10 Best Places To Go Mountain Biking In the USA

By Niyati Shinde on Mar 04, 2019
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Struck with wanderlust and want to mix adventure and travel? To satisfy this kind of a travel bug, you should pack your bags and head over for a mountain biking escapade! By definition, mountain biking is a sport that involves riding sturdy bicycles over a rough terrain. To undertake this sport, one needs to be physically fit and needs to have a good endurance level. With the United States of America having some of the best places to mountain bike in the world, we have jotted down a list of the top trails in the country just for you. Gear up your bikes, put the pedal power to good use and explore these top mountain biking places in the USA.

1. McKenzie River Trail

One of the best places to mountain bike in the world, the McKenzie River Trail is made up of all things that a biking enthusiast is looking for- dense forests, lava rock sections, hot springs, bustling waterfalls and deep blue pools. A single track trail, this one looks right out of a fantasy novel. The trial twists and twirls through the Cascade Mountains and is a delight for hikers, trekkers and joggers as well.
 
Where: Eugene, Oregon
When: May to October
Trail length: 26 miles
Approximate Duration: 6 to 8 hours
Ideal for: Beginners as well as intermediate bikers

2. Bangtail Divide Trail:

Bozeman in the state of Montana is a fabulous mountain biking destination in the USA, more so because of the thrilling Bangtail Divide Trail. A mix of shuttle and loops, this trail goes through lush pine trees and lovely meadows boasting of thousands of vivid flowers.
 
Where: Bozeman, Montana
When: October to June
Trail length: 23.4 miles
Approximate Duration: 4 to 6 hours
Ideal for: Beginners as well as intermediate bikers
 

PC: Wikimedia

 

3. Shark Valley Trail:

One of the best mountain biking trips you can ever take, the Shark Valley Trail in Miami is for the rookies. Located inside the famous Everglades National Park, don’t be surprised if you find an alligator or two lazing around on the bike trail! This trail is properly paved and is intended to help you with exploring the national park to its fullest.
 
Where: Miami, Florida
When: December to March
Trail length: 15 miles
Approximate Duration: 2 to 3 hours 
Ideal for: Beginners

4. Little Pan Loop:

Part of the Black Canyon National Recreation Trail, the Little Pan Loop is also known as the ‘Lollipop Loop’. Giving glimpses of beautiful landscapes, this trail is perfect for intermediate bikers who want to explore the mountain biking scene in America. Made up of a rugged terrain replete with thrilling climbs and exciting descends, the Little Pan Loop is a coveted destination for adventure enthusiasts.
Where: Black Canyon City, Arizona
When: December to March
Trail length: 24 miles
Approximate Duration: 4 to 6 hours
Ideal for: Intermediate bikers

5. Jalama Beach Ride

A charming yet adventurous mountain biking trail in the USA, the Jalama Beach Ride takes you across lyrical landscapes consisting of quaint vineyards and pristine coastlines. The total ascent of the trail is 325.23 metres and it has a maximum elevation of 308.61 metres. Now that’s one hell of a ride!  
 
Where: Solvang, California
When: April to mid-July
Trail length: 34.5 miles
Approximate Duration: 7 to 9 hours
Ideal for: Intermediate bikers
 

PC: Wikimedia

 

6. Cedar Rock Trail:

One of the best mountain bike trails in the east coast, the Cedar Rock Trail is not for amateurs and the weak hearted! Located within the mesmerising DuPont State Recreational Forest, this trail is every mountain biker’s dream- it is made up of slickrock and granite patches, moss/lichen covered rock formations and dirt tracks.  
 
Where: DuPont State Recreational Forest, North Carolina
When: March to May and October and November
Trail length: 4.5 miles
Approximate Duration: 2 to 3 hours 
Ideal for: Experts

7. Valmont Bike Park:

Perfect for a family vacation or getaway with friends, the Valmont Bike Park has biking trails for every type of mountain biker, beginner or expert. Having a natural surface cycling terrain, many biking enthusiasts claim that this is one of the best places to mountain bike in the world! And we agree with them completely!
 
Where: Boulder, Colorado
When: April to May and September and October
Trail length: Spread across 42 acres. Different trails have different lengths.
Approximate Duration: 3 to 6 hours
Ideal for: Everybody

8. Slickrock Trail:

Having an exciting mountain biking trail, Moab in Utah is one of the best mountain bike towns in the USA. The Slickrock Trail’s loop twists and turns through the Navajo sandstone and as you reach the summit, you get to witness a stunning landscape. Here’s a mountain biking tip for you- if you intend on undertaking this trail, do it on a weekday and that too early in the morning. Afternoons and weekends tend to be crowded.
 
Where: Moab, Utah
When: April to May and September and October
Trail length: 10.6 miles
Approximate Duration: 2 to 3 hours
Ideal for: Intermediate and expert bikers
 

PC: Wikimedia

 

9. Deer Creek Trail:

A single track trail, the Deer Creek mountain biking trail in the USA is a must do for people who love uphill mountain biking as opposed to a downhill ride. Throughout the trail, you will come across vivid wildflowers and you will also get to witness breathtaking views of the north face of the looming Mt. Crested Butte. Comparatively less crowded, it is advised that you undertake this biking expedition in a group rather than going solo. 
 
Where: Crested Butte, Colorado
When: Late May to August
Trail length: 10.7 miles
Approximate Duration: 3 to 4 hours
Ideal for: Intermediate and expert bikers

10. Lehigh Gorge State Park Trail:

One of the best places to go mountain biking in the USA, the Lehigh Gorge State Park Trail is a simple yet adrenalin pumping one thus making it perfect for beginners. Encompassing a rail-trail, you might even come across a railway cutely chugging away. Keep in mind that this trail is also shared by hikers, so please stay at a medium speed level.
 
Where: Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania
When: March to November
Trail length: 26 miles
Approximate Duration: 5 to 7 hours 
Ideal for: Beginners
 
All set to explore these terrains and trails? We hope you have a time of your life mountain biking in the USA. Do let us know how your experience was. Did we miss out on your favourite mountain biking spot? Let us know by commenting below.
 
There's more to read about adventure activities in the USA:

Note: some images are for representative purposes only.

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