Recreation
The Lodge at Giants Ridge is the perfect home base for accessing all that the Giants Ridge recreation area, the Superior National Forest, and the surrounding Mesabi Iron Range have to offer.
Please note: While the Lodge is located in the heart of the Giants Ridge recreation area, it is separately owned and operated. All recreation options and hours of recreation operations are managed solely by Giants Ridge. The Lodge is not in charge of whether the ski area, rental shop, tubing, trails, golf courses, etc. are open or available.
Summer 2024 Updates
Mountain Biking: Downhill, lift-assisted mountain biking will only be open Saturday and Sunday – with the exception of Monday, May 27th (Memorial Day). Cross country trails will be open every day, weather permitting.
Hiking: North Face and Sleeping Giant hiking trails are closed Monday-Friday. Wynn Lake Vista Trail is closed all summer.
Frisbee Golf: Closed all summer.
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ATVing & Off-roading
Located in the heart of hundreds of miles of trails, The Lodge at Giants Ridge is the ideal home base for ATV and off-roading getaways. Trail links are directly accessible from The Lodge. Plus there’s room for trailer parking. From dedicated ATV trails to forest roads, you won’t run out of terrain to explore.
If you’d like a unique off-roading challenge, you’re in for a treat. The Lodge at Giants Ridge is located just 7 miles from Minnesota’s only off highway vehicle (OHV) Park. The Iron Range Off-highway Vehicle State Recreation Park, located in Gilbert, features 36 miles of scenic vistas, wooded trails, rock climbs and mud holes. ATVs, side by sides, dirt bikes and Jeeps are welcome on trails ranging from easy to most difficult.
The park covers 1,200 acres, with a 2,700 expansion under development. Entrance is free for Minnesota residents. All vehicles must be licensed and registered in your home state and meet certain off-road requirements.
Jeepers get their own trails at the OHV Park but can also take advantage of the Mesabi Mountain Trail in Eveleth. The Mesabi Mountain Trail recommends 35-inch tires, lockers and a winch.
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Boating & Paddling
The Giants Ridge Recreation Area is home to Sabin (314 acres, 40’ deep), Wynne (278 acres, 52’ deep) and the Embarrass Mine (156 acres, 435’ deep) lakes. All offer stunning, Boundary-waters like scenery to explore and public boat launches. Unlike the Boundary Waters, motorized watercraft are allowed on all lakes. Plus, you can relax in comfortable Lodge accommodations at the end of a long paddle. There is ample room in The Lodge parking lot for jet ski and boat trailer parking.
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Climbing Wall
An outdoor, 32-foot high climbing wall is located just steps from The Lodge behind the Giants Ridge Chalet. Six auto-belay climbing lanes are available to give climbers a range of options from easy to challenging. The climbing wall is a great activity for corporate outings and birthday parties.
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Disc Golfing
Giants Ridge features one of the state’s most challenging, and longest 18-hole disc golf course. Located on the mountain, the course covers over 80 acres and traverses 500 ft. of elevation.
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Golfing
The Quarry and the Legend golf courses at Giants Ridge are among the most pristine, highly-rated and scenic courses you can play not only in Minnesota, but also in the United States. Most recent among these courses many accolades:
In 2017 the Quarry was ranked as the #1 public course in Minnesota by Golfweek magazine, and also was named to the “Top 50 Courses You Can Play” list by WorldGolf.com.
In 2017 the Quarry was ranked #8, and the Legend ranked #28 in Top 100 Courses in the US by MyGolfSpy.
In 2016 Legend hole #17 was named to Golf Advisor’s Best Iconic Par 3s in North America list.
The Legend golf course and clubhouse is located just steps from The Lodge at Giants Ridge. The Quarry is located 2 miles south of The Lodge.
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Hiking
Five trails are available for hiking and walking within the Giants Ridge Resort Area.
The North Face Trail is accessible directly to the west of The Lodge the first portion of this 3-mile trail follows a cat track up the mountain before winding through a loop around the woods. Hikers are rewarded with vista views of the Superior National Forest and Sabin and Wynne lakes.
The Birches Trail is accessible directly from The Lodge and begins just past hole #10 of the Legend golf course. The trail is wide and winds up and down along a snowmobile and cross country ski trail, and for a short distance on the golf cart path for a 4-mile trip. The Laurentian Shelter along the trail offers views of Wynne Lake.
The Sleeping Giant Trail is accessible to the south of The Lodge, just off of the Mesabi bike trail. The first portion of the 3-mile trail is narrow and climbs up through the forest. Mid way up the mountain the trail opens up and follows a cross country ski trail loop through the woods. The trail intersects with the North Face Trail at the top of the ski area to offer an additional hiking route and added distance.
The Narrows Trail begins just across Giants Ridge Road from The Lodge and travels along the narrow land between Sabin and Wynne lakes. Follow the Mesabi biking/walking Trail south to the entry point. This 1-mile trail wooded trail loops through the forest and features lake views. Minimal elevation makes it a great trail for families with young children.
The Mesabi trail, directly outside the Lodge, offers a scenic outdoor escape, and because it’s paved in either direction from The Lodge, it’s great for walking, jogging, rollerblading and is wheelchair accessible. There is some uphill and downhill elevation along the trail and two scenic bridges, one over the Wynne Lake narrows, and one over the Embarrass River. This is an out and back trail and distances are not marked. However, from The Lodge the town of Biwabik is 4 miles to the south. The town of Aurora is 5 miles to the east/southeast. And, to the northeast the trail terminates after 5 miles at Highway 135.
Giants Ridge hiking map
Note: Narrows Trail not shown. -
Mountain Biking
Giants Ridge features eight purpose-built gravity-flow trails, including Kitty Kat and Tadpole beginner trails, Leapfrog intermediate trail, Sector 12 advanced trail and Goliath and Granite Gorge expert only trails. The lift runs Fridays through Sundays and some holidays. Ten miles of cross-country single track is now open.
Please check for specific chairlift hours as they are subject to change based on weather conditions and sunset times.
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Playground
The children’s playground, located between The Lodge and the Giants Ridge Chalet, features multiple slides, lookouts and climbing options great for burning energy.
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Road Biking
The Mesabi Trail is a 135-mile reclaimed rail trail that runs right through the Giants Ridge Recreation area and is accessible right out the front door of The Lodge at Giants Ridge. The trail primarily winds east/southeast from Giants Ridge, connecting through dozens of quaint small towns on the way to its terminus in Grand Rapids. Shorter links run a few miles to the north/northwest of the Lodge (future construction will eventually connect the trail to Ely) and southeast to Hoyt Lakes. The trail is paved in the areas surrounding The Lodge, and in other areas consists of crushed limestone and gravel. Bike rentals are available from the Giants Ridge Chalet located next door to the Lodge. A $15 annual or $5 three-day pass, accessible at self-pay stations, is required.
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Alpine & Nordic Skiing & Snowboarding
The Lodge at Giants Ridge is located at the base of the Giants Ridge ski area and is the only ski in/ski out lodging property at Giants Ridge. The Lodge’s instant ski in/ski out access, large indoor pool, hot tub and arcade, and location just three-hours’ drive from the Twin Cities, makes our resort a family favorite winter sports destination.
Snowboarders, downhill and cross country skiers will appreciate:
- 35 downhill runs served by 6 lifts, including the new (2018) Sarajevo high-speed quad
- 500 ft. vertical drop and 202 skiable acres
- Two terrain parks
- 60 kilometers of groomed, Olympic-class cross country ski trails
- Snow tubing on select weekends
- Ski & board rentals and lessons
For dates, rates and conditions, visit Giants Ridge
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Fat Tire Biking
Giants Ridge allows fat tire biking on select Nordic ski trails during prime conditions (snow is hard packed and/or biking on fresh now does not leave a rut greater than 1-inch deep. Fat Tire Bikes are also available for rent at the Chalet, located next door to the Lodge.
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Snowmobiling
The Lodge at Giants Ridge offers direct access to the surrounding Aurora-Hoyt Lakes-Biwabik snowmobile trails, which connect into hundreds of miles of additional trails including the Moose, Taconite, Laurentian, Iron Ore and Virginia Spur Trails, and more. Space is available for trailer parking.
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Snowshoeing
Five snowshoe trails are available at Giants Ridge, including the North Face, Single Track, Lower and Upper Sleeping Giant and Deer Valley. Snowshoe passes and snowshoe rentals can be purchased at the Giants Ridge Chalet, located next door to The Lodge.
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Snow Tubing
For those interested in heading downhill on something other than a board or skis, Giants Ridge offers snow tubing. Let the tow rope bring you up and enjoy yourself all the way down. Must be at least 42” tall AND 5 years old to ride.