Extreme mountain biking – one of the most accessible extreme sports that hundreds of thousands of people partake in yearly, it’s adrenaline pumping, athletic, and features jumps, drops, fast speeds and incredible views.
The United States is perfect for mountain biking, as it contains nearly every type of climate and terrain imaginable – deserts, mountains, rough terrain sweeping forests with scorching heat and freezing climates – you name it, and the US has most likely got it…making for some fantastic mountain biking destinations.
While there are quite possibly thousands of top extreme mountain biking locations in the US alone, we’ve researched the top 5 locations for mountain bikers who love the extreme – let’s explore the best of the best!
How to Choose the Best Extreme Mountain Biking Destinations
There’s more to the top mountain biking destinations than just having a lot of trails. The best locations have a vibe that can be felt the moment you arrive, and will make your experience that much greater.
From the trails themselves to the bike shops, restaurants and bars and clubs, the atmosphere of the location needs to be at the same level as the trails you’ll be riding. Who wants to just have a motel room off the interstate and a six-pack after an epic day out in the sun with your bike? After all, these are destinations that riders seek out for riding, not places they ride while in town visiting the in-laws.
Hardcore mountain bikers also expect a various style of trail experiences when visiting a top destination – it’s not all just socializing! Developing a top destination can take years, and makes these next level locations all the more special.
So, what makes a top mountain biking destination?
In our opinion, these are a few of the factors that play a key role:
- Strong community of mountain biking riders
- Good climate
- Various trail experiences from beginners to experts, and from technical to flowing trails
- Beautiful views and natural environment
- Unique restaurants, bars, and breweries
- Mountain bike themed services like bike shops, events, and tour operators
- A variety of lodging options – camping, mid-range and luxury hotels
Wherever you ride, be sure to support the local community, advocates, and small business owners who make these destinations unique and special.
1. Park City, Utah
What is park city first on our list? Simple. It just might be unmatched in quality, as it’s the first town in the United States to receive gold-level ride status from the International Mountain Biking Association. It keep it short, that’s a huge deal, and there are just so many things around Park City thank to make it mountain biking heaven on heath. The trail network is 100% accessible from downtown, with an eco-friendly ride from the city to the wilderness with beyond epic views of valleys, mountains, and canyons.
Constantly expanding, particularly by Deer Valley resort, there are much loved classics like the Wasatch Crest Trail, Old Town Area that will always remain at or near the top of the mountain biking scene after decades of use. What about the coveted atmosphere of the location? Check. Known for having an old-school feel and style, with many historic buildings from its original 1800s settlement, you just might never want to leave this rider’s paradise.
2. Crested Butte, Colorado
While Park City might seem like a rider’s fantasy, Crested Butte is a rival for the top spot. With a claim to fame as one of the birthplaces of mountain biking, it’s no wonder this location attracts riders from everywhere. With over 750 miles of alpine trails, including the famous Deadman’s Gulch, Trail 401, and Doctor Park, it’s easy to see why we chose this one.
And if you were wondering if the town of Crested Butte is just as good as the trails, we are happy to tell you it is! Called a “gem in its own right”, it is located right in a Rocky Mountain valley with so many different styles of food, nightclubs and events that your time off the trails will be well spent within this picturesque biking scene.
3. Lake Tahoe, California and Nevada
Lake Tahoe is world-famous for being the largest and clearest alpine lake in North America. All kinds of visitors who love nature visit yearly, and a good amount of those people just happen to be mountain bikers, but it isn’t by accident. There’s much more than scenic views, as the Tahoe Rim Trail is a well throughout collection of paths around the lake that offer every difficulty level you could possibility want – from beginner to extreme of the extreme. It’s a real highlight in North America, and one that every rider should visit at least once (but we’re sure you’ll want to come back again and again…).
There are many shoreside towns that are just perfect for visiting mountain bikers, and with more and more trail developments happening, there is always something new to visit. Plus, with a seemingly endless supply of restaurants and bike shops. Lake Tahoe has quietly become one of the most popular location for mountain biking.
4. Bangor, Maine
Maine is known for countless hidden cycling gems located in the mountains and forests that make up a large portion of the state. The city of Bangor is perhaps the most versatile location, home to “The Bog” – also known as the Bangor City Forest – hosts many singletrack trails for the experts, as well as a family-friendly doubletrack loop as well. With various connection trails you can use to go on other routes, there is always a new route or path to explore with the maze of mountain biking lands.
If you plan your route, you’ll be able to connect to paths that will take you closer to the coastline, where you’ll find some of the best culture, food, and architecture that New England offers. If you’ve never been, Maine is a world apart from the rest of the region, and you’ll likely have that same feeling when you visit.
5. Sedona, Arizona
The Southwest United States is often considered to have the best terrains and conditions terrains for mountain biking, with Sedona one of the main attractions. There has been an uptick is older trails being restored, as well as new ones being created that are just perfect for mountain bikers.
The town has accessible trails with every single kind of technical challenge imaginable, as the red rocks and other landmarks make for unique obstacles. The old classics like Hiline, Hangover and the Hogs remain the most popular sites despite the trail expansion, but as more and more riders become aware of what adventures await, you can be sure that the area will not stop pushing the boundaries of what is possible when it comes to mountain biking communities.
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