Things To Do on an eBike in St. Louis County, MN
St Louis County stretches from Lake Superior to the Iron Range, and the riding changes with it. Duluth has paved and gravel corridors, including the Lakewalk, the Cross City Trail and the DWP Trail. The city lists 30 miles of paved accessible trail and 16 miles of gravel accessible trail in its system.
Two Minnesota DNR trails also meet Duluth. The Munger State Trail is paved for 70 miles to Hinckley. The C.J. Ramstad/North Shore State Trail runs 142 miles of natural surface toward Grand Marais. Farther north, Hibbing has the Carey Lake Bike Trail. This guide covers lengths, trailheads, surfaces and the eBike rules that apply.
Where to ride in St Louis County
Most of the riding listed here is in and around Duluth, where the Lakewalk, Cross City Trail and DWP Trail connect or sit close together. The two DNR state trails leave Duluth toward Hinckley and Grand Marais. Hibbing has the 4-mile Carey Lake Bike Trail, and the Mesabi Trail is listed at 135 miles across the Iron Range with a Hibbing trailhead. Several rental businesses are in Duluth.
The Cross City Trail is 10.3 paved miles, the DWP Trail about 10 miles of crushed stone, and the Lakewalk 7 miles of asphalt. The Munger is 70 paved miles, and the North Shore State Trail is 142 miles of natural surface. Carey Lake is 4 asphalt miles. None lists an e-bike-specific rule, so the state default applies, but natural-surface trail managers may regulate eBikes.
eBike shop hubs
Pick a city to see its shops, rental services and repair listings. Duluth has 10 of the county's 18, and Chisholm, Hermantown and Virginia have 2 each.
- eBike shops in Chisholm
- eBike shops in Duluth
- eBike shops in Ely
- eBike shops in Hermantown
- eBike shops in Virginia
- eBike shops in Hibbing
Rental and tour contacts
Rental cards in the directory include Traverse Duluth and Wheel Fun Rentals | Canal Park, along with Skihut Adventure Center and Mesabi Recreation. Call ahead to confirm whether eBikes are in the fleet and what the rental terms are.
Traverse Duluth🚲 Rentals
Skihut Adventure Center🚲 Rentals
Wheel Fun Rentals | Canal Park🚲 Rentals
Mesabi Recreation🚲 Rentals
Named eBike routes and access checks
1. Duluth Lakewalk: Lake Superior by asphalt
The Lakewalk is the lakefront ride most visitors want. It runs along Lake Superior from Canal Park and is listed at 7 miles of asphalt. Access points include the Canal Park Museum and the 26th Ave. East and London Rd. end. The managing agency is not stated in the source used here, so there is no published manager page to cite for local limits. Expect walkers, runners and rental riders near Canal Park, especially in summer. The route is flat compared with the hills above it, so a motor mostly helps with headwinds off the lake. Treat it as a shared path, ride at walking pace in crowds and pass with a bell or voice call.
Distance: 7-mile asphalt path, per TrailLink; start: Canal Park Museum, or 26th Ave. East and London Rd; surface: Asphalt.
eBike access: No e-bike-specific rule is published for the Lakewalk. Minnesota's default applies: Class 1 and 2 may use shared paths with the motor on, and Class 3 is allowed unless the local authority prohibits it. Etiquette and planning: Yield to pedestrians, give an audible signal before passing and slow down near Canal Park. Follow any posted signs, since the manager is not named in the published source. Managing source: TrailLink, Duluth Lakewalk.
2. Cross City Trail: Lakewalk to the Munger
The Cross City Trail ties Duluth's east and west sides together. The City of Duluth lists it at 10.3 miles of pavement. It connects the Lakewalk in downtown Duluth with the Willard Munger State Trail and Waabizheshikana: The Marten Trail in western Duluth. That makes it the link for longer rides, such as heading from the lake toward Hinckley. The city's master plan says it fills a gap between the Munger Trail and the planned Gitchi Gami Trail, which would run 86 miles from Two Harbors to Grand Marais. Duluth is hilly, so a pedal-assist motor helps on the climbs. The city publishes no separate e-bike rule for this trail.
Distance: 10.3-mile paved trail, per the City of Duluth; start: Downtown Duluth at the Lakewalk, or western Duluth at the Munger State Trail and Waabizheshikana: The Marten Trail; surface: Paved.
eBike access: The City of Duluth publishes no e-bike rule for the Cross City Trail. State default applies: Class 1 and 2 with motor on, Class 3 unless the city prohibits it. Etiquette and planning: Treat road crossings carefully and slow at trail junctions. Keep right, signal before passing and check the city page for construction or closures before a long ride. Managing source: City of Duluth, Cross City Trail.
3. DWP Trail, rail bed along the St. Louis River
The DWP Trail is a City of Duluth corridor on a former rail bed. It runs about 10 miles from 63rd Street West to Becks Road. The city says it is planned to continue eventually under I-35 to Proctor. The surface is crushed stone installed to meet ABA accessibility standards, so it is a steadier ride than a rough natural trail but slower than pavement. Rail beds are gentle, so this suits riders who want fewer hills than the rest of Duluth. Pick 63rd Street West or Becks Road as your start, and check the city's corridor page for current conditions.
Distance: About 10 miles from 63rd Street West to Becks Road, per the City of Duluth; start: 63rd Street West or Becks Road; surface: Former rail bed with crushed stone built to ABA accessibility standards.
eBike access: The City of Duluth publishes no e-bike rule for the DWP Trail. State default applies, and the city could restrict eBikes only on a safety or welfare finding. Etiquette and planning: Crushed stone is looser than pavement, so brake early and give walkers room. Carry a spare tube and check the city page for closures. Managing source: City of Duluth, DWP Trail Corridor.
4. Munger State Trail: 70 paved miles to Hinckley
The Munger State Trail is the long paved ride out of Duluth. The Minnesota DNR manages the Hinckley to Duluth segment and lists it at 70 miles, completely paved. Trailheads are at Hinckley and Duluth. The DNR page lists hiking, bicycling, in-line skating, mountain biking, winter snowmobile riding, horseback riding on some portions, and accessible outdoors, with electric wheelchairs allowed. It gives no class-specific eBike rule. Separately, the DNR says eBikes meeting the state definition are allowed on state trails wherever normal bicycles are allowed. Charge fully before a long out-and-back, since services along the way are not listed.
Distance: 70-mile paved segment from Hinckley to Duluth, per the Minnesota DNR; start: Trailheads at Hinckley and Duluth; surface: Completely paved.
eBike access: The DNR allows eBikes meeting the state definition wherever normal bicycles are allowed on state trails. The trail page lists no separate class rule, so confirm signs on each portion. Etiquette and planning: Share with walkers, skaters and horse riders on some portions. Give an audible signal, keep right and plan your battery for the return trip. Managing source: Minnesota DNR, Munger State Trail.
5. C.J. Ramstad/North Shore State Trail, natural surface to Grand Marais
The C.J. Ramstad/North Shore State Trail runs from Duluth to Grand Marais. The Minnesota DNR manages it and lists it at 142 miles of natural surface. That is a very different ride from the Lakewalk. Expect dirt, roots and rougher footing, so tire choice and a lower speed matter more than motor power. The DNR page lists no class-specific eBike rule. State law says managers of nonmotorized natural-surface trails may regulate eBikes, so read the trail page and posted signs for each section before riding. This is a ride for experienced riders who like to plan ahead.
Distance: 142-mile natural-surface trail from Duluth to Grand Marais, per the Minnesota DNR; start: Duluth, with the route running toward Grand Marais; check the DNR page for access points; surface: Natural surface.
eBike access: The DNR allows eBikes meeting the state definition wherever normal bicycles are allowed on state trails. Managers of natural-surface trails may regulate eBikes, so follow signs. Etiquette and planning: Ride slower on loose or wet ground and yield to walkers. Tell someone your route, since a long natural-surface trail is hard on a drained battery. Managing source: Minnesota DNR, C.J. Ramstad/North Shore State Trail.
6. Carey Lake Bike Trail, short asphalt ride in Hibbing
The Carey Lake Bike Trail is the easy Iron Range option. TrailLink lists it at 4 miles of asphalt. The trailhead is at Vic Powers Park, 25 East 25th Street in Hibbing, or at the Carey Lake Recreation Area. The source does not name a managing agency, so no manager page or local rule is available to cite. It is a good fit for a short family ride or a first eBike outing. The Mesabi Trail is also listed with a Hibbing trailhead, at 135 miles across the Iron Range, but its surface and manager are not stated, so check signs there before planning a long ride.
Distance: 4-mile asphalt trail, per TrailLink; start: Vic Powers Park, 25 East 25th Street, Hibbing, or the Carey Lake Recreation Area; surface: Asphalt.
eBike access: No e-bike-specific rule is published for this trail, and its manager is not named. State default applies: Class 1 and 2 with motor on, Class 3 unless prohibited locally. Etiquette and planning: Keep speed modest on a shared path, give an audible signal when passing and check posted signs at both trailheads for any local limits. Managing source: TrailLink, Carey Lake Bike Trail.
Planning a St Louis County ride
Charging details are not published for these routes, so charge at home or your lodging before you ride. For the Munger State Trail and the North Shore State Trail, plan battery use around the full distance out and back. The Munger trail page lists no services along the way, so do not count on finding a plug.
Crowds are heaviest near Canal Park on the Lakewalk, where walkers and rental riders share the asphalt. Closures and construction are posted by trail managers, so check the City of Duluth pages for the Cross City and DWP trails and the Minnesota DNR pages for the state trails. Ferry and transit details are not published for these routes.
Half-day and full-day eBike plans
Half day: Ride the Duluth Lakewalk from Canal Park for its 7 asphalt miles along Lake Superior, then pick up the Cross City Trail, a 10.3-mile paved trail the City of Duluth links to the Lakewalk. Turn around when your battery says so, and keep the pace slow near the Canal Park crowds.
Full day: Start on the Lakewalk and follow the Cross City Trail west to the Munger State Trail. The Munger is paved for 70 miles toward Hinckley, so choose a turnaround point that leaves battery for the return. Check the DNR page and signs before heading out.
Rainy-season backup: Choose the paved routes when the ground is wet. The Cross City Trail and the Munger State Trail are paved, and the Lakewalk is asphalt. Skip the natural-surface North Shore State Trail after heavy rain, and check manager pages for closures first.
What not to ride in St Louis County
Natural-surface trails without a posted OK: The North Shore State Trail is natural surface. State law lets managers of nonmotorized natural-surface trails regulate eBikes, so read the DNR page and signs before riding, and stay off any section that says no.
Business-district sidewalks: State law bars sidewalk riding in a business district unless local authorities permit it. On other sidewalks, yield to pedestrians and give an audible signal. Use the Lakewalk or street instead near Canal Park.
Trails where Class 3 is prohibited: Class 3 eBikes can use paths unless the local authority or state agency prohibits them. No Duluth rule is published, but check signs on each trail. A Class 3 bike is the likeliest to be restricted.
Under age 15: State law says a person under 15 must not operate an eBike of any class. That applies on every route in this guide, including the short Carey Lake Bike Trail and the paved Munger State Trail.
When to ride St Louis County
Trail managers do not publish seasonal eBike hours for these routes, so check each page before you go. The Munger page lists winter snowmobile riding, so expect different winter use. Summer brings the biggest crowds near Canal Park, and lakeside air can feel much cooler than inland Hibbing, so carry layers. Natural-surface trails are best when dry, and a fully charged battery matters more in cold weather, since cold can cut range.
Minnesota eBike laws and route permission
Minnesota treats an electric-assisted bicycle as a bicycle. Under Minn. Stat. 169.011, it has two or three wheels, a saddle, fully operable pedals, and a motor of no more than 750 watts. It must meet federal rule 16 CFR 1512 and fit Class 1, 2, 3, or multiple mode. Class 1 is pedal-assist that stops at 20 mph. Class 2 can move without pedaling and stops at 20 mph. Class 3 is pedal-assist that stops at 28 mph. Multiple mode switches between classes. Since the 2025 amendment, the battery or drive system must also be tested to a safety standard by a third-party lab. A bike built or sold to be modified out of its class does not qualify.
Under Minn. Stat. 169.222, you ride an eBike like any bicycle, including on the shoulder, in a bike lane, and on a bike route. Class 1 and 2 may use the motor on bicycle paths, trails, and shared use paths unless a state or local rule prohibits it. Class 3 and multiple mode bikes may use them unless the local authority or state agency in charge prohibits it. On sidewalks, yield to pedestrians and give an audible signal. Do not ride on sidewalks in a business district unless local authorities allow it. No one under 15 may operate an eBike, in any class. Local governments may restrict eBikes on trails only if they find use inconsistent with safety, general welfare, or a property conveyance. The BikeMN 2026 session summary says no new eBike laws passed this session.
As of October 8, 2026, Minnesota statutes set no helmet requirement for eBike riders. BikeMN also reports there is no helmet mandate for youth eBike riders. An eBike is a bicycle under Minnesota law, so it needs no license or registration. Some riders will still choose a helmet, especially on faster Class 3 bikes. Check local rules before you ride, since cities and agencies can set their own trail limits. For a plain-language overview, read our guide to Minnesota eBike laws.
Trail access depends on who manages the trail. The DNR says eBikes that meet the state definition are allowed on state trails wherever normal bicycles are allowed. Local governments can restrict eBikes on local trails and bikeways under Minn. Stat. 85.018 and Minn. Stat. 160.263, but only after finding eBike use inconsistent with safety, general welfare, or the terms of a property conveyance. Look for posted signs at the trailhead.
Managers of nonmotorized natural-surface trails and bike parks may regulate eBikes, so a dirt trail can be closed to them even when a paved path nearby is open. Know your bike's class before you go. Your label must show the class, top assisted speed, and wattage. Changing the bike requires a new label, and a bike modified out of its class is no longer an eBike under the definition. A throttle may not push the bike past 20 mph in any mode.
No St Louis County or major-city eBike ordinance, sidewalk rule or pending eBike change was found for the routes covered here, and Minnesota law applies. Class 1 and 2 may ride with the motor on bicycle paths and shared use paths unless prohibited, and Class 3 may too unless the local authority or state agency prohibits it.
Trail managers matter, and the City of Duluth manages the Cross City and DWP trails, and the Minnesota DNR manages the Munger and North Shore state trails. Their pages list no eBike-specific rule. The DNR says eBikes meeting the state definition are allowed on state trails wherever normal bicycles are allowed. Managers of natural-surface trails may regulate eBikes.
One conflict exists on helmet rules, because a site blog post says riders under 18 must wear a helmet, while the state eBike statute, Minn. Stat. 169.222, contains no helmet requirement, and the Bicycle Alliance of Minnesota says there is no helmet mandate for youth eBike riders. State law does bar anyone under 15 from operating an eBike, and a 2026 BikeMN summary says Minnesota passed no new eBike laws this session.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best eBike ride in Duluth for a first-timer?
The Duluth Lakewalk is the easiest start. TrailLink lists it at 7 miles of asphalt along Lake Superior, with access at Canal Park Museum. Keep your speed low near Canal Park, where walkers and rental riders share the path.
Can I ride an eBike from the Lakewalk to the Munger State Trail?
Yes, by way of the Cross City Trail. The City of Duluth says the 10.3-mile paved trail connects the Lakewalk in downtown Duluth with the Willard Munger State Trail. Check city and DNR pages for closures before a longer ride.
How long is the Munger State Trail?
The Minnesota DNR lists the Hinckley to Duluth segment at 70 miles, completely paved. Trailheads are at Hinckley and Duluth. Plan your battery for the full out-and-back distance, since no charging stops are listed.
Is the DWP Trail paved?
No. The City of Duluth describes it as a former rail bed with crushed stone built to ABA accessibility standards. It runs about 10 miles from 63rd Street West to Becks Road. Expect a slower, looser surface than pavement.
Are Class 3 eBikes allowed on Duluth trails?
State law allows Class 3 and multiple mode eBikes on paths and trails unless the local authority or state agency prohibits them. No Duluth prohibition is published for the routes here, but read the manager page and signs on each trail.
Can I ride an eBike on the North Shore State Trail?
The DNR says eBikes meeting the state definition are allowed on state trails wherever normal bicycles are allowed. Its trail is 142 miles of natural surface, and managers of such trails may regulate eBikes, so check the page and signs first.
Where is the Carey Lake Bike Trail?
It is in Hibbing, and TrailLink lists it at 4 miles of asphalt, with the trailhead at Vic Powers Park, 25 East 25th Street, or at the Carey Lake Recreation Area. Its manager is not named in the published source.
Where can I rent an eBike in Duluth?
The directory has rental cards for Traverse Duluth and Wheel Fun Rentals | Canal Park, plus Skihut Adventure Center and Mesabi Recreation. These are listed as bicycle rental services, so call to confirm eBikes, prices and age rules before you go.
All eBike shops in St Louis County
Need a shop, a rental or a repair? Browse all St Louis County eBike shops, grouped by city.