best mountain bike towns in montana
By Jay. Trails for all levels of skills are available; thus, no one should feel left out. Emerald Lake Trail is an out and back trail with a total distance of 10 miles. The trail is smooth and wide but has some good berms and mellow gradients so that you can gain speed and have fun! Situated approximately a 2-hour drive from Canada, the Woodrat mountain biking trail is situated in Priest Lake in Idaho. But her favorite rideis on theWhitefish Trail. This out and back trail features a waterfall and magnificent scenic views and ideal for all biking skills. Beautifully designed and eager to reinvent itself, the Whitefish Trail encompasses roughly 30 miles of singletrack, with myriad route options and a network of new possibilities like the Swift Creek Trail and Woods Lake Loop (with future trail construction planned for Lazy Creeks, Whitefish Mountain Resort and Haskill Basin). You canchoose to grunt up the hill (purchase a $5 trail-use-only ticket) or take the Silver Chief Chairlift (get an all-mountain day pass/$28). This trail is located in Pony, Montana in the Tobacco Roots region. Helena Ridge). The top of the South Shore Traillooksout over the vast expanse of the northern Great Plains, just as Lewis and Clark saw them when theydiscovered the Great Falls over 200 years ago. If you fancy yourself a skilled mountain biker who can cover 33 miles of challenging (mostly) downhill trails, step on up to the famed Whole Enchilada, billed as one of the best bike rides in North America. The Woods Gulch Trail Loop connects to a number of other tracks in Missoula while providing high and spectacular sceneries from Mount Jumbo and a splendidly technical downhill via the heart of Woods Gulch. McKenzie River Trail. The trail falls and rises an average of 2,700 feet and is specially designed to be biked in a counter-clockwise direction. In actual fact, the name Montana comes from the Spanish word, The majority of Montanas mountain ranges are located in the western part of the state. The downhill mountain biking style may seem intimidating, but every feature has a ride-around option. Top 10 Mountain Bike Towns in the US with the Lowest Cost of Living 1. This little locale certainly isn't the only 19th-century mining town that you can find in Montana, but it's definitely one of the best. Montana. In actual fact, the name Montana comes from the Spanish word montaa, which means mountain. The downhill trails offer 2 easier trails for beginners, 16 difficult trails for intermediate riders, and 4 trails for expert riders. Big Sky Resort is located in Big Sky, Montana. It's highly technical with lots of rock gardens. This trail can be accessed from the Warm Springs Trail System but also travels down into the State Line- Divide trail network. A unique feature specific to this system is that Trailforks even features a rental property located in the middle of the trail system. Cricket Butler, who has toured the Great Dividetrail twice and raced it three times, says if you're searching for just one(epic) ride in Montana, this is it. Established as a National Park in 1910 it is a land of mountain ranges carved by prehistoric ice rivers. The town has more than a touch of the historic about it which is evident from the Ennis Railroad and Cultural Heritage Museum, where you can get some deeper insights into the towns past. Photo Source: The Ranch at Rock Creek. Mt. Montana is certainly not short on either mountains or mountain towns. One of the best is Kalispell, a gateway to Glacier National Park. Twenty minutes northwest of Hungry Horse is the popular ski resort and tourist town of Whitefish where almost 8,000 live. There is certainly an abundance of things to do in Big Timber, making it one of the top choice mountain towns in Montana for those who like a quiet life but with the chance for a big adventure. Before riding at the South Hills Trail Network, download the Trailforks App in order to see all of the parking locations. Focus on keeping your effort consistent and avoid sprinting or sharp explosive efforts. The trail can be ridden in either direction, however, it is often ridden uphill in order to access Spring Gulch. (406) 363-2662. You opt to explore the mellow session if you are a novice rider and not yet skilled enough to jump a table-top. 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. Montana's municipalities cover only 1.2% of the state's land mass but are home to 53.8% of its population. These are the trails that I have been privileged to ride the most in Montana. 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. Towards the right side, move downhill along a smooth trackback to Porcupine Creek. "It's a wild, four sectioned, 3,500-foot, face melting descent," she says. 1. There are many communities surrounded by dense trail networks, such as Missoula, Bozeman, Butte, and Helena, and there are small mountain towns with great access to big mountain epics, such as Red Lodge, Whitefish, or Philipsburg. When it comes to taking your e-bikes out on adventures, sometimes you want to travel to distant places and use your e-bike to explore. The town is something of a cowboy town, and is surrounded by some impressively high mountain backdrops by way of the three ranges of Madison, Gravelly, and Tobacco Root. "It is a fun, flowy singletrack that offers something for every ability rider, beginner to expert," says Butler. E-bikes are easy to learn how to use, cheaper than owning a car, and can be pretty maneuverable. Which is the Highest-Elevation Town in Montana? Montana is divided into 56 counties and contains 129 municipalities consisting of cities and towns. Take the shuttle or pedal five miles from town to reach the 7.9-mile singletrack route, where you may spot Prickly Pear Land Trust's Emmett Purcell heading up the first 600-foot climb. Lewistown is a town in Montana with a population just slightly over and above the 5,000 mark. Not everybody that enjoys mountain biking is a 20-something, witness the passion of baby boomer 1, outgoing George W. Bush, for the sport. Creede. Residents of Asheville and the surrounding area can easily visit the Blue Ridge Mountain Range. A full enduro set up including pads, helmet, bike, and insurance for one day on the mountain runs for $127 during the regular season. 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 is for the expert mountain biker that just craves difficulty and excitement. There are 42 trails, and about 80 miles of trail to ride and explore. Choteau is an authentic and scenic small Montana town with an agricultural background. The South Hills trail system has 179 different trails with about 80 miles of trails. 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 black diamond course is rated as expert level and stretches up to 16 miles. The Madison Range is located in Big Sky, Montana. NOAA Long Term Winter . West Yellowstone - one of the best small towns in Montana West Yellowstone is one of the best small towns in southern Montana. With more than 200 miles of . The massive trail system allows featured routes ranging from 4 to 40 miles or you can make your own route as short or as long as your legs will carry you. 12 Best Things to do in Montana. Pro Tip: There is limited cell service so come prepared and know where you are planning to ride. Butte has more to offer than a rich mining history and America's oldest brothel. Killington, Vermont. Bozeman. However, the weight, Read More Can a Bike Pump Inflate a Car Tire?Continue, What is the best cycling gear for the rain? This has made it one of the most bike-friendly destinations in the country, with locals and visitors taking advantage of the continually-expanding infrastructure. How to Shift (change gears) On a Road Bike? These are backcountry trails and should only be ridden by athletes with experience in the saddle and problem solving on the go. It features an enormous 5,800-foot uphill slope and a 1,600 climb featuring a number of exciting hurdles. Whitefish is a prime Montana mountain town with arguably the best skiing resort in the state. Their website is currently down so you might try to give them a call if you are planning to stop by. It would be a great choice for someone who is hesitant about testing their grit. Skylar Rispens Two riders descend from Mt. #explorewhitefish Author Name Author Name Author Name This first climb is considered brutal. 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. It features sweeping vistas, mountainous recreational hubs, and prime wildlife habitat. A silver-level IMBA Ride Center, Copper Harbor is one of the crown jewels of Midwest mountain biking, hidden away in the farthest reaches of Michigan's Upper Peninsula. And some of the best mountain towns in Montana may well have you feeling like you dont want to leave them. Trails are small pathways through wooded areas or up With the advancements in technology, electric bicycles are becoming more powerful, and their batteries can hold a charge much longer, which allows for further travel. Pro Tip: Even when you are riding mostly downhill you are still sweating and expending water and electrolytes. If you have never been to Missoula before then make sure to save some time for before or after to check out the town. This out-of-the-way locale is filled with desert canyons, rock spires, giant mountains, and vast ridges that spread themselves out along the confluence of the Colorado and Green rivers. Here is a link to the shuttle website: https://www.bikehelena.com/trail-rider/. Marshall Mountain is located in Missoula, Montana. Located in Bozeman, Montana the trail begins at Fs 3163 road and climbs up nearly 2,000 feet to Emerald Lake. The trail has a little bit of everything with singletrack, rock obstacles, and man-made features. Crested Butte. 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. If you're not yet ready to jump a table-top, opt for a mellow session on Easy Rider accessible from the Explorer lift near Huntley Lodge then try the machine-built flow trails on the Otter Slide. To help prove that point, there are no local bike shops in the area. There are multiple parking areas along the trails so that you can access different parts of the system with ease. The trails are overly accessible, with multiple parking locations right off of local streets and neighborhoods. December 3, 2019. Theyre also great to take with you on the road, whether on a road trip or on your local trails. Popularly referred to as Big Sky State, Montana is one of the biggest and most spectacular states in the U.S. Grizzly Outfitters: Just a quick 11 minute drive from the resort, Grizzly Outfitters is open from 8 am-6 pm Monday-Saturday during the summer. No self-respecting list-maker would omit Lake Tahoe from a compilation of top mountain towns. The Chief Joseph Pass Area Trails are located in Wisdom, Montana. The trail begins with some climbing and gradual descending and about halfway across the plateau you will descend about 3500 vertical feet in 4 miles! The course proceeds further left to the USFS signage and uphill towards First Creek and Hidden Lakes. MacDonald Pass mountain biking trail is the classic ride in Helena, Montana, equally famous for its killer views and downhill slopes. Theviews of just about everymountain in the state from the Crazies to the Absarokas to the Gallatins isone of the reasons locals like Molly Ambrogi-Yanson, from the Montana Office of Tourism, call the Bangtail Dividetheir favorite. They offer pump tracks which help mountain bikers perfect their abilities to carry momentum on the bike and corner with speed and confidence. The Mt. Crested Butte in the town's free bus. The Grizzly Mountain biking loop trail is managed by the office of USFS Gallatin National Forest. Situated in the popular town of Missoula in Montana, the Woods Gulch mountain biking trail stretches up to 6-miles. America's 20 Best Mountain Bike Towns 1 / 20 Moab, Utah It's almost impossible to overhype Moab. Idaho Falls / Courtesy of Nicholas and Yin-Ying Sushkin under a CC 4.0 license. But it is still a laid-back, pedestrian-friendly place, and is also home to Montana State Universitys Museum of the Rockies. The number of people using electric bicycles have been continuously growing over the course of a relatively short period of time. Jun 14, 2019. The shores of City beach around the lake are a popular spot in the warmer months, making the town something of a year-round destination. However, e-bikes have a limited range; As the popularity of e-bikes continues to rise, so does e-bike theft. . The trail is still very loose, steep with some jumps and drops. Polson, Montana. 46.5891 N, 112.0391 W. However, it is the 44th-most populated and ranked as 48th when it comes to population compactness. There's a sense of calm, as the only sounds come from naturea babbling creek or a chirping robin. Situated south of Bozeman in Montana, the Grizzly Mountain biking loop trail is quick-rolling singletrack with big-ring descents, and technical granny gear climbs. Located in southwest Montana, Bozeman is the fourth largest city in the state, with a population of about 54,000 individuals. 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. Cost of living: The cost of living index in King Arthur Park is 102, which is two percent higher than the average cost of living in the U.S. and four percent higher than in Montana. King Arthur Park is generally considered a great place to raise a family. The small mountain town of Big Timber is rife with impressive mountain views and a sense of the Old West that goes back to the days of the Northern Pacific Railway in Montana. 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. "It's a dirt route stretching 2,800 miles from Banff to Antelope Wells, giving a rider the remote wilderness experience, battling terrain, weather, and physical and mental strength." River Traditions LLC is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com, https://www.fs.usda.gov/activity/flathead/recreation/bicycling, https://www.outsidebozeman.com/planning/reports-conditions/trail-time-share, http://www.montanamountainbikealliance.com/, https://www.ci.missoula.mt.us/2274/Bike-Skills-Parks, https://www.bikehelena.com/vigilante-bike-park/. America's 50 Best Small Towns in the Mountains. Furthermore, you can find the picturesque wildlife hotspot Freezeout Lake nearby, along with other popular attractions of this region of Montana; Flathead National Forest, Lewis and Clark National Forest, and Glacier National Park. With so many trails it is difficult to truly feature just three in this section, but the following trails are designed to give you just a little taste of what is out there. Of course, you have the legendary Moab bike scene. . 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. The descent was rated the 5th best mountain bike trail in Montana, so you dont want to miss this one if you are looking for the best that Montana has to offer. The trail picks up directly from one of the parking areas. This 24-mile stretch of smooth singletrack is the kind of classic trail that'll keep you coming back to Bozeman. So book your trip now. You will follow the spine of the divide for roughly one hour via old-growth Douglas fir and test your skills through sections of embedded granite rock. Which are the Best Small Mountain Towns in Montana. Located 60 miles east of Bozeman in an area where the Rocky Mountains meet with the plains. Here are the 10 best ski towns in North America for the 2022/2023 season, as voted by our readers in the annual USA TODAY 10Best Readers' Choice Awards. Grab some breakfast at one of the downtown sector's many restaurant options. Snowbowl Overlook: This trail is labeled as a black diamond because it can be a very difficult climbing trail. You can find more about Alpine #7 at the USDA Forest Service Website https://www.fs.usda.gov/activity/flathead/recreation/bicycling. Similar to Bozeman, this place also has something of a historic feel and a storybook-like charm that comes from being located in a region of such impressive and awe-inspiring landscapes. It also has a sense of the historic about it and was indeed a hot spot for all manner of mountain types such as miners, hunters, and trappers that are truly representative of the Old West that Montanas past is so connected to. But for us, the one area that we were pleasantly surprised by when researching possible road trips is Cedar City. 25 Best Places to Visit in the USA. Going-to-the-Sun Road, West Glacier to St. Mary. These are the best small mountain towns with populations of about 10,000 or . has a small population of 77 (as of the 2020 consensus). Situated near Lake McDonald in Montana, the MacDonald, Situated south of Bozeman in Montana, the Grizzly, Eat, sleep, bike, and repeat; if that sounds like an impressive cycle of events, then you should consider exploring the Big Sky Resort, On the Otter Slide, you may opt to attempt the machine-built flow tracks. Tucked away on the Silver Thread Scenic Byway between Gunnison and South Fork is the historic Colorado mountain town of Creede. Just upgraded by the International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA) to one of 11 Silver Level Ride Centers in the world, Helenaknows how to sweep a mountain biker off his feet. When she wants to escape for a little while, you'll find Butler on Reid Divide/Bill Creek, a reliable old school singletrack trail that's remote and revivifying. Along the Grassy Mountain Loop, bikers will require to deal with a vast assortment of obstacles, including some rooty, rocky, and steep laden drops close to the top of the course, followed by banked and bermed turns. From bike-packing adventures to bike parks, and perfectsingletrack, here are the 15 best mountain biking trails in Montana. DeVall suggests doing the route clockwise. According to World Population Review, the town is located in Park County and has a small population of 77 (as of the 2020 consensus). The trail starts out on challenging terrain and will undulate between a 5-20% grade throughout much of the climb. Situated near Lake McDonald in Montana, the MacDonald mountain biking trail is moderately trafficked and stretches up to 9.0 kilometers. The course is mostly a single course that takes an average of 1.5 hours to bike and encompasses a cumulative elevation gain of 1,780 feet. The majority of the trails are blue and green with a few black trails to challenge the more daring riders. Helena Mountain biking trail system can be accessed via the trailhead on Prospector Gulch Road and is categorized as the hub of the vast array of exciting courses. Lewistown is in the outdoor recreation haven of Fergus County and yet is the often-missed tourist spot due to its distance away from any of the other major tourist or landmark locations. https://bigskybikes.com/. 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. This well-marked 6.25-mile single-track trail traipses out and back over the Continental Divide and Homestake pass and offers just enough steep climbs, fast and tight descents, sandy patches, stunning big skylines, and rocky sections to excite even the most jaded mountain bikers. The granddaddy is up Warm Springs to the top of Saddle Mountain and descending down through Overwhich Falls. The Rattlesnake Loop windsthrough Sawmill Gulch, Curry Gulch, and Spring Gulch all offering awesome views that will make you want to repeat the loop. Downtown Bozeman has some of the best restaurants, bars, shops, galleries, and other amenities associated with a more developed region. 12 Best Things to do in Helena, Montana. 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. It is generally well maintained and cared for but can become overgrown during the quieter seasons. Woods Gulch Mountain Biking Trail MakeItMissoula Helena Ridge Trail provides incredible scenic views through some of the utmost stunning hardwood forests across the state. Accommodation: The Ranch at Rock Creek. Libby is located in northwest Montana, and its a lesser-known mountain town in Montana. If you are unsure of how much food you will need, then start by counting out 200 calories per hour and adjust from there. "The lake also has great camping and a fantastic swimming beach to knock the dust off at the end of the day.". View maps, Line Creek Plateau Red Lodge, Montana #2 Advanced | 16.0 mi Line Creek Plateau is a singletrack mountain bike trail in Red Lodge, Montana. During the winter months, some of these Montana mountain towns offer world-class skiing and snowboarding. Getty Images. For technical singletrack, slip into Key Hole or consider getting lost on some of the hundreds of magnificent miles of National Forest Service roads and trails that surround Big Sky Resort. And then there's the Mount Helena Ridge Trail. Some of the camping areas have toilets and potable water available which is nice if you are planning a multi-day trip to these trails. Gardiner is surrounded by mountainous natural terrain, and the area is an abundant wildlife haven. Three Larches: Three Larches is more on the technical side but is still great for an intermediate rider. If you don't have time to ride the entire Divide (and climb 200,000 feet), you can get a wild taste of it bike-packing through Montana, where the 726-mile portion offers some of the route's most challenging and breathtaking mountain passes, stretching through Whitefish, Helena, and Butte, and the smaller towns of Eureka, Ovando, and Lakeview. The Big Sky Resort is the areas only lift-accessed mountain bike park. Bozeman is a popular mountain location in Montana that is actually classified as more of a city. "The trail has fast rolling sections along with some fun technical limestone rock sections," says Purcell. In order to ensure that everyone has the best experience possible, remember that the rule of thumb is that the uphill rider has the right of way on singletrack trails. Although Bozeman is somewhat larger than many of the other mountain towns in Montana, it does still manage to retain something of a charming small-town feel. Advanced and expert riders can take the Swift Current lift toward the most challenging trails, intermediate riders can board the Thunder Wolf, and beginners can start out on the Explorer lift. The town is a real focal point of winter sports in Montana during the colder months, and the soaring and dramatic-looking snow-capped peaks of the Whitefish Range is a powerful presence in the background. Due to its unique set of technicalities, this intermediate-rated course is speedily gaining much popularity. Expect to ride through big meadows and heavily forested areas where you can dodge some trees. Whitefish Whitefish is a prime Montana mountain town with arguably the best skiing resort in the state. Line Creek Plateau Mountain Biking Trail, trails specially designed for the sport of mountain biking, Best Bike Racks For Electric Bikes With Ramp (Reviewed), Can You Lock The Battery On An E-Bike? You can also get a spot of rafting, horseback riding, and golfing if you fancy, and there are a few other interesting activities in the town like rodeos and other types of horse competitions, as well as a water slide. Once you are out on the trail you will see remarkable views of Helena Valley below. Subscribe my Newsletter for new blog posts, tips & new photos. All Titling Services . 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. 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