Pro Tip: Even if you have ridden these trails before, always make sure that you can stop within your sight range. (In other words,don't go alone.) There are multiple places to access the trail along the route so you can ride the trail in segments as well. When it comes to riding your mountain bike on your favorite trails, you do leave a small footprint, which does damage the trail in a minimal way. Montana has so many mountain towns its possible that you have never heard of some of them. If you are in the region of Montana looking for outdoor adventure or some of the most scenic views the Big Sky state has to offer, its highly likely that youll end up somewhere in the mountain regions. Since the Golden State offers only the finest, we turned to local experts to share their recommendations for the top mountain biking spots in California. Syringa and Bellevue Bike Parks: These parks are located in Missoula, Montana. This ride can also be completed as a shuttle and only feature 6.5 miles with just under 3,000 feet of vertical descent. Twenty minutes northwest of Hungry Horse is the popular ski resort and tourist town of Whitefish where almost 8,000 live. The Most Epic Montana Destinations for a Family Trip in 2022. This will allow you to have a better feeling of the trail and to learn how to execute skills with the proper form instead of cheating by using clipless pedals. Adventure Cycling Association. The town also has a decent range of eateries from local-style, hometown cooking to fine dining. Partially created by locals like Travis Feller from Knicker Biker, the trail is forserious riders, able to take the rattling obstacles andskirt the cliffs along the Missouri River. Emerald Lake isonly nine miles out-and-back, but it's worth the trip. Helena Ridge 400tmax /Getty. Pro Tip: If you decide to take the shuttle consider donating $10 to the Trail Rider Program or just bring a few bucks to tip your driver because we want mountain bikers to be the coolest and nicest people out there. In my personal experiences, the trails are well maintained, well-ridden, and generously shared. Once you have reached the top of the Line Creek Plateau mountain biking trail, high on the ridgeline, the bikers are amused by some of the most astonishing sceneries the State of Montana has to offer. 30. The Top Mountain Biking Destinations in America - ReserveAmerica There are multiple parking areas along the trails so that you can access different parts of the system with ease. Montana Bicycle Guild: This non-profit organization is based out of Helena, Montana. Future trail construction is forecasted for Lazy Creeks, Haskill Basin, and Whitefish Mountain Resort. It can a difficult and long ride if you choose to ride from the start. Different Spokes Bike Shop rents Specialized bikes ($50/3hrs, $80/day), including a helmet and single ride lift pass, but not the Bike Haul Lift Ticket ($35). With a population of around 3,000, Cut Bank has long been an integral part of the regions oil and gas industry, which started in the 1920s when the first well was unearthed. The trail is primarily singletrack with a few rocky areas, and as the trail suggests, a couple of creek crossings. This means that everything has an authentic local feel to it, which only adds to the charm and claim to being one of the best mountain towns in Montana. Stay: Located eight miles from Steamboat in the Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest, Dry Lake Campground's eight sites ($10, no reservations) put cyclists adjacent to the Spring Creek Trail, a breezy five-miler into town. Kalispell is within easy reach of both Glacier National Park and Flathead Lake, which makes it an ideal place to base any Montana vacation from. This can be an out-and-back (push up/ride down) or ridden as a loop that utilizes a 15-mile climb up forest roads," says DeVall, who also raves about Como Lake and what he calls the locals' favorite "after-work/short-on-time loop." West Yellowstone - one of the best small towns in Montana West Yellowstone is one of the best small towns in southern Montana. Commentdocument.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "a66401d09114628b025d7fb57d4ca8c2" );document.getElementById("a590a7590e").setAttribute( "id", "comment" ); Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Best Mountain Bike Trails in Montana SEE ALL South Hills Trail System Helena, Montana #1 Intermediate | 75.0 mi South Hills Trail System is a singletrack mountain bike trail in Helena, Montana. Mountain Laurel Trails encompass varying levels of difficulty for beginners as well as seasoned bikers to enjoy. The Mt. For challenging singletrack, you may try the hundreds of splendid miles of National Forest Service Roads and tracks surrounding the Big Sky Resort. 1. The Garage: Located less than 10 minutes away from the above featured trailhead. Focus on keeping your effort consistent and avoid sprinting or sharp explosive efforts. In addition, they run the Montana Enduro Series. The Best Mountain Towns to Visit in America - Thrillist With 2015 expansions, including additional trails off three lifts, there are now over 30 miles of cross-country trails, 40 miles of MBT trails from the Mountain Village, and 14 various downhill routes. There's so much to do here and you'll be absolutely smitten with this great little place. 25 Best Colleges in the Mountains | Features | Ranking 25 Best Colleges in the Mountains Top Consensus Ranked Colleges for Hiking and Climbing Top 5 1 2 Washington and Lee University 3 California State Polytechnic University-Pomona 4 Middlebury College 5 Bates College Hydration is key. There are any number of great mountain biking trails in the Spokane, WA area, but if local resident Kate Hudson had to pick just one, she'd choose the Mount Spokane Bike Trail 140, less than an hour drive from downtown. Southwest Montana Mountain Bike Association: This trail group works to help build and maintain both new and surviving trails. It is rare that this entire trail would be ridden in one attempt. The rocky sections, technical don't-look-down turns, and technicalclimbsadd up to anepic ride. This downhill section is so fast that the bikers may require taking a break to rest their breaking fingers/hands before proceeding. There are 42 trails, and about 80 miles of trail to ride and explore. . If youre after a mountain view, Montana is one of the best states to be in. Ten Best Mountain Towns in Montana 1. Montana is a very large state and therefore requires a lot of hands to keep the land healthy and serving mountain bikers from all over the World. Dunsmuir Up in the Trinity Mountains, you'll find the charming town of Dunsmuir. There are plenty of options for you to choose from. From local events, jobs, where to stay and the best things to see and do. This 24-mile stretch of smooth singletrack is the kind of classic trail that'll keep you coming back to Bozeman. Theres always a way out & Road Bikes are you, Read More How to Shift (change gears) On a Road Bike?Continue, If youre anything like me, youve found yourself in a bind with a flat tire on your care and no way to pump it up. The Boise River Greenbelt is a 25-mile riverfront . Pro Tip: Lightening is very common in this area so be prepared and plan your timing correctly. If the closest lightning strike is within 10 miles then you should be seeking safety. Since then, electric bicycles have gotten cheaper, better, and have a wider variety of types of electric bicycles. Seattle has gone to great lengths to build some of the best and most well-protected bike lanes in the U.S. #explorewhitefish Author Name Author Name Author Name Many of the trails are not marked. Getty Images. mountain bike, truck, dirt bike, ATV or SxS if you desire. Bicycle Engine Durability: How Long Will They Last? McKenzie River Trail. The Chief Joseph Pass Area Trails are located in Wisdom, Montana. Nestled in the Hyalite Peaks high country, the trail is moderately technical, with up and down switchbacks and 2,000 feet of climbingthat endsat a30-acre alpine lake surrounded by rock walls. Pipestone trail area is located east of Butte and west of Whitehall. However, when the bikers reach the apex, the course switches into an exciting singletrack trail that is technical as its challenging. Mountain bikers like Chad DeVall, owner and tour guide at Red Barn Bicycles, know how good they have it living in Hamilton, situated near hundreds of miles of trails and dirt roads. Additionally, these trails are open almost year round and are likely to be some of the only dry trails in late fall or early spring. Where to Go Mountain Biking in the North West - ExiceMaiden.com 25 Best Montana Vacations - VacationIdea.com Located between Truckee and Sacramento, Auburn is a small mountain town loved by bikers, hikers, and horseback riders. The navigation starts at a steady climb from the trailhead, which ultimately brings bikers a reasonably flat, steady-pedaling section of the trail that borders the slopes giving the bikers their initial taste of the incredible and grand ridgeline. The fun and the most exciting part starts at the 2000 foot descent with flowy high-speed sections to rocky sections that will undoubtedly keep you on your toes, offering 20 minutes of enormous grins on the faces of the mountain bikers. Montana is a state located in the Western United States. hiking, mountain biking, and . Bike, eat, sleep, repeat. Your legs may be burning at the top, but the nine-mile descent is one more reason you'll never forget this teeth-gritting ride. 5. Montana Mountain Biking Trails | Trailforks The Woodrat Mountain Biking Trail. MacDonald Pass mountain biking trail is the classic ride in Helena, Montana, equally famous for its killer views and downhill slopes. The town features an idyllic shopping district and several cozy restaurants. They are open Monday-Saturday from 10 am 5 or 6 pm and are also less than 10 minutes away from the featured trailhead. Check out SABRE Frontiersman (Link to AMAZON for great price). Alongside a bountiful harvest of cherries in the summer, Polson and the surrounding region also have many cultural and outdoor things to do. Marshall Mountain has been home to the collegiate mountain bike national championship and is currently home to a UCI Pro XCT event and a local race series. And then there's the Mount Helena Ridge Trail. Bozeman, in the southwest of Montana, is a great place if you're seeking clean, fresh air and a relaxing environment. After grinding up the initial 7.5-mile climb, it won't be long before you're in the zone, gliding around three-foot-wide switchbacks and undulating terrain until you reach meadows and pause-worthy vistas. Great divide mountain bike route. 46.5891 N, 112.0391 W. It is surrounded by national forests and a Native American reservation, and has something of an old town feel to it. It is categorized as an intermediate loop that sits on high altitudes. Killington, Vermont. Whitefish Resort is known for its laidback attitude and flowy trails. If you are about to purchase your first electric bicycle, there are a few things you will need to know first. ", If you get the most stoked for the downhill part of every ride, you won't want to leave Montana without experiencing Palisades, the best descent in the Bitterroot Valley, according to Chad DeVall. You will need to know about the three classifications and the laws surrounding their legal Electric bicycles have become more popular every year since their first surge in popularity in 2010. 8. It features sweeping vistas, mountainous recreational hubs, and prime wildlife habitat. In the northwest region of Montana, not far from Glacier National Park, sits the town of Whitefish, where Cricket Butler operates Whitefish Bike Retreat. A vast part of Montana is covered by Prairie, which makes it one of the most adventurous regions. The mountain bike community in Montana is thriving with plenty of local race series, local pros, a high school league, and people willing to show you the ropes around every corner. Butte has more to offer than a rich mining history and America's oldest brothel. The trails are designed to cater to every type of rider in the area from a first timer to a professional athlete. Take the Single-Track Less Traveled - Best Mountain Biking Towns Sign up for our FREE weekly email.Delivered to your inbox every Friday. In the same regard, mountain bikers are advised to be keen on the weather as they explore the trail and look for shelter if they notice lightning and thunder. Bike Helena - IMBA Silver Level Destination | Visit Helena, Montana However, there is a separate fun of enjoying the rides in rain too as long as you are aptly ready for it. This town is surrounded on three sides by both the Crazy Mountains and the Absaroka Beartooths and is regarded as something of a gateway to the Absaroka Beartooth Wilderness which provides some amazing outdoor recreational opportunities, with fishing being one of the prime attractions for much of this area. Warm Springs Trail System is located in Sula, Montana, which is about 80 miles South of Missoula. You can rent afull suspension mountain bike for about $50 a day at Round House, just down the street from therecently opened Outlaw Brewing, where the Tumbleweeds food truck is smoking pork daily for its BBQ burrito. ), Best Tow Bar Bike Rack for Electric Bikes. Various Spokes Bike Shop hires specialized mountain bikes for $80 per day or $50 for 3 hours; this includes a single lift pass and a helmet. But for us, the one area that we were pleasantly surprised by when researching possible road trips is Cedar City. Built in 1991, the home sits on. The trail goes through miles of public and private lands and is ideal for all levels of biking skills. When it comes to biking in rain, there is a frown on all our faces thinking that it isnt a good idea. There are 3 distinct parking areas that allow for easy access to different sides of the trail system. Here you will encounter breathtaking views and endless exciting nature trails running through forested areas and around Whitefish Lake. The modestly technical single-track path has 50 switchbacks, steep climbs, beautiful forests, and gratifying views the whole way up, but particularly when you reach the 10,000-foot saddle. Red Barn Bicycles: Located in Hamilton, Montana and open Tuesday-Saturday from 10 am to 4 pm or 6 pm. Most of the trails are fast, flowy and smooth but can still cater to every skill level looking to spend a fun day on the trails. The Beaver Ponds trail is located roughly over 6,000 feet in elevation, beginning with a paved highway climb proceeding to the main trailhead. The summer months bring hiking, rafting, mountain biking opportunities, and more. The white, Rocky Mountain peaks and rolling green hills that surround the town make the word charming suitably apt, as does the local history which is closely linked to both the Old West and dinosaurs. Glacier National Park - VisitMT.com Here is a link to the shuttle website: https://www.bikehelena.com/trail-rider/. Local culture and history abound in this town as well as a plethora of Western-style adventures and of course, endless opportunities for outdoor pursuits. The Best Small Towns in Montana - TripSavvy The trail is rocky, rooty, and has multiple switchbacks that allow riders to climb at more manageable gradient while navigating challenging tight turns on the descent.