This Season’s Best Mountain Biking Destinations
Now’s the time to get in your Fall mountain biking fix! Below are our top picks for some great mountain biking destinations across the country.
Allegany State Park, New York
Allegany State Park is a 65,000-acre park complete with forests, rolling hills and in the fall, gorgeous foliage change. There are two developed areas in the park, Red House and Quaker. There are five miles of paved trails around Red House for biking, while Art Roscoe Ski Touring Area has some fantastic mountain bike trails in the Northeast. In fact, Allegany State Park has a long, rich history of mountain biking in Western New York. Other great mountain biking trails include:
- Bova Downhill - this short, difficult single track trail of just under a mile lets out into an abandoned ski hill.
- Ridge Run - Nearly 5-miles long, this trail provides access to the summit loops that continues out along a scenic ridgeline.
- Old Thunder Run - This intermediate track is 3.4-miles long and the first of 3 new singletracks approved for Allegany State Park.
Also recommended: 5 Best Camping Destinations for Fall Foliage
Carter Caves State Resort Park, Kentucky
Beneath the landscape of forested hills lies more than 20 twisting caverns, including a 30-foot underground waterfall and X-Cave with luminous pipes and spirals. There are over 20 miles of mountain biking on singletrack and multi-use trails.
- Kiser Hollow Trail - this 9-mile multi-use trail passes through mature hardwood of Tygart State Forest and iconic Smokey Creek valley. The trail is intermediate, being occasionally steep and rocky.
- Ridgetop Trail - an easy, multi-use trail at 3.4-miles long, follows the ridge line within Tygart State Forest. The trail offers great overlooks, particularly during fall and winter.
- Cave Branch Trail - is an easy 2-miles of multi-use trail within Tygart State Forest that winds through a picturesque valley. This area includes Cave Branch Creek, which flows underground through Bat Cave before resurfacing near the park entrance.
Trace State Park, Mississippi
Trace State Park, located just minutes from Tupelo, MS, surrounds a 565-acre lake. Serving as a picturesque backdrop to plenty of outdoor activities, Trace State Park features 35 miles of multi-use trails and three single track bicycle trails totaling 15 miles that are easy to moderate in difficulty:
- Nester Trail - is located just inside the park entrance and makes a 4.5-mile loop around the dam and back.
- Baker Trail - this 5-mile trail incorporates portions of an old hiking trail.
- Moroney Trail - a 6-mile trail, Moroney Trail is adjacent to the rear boat ramp and was previously known as boat ramp trail.
Santos Trailhead and Campground, Florida
Santos Campground is located along the Marjorie Harris Carr Cross Florida Greenway, an area renowned for its mountain bike trails. Bikers of any skill can take advantage of the dozens of miles of trails that feature varying levels of difficulty. Many call these the Santos trails the best bike trails in all of Florida, drawing bikers from afar. Some of the trails in the area include:
- Twister Trail - a 3-mile, intermediate single track with a few drops in the beginning and mostly gradual elevation changes.
- Pine Tree Loop Trail - this 3-mile, easy Pine Tree Loop can be enjoyed by the whole family. The loop starts and ends at the Santos trail.
- Canopy Trail - at about a half mile, this short track is named for the beautiful oak canopy above it. It rides great in both directions, but some prefer going north to south.
Lake Cascade State Park, Idaho
Lake Cascade State Park, located within the majestic mountains of central Idaho, is a large park with an abundance of recreational activities, including mountain biking. Below are three stand-out trails:
- Eagle’s Nest Loop - the only singletrack ride in the area, this intermediate 13-mile trail includes a climb up the road that turns into a lengthy loop. There is a wonderful view of the meadow below, and the downhill is fast and exhilarating.
- West Mountain Trail #131 - this 17-mile trail begins in a valley, crosses several creeks, and then passes through forested meadows as it gradually ascends the West Mountain Ridge. The trail, rated as intermediate to difficult, passes through many local topographical standouts, like Snowbank Mountain, Hangman's Tree and Jacob's Ladder.
- Roller Coaster Loop - this 2-mile trail combines a couple of slow climbs, a steep ATV trail and mostly a few miles of super-fast fire road riding. There are a few ridge-top outlooks along this mostly sandy trail, rated as intermediate.
Cheyenne Mountain State Park, Colorado
Located just south of Colorado Springs, Cheyenne Mountain State Park is a crown jewel in the state’s extensive park system. Cheyenne Mountain State Park showcases a stunning transition from the mountain peaks to adjacent valleys. The outstanding network of trails afford vistas and wildlife viewing and feature many great mountain biking tracks:
- South Talon - this mile long singletrack is rated as easy to intermediate and features gentle slopes among the lush vegetation.
- Cheyenne Mountain Big Loop - this intermediate 14-mile track with about 1,600 feet of ascent and descent is loaded with turns and altering tracks between singletrack and wider, well groomed sections.
- Palmer Trail (Section 16 Loop) - a 5-mile track rated as difficult, it is a steep ride with stunning vistas and the trail can be loose and challenging.
Heron Lake, New Mexico
World-class mountain biking is to be had in the stunning setting of Heron Lake, NM. The lake is stocked with fish and the area offers fantastic wildlife viewing with elk, deer, foxes, and roadrunners. A network of trails with varying degrees of difficulty in and around the park can be rode alone or connected for longer rides. Some of the key riding areas in the greater Heron Lake region include:
- East Meadow Trail and the Salmon Run Trail - these two trails can be connected for a super 12-mile out-and-back ride.
- San Juan Mountains - feature longer steeper rides for avid bikers.
- Carson National Forest - this area to the west of the park, extends along mountains and mesas, and boasts dozens of miles of bike trails.
Check with your Local Government Organization
Many policies have been established to counter and control the coronavirus outbreak. State and local officials have been taking decisive action to stop the spread. The policies vary by state, sometimes to a great degree. When you book a reservation, make sure to review the park and state's latest rules and regulations prior to your visit.
For COVID-19 updates, please visit our Impacted Park List and Reservation Guide for the latest information.