Joseph D. Grant County Park

Great for beginners - although there can be steep hills depending on where you go. Beautiful in the spring when it is dry before things dry out and get too hot.
We did the Barn trail... clockwise so it was flat at first .. we did venture up one of the bigger hills but decided we weren't up for that much climbing yet ... the barn trail loop has some climbing but nothing too steep. Great beginner choice.

There actually more than 20 miles of fire road.

It's a great place to build endurance. It's also great for going fast downhill since not so many hikers around. Best to go early morning to avoid the heat.

I went to the twin gates parking lit and this side of the park is no joke. The trails are extremly steep and the downhills have a bit of loose gravel, i took the loop from twin gates to eagle lake to hotel trail then the first right after the hotel downhill. Words of advice if you follow this route watch for cows and their droppings my friend lost control on a steep downhill nearly hitting a bull, the bull was not happy about this luckily we booked it down the steep slope. Also all the ways back to twin gates are steep uphills so be prepared for an extreme work out.

Amazing underpopulated park, if in the evergreen area its just over quimby rd and extremly close in comparison to the next big park like this, some quick single tracks if u dare, my favorite route is mcarthy loop trail all the way to bass lake(you have to cross the street) then bass lake loop to hotel, the bass lake loop single track has some nice rock gardens and quick downhill turns. The entire park can be done on no suspension but i prefer dual suspension since it does get bumpy due to errosion. Love this park try it out.

Very remote feeling. Great views once you pay your dues and get on top of a hill.

Don't go here during a hot spell.

Last Sunday we rode from the main park entrance, Halls Valley Trail, Canada de Pala trail, Hotel trail, Corral trail, to the San Felipe trail. Didn't see another bike, a hiker, or a horse.

We did start late (~4:00PM), but last time I rode hear in the morning I only saw a couple of cyclists and a few hikers. I think this is not a popular spot, which works for me.

Aerobically, I'd rate this area as intermediate. You're not getting anywhere without a climb. I made the Halls Valley climb on my middle chain ring, but that's becaause I don't have a small one on the bike I used. I was longing for granny gear on some of the steeper sections.

The riding is fire roads and wide "single" track. Not technical, but some of the steep downhill pebbly sections might scare a beginner.

Interesting note: The on-line map for the park doesn't show which trails are open to bikes. I called the park and the ranger told me they all are. When I got to the park I confirmed again that "all" trails are open to bikes. However, the maps available at the park show some trails for hikers/horses only. I think they either changed the rule, or don't enforce it because there are few users.

This place has about 28 legal miles of fire road to ride on. I rode it all one day and thought I was going to die on the way out. It is a good place for training or if you are just starting out. It has some steep hills but not too much.

Hate myself every time I do it until its is over then it is all good. Good open space ride.