CAMPGROUNDS

Located in Crosby, about two hours north of Minneapolis, True North Basecamp is exactly what the name implies. Recently built in the heart of Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area — a landscape once dominated by mining pits and rock deposits — the 33 campsites and six 275-square-foot “north woods industrial” cabins are a place to store your gear and rest your weary head after a day of outdoor adventure. The cabins, with modern conveniences of heat and air conditioning, are just feet from Cuyuna’s world-famous mountain bike trails. 

Recognized by the International Mountain Bicycling Association as one of the country's best trail systems, the park’s 20 miles of groomed fat bike trails beckon in the winter, and in the summer you can shred the red dirt on more than 25 miles of singletrack. Each cabin has a table, four beds, access to high-speed Wi-Fi and charging ports, and is a short walk to the shower house/bathroom. Prepaid reservations are required. Bike rentals are available at Cycle Path Paddle in Crosby.

If you’re searching for a peaceful, wooded, family-friendly campground near a bike trail, the 840-acre Sakatah Lake State Park fits the bill. The 39-mile paved Sakatah Singing Hills Trail, running between Mankato and Faribault, bisects the park along the shoreline, making it the perfect trail for those interested in a flat and easy ride through hardwood forest. Sakatah Lake State Park keeps five campsites permanently on reserve for visitors who bike into the park without motorized vehicles, which makes it a great choice for your next impromptu overnight bike camping trip. Bike rentals are available at Nicollet Bike Shop in Mankato.

Treat yourself to a stay at Great River Bluffs State Park, the southernmost state park on the Minnesota segment of the Mississippi River Trail (MRT). Great River Bluffs keeps five campsites permanently on reserve for bicyclists on Hwy 61 at mile marker 12 (off Fern Glen Road), outside of the main park area in beautiful bluff country. About 20 miles south of Winona and 10 miles north of La Crescent, it’s easy to restock your supplies before setting up camp. 

Take some time to explore the King's Bluff Trail, which offers a breathtaking view of the Mississippi River Valley, and don’t forget your binoculars. The river valley is a major flyway for waterfowl, eagles and hawks. Bike rentals are available at Adventure Cycle and Ski in Winona.

With 124 campsites, four group camps and four camper cabins, William O’Brien State Park on the St. Croix River is the ideal bike escape just north of Marine on St. Croix. The campground is a short distance from the 18-mile Gateway State Trail, which connects St. Paul to Stillwater. Well known as a popular destination for bike-tour-curious bicyclists in the Twin Cities, William O’Brien offers that rare blend of metro-area proximity and natural beauty.

RESORTS

At Giants Ridge in Biwabik, nearly 25 miles of maintained singletrack and connections to the 115-mile paved Mesabi Trail zoom past open-pit mines and through 25 communities in Minnesota’s Iron Range. In the winter, Giants Ridge trails are groomed for fat biking. It was one of the first ski resorts in the state to open its trails to the sport. 

Fat bike rentals are available at the on-site rental shop. Stay at the Lodge at Giants Ridge during your biking adventure, and enjoy access to a heated indoor pool and hot tub, game room, outdoor lounge and bonfire area, and condos with whirlpool tubs, fireplaces and full kitchens.

HOTELS

Stay where the celebrities stay at the Hyatt Centric Downtown Minneapolis. Formerly known as the Grand Hotel Minneapolis, the elegant, classy and convenient property was originally built in 1912 as the Minneapolis Athletic Club. 

Drop by the front desk in the morning for your complimentary city bike rental, spend your day exploring the city, and then head back to the hotel at night for the complimentary hosted wine hour. The Hyatt is also home to an Aveda spa and massive 58,000-square-foot on-site fitness facility where guests can do yoga, swim or run laps.

While The Chambers Hotel may be located in the heart of the famous Minneapolis theater district, its complimentary bike program is no stage prop. Le Méridien keeps summer- and winter-specific bikes on hand to keep you pedaling all year-round. The free bike rentals aren’t the only perk to staying at Le Méridien, though; your artist-designed room key will also unlock free admission to the prestigious Walker Art Center nearby.

Both hotels — along with local favorites like the Hewing and Four Seasons — are located in beautiful downtown Minneapolis, just a short ride away from the Mississippi River Trail and Cedar Lake Regional Trail. Connect from those trails to the Chain of Lakes, Mill Ruins Park, the historic Stone Arch Bridge, Minnehaha Falls and Theodore Wirth Park via the Grand Rounds Scenic Byway trail system. 

Find more recommended accommodations, including boutique hotels, farm stays, and glamping sites.