15 Great Trails Every Mountain Biker Should Visit
Get your adventure on with one of these day-long excursions or multi-day journeys.
For mountain bikers, the U.S. is essentially a giant playground. From coast to coast, we’re spoiled with miles of twisting, thrilling, and breathtaking trails for riders of all levels. Some of these trails offer multi-day journeys, others are day-long excursions, and still others provide short-yet-epic thrills. The common denominator? They all promise a seriously fun, seriously memorable experience.
As everyone still tries to ride safe during COVID-19 concerns—riding solo or in smaller groups with people you know, having a mask handy—it’s also smart to know the rules of the trail or park before you decide to go. And you may not even have to go far to find unknown (to you) trails nearby. Consider checking out an app like Trailforks or Viewranger to find the best mountain bike trails near you.
To get you started on scouring the nation fo the best trails, we ran down 15 of the best places in the country to get rad.
Monarch Crest Trail
Location: Salida, Colorado
About: Nestled high in the Rocky Mountains, this 36.2-mile intermediate to difficult-level trail starts above the treeline at around 11,300 feet in elevation. From there, the climbing is minimal (about 2,300 feet; though because you’re far above sea level, your lungs and legs will likely burn anyway) and the descents generous (about 6,000 feet total). Along the way, you’ll get panoramic vistas of alpine meadows, forests, and some of Colorado’s tallest peaks. Two pro tips: Scope a map beforehand to ensure you stay on the right path, and make sure to plan your ride during a snow-free season; July and August are your best bets.
Palo Duro Canyon
Location: Canyon, Texas
About: Described by some as the “Grand Canyon of Texas,” this historic, sprawling land mass features more than 15 biking, hiking, and equestrian trails covering 27,000-plus acres. Pay the $8 park entrance fee to pedal in the midst of red claystone and white gypsum, and travel an area once populated by Native Americans, buffalo hunters, and pioneers. The most popular trail is Lighthouse, a 2.7-mile (one-way) moderately difficult path that leads to the iconic Lighthouse rock formation. For a more challenging singletrack with technical sections, check out the 3.1-mile point-to-point Givens, Spicer, & Lowry Running Trail (also open to bikes).
[Want to fly up hills? Climb! gives you the workouts and mental strategies to conquer your nearest peak.]
White Rim Trail
Location: Canyonlands National Park, Utah
About: Take a tour through Utah’s stunning canyon country on this 100-mile route that charts around the Island in the Sky mesa top, which sits more than 1,000 feet above the surrounding landscape. From that vantage, you’ll see vibrant red-hued rock formations; cliffs and canyon walls layered in color; desert flora; and the Colorado and Green rivers. The National Park Service suggests mountain bikers take 3 to 4 days to complete the trail, and permits are required to stay overnight.
Bradbury Mountain State Park
Location: Pownal, Maine
About: This 800-acre park in southern Maine has a bevy of shared-use beginner, intermediate, and expert-level tracks. Head to the west side for the more challenging stuff, including Switchback, a technical downhill route rife with corners and obstacles, or the Boundary Trail, described by the New England Mountain Bike Association as “almost impossible to ride.” For easier pedaling, check out the eastern section for intermediate-level singletracks, including the Lanzo and Fox trails. The park is open year round; visitors must pay a small entrance fee ($4 for Maine residents; $6 for non-residents).
DuPont State Recreational Forest
Location: Cedar Mountain, North Carolina
About: The 10,400-acre DuPont State Recreational Forest houses nearly 100 miles of bike trails charting past cairns, waterfalls, and a variety of foliage; over slickrock (a rarity in the east); and atop granite domes. For a fast, flowy downhill ride, try the 6.3-mile Ridgeline Loop. For a more challenging and visually varied ride that traverses said slickrock, try the Bunt Mountain to Cedar Rock Big Rock Figure-Eight. It features rollers, technical descents, rooty ascents, meandering forested climbs, and views at the top.
McKenzie River Trail
Location: Eugene, Oregon
About: You may forget the outside world when riding this 25.4-mile singletrack through old-growth forest, across streams, and past cascading waterfalls and crystal-clear lakes. Though the trail is mostly downhill, this isn’t a beginner-friendly ride. The upper end contains technical challenges—like sharp volcanic rock fields—and the lower part is primarily flowing forest gliding. Fair warning: A swim in the trail’s namesake river may seem appealing, but it’s cold—as in high-40s-to-low-50s cold. It’s also dangerous (and potentially deadly) if you jump in from the surrounding cliffs, so stick with a bankside toe dip.
Mescal Mountain Bike Trail
Location: Sedona, Arizona
About: Don’t let the short distance fool you: This 2.4-mile one-way route is pretty difficult. Most of the path traverses a continuous slickrock edge, and some dismounting may be required. But for skilled riders, the scenery is seriously worth it. On a sunny day, you’ll pedal under deep blue skies past striking red rocks and panoramic views of Sedona. Per a biking guide with the local Enchantment Resort, spring and fall are the best times of year to ride, with temperatures ranging from 40 degrees to the mid-70s.
The Whole Enchilada Trail
Location: Moab, Utah
About: This really is the whole enchilada, and then some. The 33-mile journey—consisting mostly of challenging downhills for a total combined 8,000-foot drop—includes an alpine mountain singletrack, high-altitude evergreen forests and aspens, and a final push through the Utah desert. Pedal extra carefully during the Porcupine Rim section, where the exposed trail wraps around a sandstone cliff. You’ll know you’ve made it through when you catch a glimpse of the snaking Colorado River as you descend toward the canyon floor.
401 Trail Loop
Location: Crested Butte, Colorado
About: In a state rife with fantastic MTB routes, this 13.6-mile loop through the Central Rockies tops the charts. You’ll wind your way across a creek, atop a snowfield, and through aspen groves and also soak in pinch-me views of Gothic Valley and Mount Crested Butte. The majority singletrack trail—good for advanced riders—includes steep climbs (made tougher by the fact that at the route’s peak elevation, you’re than 2 miles above sea level), steady downhills, and several switchbacks. Make the trip in midsummer to see the kaleidoscope of shoulder-high wildflowers that explodes on the mountain meadows.
Harold Parker State Forest
Location: Harold Parker State Forest, Massachusetts
About: This central hardwood, hemlock, and white pine forest, comprising 3,500 acres about an hour’s drive (or less) north of Boston, is home to 30-plus miles of old wood roads and singletracks of varying difficulty. For a moderately challenging route, follow the trail from Harold Parker Road, which circles four ponds. Or consider the white-blazed Bay Circuit Trail, an extensive, permanent recreational trail and greenway that cuts through Harold Parker (along with 37 towns in Eastern Massachusetts). Whatever route you choose, be sure to bring a map—once you’re in the woods, the labyrinth of options can get confusing.
Kingdom Trails
Location: East Burke, Vermont
About: You’ll need to purchase a $15 day pass to access this sprawling trail system, but once inside, you’ll have access to a web of routes. Options abound for all types of riders, from the old cart roads and doubletrack trails for beginners to the tight, fast, flowing singletracks for riders of varying abilities. Head to Darling Hill (billed to be as picturesque as it sounds) to access a cluster of trails that wind on wooded paths. If all these options overwhelm you, stop at the welcome center on your way in for a customized recommendation from the staff.
Tahoe Rim Trail
Location: Lake Tahoe, Nevada and California
About: The 165-mile Tahoe Rim Trail wraps the entire perimeter of Lake Tahoe. On the route, which has varying terrain appropriate for a range of riders (think easy singletrack, burly climbs, and thrilling descents), you’ll see unparalleled views of the shimmering lake and the wildflower-dotted alpine meadows, waterfalls, and various peaks and vistas that surround it. Though wheels are welcome on much of the trail, certain portions are off-limits to bikes. Consult a map beforehand to learn exactly where you can and can’t pedal.
Red Meadow Pass Loop
Location: Whitefish, Montana
About: This challenging, approximately 100-mile route offers an “incredible backcountry experience,” says Alex Strickland, editor-in-chief of Adventure Cycling Association (ACA)’s Adventure Cyclist magazine. About 80 percent of the trail, which starts and ends in the resort town of Whitefish, is on unpaved dirt road double track with the first 50-ish miles following ACA’s Great Divide Mountain Bike Route. The entire loop, popular among locals and tourists both, is best tackled as a multi-day bikepacking experience—most folks complete it in about three days, says Strickland, who’s pedaled portions of it himself. Along the way, you’ll cycle through heavily timbered forests and several meadows and also scope ample views of Glacier National Park to the east. In fact, part of the trail actually juts inside the park.
Pro tips: While you’re on North Fork Road, stop in the tiny town of Polebridge and visit the general store for bear claw pastries, says Strickland. Also, keep in mind you’re in bear country, which means bear spray is not just recommended, but a must.
Mary’s Trail to Horsethief Bench Loop
Location: Loma, Colorado
About: Head to the Eastern edge of the Centennial State for this 8-mile ride that charts two different trails through desert landscape. Start at the entrance to Mary’s Trail for a 2-mile climb up a mostly double track trail with some minor technical sections, says Colin Mabbett, a Carbondale, Colorado-based guide with H+I Adventures and bike patroller. From there, you’ll connect to Horsethief via a “gnarly” entrance, says Mabbett. So gnarly, in fact, that it’s generally recommended to hike-a-bike to the bottom of this brief section. Once there, you’ll begin pedaling clockwise on the 3.9-mile loop that traverses varying desert topography and includes a stint overlooking the snaking Colorado River. Though the Horsethief loop is “never super crazy technical,” it is pretty consistently rocky with some sandy parts, says Mabbett, who rates it at an intermediate to difficult level and notes there are multiple sections during which walking may be necessary. There is also some exposure, he adds, so walk and scout your line if you're unsure. Also note: Because free-range cattle are sometimes in the area, watch out for the occasional cow patty, he adds.
OG Line Trail to the Gauntlet
Location: Roanoke, Virginia
About: There are many excellent MTB options in Virginia’s Roanoke/Harrisonburg area, says Kristian Jackson, course conductor and technical team member with USA Professional Mountain Bike Instructor Association (PMBIA). Two prime examples? These black-diamond-rated trails in Roanoke’s Carvins Cove Natural Reserve. Skilled riders up for the challenge will start on the OG Jump, an exciting 0.6-mile downhill directional trail featuring tabletops and gap jumps, and then continue on the Gauntlet, a fun 2.1-miler featuring tight singletrack that’s slightly loose, rooty, and rife with turns. Through it all, you’ll be pedaling in a mixed hardwood forest, passing large oak and hickory trees. Visit in October for prime weather and peak foliage, suggests Jackson.
Watch Next
The Right Way to Brake on a Bike
6 Reasons to Try Fat Biking This Winter
What to Know Before Riding Across the Country
Braydon Bringhurst Versus the Beast
