Best Mountain Bike Towns in the US for 2025

17 Must-Visit Mountain Bike Destinations in the US

Updated 6.26.25

Since hitting the road in our RV back in the summer of 2017, we’ve been on a mission to find the raddest mountain bike towns in the U.S. – the kind of places where you can roll straight from your morning coffee to a mountain bike trailhead. We have a soft spot for these special towns where you can explore via pedal power.  Over the years, we’ve explored high-alpine singletrack, desert slickrock, flowy forests, and everything in between. This list is our personal “best of” compilation: the mountain bike towns that truly stole our hearts (and wrecked our legs—in the best way).

Some of these spots are famous MTB meccas that deserve every bit of the hype. Others are hidden gems we stumbled on by accident, only to find ourselves sticking around way longer than planned. Whether you’re chasing hero dirt in the spring or golden-hour laps in the fall, there are towns on this list that are dialed for two-wheeled adventure year-round.

For each destination, we’re sharing our favorite mountain bike trails, plus some beta on why each town made the cut. When you’re ready to ride, we recommend using Trailforks, Singletracks, or MTBProject to plan your routes and scope trail conditions.

Did we miss your favorite shred town? Drop a comment below—we’re always down to explore more.

Moab, UT 

Pros	Cons
More than just mountain biking	Too hot in the summer
2 epic National Parks in close proximity	Too many jeeps, depending on the time of year
Endless trails to choose from	Can be crowded during peak season & spring break
Some of the most scenic mountain bike trails on the planet

Moab is one of our favorite places to ride on the planet!  Not only is Moab epic for mountain biking, but the outdoor adventures around this small Utah town are endless.  With spectacular National Parks and State Parks like Arches, Canyonlands and Dead Horse nearby, plus the Colorado River flowing through it, there’s something to meet almost everyone’s outdoor desire.  Plus, it’s very RV and camping friendly!

Must Ride Trails in Moab, UT

Advanced/Intermediate Trails

• Whole Enchilada / Porcupine Rim
  • Shuttle recommended
  • The Whole Enchilada, or the shorter Porcupine Rim, are the most famous trails in Moab for a reason.  They are incredible!  But be ready for a full day in the saddle!
• Mag 7 
  • Shuttle recommended
  • First 5 trails a blast, the last 2 are tough AF and super-advanced.   You should not try the Portal trail unless you are a very advanced rider as there are high-risk drop-offs. Check with the local shop if you’re considering this trail first and they’ll probably talk you out of it.

Intermediate / Beginner Trails

• Brand trails (Bar M)
  • Beginner-friendly options, no shuttle required
  • Some fun slickrock trails!
• Klonzo trail system
  • Great cross-country and trail riding with slickrock
• Klondike Bluffs
  • Ride by some dinosaur tracks!
  • Some technical riding options, and some slickrock trails
• Navajo Rocks
  • Our favorite cross-country trail in Moab. If you’re a cross country rider that wants to get a workout and enjoy the slick rock riding of Moab, Navajo loop is for you.
  • Great all-around experience of Moab: views, slickrock, varied terrains – it has it all!

Beginner

• Dead Horse State Park
  • Best for beginners or for family rides and provides gorgeous views of Dead Horse State Park and Canyonlands National Park.

Renting Bikes & Guided Adventures

• There are some great  bike shops in Moab Utah offering a great line up of full suspension and hardtail mountain bike rentals.
• Our favorites are:
  • Bighorn Mountain Biking for renting right at the trailhead – they deliver right to the Brand Trails and rent at Dead Horse State Park!
  • Double Down Bike Shop has the Revel Rail and Rascal along with Kona branded bikes.
  • Rim Cyclery for renting a road bike or Scott branded mountain bikes
• Or leave the planning to the experts and hit the best trails on guided mountain biking adventure!

Moab is Best Known For

Mountain biking and the outdoors mecca and some of the most scenic Utah National Parks.

Where to Camp in Moab (near Trails)

• Utah Raptor State Park (formerly Willow Springs Rd) – the Klonzo trail system is just down the road
• Klondike Bluffs (North Klondike campground) – set right next to the Klondike Bluffs trails
• Gemini Bridges campground – connects easily to Magnificent 7 trails

Rent an RV for an epic Utah road trip!

Other Outdoor Things to Do in Moab

• Paddling or rafting the Colorado River – choose from guided whitewater trips or a self-guided flatwater float!
• Packrafting adventures on the Colorado and Green Rivers.  Check out our blog post about bikerafting in Moab!
• Canyoneering and rock climbing trips – explore Moab’s stunning slot canyons and towers!
• Visiting Arches National Park
• Hiking and biking Dead Horse State Park
• Visiting Canyonlands National Park

Best Time to Visit Moab

Spring and fall are our top recommended times.  Earlier spring and later in fall you will have the least amount of crowds.

• September and October are the best months to visit if you want to ride the Whole Enchilada. It guarantees that the trail will be open (snow has melted) and it won’t be too hot during the day.
• March, April and early May are great riding months but you may not be able to ride the Whole Enchilada as it may be covered in snow at the top.  Typically you can ride a portion of it though!
• June – August are really hot months and riding hours will be limited, most of the riding will have to be early morning and/or late evening.

Hurricane & Virgin, UT

Pros	Cons
Lots of trail riding options for all ability levels	A big tourist destination, avoid peak times
An easy to get to destination, only 2 hours from Las Vegas	Near Zion NP, one of the busiest National Parks
Lots of great camping areas	Very hot in the summer
Options to add on other activities like paddling, canyoneering and more

The Hurricane and Virgin, UT area is known for the magnificent Zion National Park nearby.  For mountain bikers, the areas surrounding the park have some truly incredible trails, and Hurricane is known as a mecca for mountain biking.  With great camping options just off the mountain bike trails, and tons of trails for all levels of riders, Hurricane is a great biking getaway for the whole family.

Must Ride Mountain Biking Trails near Zion National Park

• Hurricane / LaVerkin trails (mostly Intermediate with Beginner options available)
  • Gooseberry Mesa – a 13-mile loop with rolling singletrack, incredible vistas and Slickrock sections that compares to Moab.
  • Hurricane Rim Loop – IMBA Epic trail
  • Jem/Gould Loop
• Wire Mesa Loop (Intermediate / Beginner friendly)
  • This was one of our favorite short loops, although it is only a green/blue trail, it is just so freaking fun! It’s built really well and provides incredible features to tackle and is surrounded by amazing views in all directions.
• The Whole Guacamole (Intermediate to Advanced riders)
  • A more remote, 11-mile loop with 600 ft. of climbing but you will feel that you climbed 1500 ft. due to the rocky terrain.
  • To get to the top where the trailhead starts, you may want to have a high clearance vehicle and possibly require 4×4 if it has rained recently. The road is a gravel road leading up to the top but the last mile before you get to the trailhead can be sketchy and rutted out depending on how the recent weather has been.

Hurricane & Virgin is Best Known For

• Desert riding
• Gorgeous red rock views overlooking Zion National Park
• Redbull Rampage takes place nearby in Virgin, UT

Where to Rent Bikes in Hurricane

Over the Edge Hurricane has the best bikes and customer service in town.  They are a team of riders who can help you find the best trails for your abilities!

Where to Camp

• Hurricane Cliffs – if riding Gooseberry Mesa area
• Dalton Wash Road – if riding The Whole Guacamole
• Rent an RV to explore here!

Other Outdoor Activities Near Zion National Park

• Paddling Quail Creek State Park – cool off from the heat of the desert!
• Canyoneering near Zion National Park
• E-biking in Zion National Park (skip the lines and explore on your own without having to take the shuttle!)
• Hiking Kanarraville Falls

Best Time to Visit Hurricane

The Hurricane area is one of the best destinations for the shoulder seasons. Spring and fall, even winter days can provide great riding during the day with the weather in the 50s in December and January.

Durango, CO 

Pros	Cons
An epic mountain town away from (most of) the crowds	Trying to fit in all the adventures here may be hard!
Southwest location makes it a long summer season	May require a connecting flight… or just make it a road trip!
High country trails and in-town desert riding
Hip vibe with great eateries, shops and nightlife

Mountain biking in Durango, Colorado, is nothing short of epic.  This dope town is situated in the San Juan Mountains, and boasts some of the best trail systems in the country – making it a top destination for riders of all levels. The terrain here is varied and challenging, with everything from flowy singletracks to technical descents.  There’s even a downhill mountain bike park at Purgatory resort. Durango’s biking community is vibrant and welcoming, ensuring you’ll always have someone to share your stoke with as you explore the trails. Plus, the stunning high alpine scenery offers breathtaking views at every turn.

Must Ride Trails in Durango

Advanced/Intermediate Trails

• Engineer Mountain Trail
  • This epic 5-mile downhill trail is best accessed by climbing 2.5 miles up Pass Creek trail, starting at Coal Bank Pass, about 40 minutes north of Durango.  As soon as you hit the base of Engineer Mountain you will pause to take in the high country scenery before tearing down one of the best descents you will ever experience.  The trail is typically dry by July – best ridden late summer/early fall.
• Colorado Trail 
  • The renowned Colorado trail starts right in Durango (and goes all the way to Denver!), and is a must ride. There are many sections that are truly epic for mountain biking, offering a mix of high-altitude riding, alpine meadows, and dense forests.  Our favorite sections are Dry Fork (closer to town) and the Twin Sisters section that starts up at Molas Pass (closer to Silverton).  High country snow and mud make this best ridden in mid to late summer and fall.

Intermediate Trails

• Horse Gulch 
  • This extensive system of trails is being added to frequently, and is some of the best riding right from town.  Options for all levels of riders, but mostly intermediate/advanced
• Twin Buttes
  • The Twin Buttes trailhead lies just west of town on Highway 160 and offers easy access without venturing too far from town.  Options exist for all levels of riders on a variety of connected loops known for their scenic beauty.  Beginners can wind through lush forests, open meadows and rock formations, while advanced riders can take on technical descents and rock gardens.

Beginner

• Three Springs
  • The Three Springs trail system is a great beginner and family-friendly trail network east of town on highway 160.  This well-maintained mix of singletrack and doubletrack provides beautiful views of the surrounding hills, and connects with Horse Gulch (see above) for those looking for a longer day in the saddle.

Renting Bikes & Guided Adventures

• There are several great bike shops in Durango, we recommend 2nd Avenue Sports for the best rentals in town
• Or choose a guided mountain bike adventure to experience the best of the best in Durango!

Durango is Best Known For

The outdoors!  There’s so many outdoor adventures, you may just have to come back for more…

Where to Camp in Durango

• There are several campgrounds if you want to be near town – we recommend Alpen Rose or United Campgrounds of Durango
• Depending on events happening, you can sometimes camp at the Durango Fairgrounds right in town – give them a call to find out!
• Cherry Creek offers camping on Highway 160, not too far from Twin Buttes (you could ride the highway there)
• Camp near Cascade Creek BLM to be closer to the high country rides (EMT trail, Cascade Creek trail)

Rent an RV for an epic Southwest road trip!

Other Outdoor Things to Do in Durango

• Paddling or rafting the Animas River– guided whitewater trips go right through town!
• Packrafting adventures including lessons/clinics
• Paddleboard the flatwater sections of the Animas and take in the gorgeous views
• Explore Durango’s cliffs and canyons on a rock climbing adventure
• Rent an e-bike to pedal the paved path that traverses town, stopping at shops and eateries along the way!

Best Time to Visit Durango

Durango’s location in the southwest means it has a warmer summer season than most destinations!  Riding typically opens up around town in March/April, and in the mid-high country in June.  July/August can get hot in town (90s typically) but you can easily escape to the high country!

Crested Butte, CO

Pros	Cons
Mountain biking birthplace (arguably)	High elevation riding, sits at 8900 ft
Over 700+ miles of trail	Hard to get to, 4 hours from Denver. Lack of affordable nearby airports
Options to ride straight out of town	You’ll hate your hometown trails afterward
It’s a mountain bike party, all the time
Downhill options at Mt. Crested Butte

Crested Butte is a top adventure destination in Colorado, earning one of our top spots for mountain destinations. When the snow melts and summer comes, Crested Butte transforms into a biking getaway where trails spanning hundreds of miles and intertwine with scenic wilderness. The town is also surrounded by alpine lakes and rivers for SUP and kayaking after the snow melts. Hiking trails are plentiful right out of town, and hikers will be rewarded with scenic vistas, potential for wildlife spotting, and wildflowers of every color.

Crested Butte has impressive mountain biking stats – with more than 700 miles of singletrack to choose from, bikers of all skill levels can find adventure in these mountains.

Must Ride Mountain Biking Trails in Crested Butte

Close to Town Riding

• Snodgrass (Intermediate)
  • Great trail to ride out of town and an intro to the area, it’s 7.3 miles out and back and provides a great idea of what riding in CB is like and has some beautiful overlooks of Mt. Crested Butte
• 401 Trail (Intermediate to Advanced riders only)
  • High alpine riding, shuttle recommended if you’re not into climbing
  • One of the highest trails in the country that will take you to 11,335’ and a must do rides. It’s a 14-mile loop that is 60% singletrack after taking the dirt road up
  • Features alpine-style riding, leading into luscious green fields and aspens. You get it all with this ride!

Intermediate / Advanced – local’s favorite rides

• Doctors Park
  • If you’re up for a 14.5-mile climb for a gnarly 6-mile shred, this is your trail my enduro friend.
  • You can shuttle this ride if you still want all the shred but none of the grind
    • •  
• Teocalli Ridge
  • About 15 minutes outside of town
  • You climb 2,184 feet over 6.8 miles, some of it may be hike-a-bike. But when you’re on the top, get ready for one heck of a downhill!

Mt. Crested Butte Downhill Park riding (Intermediate/Advanced)

• Evolution Park at Mt. Crested Butte (downhill park)
• Although it isn’t the biggest of the bike parks, it offers 30 miles of singletrack that can please most intermediate and even some beginner downhill riders. There are enough trails for the advanced downhill riders as well that you won’t be disappointed
  •  

Crested Butte is Known For

• High altitude riding in a great attitude town. Surrounded by gorgeous peaks in all directions
• Crested Butte has been known for great skiing and snowboarding for quite some time, and is now on the map for one of the best mountain bike towns as well.

Other Outdoor Activities in Crested Butte

• Paddling rivers and alpine lakes
• Maroon Bells hiking
• Summer festivals and other outdoor activities

Best Time to Visit Crested Butte

• May through September
• July is the best month for wildflowers if you to see the rocky-mountains in technicolor

Salida, CO

Pros	Cons
Easy to get to from Colorado Springs	Summer can get pretty hot
Epic high country trails and in town desert riding	Trail systems are spread out
World renowned rafting on the Arkansas River

You may have never heard of Salida, Colorado, a quaint town in the Colorado Rockies surrounded by peaks over 14,000 feet.  With so many other famous Colorado destinations, Salida often gets overlooked.  But that only adds to it’s intrigue.  Salida is only a 3-hour drive from Denver, and this outdoor mecca plays host to mountain bikers, mountain climbers, rafters, rock climbers…and the list goes on.

Must Ride Mountain Bike Trails near Salida, CO

• Monarch Crest IMBA Epic trail: (Intermediate to Advanced riders only)
  • You’ll need a shuttle for this one and start early. It’s a 36.2-mile point to point ride that will descend 5,890 feet, starting at the elevation of 11,962’!
  • Shuttles available from High Valley Bike Shuttle
• Cottonwood Tour (Intermediate)
  • 1-mile ride that can be broken into smaller sections with options for all riders
  • Ride out of town, shuttle recommended if you’re not into climbing. The beginning of the ride is a 8-mile road climb to the trailhead.
• Methodist Mountain (Great for beginners and intermediate riders)
  • A short but great trail system that has trails that are perfect for beginners and families that don’t want to take on the challenging rides and still have a blast!

Where to Rent Bikes in Salida, CO

• Subculture Cyclery is the main rental shop in town (Absolute has stopped renting bikes)

Where to Camp

• Shavano Wildlife Management area

Salida is Best Known For

• The mind-blowing trails surrounding Salida really put this mountain bike town on the map.  Monarch Crest trail IMBA epic is one of Colorado’s classic mountain bike rides (which makes it one of the U.S.’s classic mountain bike rides)
• Arkansas River rafting
• Basecamp for climbing 14ers

Other Outdoor Activities around Salida, CO

• Rafting the Arkansas river – world renowned rapids!
• Check out our Salida Destination Guide and our Salida Adventure Itinerary!
• Climb 14ers – Mt. Shavano, Mt. Yale are the closest. This area offers one of the highest density of peaks over 14000 ft
• Visit Princeton Hot Springs for a soak after all of your outdoor adventures.

Best Time to Visit

• June – October. Err on the later side if you want to ride the Monarch Crest trail to make sure it is clear of snow. In some years, it is not clear of snow until mid-July

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Duluth, MN

Pros	Cons
A hidden gem in the Midwest	Short season
Rated #1 outdoor town by Outside Magazine	Mosquitoes in the summer
Miles of epic riding right out of town	No free camping, BLM or National Forest options
Lots of technical trail options
Lake Superior!!!

Duluth, MN is an up and coming mountain bike destination in the Midwest.  Duluth was recently voted Outside Magazine’s Best Town Ever.   It’s an outdoor mecca surrounded by the pristine Lake Superior and the iconic Northwoods.  With 6,834 acres of city parkland, 178 miles of wooded trails, plus Lake Superior, there’s not much you can’t do when you are outside in Duluth.  Minnesota’s “City on a Hill” overlooking Lake Superior has some of the best mountain biking in the Midwest.  There’s over 150 miles (and growing fast) of bike trails, and Duluth is one of only 5 places in the world with the “Gold Level Ride Center” designation by IMBA.

Must Ride Mountain Biking Trails in Duluth, MN

• There are 150+ miles of riding in Duluth, MN and the tough hardy MN folks ride all year long, even through the brutal winters thanks to fat bikes
• The Duluth Traverse (all levels) is an 85-mile point to point featured ride that is 75% singletrack that rides all the way across town with multiple bailout options for riding just a few sections
• Spirit Mountain downhill trails (Intermediate/Advanced) are Duluth’s only lift-serviced trails.  The trails are short but fun!

Duluth is Best Known For

• Breweries, Minnesota nice community, plaid shirts, and the North Woods.
• Duluth is a relative newcomer on the best mountain bike town list, but the city is expanding trails rapidly and this Midwest town is making a name for itself within the mountain bike community!

Where to Rent Bikes

There is pretty much only one great mountain bike rental shop in town, Continental Bikes

Where to Camp

Unfortunately, there aren’t any free camping areas right in Duluth, but it is Minnesota nice. Check out Boondockers Welcome, it’s like couch surfing for your RV in hosts’ driveways. Requires an annual membership fee but it’s free to camp!  Other options:

• Spirit Mountain ski/bike resort has a campground just steps from their MTB trails
• Fond du lac campground is near the Mission Creek trails

Other Outdoor Activities in Duluth

Duluth is way more than just a mountain biking haven—it’s stacked with human-powered adventure. Paddle the protected waters of the St. Louis River estuary or explore Lake Superior by kayak or SUP. Hike a stretch of the epic Superior Hiking Trail or take in big lake views from local favorites like Park Point and Hartley Nature Center.  If you have a couple days, visit the Boundary Waters Canoe Area to paddle to your hearts content pristine lakes and wilderness of northern Minnesota.

Best Time to Visit

• Summer is a perfect time of the year but BRING BUG SPRAY. The MN mosquitoes don’t eff around..
• Late summer (end Aug/early Sept) can also be a really great time. Temperatures are a bit cooler, but that also means that the worst of the mosquito season is gone!

Northern California: Downieville, North Tahoe, and Truckee CA

Pros	Cons
So many outdoor adventures to choose from	California gas prices
Other close by towns with epic riding	Lack of great free camping
Make it a road trip, so many options	Tahoe can be very busy in the summer
Close to SFO and Reno for fly-in & out options
Downhill options at Northstar Resort

Downieville is a charming and colorful adventure town along the Yuba River in Northern California. It began as a gold mining mecca in the 1800s, and has now transitioned into a hub for outdoor adventure. It is well known as a mountain biking mecca, and the renowned Downieville Downhill is the most popular (albeit advanced rated) trail.  Overall, Downieville is a more advanced trail system tailored to intermediate and advanced riders, with technical features, and a few hike-a-bike sections.

Truckee is a charming town perched just north of Lake Tahoe that has it’s fair share of fantastic outdoor adventure.  From biking the infamous Flume Trail to paddling the crystal clear Lake Tahoe, Truckee makes a great Northern California getaway.

Must Ride Trails

• The Flume Trail (Intermediate to Advanced)
  • An obvious pick, but popular for a reason. The rim trail offers incredible views of Lake Tahoe
• Downieville Downhill (Intermediate to Advanced)
  • This renowned 14 mi. shuttle ride features northern California’s classic Sierra mountains riding. It is difficult rated, flowing singletrack with fast, rocky, technical features, and impressive drops. Dropping 5,000 vertical feet in 15 miles, it hosts the longest and most demanding mountain bike race in the country – the Downieville Classic. It’s all about the speed, tight turns, creek crossings, and rock gardens.   The ride requires a 2-car shuttle, leaving one car at the top of the ride – or you can take a shuttle from one of the local companies in Downieville and ride back to your car.
• Northstar Bike Park (all abilities)
  • From the mellow Easy Rider trail to the steep and rocky Karpiel trail, Northstar has trails for all levels of riders.  If you’re looking for flow, check out Livewire and Speed Control.  For jumps, drops and technical features head to Boondocks and Gypsy (strong intermediate to advanced).

Best Known For

• Views of Lake Tahoe from Truckee area trails, paddling on the lake and the IMBA Epic Tahoe Rim Trail
• Downieville Classic bike race

Where to Rent Bikes

Truckee & Northstar

• Riding low-key trails or the paved path? Go with Bike Truckee
• Rent at the renowned Northstar bike park with Northstar Performance Demo

Downieville

• Book online with Downieville Outfitters, you can also book a shuttle with your bike rental!

Where to Camp

• In Truckee: Sagehen campground, it’s free but it’s a bit far and no cell service. Also, lack of bike trails to ride right from the trail system.  There are some full service campgrounds near Truckee if you’re willing to dish out some dough.
• In Downieville: Ramshorn Campground (Forest Service campground, $20-25/night) is one of the closest to town (5.6 miles) and is located right on the river

Other Outdoor Activities in Truckee

• Paddling Lake Tahoe, umm, of course, you have to!  This crystal clear lake is on the top of everyone’s paddling list, whether you prefer a kayak or an SUP
• Hiking around Lake Tahoe, if you’re out of trails to ride. So, after you’ve been there for 5-6 months or if the bike is in the shop.  Or if you have family/friends with that don’t ride..
• Backpacking is a great way to really get off the beaten path and enjoy the epic outdoors in Tahoe.
• Rafting the Truckee River is a classic Sierra adventure—perfect for families, first-timers, and anyone looking to ride some splashy, scenic whitewater through the heart of Tahoe.

Best Time to Visit Truckee and Tahoe

Tahoe and Truckee are popular year round.  For warm weather adventures, there are less crowds earlier in the summer (May/June/Sept/Oct) and the weather is still great.  If you’re looking to ride higher elevation trails such as the Flume trail or Downieville classic, it’s best to hit these trails in late summer or fall to make sure they’re open.

Mammoth Lakes, CA

Pros	Cons
Post-ride hot springs	Limited bike rental options
Downhill park riding	Short season on higher elevation riding
Free camping, oh.. by hot springs	Starbucks

Mammoth Lakes may be best known for its ski resort, but summer adventures abound around this town in the high Sierras.  The Mammoth bike park (nominated one of our 10 best downhill parks!) caters to mountain bike adventures while hiking and backpacking the nearby John Muir trail is a rite of passage for many.  Convict Lake has stellar paddling opportunities, and camping options in the area come with spectacular Sierra views and natural hot springs.

Must Ride Trails in Mammoth Lakes

• • Intermediate to advanced – Double high five Y
  • Intermediate and beginner-friendly – Uptown Downtown
  • Chairlift access and something for everyone – Mammoth mountain bike park

Mammoth Lakes is Best Known For

Wydaho is Best Known For

• These towns that straddle the border of Wyoming and Idaho are some of the best mountain bike towns around.
• Remote riding that is easily accessible but please do know that you’re in grizzly country, check out this article to make sure you’re prepared and aware

Where to Rent Bikes

• On the mountain – Grand Targhee at the Habitat Bike Shop

Where to Camp

• Grand Targhee Resort – It’s not free, it’s around $20 to camp in their lot, but it’s ride in/ride out!  We recommend calling ahead to make a reservation.
• The Big Eddie Campground
  • Free campground on the Teton River outside of Driggs
  • If you camp here, consider riding the Horse Shoe area trails if you have ridden all the other great stuff
  • This is a prime moose habitat, respect their space and enjoy these majestic animals

Sun Valley / Ketchum is Best Known For

• Remote trails with few people
• Sun Valley mountain resort
• Great rafting, hiking, hot springs, and more biking just north in Stanley, Idaho

Where to Rent Bikes

Rent premium mountain bikes for Sun Valley with Black Tie – they will even deliver them to your accommodation for free when you rent for 2+ days!

Where to Camp

Where do we begin… there are so many options:

• Lake Creek Road – closest to town and unbeatable scenery: farther up the road is 16-day free camping
• Trail Creek Rd
• Warm Springs Canyon
•  

Other Outdoor Activities in Sun Valley

• Paddling Redfish Lake – it’s touristy but worth it
• Rafting the Salmon River in Stanley, ID
• Hiking options abound in the wilderness surrounding Ketchum

Bellingham, WA

Pros	Cons
One mountain, all the trails that you need	”Perfect” riding season is short
Great PNW riding conditions in the summer	Wet most of the year
Visiting PNW bike brands like Kona and Transition that let you rent a bike for the day!	Lack of free camping options

Bellingham has a world class mountain biking destination with over 65 miles of singletrack – Galbraith Mountain.  Take a guided mountain bike tour from local experts, Dig Deep Tours, to ensure you hit the best trails during your stay!

Must Ride Trails in Bellingham

Galbraith Mountain

• All of the trails. Yes… all of them! They are incredible.  Mostly Intermediate/Advanced trails

Bellingham is Best Known For

The trails in Bellingham are known for their technical features built into the awesome PNW dirt. Lots of ladder bridges, rock drops, but enough trail for anyone to enjoy regardless of rider ability. Best suited for intermediate for advanced riders however.

Renting Bikes & Guided Adventures

• Transition Bikes – the company headquarters. Go visit them and tell Blake we said hello. The whole crew here is awesome, you get to ride their latest bikes and the money goes to local trail systems.
• We highly recommend you make the most of your time and take a guided mountain bike tour from local experts, Dig Deep Tours

Where to Camp

The Dollar Lot just outside of Galbraith Mtn.  Find out if you can still camp here before you show up with your rig (we heard it may have changed since we were there). It’s at the base of the Galbraith mountain and when we visited, it was $10/night and there is nothing better than riding out of camp to hit the Galbraith trails. If you get in trouble, we didn’t tell you about this.

Other Outdoor Activities in Bellingham

• Paddle boarding in Puget Sound – SUP tours and lessons for beginners and experts alike!
• Visit Canada, heck, you’re close enough to Vancouver and even Whistler downhill park (one of our 10 best downhill parks!)

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Bend, OR

Pros	Cons
Ride right out of town	More city than a town
Camp right off the trail network	Trails can be dusty without the right moisture, high desert conditions
Downhill options at Mt. Bachelor
Breweries and awesome food options

Bend is no longer a secret… but that certainly doesn’t mean that it should be overlooked.  In fact, it’s one of the best mountain biking destinations out there!  Plus, it’s an amazing location along the Deschutes River on the eastern edge of the Cascade Range make it a prime destination for paddling, hiking, skiing, and more.  It’s also known for its many tasty microbreweries – so finish off your ride with a cold one!

Must Ride Trails in Bend

• Phils Trail System
  • So much to choose from here, for all levels – beginner to advanced
• Our Bend Mountain Bike Trail Guide details all of our favorite rides!

Where to Camp

Forest Road 300 Deschutes National Forest – you are camped practically on top of the mountain bike trails – Ride on/ Ride off!

Where to Rent Bikes

Project Bike is one of the coolest bike shops as they are a full on demo shop.

Bend is Best Known For

Although it is not as small as some of the other towns on our list and could technically be on a ‘city’ list, (it does have a Whole Foods after all), Bend is one of the most outdoorsy towns in the country. In addition to hundreds of miles of fantastic riding close to town, Bend has tons of great microbreweries, restaurants and the Deschutes River running right through town.

Other Outdoor Activities in Bend

• Paddling the Deschutes River
• Visiting Newberry National Monument

North Georgia: Ellijay, GA / Blue Ridge, GA / Dahlonega, GA

Pros	Cons
Much less crowded than popular trails out west	Hot and humid summers
Some of the best XC trails in the country. Yes, we said it	Limited free camping options
Long riding season, anytime from March to November or early December	Slippery when wet and can be wet often. Lots of roots and rocks

North Georgia has some pretty sick singletrack – rolling hills, thick forests and long ridges make it a premier mountain biking destination in the Southeast.  There are fantastic trail options right in the heart of Atlanta and all the way north through the Blue Ridge Mountains stretching through North Carolina and Tennessee.

Must Ride Trails in North Georgia

• Ellijay, GA
  • Pinhoti 1, 2 and 3: Intermediate riding through classic north Georgia scenery
• Blue Ridge, GA
  • Aska trail system: 17 miles of more great intermediate/advanced riding with up to 3200 feet of climbing (that’s a lot for Georgia!)
    • Green Mountain Loop or Flat creek loop – fantastic Intermediate trail options at Aska
    • Stanley Gap – Advanced
      • This is a tough climb that doesn’t give any breaks until you’re at the top, which makes for an incredibly rewarding downhill as well
• Dahlonega, GA
  • Bull and Jake Mountain IMBA Epic – Intermediate trails with great flow, scenic vistas over the north Georgia mountains and ripping downhills