Your guide to Wisconsin’s best mountain biking

One of the best ways to discover Wisconsin’s summer beauty is from a bike seat—and things only get better when you leave the road. Wisconsin has some of the best mountain biking in the Midwest, including trails that will take you through wild forests, past Northwoods lakes and through a native prairie. These trails are located in some of Wisconsin’s best getaway destinations. Load up your bike and grab your helmet—here are four of our favorite rides.

Middleton Bike Park

Some outstanding riding can be found just minutes from downtown Madison. The Middleton Bike Park is located at Pleasant View Golf Course, with an entrance just off the parking lot. It was built in 2010 by the local bike club Capital Off-Road Pathfinders (CORP), with the help of nationally renowned designers Mike Riter and Ben Blitch.

The bike park features three main components: a pump track, a jump line and a short single-track loop. The pump track is a winding course that runs over mounds of dirt known as rollers. The track is approximately 5,000 square feet and is designed so that a rider doesn’t need to pedal. Instead, riders maintain their momentum by moving their bodies in a pumping motion. Miles of additional trails will take you through the surrounding woods and prairie.

Standing Rocks County Park

In the Stevens Point Area, this rugged county park is a favorite spot for winter enthusiasts, featuring Nordic ski trails, snowshoe trails and a downhill run. In the warmer months, some of these trails become the domain of mountain bikers. Riders will find a challenging 13-mile network to explore in this wooded park, including plenty of climbs and thrills.

Razorback Ridges

Mountain bikers will find trail riding heaven just outside Sayner in the beautiful Northwoods of Vilas County. Razorback Ridges is a beautiful trail system containing more than 12 miles of trails, including cross-country riding and challenging single track.

Mud Lake Trail

The home of the Hodag is also home to some of the best riding in the Northwoods. Just north of Rhinelander, you’ll find the Mud Lake Trail, an eight-mile system of single and double-track trails that occasionally hosts mountain bike races. The fun doesn’t stop when the snow flies—the trails are groomed for fat biking in the winter.