WinMan Trails FAQ
You have questions? We have answers...at least most of the time.
Below you'll find answers to our most commonly asked questions. If you can't find what you're looking for, please Contact Us and we'll get back with you as soon as possible.
WinMan Trails FAQ
You have questions? We have answers...at least most of the time.
Below you'll find answers to our most commonly asked questions. If you can't find what you're looking for, please Contact Us and we'll get back with you as soon as possible.
Summer Trail System
Is WinMan Trails actually free?
Absolutely! Our goal is to provide an unforgettable trail experience for everyone.
If you are able, we recommend a daily donation of $15/individual or $25/family. Donations can be made at the trailhead (cash, check, or QR code) or simply visit our Donate page to quickly and easily make your donation today.
You can support WinMan in a variety of other ways too. Check our Support Page for more ways to give back to the trails you love.
When are the trails open?
The trails are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week...when they're open. Let me explain.
Our summer trail system opens in May (sometimes early May, sometimes late May - every year is a new adventure) and remains open until late November.
Once the trail system is open for the season, closures are very rare. When they do happen it is usually only for a few hours.
Thanks to our loamy Northwoods soil, the trails drain beautifully - one of the many reasons riding at WinMan is so amazing. Light rain or a passing sprinkle? No problem, we’re generally comfortable with riders continuing to enjoy the trails. But after a solid, soaking rainfall or a downpour, we recommend waiting at least an hour to let the trails recover.
If you are unsure visit our Trail Conditions page for current trail information and details.
Do you rent mountain bikes?
WinMan currently does not offer mountain bike rentals. However, we have two great local partners who have all the equipment you may need.
- Coontail in Boulder Junction or Arbor Vitae
- River's Edge Adventure Co. in Manitowish Waters
You can learn more about everything they rent for Northwoods adventures by visiting our informational rental page.
Do you have restrooms or other amenities at the trailhead?
Yes! WinMan is designed to make your visit easy and enjoyable.
Our main trailhead features a modern Chalet which is open daily from 7am - 9pm. Inside you'll find restrooms, baby changing station, changing rooms, tables/chairs, lounge seating, as well as a small kitchenette and places to fill your water bottle. We even have a vending machine with snacks, drinks, and other necessary items for the trails.
Outside you'll find WinMan Park which offers shaded seating areas, hammocks to lounge in, kids nature playspace, large seating wall for groups and events, multiple fire pits and additional comfortable seating options to relax after a day on the trails.
For our mountain bikers we have an amazing 4-station bike wash, outdoor changing room, outdoor shower, and a bike fix it station with a repair stand, wide variety of tools, and bike pumps.
Believe it or not, there's even more. Head to our Amenities page to learn more about the WinMan Shop, BaseCamp Trailhead, and our Winter specific amenities.
Do you offer trails for beginners?
Yes! WinMan is known for our well marked, easy to navigate trails that are designed for the whole family to enjoy together.
We have numerous trails designed specifically for newer riders such as Scout and WinMan One. These trails, like the vast majority at WinMan, offer what are called A/B options.
The A option is the easier, smoother, and often wider route that is suitable for all riders. The B option is entirely optional with a more challenging feature, obstacle, or trail option.
This allows newer riders chances to grow at their own pace and continually challenge themselves on the same trail. It also provides fun options for riders of various abilities to ride together.
While we offer plenty of beginner options, we also have more challenging trails for experts only like Glacial Erratic and Red Trail. All the trails are well marked so you never have to worry about accidentally ending up on the wrong trail.
Do you allow dogs?
Yes! Well behaved dogs are welcome to join their owners at WinMan.
In our public spaces like the parking lot and WinMan Park we ask that you please keep your dog on leash.
Once you are on the trails, well behaved dogs are allowed off leash on both our mountain biking and hiking trail systems.
Owners MUST pick-up and property dispose of all pet waste. For your convenience we provide Mutt Mitts at the trailhead to make the job an ease.
For more information please visit our Dog Policy page.
Do your trails allow Class 1 e-MTB?
Yes! All the trails at WinMan are open to Class 1 e-MTB (Electric Mountain Bikes).
We do NOT allow Class 2 or Class 3 for the safety of all our riders. The local paved trails are a great option though if you are looking to enjoy the area with one of these options.
Are your trails adaptive bike friendly?
Yes! We have numerous trails that were designed and built to be ridden by our friends on adaptive bikes.
Adaptive bikes allow individuals with various disabilities to enjoy mountain biking. Due to their unique design, trails must be built with a wider tread width and features such as berms and rollers have to be designed slightly differently.
Check out our Mountain Bike page for more details on which trails are adaptive bike friendly.
Do your trails allows Onehweels? What about electric unicycles (EUC)?
Onewheels are allowed on all the mountain bike trails at WinMan. Onewheels blend exceptionally well with mountain bikers and benefit the trails by compacting and smoothing out sections thanks to their wider tires and low pressure.
While Onewheels do great on our trails, we do NOT allow Electric Unicycles (EUC). This restriction is for the safety of all our trail users. Thank you for your understanding.
To learn more visit our Onewheel page.
Winter Trail System
Is WinMan Trails actually free?
Absolutely! Our goal is to provide an unforgettable trail experience for everyone.
If you are able, we recommend a daily donation of $15/individual or $25/family. Donations can be made at the trailhead (cash, check, or QR code) or simply visit our Donate page to quickly and easily make your donation today.
You can support WinMan in a variety of other ways too. Check our Support Page for more ways to give back to the trails you love.
When are the trails open?
The trails are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week...when they're open. Let me explain.
Our winter trail system opens in December and remains open as long as the snow gods continue to be nice (usually into late March).
Weather conditions can change rapidly - for better, or worse. The best resource all season long is our Trail Conditions page. There you'll find daily updates to all three of our Winter trail systems - Nordic ski, fat tire bike, and snowshoe.
Skiers can find additional information details via Nordic Pulse which provides live, GPS tracked grooming updates. We ask that you allow the ski trails at least 1 hour to set-up once grooming is completed.
Do you rent fat tire bikes or skis?
WinMan currently does not offer fat tire bike or ski rentals. However, we have two great local partners who have all the equipment you may need.
- Coontail in Boulder Junction or Arbor Vitae
- River's Edge Adventure Co. in Manitowish Waters
You can learn more about everything they rent for Northwoods adventures by visiting our informational rental page.
Do you have restrooms or other amenities at the trailhead?
Yes! WinMan is designed to make your visit easy and enjoyable.
Our main trailhead features a modern Chalet which is open daily from 7am - 9pm.
Inside you'll find restrooms, baby changing station, changing rooms, tables/chairs, lounge seating, a small kitchenette, masonry fireplace and a wood fired pizza oven.
We also provide a ski waxing room with tools such as a waxing iron as well as basic bike tools and a tire pressure gauge
Outside you'll find fire pits, lights in the evening, and plenty of seating options as well.
Believe it or not, there's even more. Head to our Amenities page to learn more.
Do you offer trails for beginners?
Yes! Our cross-country ski trails are an excellent choice for beginner and intermediate skiers.
There is a 0.3k Practice Loop located at the Main Trailhead as well as a 1.6k Beginner Loop. Both are excellent choices for new skiers with modest elevation changes.
For fat tire bikers, Scout and WinMan One are great options to learn the sport and enjoy the serenity of the Northwoods on two wheels.
For snowshoes, the double wide trails are a great beginner option. These trails experience higher traffic volume, making them well compacted and easier to navigate. Check out our snowshoe page for information including our free to borrow snowshoes.
Do you groom for both Skate and Classic skiing?
Yes! Essentially all of our trails are groomed for both Skate and Classic cross-country skiing.
The only exception is the new loop past Post Y which is only groomed for skate skiing. Many classic skiers still enjoy this section, we just are not able to set tracks on it due to the design of the trail.
Do you allow fat tire biking on your ski trails?
No! Fat tire biking is only allowed on our groomed fat tire bike trail system. This ensures top notch grooming for our skiers and eliminates any potential trail conflicts.
New fat tire bike riders should check out Scout Trail or WinMan One.
Reminder: Check your tire pressure. This is the most important factor to ensure a great time on the trails. We provide recommendations based on the conditions at the trailhead.
Which trails do you allow dogs on?
All of our snowshoe and fat tire bike trails are dog friendly. Please note, these systems do intersect and cross with our ski trail system. Your dog must be able to follow commands, or be leashed, to not interfere with skiers or to walk/run on the groomed ski trails.
Designated ski trails do allow for dogs. Please refer to the trail map for details.
These trails can be accessed from our Main Trailhead. If you are looking to avoid dogs completely, please access the trails from our BaseCamp Trailhead.
Visit our Dog Policy page to learn more.
WinMan BaseCamp
How do I make a reservation?
Reservations opening soon for Summer 2026. Visit our Campspot page to reserve your site online.
What camping and lodging options are available?
We offer a range of camping and lodging options. If you would like to learn more, visit our WinMan BaseCamp webpage.
- Basic Tent Sites
- Tent Sites with 30-amp Electric
- RV Sites with 50-amp Electric (no water or sewer)
- Tiny Cabins that sleep up to 4
- Large Cabins that sleep up to 6 and include their own bathroom, shower, and kitchenette
What public amenities are available?
All registered campers at BaseCamp have access to:
- Flush toilets
- Showers
- Saunas
- Drinking Water
- Firewood (for purchase)
- Room to clean dishes and other camping supplies
- Indoor room for ski and bike repairs/maintenance
- Wi-Fi
- Onsite garbage and recycling
- Indoor and outdoor gathering spaces
- And so much more...
Who owns and operates WinMan BaseCamp?
WinMan BaseCamp is owned and operated by WinMan Trails.
That means every single dollar we earn goes right back towards building and maintaining the incredible trails and amenities at WinMan.
How cool is that? Know that when you stay at BaseCamp you are further supporting the mission and vision of the WinMan Trails 501(c)3 nonprofit.
Are there still opportunities to donate and be given naming rights to a site?
Yes! We still have naming rights available for:
- Basic Tent Site - $2,500
- RV Site - $5,000
- Tiny Cabin - $15,000
- Large Cabin - $50,000
Visit our BaseCamp page or email us at [email protected] for more details.
Membership
Is a membership required to enjoy the trails at WinMan?
Nope! WinMan’s public trails are always open and accessible to everyone. Membership is optional but is a meaningful way to support and sustain the trails and the community behind them.
How long does my membership last?
Memberships are valid for one year from the date you join. You can choose to auto-renew each year for added convenience, or we’ll send you a reminder when it’s time to renew manually.
How do I become a member?
Head over to our Membership Page and quickly sign-up online or print off our paper membership form if you prefer to mail it in.
Do you offer different levels of membership?
Yes, we offer 3 different levels (and prices) of membership to best match your needs. We offer seasonal memberships (winter or summer), individual memberships, or family memberships designed for couples or families living in the same household.
Why is membership the best way to support WinMan Trails?
Membership allows for predictable and sustainable revenue for our nonprofit organization. This allows us to hire staff and purchase equipment to maintain our high standards of grooming and trail maintenance, year-round.
How else can I support WinMan?
In addition to becoming a member, here are other great ways to support WinMan.
- Volunteer Your Time
- Attend an Event
- Become a Business Sponsor
- Shop at the WinMan Store
- Make a Donation
- Stay at BaseCamp
Every bit helps keep the adventure going!
Everything Else
What is your address and contact information?
Our main trailhead is located at the intersection of Highway W and Highway J, just 4 miles from downtown Manitowish Waters.
Physical Address: 6870 Highway W, Winchester, WI 54557
Mailing Address: PO Box 184, Manitowish Waters, WI 54545
Email Contact: [email protected]
Phone Number: 646-543-8784
Where did the name WinMan come from?
The name originated based on our location between WINchester and MANitowish Waters, Wisconsin.
We think it's pretty inspiring though too. We've built WinMan to be a place where you can continuously Amaze Yourself. A place where every accomplishment is a personal WIN for every huMAN who visits.
Can we purchase WinMan shirts, hats, and other items online?
Yes! Just head over to the Shop page to see our current selection of custom WinMan swag.
All orders can be shipped directly for a flat $10 charge or you can elect to pick your order up for FREE from the WinMan Shop the next time you visit the trails.
WinMan is Powered by Your Generosity
100% Donor Funded. Your fully tax-deductible gifts ensure the ongoing maintenance and growth of our year-round trails and amenities.
Still needing help? Contact Us directly and we'll get back to you as soon as possible with a response. Thanks so much for your interest in WinMan Trails.