From fast desert trails to riding through lush forests, the United States has no shortage of outstanding mountain bike destinations. Each destination offers its own unique blend of trails, features, and of course, adventure! We’ve highlighted seven of the very best below:
1. Moab, Utah
Moab is a mountain bike mecca of sorts, as mountain bikers travel from far and wide to experience its red rock landscapes, mountains and challenging trails offering varied riding surfaces.
The Whole Enchilada
The Whole Enchilada may be Moab’s best known trail. It descends over 7000 feet from the high alpine zone above the tree line all the way down to the sandstone Canyon of the Colorado River. From the shuttle drop off point, The Whole Enchilada is over 35-miles back to midtown Moab, mostly descending, with a couple of demanding climbs mixed in.
The Whole Enchilada is a demanding trail that will test your mountain biking abilities in all facets, but its a trail every avid MTB’er should experience at some point.
Amasa Back
Known for its rugged terrain, steep drops, and amazing views, Amasa Back is a Moab favorite for a reason.
It’s a technical singletrack trail that combines a mix of challenging descents and demanding technical features, with some climbing mixed in. It’s a thrilling ride but definitely requires solid riding skills and isn’t for beginners.
Amasa Back crosses through the rugged Moab terrain and offers awesome views of the red rock formations surrounding it. While riding it, you’ll find steep rocky sections, ledges and technical features that require skill to navigate.
2. Sedona, Arizona
Sedona, Arizona is a terrific mountain bike destination with a variety of trails that are both challenging and visually stunning thanks to Sedona’s beautiful red rock scenery.
Chuckwagon – Mescal – Long Canyon Loop
This loop makes for an ideal first ride in the Sedona area and while these trails are a challenge they are still rideable for most experienced mountain bikers.
This loop will take you through some of Sedona’s smoothest singletrack, while delivering spectacular views of Sedona’s red rocks in every direction. You will ride through loose rock descents, forest and a slickrock ledge, making for a memorable riding experience.
Triple H
Some notoriously difficult and thrilling trails in Sedona start with the letter H, the three we’re thinking of are Hangover, Hiline and Hogs trails.
These are trails designed with advanced and highly skilled riders in mind, particularly the Hangover trail, which is only rideable for very experienced riders who are willing to take on some risk. Less experienced (and brave) mountain bikers can still attempt the trail but it may be more hiking than riding.
Hangover is a very intense trail that involves exposed riding along the edge of a cliff, and while its probably the most unique ride in Sedona, it is definitely not for beginners or the feint of heart.
3. Bend, Oregon
Bend, Oregon, a place blessed with some serious natural beauty, has a huge variety of mountain bike trails with new and improved trails popping up all the time.
Phil’s Trail Complex
Located just minutes from downtown Bend is Phil’s Trail Complex, a massive network of trails ranging from beginner to expert difficulty. Phil’s Trail Complex offers hundreds of miles of interconnected singletrack.
There are a lot of XC type trails to be found in this complex, but there’s a good mix of climbs and descents too and something fun for mountain bikers of all stripes.
Mt. Bachelor Bike Park
Located alongside an area of Phil’s Trail Complex is Mt. Bachelor Bike Park, a lift access mountain bike park with miles of downhill fun waiting to be shredded. The park offers outstanding views and amazing gravity oriented trail riding including machine-built flow trails, jump lines, and technical singletrack trails.
The bike park has two lifts, a beginner lift for less experienced riders and the Pine Marten Express, where longer, steeper and more difficult trails await.
4. Pisgah National Forest Region, North Carolina
Located in the famed Blue Ridge Mountains sits Pisgah National Forest, home to some amazing MTB trails. It’s no surprise Pisgah is one of the most popular mountain bike destinations in the Southeast.
Pisgah Ranger District
The Pisgah Ranger District is home to many miles of challenging and rugged trails that are mostly considered multi-use, meaning hikers use them too.
Pisgah’s Ranger district includes many challenging climbs, thrilling descents, and technical terrain that are sure to offer a challenge for riders of all skill levels.
Black Mountain trail is a signature trail for the district, comprising of an upper, middle and lower section. The upper section is best suited to experienced riders and features some tricky rock gardens and exhilarating descents.
One of the best parts about the Black Mountain trail is the amazing view of the surrounding Blue Ridge Mountains from the top.
Dupont State Recreational Forest
Dupont State Recreational Forest, located near Brevard, NC, is part of the Greater Pisgah region’s mountain biking scene. Dupont has over 80 miles of multi-use trails with many open to mountain biking. The trails are very scenic and suitable for a variety of skill levels.
In particular, Cedar Rock Trail is known for its fun, flowy descent and also its beautiful view from the top of Cedar Rock.
5. Park City, Utah
Park City, Utah is probably most well-known for being a world-class ski destination, but when the snow is away, the mountain bikers will play (and shred). Park City is a gold level IMBA riding area and has good options for riders of all skill levels that are both challenging and offer tremendous views.
Park City Mountain Resort
For the most challenging lift-access trails, head to Park City Mountain Resort just west of downtown Park City. Here you’ll find a variety of challenging and technical terrain including freeride and jump lines, and also mixing in some flowy and fun trails that are less demanding and more beginner and intermediate rider friendly.
The resort boasts amazing views from most trails. It also has a dedicated bike park area filled with berms and jumps for a more park-style experience if that’s what you’re after.
Deer Valley Resort
Just to the east of Park City is Deer Valley Resort.
There is less variety at Deer Valley compared to Park City Mountain Resort, but there’s still plenty to keep riders busy and having a great time. Deer Valley is known for its flowy trails well suited to intermediate riders that weave their way down the hill while showing off all the natural beauty Park City has to offer.
6. Bentonville, Arkansas
Bentonville, Arkansas is best known as the home and headquarters of Walmart, but did you know its also become one of the best mountain bike destinations in the US?
A major factor that has put Bentonville on the MTB map is the major investments that are made in developing and maintaining its trails, thanks in large part to the Walton family, heirs of the Walmart fortune. As the saying goes, if you build it, they will come, and that certainly holds true in Bentonville where the mountain bike community has grown and grown, including large amounts of visiting mountain bikers looking to shred.
Bentonville trails are known for being flowy, machine built and fast.
Coler Mountain Bike Preserve
Coler MTB Preserve features a wide variety of trails including beginner green trails double black diamond jump lines and black diamond trails featuring rock gardens.
Coler has a skills park featuring drops, jumps and other technical features and is a fun way to level up your skills.
Coler also has a pump track and offers beautiful views of the surrounding area of Northwest Arkansas.
The Slaughter Pen
Sitting just to the east of Coler is another trail network called Slaughter Pen Hollow, but affectionately known by the MTB community as simply the “Slaughter Pen”.
The Slaughter Pen has lots of machine built trails including many beginner friendly ones, but definitely has trails to keep everyone, including more advanced riders, entertained.
7. Lake Tahoe, California/Nevada
Lake Tahoe, situated in California and Nevada, is one of the most breathtaking mountain bike destinations in the US, and likely anywhere for that matter.
As far as the riding goes, Lake Tahoe consists of series of lift and shuttle access mountain bike parks and trail systems, with most of them concentrated at either end of lake, North Lake Tahoe and South Lake Tahoe.
Northstar California Resort
Northstar is a premier ski and mountain bike resort located just Northwest of Lake Tahoe. The resort boasts a wide variety of lift-access trails with something suitable for riders of all abilities.
Northstar trails range from flowy, fast descents, jump lines, technical rock gardens and manmade wooden features. A notable trail among many at Northstar is called Gypsy, a technical descent heavy on wooden man-made features.
Flume Trail
The Tahoe Flume trail is a challenging 14 mile ride filled with spectacular views. The trail follows ridges above Lake Tahoe giving riders beautiful views of the lake itself and the surrounding mountains.
The Flume trail’s elevation range from 7,000 to 8,100 feet above sea level and is rideable for intermediate riders, with challenging sections that can be steep and rocky.
Conclusion
Those are our choices for the best mountain bike destinations in the US, but there are many more great spots out there! Our choices were based not only on their outstanding and challenging trails, but also for the natural beauty you encounter while visiting them. You’re certainly in for an adventure at any of these amazing MTB spots.