Situated near Lake McDonald in Montana, the MacDonald mountain biking trail is moderately trafficked and stretches up to 9.0 kilometers. So learn more about one of the best mountain towns in Montana, and then add it to your list! Sign up for our FREE weekly email.Delivered to your inbox every Friday. Whether you're planning a Montana family road trip or you're planning to stick around one area, we've compiled some of the best . 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. Polson. It is the perfect place to get started on a mountain bike and learn the basics. 17 Coziest American Mountain Towns Snuggling up in America's best mountainous regions Up in the mountains, the air is fresher and the views are better. The Grass Mountain Biking Loop is one of the most famous, challenging, and well-ridden course systems in the Bozeman area of Montana. Montanas trails have always made me pause to appreciate how incredible our landscapes are and how big and endless the opportunities are that are lingering around each corner. But it is a little more difficult to decide which is the best one. Head to East Missoula and then up into the hills. In the town, youll find local stores including such delights as a junk shop and a mountain arts store, and lodgings can be found along with an abundance of huckleberry delicacies. In between the fast big-ring descents and steep technical climbs up the ridge, the rolling terrain will give you plenty of moments to stop and take it all in, especially the views of Lone Mountain and the Taylor Hilgard peaks. A single track trail, this one looks right out of a fantasy novel. Pro Tip: Since there are so many options of trails in this area, come to the trail network with a plan ahead of time. This is a perfect spot for working out and mostly parked on weekends and during holidays. We talked to local bike shop owners, trail builders, and photographers to uncover the greatest routes, with the most beautiful lakes, open meadows and dazzling descents. The granddaddy is up Warm Springs to the top of Saddle Mountain and descending down through Overwhich Falls. 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. Click -> HERE, This site is owned and operated by River Traditions LLC, a limited liability company headquartered in Michigan, USA. From bike-packing adventures to bike parks, and perfect single-track, here are the 15 best mountain biking trails in Montana. Many of them offer brilliant scenic views, a small-town charm with an alpine ambiance, and access to outdoor recreational opportunities like skiing and hiking. It is an incredible locale for those seeking a challenging, technical, and scenically attractive, Situated in the town of Red Lodge in Montana, this. 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. 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). Helena Ridge Trail provides incredible scenic views through some of the utmost stunning hardwood forests across the state. This mountain biking is true backcountry bliss. According to World Population Review, the town is located in Park County and has a small population of 77 (as of the 2020 consensus). Marshall Mountain lies just east of the Rattlesnake, NE of Missoula. You may notice that you become fatigued more quickly or have difficulty breathing. The 30 Best Mountain Towns in America and Around the World. There are 75 different trails, featuring about 50 miles to explore. Make sure that you start early enough to be able to make it back to your vehicle before dark. https://www.grizzlyoutfitters.com/. Situated in the popular town of Missoula in Montana, the Woods Gulch mountain biking trail stretches up to 6-miles. The propagation of land in Montana, mostly mountainous and prairies terrain, and the population absence makes it an ideal destination for those seeking to deal with some of the most challenging and overwhelming trails globally. 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. Cairns Way: This trail is marked as blue which would indicate an easier rating; however, beginners should be wary. Before riding at the South Hills Trail Network, download the Trailforks App in order to see all of the parking locations. If you have never been to Missoula before then make sure to save some time for before or after to check out the town. . Pro Tip: Grizzly bears are fairly common in this area so consider bringing a small can of bear spray or riding with a bear bell. A full enduro set up including pads, helmet, bike, and insurance for one day on the mountain runs for $127 during the regular season. At the edge of Glacier National Park in the Northern Rocky Mountains is a vibrant town built around a shared appreciation of the wild. This July, test your fitness skills at the Dirty Girl Mud Run obstacle course race, or your culinary knowledge at the Killington Wine Festival. Skylar Rispens Two riders descend from Mt. It is best to climb up the fireroads and descend the singletrack trails. Whitefish is a town in the Rocky Mountains in Montana that is known as a gateway to Glacier National Park, which boasts lakes, valleys, peaks, and glaciers. Pro Tip: Even when you are riding mostly downhill you are still sweating and expending water and electrolytes. Located 60 miles east of Bozeman in an area where the Rocky Mountains meet with the plains. Situated approximately a 2-hour drive from Canada, the Woodrat mountain biking trail is situated in Priest Lake in Idaho. The highway continues through the Beartooth Mountains and across the Beartooth Plateau, reaching elevation levels of more than 10,900 feet (3,322 meters). The friends, Read More What is The Best Cycling Gear For The RainContinue, Youve been thinking about adding yourself among the gamut of people who are fond of biking on road on their lovely road-bees. The trails provide a wide range of activity options and are accessible between April and October. Featuring stunning glacier-carved mountain peaks which tower over river-bisected valleys, Glacier National Park covers over 1,500 square miles of wilderness in the heart of the Rocky Mountains, near Montana's border with Canada. Choteau is an authentic and scenic small Montana town with an agricultural background. Enjoy hiking, biking, kayaking, boating and fishing, in temperatures around the low to mid-80s. 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. This trail gives you a chance to unwind and to forget the busy city lifestyle. The downtown Old Trail Museum is evidence of this, as is the fact that the town is featured on the Montana Dinosaur Trail. Pro Tip: Even if you have ridden these trails before, always make sure that you can stop within your sight range. Youve all that needs to be there in the mind like color, brand, price range, etc. Located in Bozeman, Montana the trail begins at Fs 3163 road and climbs up nearly 2,000 feet to Emerald Lake. It encompasses scenic overlooks, gate logging roads, stacked loops, and beautiful singletrack. This ride can also be completed as a shuttle and only feature 6.5 miles with just under 3,000 feet of vertical descent. has a small population of 77 (as of the 2020 consensus). However, e-bikes have a limited range; As the popularity of e-bikes continues to rise, so does e-bike theft. To combat this, e-bike manufacturers have developed some neat tricks, like requiring a password, or a key to turn your e-bike on or to Electric bicycles are becoming increasingly popular and more affordable every year. This trail is located in Pony, Montana in the Tobacco Roots region. Then, get ready to hit the trails. Montana . However, from May to October, the course is usually accessible daily, treating mountain bikers to a fantastic adventure and an intriguing natural sightseeing excursion. "This is for the expert mountain biker that just craves difficulty and excitement. And some of the best mountain towns in Montana may well have you feeling like you dont want to leave them. Locals enjoy exploring the trail more than once a week for its diverse terrain, scenic overlooks, grueling climbs, and a rocky cliff that is sheer gonzo. The Whitefish Mountain Resort is located in Whitefish, Montana. The majority of the trails are blue and green with a few black trails to challenge the more daring riders. This is classic high alpine riding and the entire trail is a black diamond route. It is 15 miles long and has almost 2,000 feet of climbing and over 5,000 feet of descending. When you are planning on making that first engine kit purchase, many, Read More Bicycle Engine Durability: How Long Will They Last?Continue, If you are looking into getting yourself an electric bicycle for exercise, a cheaper commute to work, or even just because you like riding around. The ski world's go-to source for news, information, weather, entertainment, and travel inspiration. The course proceeds further left to the USFS signage and uphill towards First Creek and Hidden Lakes. Jackson, Wyoming is located in one of the most picturesque parts of the country, surrounded by mountains and national park land. Your safety comes first. The trail is smooth and wide but has some good berms and mellow gradients so that you can gain speed and have fun! Wearing a helmet and protective gear is very important. And then there's the Mount Helena Ridge Trail. These are backcountry trails and should only be ridden by athletes with experience in the saddle and problem solving on the go. 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 Auburn State Recreation Area features plenty of hiking trails along lakes and through trees that all outdoor adventurers adore. For challenging singletrack, you may try the hundreds of splendid miles of National Forest Service Roads and tracks surrounding the Big Sky Resort. The Boise River Greenbelt is a 25-mile riverfront . The trail is only about 2 miles with 800 vertical feet of descending. If you're going to do this challenging Mile Creek Trail, outdoor photographer and local Bob Allen says, "bring the bear spray and bells." Mountain bikers exploring the Whitefish Trail are urged to be cautious and careful not to cause harm as the track is also used by runners, walkers, hikers, and equestrians. 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." This system is located in Butte, Montana and has 16 trails, many loop or out and back options, difficult climbs, switchbacks, granite, and sand. . The Ranch at Rock Creek, Philipsburg. Backcountry trails have varying conditions and getting clothes-lined by a downed tree is never worth it. The black diamond course is rated as expert level and stretches up to 16 miles. The vistas seen from Going-To-The-Sun Road are breathtaking, a photographer's paradise. 1. 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. Top 10 Mountain Bike Towns in the US with the Lowest Cost of Living 1. With a 20 percent broader double trail and 80 percent singletrack, the course is ideal for all levels of bikers, including those seeking to perfect their bike riding skills. The highest-elevation town in Montana is Cooke City, which sits at an elevation of over 7600 feet (2,316 meters). Refuel with the Larry Bird sandwich at Hummingbird Caf, then bike three minutes down the street to Muddy Creek Brewery. In this region where the Line Creek Plateau is situated, inclement weather tends to change rapidly, including lightning storms and thunder during the months of summer. 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. Situated in the great city of Bozeman in Montana, the Grassy, Situated in the popular town of Missoula in Montana, the Woods Gulch, Generally, the Beaver Ponds Trail system is breathtaking and nothing short of incredible and showcases the vast array of natural amusements the southwestern part of Montana has to offer. The trails are designed to cater to every type of rider in the area from a first timer to a professional athlete. The Grizzly loop begins at the Porcupine Creek Trailhead. Livingston is located just 30 miles east of Bozeman, but it's location on the northern end of the Paradise Valley plus some wild weather patterns keep it away from the tourist hordes. Park City supposedly has 100,000 miles of singletrack that you could create a mountain bike tour out of! The location is. Many people like to pack a lunch and enjoy a day at the lake before descending that same route on the way back home. . America's 20 best mountain bike towns. No matter which corner of the state you find yourself in, there are sure to be trails calling your name. Choteau is so scenic that David Letterman even purchased a vacation ranch there! Montana has so many mountain towns its possible that you have never heard of some of them. Missoula, Montana. Which are the Best Small Mountain Towns in Montana. DeVall waves out-of-towners onto Warm Springs Ridge, "a fantastic ride that offers a little bit of everything a mountain biker craves: smooth carves, chunk fest rock gardens, steep drops, roots, rocks," says Devall.