little Bit of Everything (13.4 miles): Combines various trails for a full experience
To learn more about the Winman trail system, visit Trailforks.
WinMan Trails also has an on-site bar for unwinding after riding. And for those who love winter sports, the trails are open for fat-tire biking during the winter.
3. John Muir Trails - Kettle Moraine State Forest.
I love riding this trail system. You can keep going and going for miles. It's a true cross-country-style trail system with plenty of flow and variety. The John Muir and Emma Carlin Trails in the Kettle Moraine State Forest have a mix of rolling hills, challenging climbs, and technical descents, making them great for riders of all skill levels.
Together, these two trail systems give you a solid mountain biking experience, with loops ranging from beginner-friendly routes to more advanced trails. There’s even a skills course for those looking to practice and sharpen their techniques.
Location: Eagle, WI
Trail Features: Rolling hills, challenging climbs, technical descents, skills course
Trail Grading: Green (Beginner) to Black Diamond (Advanced)
Fee: Wisconsin State Park vehicle admission sticker required. Daily or annual passes are available.
Trails to Check Out:
A typical trail marker sign at Kettle Moraine, showing unique trail names, colors, and difficulty levels to guide riders through the trail system.
John Muir Trail Loops: The main trail system offers several loops. The Green and Blue loops are perfect for beginners and intermediates, while the Black loop has rock gardens and tough climbs for advanced riders.
Emma Carlin Trails: Known for more rugged terrain and longer climbs, these trails are great for intermediate and advanced riders. They also have fast descents, rocky sections, and steeper terrain.
Connector Trail: The Connector Trail links the John Muir and Emma Carlin systems, stretching about 5 miles one way.
Skills Course: A dedicated area to work on your cornering, jumps, and handling technical features before hitting the tougher trails.
To learn more about the Kettle Moraine trail system, visit Trailforks.
Pro tip: I like to get warmed up on the brown loop. It starts pretty, through the pines with sharp turns, and then it goes into a more rocky section. It's great for warming up.
4. La Crosse Trails - ORA Trails
When I rode out here for the first time, I was on my new Specialized S-works Epic EVO Pro RS. Unfortunately, my Sram AXS controller wasn’t working, so I couldn’t ride with gears. But I still got a good feel for the new Gateway trails, and it’s an awesome trail system. La Crosse is home to three main trail systems managed by ORA Trails: Hixon Forest, Upper Hixon Forest, and the newer Gateway Trail System. Each trail system offers a unique experience, making La Crosse a great destination for mountain bikers of all levels.
Location: La Crosse, WI
Trail Features: Scenic overlooks, mixed terrain, technical singletrack, beginner-friendly options
Trail Grading: Green (Beginner) to Black Diamond (Advanced)
Fee: No fee is required for riding.
Trails to Check Out:
Hixon Forest Trails: Provides a range of scenic routes with beautiful views of the Mississippi River Valley.
Upper Hixon Forest Trails: These trails include more challenging routes with technical features and steep climbs, perfect for advanced riders.
Gateway Trail System: This newer trail system offers smooth, beginner-friendly trails with gentle slopes, ideal for new riders or families. But don’t let that fool you—the War Eagle trail, a black diamond, provides an advanced challenge with tight turns, steep descents, and technical rock sections for more experienced riders.
To learn more about the ORA system, visit Trailforks.
5. Standing Rocks Bike Park - Stevens Point
I have not ridden here yet but am dying to do so. Standing Rocks Bike Park has over 13 miles of singletrack, flowing trails, and technical sections. This is a favorite spot for cross-country mountain biking, with trails for all skill levels. The park is also known for its well-maintained routes and a dedicated skills area where riders can practice before hitting the more challenging trails.
Location: Stevens Point, WI
Trail Features: Singletrack, technical sections, flow trails, and a skills area
Trail Grading: Green (Beginner) to Black Diamond (Advanced). The trails are mainly blue with a few Green and Black.
Fee: A daily pass costs $5, and annual passes are available for $30.
Trails to Check Out:
Green Goblin: A fun, flowy trail for beginners, perfect for getting into the rhythm of mountain biking.
Super Duper Looper (West/East): Intermediate trails with a mix of berms and optional jumps. These are some of the most popular loops in the park.
Excalibur: A black diamond trail featuring rock gardens, steep sections, and tight corners—great for advanced riders looking for a challenge.
Hard Scrabble: Another black diamond trail with technical rock features and steep climbs, ideal for riders looking to test their skills.
To learn more about the Standing Rocks trail system, visit Trailforks.
6. Blackhawk - Middleton
Sign at the entrance to East End at Blackhawk Ski Club, marking the location of the skills area.
I just rode this trail system and loved it. The trails are short but fun. These trails are incredibly diverse and have many features—from downhill sections with jumps, techy rock gardens, and berm after berm to a trail that is all downhill or uphill switchbacks. You can really gain a lot from these trails if you're looking to get better. Located just outside of Madison in Middleton, the Blackhawk trail system is a hidden gem for mountain bikers. Blackhawk offers a variety of trails, from beginner-friendly routes to more technical and challenging sections for experienced riders. The terrain mixes smooth, flowy trails and tighter, more technical sections that require skill. Blackhawk is also known for its bike park, which includes features like jumps and pump tracks, making it a great spot for riders looking to practice different skills.
The trails wind down and around ski jumps that look almost ghostlike in the summer, surrounded by grass as they stand tall in the landscape.
One of the ski jumps at Blackhawk Ski Club stands tall, with grass surrounding it during summer.
Although unrelated, Blackhawk connects to Middleton Bike Park, expanding your riding options with more features and trail variety. The Middleton trails are well-maintained and suitable for riders of all levels, so you can ride various loops, improve your flow, or tackle more advanced sections.
The Trailforks map showing the proximity of Blackhawk and Middleton trails, connected by the 1700 ft Endman Ski Trail.
Location: Middleton, WI
Trail Features: Singletrack, flow trails, bike park with jumps and pump tracks
Difficulty: Beginner to advanced
Skills Area: The Blackhawk Skills Area is designed for riders to practice technical skills like jumps, berms, and wooden features.
Fee: $45 per year for an individual membership, with family memberships available. This fee gives riders year-round access, including for fat-tire biking in the winter.
Gentleman riding under a bridge on the Don't Worry trail. The bridge is part of the Be Happy trail at Blackhawk Ski Club.
Trails to Check Out:
Twist & Shout: A great intermediate trail full of twists and turns, perfect for riders looking to sharpen their cornering skills.
Roller Coaster: A fun, flowy trail with rolling terrain and mild jumps for all skill levels.
Howling Wolff: A blue downhill trail and one of my favorites with steep sections and technical features.
Be Happy: This blue trail is downhill with jumps and many berms and is super fun, but going back up on No Worries might not be as fun.
Slice (Middleton Bike Park): A blue trail with fast descents and technical features like berms and bridges, offering a good challenge for intermediate and advanced riders.
To learn more about the Blackhawk Ski Club and Middleton trail system, visit Trailforks.
7. CamRock Bike Park - Cambridge
CamRock Bike Park has a ton of wooden features, technical rock sections, and rock drops, making it a go-to spot for riders looking to push their skills. Located along Koshkonong Creek, the trail system winds through oak savannahs, forests, and rocky terrain. With flowy singletrack and more technical trails, this is the best trail system I have come across that has a good balance for beginners and advanced riders.
Location: Cambridge, WI
Trail Features: Singletrack, rock gardens, flow trails, and wooden features.
Trail Grading: Green (Beginner) to Double Black Diamond (Advanced)
Fee: A trail pass is required. You can purchase a day pass for $8 or an annual pass for $25. There’s a kiosk right at the trailhead for convenient purchasing.
Trails to Check Out:
Turn It Up: One of my favorite trails with a bit of a downhill flow feel with lots of berms.
Area 51: This black trail has many wooden features to test your skills. I want to master this trail.
Rattlesnake: This technical trail has rocky terrain and rugged features. I liked this trail a lot.
Outback: A winding trail with moderate technical features, perfect for riders looking to test their skills.
Corkscrew: This trail has all the tight twists and turns you could ever want in a trail.
To learn more about the Camrock Bike Park trail system, visit Trailforks.
8. Quarry Ridge - Fitchburg (Near Madison)
The Quarry Ridge trail system is small but mighty. These trails offer a range of options, from beginner-friendly paths to more technical sections, making it a great choice for riders of all skill levels. Quarry Ridge features singletrack and flow trails with moderate climbs and descents, providing plenty of variety for all riders.
Location: Fitchburg, WI (Near Madison)
Trail Features: Singletrack, flow trails, moderate climbs, descents, wooden features for practice.
Trail Grading: Green (Beginner) to Blue (Intermediate)
Fee: No fee is required for riding.
Trails to Check Out:
Rewind: A flowy, blue trail with fun turns and berms, great for working on your cornering.
Pork Chop: A short, blue, steep technical trail with jumps into ravine-like dips. I love this trail.
Three Sisters: This trail is black with tight berms and jumps.
To learn more about the Quarry Ridge trail system, visit Trailforks.
9. Silver Lake County Park Trails - Salem
The Silver Lake County Park Trails has over 10 miles of well-maintained singletrack winding through 260 acres of diverse terrain. The trails suit riders of all levels, offering everything from beginner-friendly routes to more challenging technical sections.
Location: Salem, WI
Trail Features: Singletrack, technical sections, flow trails, scenic lake views
Trail Grading: Green (Beginner) to Black Diamond (Advanced)
Fee: No fee is required for riding.
Trails to Check Out:
Little Wing: One of my favorite trails. It is a fast and flowy trail great for intermediate riders, featuring a mix of berms and rollers.
Barbed Wire: One of my favorite trails. It is a more advanced trail with rocky sections and tight turns designed for experienced riders.
Creekside: A scenic, beginner-friendly trail with smooth singletrack running along the creek.
Rudie’s Run: One of my favorite trails, this one can be challenging, with technical rock features perfect for advanced riders.
The Pines: A flowing, beginner trail that weaves through a pine forest is great for beginners or where you warm up like me.
To learn more about the Silver Lakes trail system, visit Trailforks.
Wisconsin: Beer, Cheese, and Awesome Mountain Bike Trails – Why I Love Wisconsin.
Photographer Will Roberts captures a vintage Pabst Blue Ribbon sign in Wisconsin.
I have a lot of heart for Wisconsin. I lived in Milwaukee for a time before moving back to Chicago, but for an outdoor adventure experience, Wisconsin gets five stars. The communities here put a lot of heart into creating and maintaining these trails, and that’s what makes these bike parks so outstanding. Each has its own personality too. Don’t knock a trail system just because it’s not your style—someone else might love it. Each to their own, I say. That’s what you’ll find in the list above—a good mix of amazing trails throughout the state of Wisconsin. Enjoy the ride, and I hope to see you on the trails.
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