It’s been a minute since we’ve updated our list of the best mountain bike destinations in the US, and around the world. (Actually it’s been 3.2 million minutes, but who’s counting?)
A lot has changed over the past six years with new and improved trails opening across the globe, and innovative groups and businesses moving in to support visiting riders. As we begin our research into the best mountain bike destinations, we want to know which ones are on your radar this year. Nominate a destination using the form below to help us narrow the list over the coming weeks.
In general, a mountain bike destination is a town or small area with access to multiple trails and support services. In the ‘destination’ field on the form below, please type the name of the main town closest to the trails, rather than the name of a trail or trail network. For example, Moab instead of Whole Enchilada.
Northern New Mexico perfect climate never to hot, never to cold, never to humid, Taos, Santa Fe, Los Alamos, Albuquerque ( kinda central NM) and every where in between.
No hustle, no bustle, all at your own speed and all locations within just a few hours.
VIVA The Land of Enchantment.
Except the sandy soil gets super blown out at Angel Fire
i appreciate your comment however my comment is to address my individual like to Nominate My Favorite MTB Destination. The earth is mainly made of water, dirt, rocks and sand. As mentioned on my initial post it does not mention AF.However AF is rated one of the most epic DH in the southwest. It’s all good as long as we still have the ability to ride a bike.
I vote for Vermont: from lift served to flow to backcountry gnarl, plus winter fat biking, there is something for everyone. It just keeps getting better and better.
I hope the Bay Area does not get any votes. In one of the most progressive areas in the US, we still don’t have any legal or quality trail systems throughout the area. Closest being Santa Cruz area.
I’ve ridden in most of the 2016 top 10 for the U.S. It’s hard to argue with that list, but I would personally rather go to Durango than Jackson or Park City.
The only real drama this time around is how high you rank Bentonville and which location they knock out.
As a UK resident I’ve never riden in the USA or Canada. I visit relatives in Christchurch every other year, Christchurch has greaat facilities for every kind of rider.. I’ve also attended several Semane Federal cycling weeks and really enjoyed the MTB trails, great for old fashioned hardtails.
Ft Ord National Monument,
Home of the largest bike festival in the world the “Sea Otter Classic” has an unbelievable amount of twisting turning flowing singletrack trails. Be ready to get lost in this wilderness and test your skills to find your way back! These are the trails the army built to disorient the soldiers that now disorient mountain bikers. The trails are so much fun you will be smiling all the way at least until you are officially lost!
Added bonus…. cool to mild year-round coastal weather, perfect for mountain bilking!
There is one destination thousands of mtn bikers from America and around the world come once a year, year after year and that is Laquna Seca- Ft Ord National Monument for the annual SEA OTTER CLASSIC! Birthplace of eMtn Biking and first eMtn bike race, it’s the Woodstock of music festivals and cycling’s most cherished event for a number of reasons. This event combined with great places to cycle, be it mtn biking, road, gravel and sand makes this the “one must” destination of all destinations. So many things to do, plan at least a week to play!
Cabo. Tons of desert trail systems, including a serious downhill trail and you can surf and eat cheap tacos afterwards.
In 1986, I began a headfirst emersion into mountain biking to get through a nasty divorce. My Cannondale 800 trials bike saved my ass… SLC Utah was a perfect place to begin my process. Rides on The Wasatch Crest trails were a religious experience. The deserts down south reigned supreme. My wife and I did three White Rim self-supported adventures.
Having had the opportunity to have ridden much of the western US, I finally found home here on the Mendocino coast with its amazing trail network. After having ridden in Utah, Idaho, Colorado, Arizona, Washinton, also living in Bend Oregon for 4 years, I found home here twenty-seven years ago, on the Mendocino coast/ Jackson Demonstration Forest with all its great trails. Our area is not well known but, renowned (Bike magazine article July 2014) for its XC (EXie) style trails…
219+ miles of trails with additional Ibis Migratory routes circa-1981 along with secondary fire roads. All to our own. The guidebook is sold out.
Bonus, we have not been discovered. Yet!