Trail Detail

Center City, MN
55k
Skating/Classic
No
No
651-583-2125
[ NWS ]
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Notes

With trails from beginners to expert and a very modern, heated trail center, Wild River State Park is one of the hidden gems for cross-country skiing in eastern Minnesota. The Aspen Knob loop is extremely challenging.
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Trail Reports

Reports 1 to 10 of 14    Month: Jan | Dec
Friday, January 9, 2026
Afternoon
Firsthand: Classic 
[ B skis ]
If you're comfortable and capable on ice, it's very fast with epic gliding/double poling opportunity. I used fish scale classics starting from trail Center on paved Mitigwaki, north on Old Logging to Nevers, south on Mondale River, south side of Amik's pond, up to Visitor Center and return on Old Logging and Mitigwaki. Hills are tricky but skiable. Solid track, and a little fresh snow would do wonders, or wait until it's above freezing if you don't like ice.
Photos:
(Bryan Lueth)
Saturday, January 3, 2026
Afternoon
Firsthand: Classic 
[ Good skis ]
Skied Deer Creek Loop, good double track, occasionally scraped the ice underneath. Deer scattered here and there, and a few swans on the river. Beautiful sunny day despite a cloudy forecast.
Photos:
(Bryan Lueth)
Saturday, January 3, 2026
Morning
Firsthand: Classic 
[ Trails Open: All, Good skis ]
The tracks were well set. Only a couple areas under the trees where the trail was a bit thin and gravel was poking out. If you like getting lost while skiing this is the place to be: I had a hard time with the maps as many were missing the dot for you are here. So it took me a while to figure out where I was at times. Lots of intersections and I had to guess on more than one occasion on which way was the right way to go.
Photos:
(Scott Greymont)
Friday, January 2, 2026
Morning
Firsthand: Classic 
[ Trails Open: All, Good skis ]
It was my first time out in a few years. All trails groomed for classic and freestyle. Even with the grooming done before the dusting Thursday, the trails are well skied and I didn't notice anything poorly groomed. The snow felt a little on the slippery side but I think that's just the environmental/current snowpack conditions. Still, I'd say some of the most top-notch conditions I experienced. Sunny day made for a wonderful time out. Very friendly and helpful park staff. My 2026 resolution - ski more.
Photos:
(Jonathan Reiner)
Thursday, January 1, 2026
Afternoon
Firsthand: Classic 
[ Trails Open: All, Good skis ]
I skied from the Visitor Center down the River Access Road, north along the Walter Mondale River Trail, and back on the Old Logging and Mitigwaki trails. Very nice tracks and good coverage. I was surprised at how much today's light snow filled in the tracks, but lots of skiers worked in the snow. Ten swans across the river at the boat landing.
Photos:
(Kris Backlund)
Thursday, January 1, 2026
Morning
Firsthand: Classic 
[ Trails Open: All, Good skis ]
I skied the outer loops from the trail center. The tracks were set before this morning's fresh snow, but they were in very good conditions. No ice, a little drift in the open spots, and no bare spots either, other than behind the trail center toward the Amador Prairie. Even that was limited and avoidable. The Trillium trail was missing the tracks but that has so many turns, they don't usually last long anyway.
Photos:
(Karoly Horvath)
Thursday, January 1, 2026
Afternoon
Firsthand: Classic 
[ Trails Open: All, Good skis ]
Go ski! Trails are groomed and tracks set on 90% of what I skied, which was north from the Trail Center on Amador Prairie trail, then Sunrise Trail to Trillium Trail, back south on the Old Logging Road, then Mitigwaki back to the Trail Center. A fresh 1"+ this morning, small sections blown over on early Amador, but otherwise just lovely. Get out there and enjoy!
(Rita Minnichsoffer)
Tuesday, December 30, 2025
Evening
Firsthand: Classic 
[ Trails Open: All, Good skis ]
I skied the Mitigwaki Loop and connecting trails. Minimal new snow from today on top of rolled trails. Skied in track only at this point. Coverage was good. Skiing was pleasant, but I look forward to set tracks.
Photos:
(Kris Backlund)
Saturday, December 20, 2025
Afternoon
Firsthand: Freestyle 
[ B skis ]
About an inch of new snow over an icy base in the woods, but open areas blown down to the ice. Good coverage, but tree debris here and there. Skated from Trail Center on Mitigwaki to Old Logging; north to campground and return. Shallow kick and a lot of poling to stay between groomer tracks, fast but rough.
(Bryan Lueth)
Sunday, December 14, 2025
Evening
Firsthand: Classic 
[ Trails Open: All, Good skis ]
You couldn't ask for better conditions and grooming! Packed and tracked very nicely, great base and snow quality, with minimal debris and only the occasional soft spot on the least-used areas like Deer Creek. What a joy to be skiing in this beautiful park in the first half of December.
(Alex Leslie)

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