Stadium Loops
- 0.2 mi
- round trip
- 27 ft
- climb
- 1,495 ft
- high point
- Out and back
- route
- May–Sep
- best months
Stadium Loops is a cross-country ski route in the Kawishiwi Ranger District of Superior National Forest in northeastern Minnesota, managed by the State Department of Natural Resources. The trail is short and compact, with a total length of about 0.36 miles and a one-way climb of 27 feet, making it an easy addition to a day spent exploring the surrounding area. Winter is the natural season for this route. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Ely show January highs around 16°F with lows near -4°F, while February runs a little milder at about 22°F. Summer is much warmer, with July highs near 77°F and lows around 56°F. The loops sit close to several other destinations. The Birch Highlands cross-country ski area and the Hidden Valley Birch Highlands and Hidden Valley Pine Valley hikes are all about 0.1 mile away. For paddling, the Circle Route canoe route is roughly 5.6 miles off.
- Hidden Valley Birch HighlandsHiking0.1 mi
- Hidden Valley Pine ValleyHiking0.1 mi
- Birch HighlandsCross-country skiing0.1 mi
- Circle RouteCanoeing5.6 mi
Fall LakeCampingPhoto: Recreation.gov (RIDB) / public domain5.7 mi- South Kawishiwi RiverCanoeing7 mi
Fenske Lake CampgroundPier fishingPhoto: Recreation.gov (RIDB) / public domain7.8 mi- Science BoulderRock climbing10 mi
Source: Roamze catalog (indexable pages within 10 miles, PostGIS distance)
- Hidden Valley Bambas LoopCross-country skiing · ~1 min drive
- Hidden Valley TrezonaCross-country skiing · ~1 min drive
- Kawishiwi Triangle Beaver PondCross-country skiing · ~5 min drive
- Kawishiwi Triangle CrocketCross-country skiing · ~7 min drive
- Kawishiwi Triangle Iron BirchCross-country skiing · ~7 min drive
- Hidden Valley DeerCross-country skiing · ~2 min drive
- Kawishiwi Triangle IronCross-country skiing · ~6 min drive
- Birch HighlandsCross-country skiing · Next door
- Stadium LoopsCross-country skiing · Next door
- Hidden Valley Pine Park ConnecCross-country skiing · ~2 min drive
Best time to visit Stadium Loops
Best months: May–September. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.
Jan
16° / -4°
Feb
22° / 0°
Mar
36° / 14°
Apr
49° / 27°
May
62° / 41°
Jun
72° / 51°
Jul
77° / 56°
Aug
75° / 55°
Sep
66° / 46°
Oct
51° / 33°
Nov
35° / 20°
Dec
21° / 4°
Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Ely, MN, 0.6 mi away at 1,475 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.
Closures we've recorded since August 2026
Forest-wide Fire Restrictions
Superior National Forest · Order dated July 12, 2026; seen Aug 23, 2026 → lifted Aug 25, 2026 · Forest Service
Map and trail data © OpenStreetMap contributors
