From Abandoned Mine to World-Class MTB Gem, Redhead Rises as a Must-Ride Destination
- Josh Rizzo
- Apr 3
- 4 min read
Built on reclaimed iron mining land in Chisholm, Minnesota, Redhead MTB Park opened in 2020 and offers 25+ miles of world-class trails and stunning crystal clear lake views with plans to expand even more. Check out how it came to be and details to plan your next weekend adventure exploring Redhead and Chisholm.
Reclaimed for Adventure: Mountain Biking on Historic Mining Land
The park was envisioned in 2008 and officially opened in 2020. Thousands of outdoor enthusiasts travel from other parts of the country and world to Chisholm, Minnesota, so they can experience a mountain biking experience like no other. I have personally seen vehicles from all states surrounding Minnesota and states as far away as Colorado and California.
Redhead boasts a 1,225 acre footprint that sits amongst the remains of iron mining from more than a century ago. Piles of waste rock and large open mine pits create the perfect landscape for repurposing and reclaiming once mined ground. The trails provide numerous outdoor immersion opportunities at little or no cost.
Volunteers team with City of Chisholm staff to manage and maintain the trails. As a volunteer trail adopter, I look after my own little piece of a mountain on the South Rim trail.
Why Redhead is Becoming a Bucket-List MTB Destination
Access over twenty five miles of current mountain biking and hiking trails. With a goal of nearly seventy miles envisioned for this trail system, Redhead Mountain Bike Park is becoming one of the largest and most scenic biking parks in the whole country. This park will be considered as an International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA) Ride Center once fifty to seventy five total trail miles are developed in the coming years. Pump tracks, accessible trails, campgrounds, additional trailheads, picnic areas along the trails, hiking specific trails, and additional trail expansion projects are just a few of the planned 2025 projects.
Mountain bikers can expect trails rated for all riding abilities. Beginners or those looking for a more easy ride can ride trails closer to the trailhead on green trails like Spell Bound, the High Road, and the Pines. Intermediate to expert level riders should surely ride the entire Rim trail that flirts with the steep drops and unending views as you ride 360 degrees around the entire Redhead park footprint. This trail is one way to access the south trails. Downhill, flow, jumping, and technical rock crossing lovers should absolutely ride Roller Derby, Orange Crush, Pit Plunge, and Secret Garden. Derailed has rocky trail features similar to those I’ve ridden on the Barr Trail at Pike’s Peak. Recenter your soul while traversing the Fractured Falls forest. It may have the longest and steepest climb out, but I bet this may also be a trail you keeping coming back for. Whatever the trails you ride.
More Than Just Trails: Redhead’s Full Outdoor Experience
In addition to mountain biking, the Redhead MTB park also offers hiking, swimming, and water sports such as canoeing, kayaking, and paddle boarding. Arrange solo or group excursions such as canoeing or kayaking in the pit. Paddle the park’s lowest area while marveling for minutes or hours past geological features exposed by iron mining. Be sure to fully immerse yourself in mining history by diving off the big pit’s floating dock and swimming in the crystal clear blue waters.
For those taking a break from the trails, visit Minnesota Discovery Center’s indoor and outdoor museum attractions across the previously mined historical sites across the property. Ride an original trolley as it rumbles along tracks originally built for transporting thousands of immigrant
workers to and from the mining locations. Glen Location is a preserved example of accommodations available to miners over one hundred years ago. The indoor facilities are a great place to escape the heat or inclement weather, while also learning more about the park’s mining history. Outdoor festivals also provide summertime opportunities to gather on the grounds for concerts in the outdoor amphitheater.
Not much in life is free, but if you have all the necessary biking, hiking, and paddling equipment, your summer Redhead MTB Park experiences are completely free. Rest assured that everything is rentable on site if you don’t have the needed equipment. Minnesota Discovery Center rents canoes and kayaks. More information regarding rentals and the shuttle service from the MDC upper property to the dock and beach is available at www.mndiscoverycenter.org. Bike rentals and purchases are available at the 30 West Bike shop located on the MDC grounds.
Chisolm, A Hub for Even More Adventure Around the Range
Chisholm is a progressive Iron Range town with many restaurants serving anything from Valentini’s pasta, multiple burgers and wing joints, and Black Bear Bakery’s fresh bakery. Find campgrounds, mine views of working mines, lakes, golf courses, rivers, atv trails, connections to the paved Mesabi trail covering 165 miles from Grand Rapids to Ely, the Canadian border two hours North, and nice people across Minnesota’s Iron Range. Numerous mountain biking locations such as Giants Ridge in Biwabik, Cuyuna in Crosby/Ironton, Ely, and Grand Rapids’ Tioga, are all located within a two hour drive. Additional trails nearby are up the North Shore, a section of road from Duluth, Minnesota to Canada. MTB riders could realistically plan a full week of riding between these Ride the Range trail systems and surrounding area. Contact a Ride the Range trail ambassador (www.ridetherange.com/ ambassadors/ ) for more information about their specific park or to ride the trails with.
