Mountain Biking Near Iron Mountain, MI: An Intermediate Rider’s Guide to the Best Local Trails
I will start this guide with an important disclaimer: I am not an expert mountain biker.
You will not catch me clearing massive gaps gracefully (or at all, probably) or sending myself down a double-black rock face on purpose. I walk features and go over my handlebars from time to time.
You are, however, still going to catch me out there ripping trail. I LOVE the feeling of challenging my body and exploring the beautiful trails around Wildman Adventure Resort from a set of wheels.
My first-ever mountain bike ride was actually right here in the southern Upper Peninsula, my first summer working at Wildman in 2022. One of my fellow staff members convinced me to try the Ogee trails across from the fairgrounds in Norway, Michigan.
As a brand-new mountain biker, I did not have a method of transporting said bike on a vehicle of any kind, so the two of us rode from Wildman’s Menominee River Outpost to the trailhead in Marion Park on the shoulder of Highway 8.
I began questioning the entire hobby somewhere on the uphill climb with semis blowing past me and plenty of time to work my way through all five stages of grief. When we finally made it to the trail network in Marion Park, I realized I was hooked as I zoomed between trees and around corners on the Bear Hunt Trail.
The next summer, I drove to Rhinelander to buy a used (and nearly old enough to qualify as vintage) full-suspension LaPierre Zesty off Facebook Marketplace. I had never heard of LaPierre. But $700 and an active Marketplace account will get you surprisingly far in the Northwoods.
Since then, I’ve explored many of the mountain biking trails in northern Marinette County and in Iron Mountain. If you’re looking for trail networks with a variety of difficulty, mountain biking in the Iron Mountain area might be just what you need! There are trails friendly enough for first timers just minutes away from challenging technical descents that rival those out west.
The Wisconsin-Michigan border around Iron Mountain, Norway, Niagara and northern Marinette County has become a seriously fun little mountain biking pocket. I refuse to let all the hype go to Copper Harbor and Marquette.
You can ride fast singletrack through the woods in Wisconsin, hit rocky trails overlooking Piers Gorge in Michigan, pedal right outside downtown Iron Mountain, and now even spend a day riding lift-served downhill at Pine Mountain.
So, from one enthusiastic but moderately skilled mountain biker, here’s where I’d ride.
Strong Falls Trails: My Pick for a Full Afternoon of Singletrack
If someone asked me where to spend a full day mountain biking on the Wisconsin side of the border, I’d probably send them to Strong Falls.
Located in Marinette County near Goodman and McClintock County Parks, the Strong Falls trail system has grown into around 20 miles of singletrack built by volunteers from the , with everything from approachable riding to rocky, technical sections. It’s technically classified as “dual-use” for hikers and bikers, but I rarely see any hikers on the trail unless they are lost and looking for the actual Strong Falls Waterfalls, which can be found in McClintock Park, a few miles away. So embarrassing! (I’m kidding – this has been me, so I’m speaking from firsthand experience. Oops!)
There are a few ways to start your ride.
You can park directly at the Strong Falls trailhead and roll straight onto green singletrack. This is my preferred strategy because I came here to ride mountain bike trails, not to discover how long I can pedal down a gravel access road while thinking about the mountain bike trails waiting at the other end. The Strong Falls Trailhead has a pit toilet and a station with bike tools for a quick tune-up before you start your ride.
Alternatively, you can start your ride at McClintock Park (you will need a Marinette County Parks Pass to park here) and ride roughly two miles in on gravel. This route does have one major advantage: when you’re done, you’re already at McClintock Park, with access to the beautiful Peshtigo River. There are few things better after a sweaty summer ride than plopping directly into the river and cooling off before getting back into your car.
The whole system is made up of many smaller interconnected trails ranging from 0.5 to 2 miles each. There’s a trail map at every intersections, so you can choose your own adventure after each leg without having to commit to a huge long trail. My favorite Strong Falls ride is essentially one big lap around the outside of the system, linking trails 801, 810, 820, 815, 823 and, when open, 822. Check the current map and closure signs before riding—parts of the system are still being developed, and trail conditions can change.
Strong Falls is maintained and developed in partnership with the Marinette Area Mountain Bike Association, and the main Strong Falls trailhead does not require a county park pass. Access through McClintock or Goodman parks does require the normal park entry fee. There is no park fee required to park at Strong Falls Trailhead.
Best for: A longer ride, fast and flowy singletrack, intermediate riders who like some technical variety, and sweaty people who want to jump in the Peshtigo River afterward.
Piers Gorge and the Ogee Trails: Technical Riding With a Very Good View
Piers Gorge is best known for something else around here: whitewater. The Menominee River drops through a series of Class IV rapids, creating one of the best stretches of whitewater in the Midwest! Up above the gorge is a surprisingly fun network of mountain bike trails.
One of my favorites is Traveling Riverside Blues, and BOY is it a burner! (It’s classified as a black on Trailforks, but I’d put it more in the intermediate catagory.)
My preferred riding direction is counterclockwise, which puts the more challenging climbs toward the beginning. After working your way through some dense pine forest and some more open, grassy stretches beneath the maple canopy, you’ll reach my favorite spot to take a breather. you’ll reach a small overlook above the river, which is an excellent place to stop, catch your breath and remember that you’re doing this recreationally.
Once you leave the overlook and start the back half of the trail, riding becomes faster and flowier, with enough technical spots mixed in to keep you paying attention. Right before the end, you can choose a green switchback descent or a very steep and rocky black trail down to the main intersection. It’s a little sneaky and not super well marked, so be careful out there!
This is also where I learned largely through trial by fire.
If you’ve stayed or rafted with Wildman before, there’s a decent chance you’ve met James. (If so, you’ll understand exactly what I’m talking about here.) James was one of the people who got me into mountain biking, and I think part of the reason I improved quickly was because riding with him followed a simple instructional philosophy:
KEEP UP!
Or go over your handlebars alone with nobody there to scoop you up. I went over my handlebars anyway on one of our speed rides through Traveling Blues. When I eventually made it back to the trailhead, James looked at me and said:
“Oh. I was wondering what took you so long.”
Inspirational!
The broader Ogee trail system extends around the Norway/Piers Gorge area. These trails are older and a little more rugged than something newer like Strong Falls. There are rocks, roots, punchy climbs and places where picking a good line matters.
My recommendation for REALLY earning your view: Take the Panorama Trail uphill. This multi-switchback climb rewards you with a deck overlooking the forest around Piers Gorge State Park, and easy access to a handful of beginner and intermediate trails in the Ogee System.
Best for: Riders who want something a little more rugged, anyone who likes earning their downhill, and intermediate riders who appreciate a breather with a good view
Millie Hill: Mountain Biking Right in Iron Mountain
Millie Hill essentially sits in downtown Iron Mountain, making it super unique for mountain biking in the Upper Peninsula.
Instead of having to drive all the way out into the woods, it’s close enough to downtown that a post-ride rooftop beer at Sandstone Terrace is a reasonable continuation of the itinerary.
I haven’t spent nearly as much time riding Millie as I have Strong Falls or Piers Gorge, so I’m not going to pretend this is my definitive trail-by-trail guide. What I can tell you is that the location is cool, the views over Iron Mountain are worth the climb, and the trail system packs a surprising amount into a fairly small footprint.
Millie Hill has about 200 feet of vertical and eight trails ranging from beginner terrain into advanced riding, including jump lines and more technical downhill options.
You can ride something approachable, get comfortable, and then stare at a harder line for several minutes while trying to decide whether today is the day.
Sometimes it is and sometimes it isn’t. But an ice cold beer could await you either way.
Best for: A shorter ride, riding without leaving Iron Mountain, mixed skill levels and anyone strongly motivated by post-bike beverages.
Pewabic Hill: Next on My List
Alright, in the spirit of transparency, I’ve gotta let y’all know that I haven’t ridden Pewabic Hill yet.
Pewabic is one of the newest pieces of the Iron Mountain trail scene. Dickinson Trail Network helped develop roughly six miles of new trail across a 102-acre property owned by the City of Iron Mountain, again within easy reach of downtown. I really admire DTN’s commitment to reclaiming an old mining area, turning into something that brings unique value to the Iron Mountain Community.
Pewabic is another system built specifically with mountain bikers in mind, including 3 XC loops with rocky, tech options, as well as 2 downhill only flow/jump trails. One of the most unique features is a reclaimed boat – yes, a real boat – that has been transformed with wooden planking into a jump feature. Bet they don’t have THAT in Marquette!
Best for: Riders who want to check out one of Iron Mountain’s newest trail systems, groups of mixed-skill riders who want to stay close together
Pine Mountain: Iron Mountain Has Lift-Served Mountain Biking Now
Pine Mountain Resort has been building out a dedicated mountain bike operation in partnership with Dickinson Trail Network. Riders can now access the mountain by chairlift on Saturdays and shuttle service on Sundays, while the trail system itself remains open for free pedal access throughout the week. I’m typically holding it down at Wildman Adventure Resort on weekends, so I’ve yet to make it out there to try the lift for myself.
Pine Mountain has also said it intends to continue developing the trail network alongside DTN, so this is one I’d watch over the next few years.
For an area that already has Strong Falls, Piers Gorge, Ogee, Millie Hill and the new Pewabic system within a relatively tight radius, adding lift-served riding changes the equation a little, making this area a strong candidate for a true mountain biking destination.
Best for: Downhill-focused riders, people who prefer gravity to cardio, and anyone curious about where the Iron Mountain mountain biking scene is headed.
What About Fumee Lake?
You’ll see Fumee Lake Natural Area included on lists of places to bike around Iron Mountain. You can ride there, but it’s not personally my favorite spot if you’re specifically coming here to mountain bike.
There is a nice, relatively flat route alongside the lake, and Fumee is a beautiful place to be outside. But the one trail with meaningful elevation feels much more like an access/snowmobile trail than mountain bike singletrack: essentially up, then down, without many of the features that make the other systems on this list so much fun.
Is Iron Mountain Actually a Mountain Biking Destination?
A few years ago, I probably would not have framed it that way. But I think we’re getting there.
Dickinson Trail Network says the wider trail network it has helped develop around Dickinson County has grown beyond 40 miles, with active projects at places including Millie Hill, Ogee, Pewabic and Pine Mountain.
Cross the state line into Wisconsin and Strong Falls adds another substantial purpose-built trail system.
That’s what makes riding here interesting.
This isn’t one enormous mountain bike park where you’re going to spend four straight days without moving your car. It’s a collection of very different riding areas packed into a relatively small corner of northeast Wisconsin and the southern Upper Peninsula.
Strong Falls feels different from Piers Gorge which feels different from Millie.
Because Iron Mountain and Niagara sit right along the Wisconsin-Michigan border, you don’t really have to choose between a Wisconsin mountain biking trip and a Michigan mountain biking trip.
Ride both.
Mountain Biking Is Only Part of the Trip
When I first started spending my summers up here in 2022, I didn’t realize how much there is to do in a pretty small area.
You can mountain bike above Piers Gorge and then come back the next day and go whitewater rafting on the Menominee River running through it.
You can spend a morning riding Strong Falls and cool off afterward in the Peshtigo River at McClintock Park, then head to your campsite 20 minutes away at Wildman’s Peshtigo River Outpost.
You can mountain bike in Iron Mountain, Michigan, grab dinner or a beer downtown, then fly through the treetops on a sunset zipline tour.
And for the truly adventurous (or those that are just excited to try something new outdoors!), the Iron Mountain area also provides access to hiking, waterfalls, paddling, rock climbing, paintball, and all kinds of outdoor fun packed into this corner of Wisconsin and Michigan.
I originally came here to work at a whitewater rafting outfitter… I did not expect to leave my first ride convinced that I needed a full-suspension bike.
Yet here we are!
So if you’re coming to Wildman or visiting the northern Wisconsin / UP border and wondering whether it’s worth throwing your mountain bike on the back of the car:
Yes.
Just learn from my overly eager mistake and make sure you actually have a way to put it on the car.
Lodging Close to the Action: Turn it into a full weekend!
Wildman Adventure Resort offers lodging on both the Menominee and Peshtigo Rivers. I recommend booking a cabin at the Menominee River Outpost in Niagara, Wisconsin if you mainly plan to mountain bike the trails in the Dickinson County Trail Network. You can ride directly from the cabins across the road to the Piers Gorge Trails without even needing to load bikes onto a car!
We also partner with Pine Mountain to provide lodging for our guests when cabins are full. This is a great option if you’re hoping to ride the chairlift for downhill mountain biking right at Pine Mountain Resort.
Looking for something closer to Strong Falls? The Peshtigo River Outpost, in Silver Cliff, WI, is about 20 minutes from Strong Falls Trails (and the drive between is unbeatably beautiful!). Riverside camping, Wisconsin glamping, and traditional cabin rentals are all available at Wildman’s Peshtigo Outpost.
You’re already coming here to ride, but there’s enough outdoor adventure in Marinette and Dickinson Counties to keep you excited for a whole weekend. Reach out to our team at 715-757-2938 or contact us here to start planning something extraordinary.
About the Author
Nora, originally from South Carolina, has been part of the Wildman Staff since 2022. While you’re most likely to meet her over the phone as part of our office staff, you might also see her photographing Menominee River rafting trips or guiding the odd zipline or paddleboard trip. She’s an avid word-game enthusiast, hiker, and loves swimming in the Peshtigo River in summer.