The 10 Best US Destinations for a Weekend Mountain Bike Getaway

8. Oakridge, Oregon Visit here if you live in: Eugene, OR: 45min Portland, OR: 2hr 30min Seattle, WA: 5hr I’ll admit: Oakridge could easily take up a full week of your riding time… or more. Out of all the destinations on this list, this is the one that could most easily grace any destination list with …

By Greg Heil
April 13, 2015 Last Updated: August 26, 2021

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8. Oakridge, Oregon

Visit here if you live in:

Eugene, OR: 45min
Portland, OR: 2hr 30min
Seattle, WA: 5hr

I’ll admit: Oakridge could easily take up a full week of your riding time… or more. Out of all the destinations on this list, this is the one that could most easily grace any destination list with any parameters. That said, there’s just not much to do in the town of Oakridge… so unless you plan to spend 16 hours per day on your bike and the other 8 sleeping, you could get bored if you’re here for a week or two. But turn it into a long 3-day weekend? Yeah, that’s the perfect escape from the city, and you can hit some of the best-known Oakridge trails in that time frame.

Without a doubt, begin your weekend by shuttling the Alpine Trail. There are different variations of this route, so you could even shuttle it three days in a row and be totally happy. But there’s so much more to Oakridge than just Alpine. Follow up Alpine Trail with a several of Oakridge’s multitude of great options: Waldo Lake, Hardesty Mountain, Middle Fork Trail, Larison Rock… and so much more.

Fair warning: if you do take a weekend trip here, you may find yourself coming back again and again… and again.

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Fitch 2007
Apr 13, 2015

Thank you so much for showing some love to Kingdom Trails in VT! The New England mountain bike experience is very different than a lot of the country since our terrain doesn't normally entail what you call "flow" as much as other locales, but KT is a haven to us all. And you're dang right it's a camping weekend!!!

1 reply

Chris Daniels Washington // 2013
Apr 13, 2015

Clever topic! I like the criteria and a chance to hear about that niche of really great riding in the shadows of the big boys. I'll add Hood River (Day 1: Surveyors Ridge, 2: The Whoopdee, 3: Post Canyon, Bonus ride: Syncline)

0 reply

Allgrainer Virginia // 2016
Apr 9, 2017

Good to see my local trails mentioned Carvins Cove in Roanoke. However there are close to 50 miles of trails within the boundaries of the property not 30....Most are single track with some fire road. I ride them 2-3 times a week due tliving very close to them. Crews are currently building a new trai called Rock and Roll and so far its one of my favorites cant wait till its completed. There is a shape nearby that it top notch! Just the Right Gear.

MtbChick85 2019
Jan 2, 2019

I know this article goes back to 2015, but I think your assessment of Kingdom Trails isn't accurate. They continue to add over 10 miles of mountain bike trails each year plus there is the bike park on the ski mountain. It is more than worthy a destination for a week. Just ask the thousands of riders that go every year. And the best part is it is soooo family friendly. I love seeing kids on bike and not playing video games. Go - you won't be disappointed!

Skoofer Texas // 2006
Jun 27, 2016

I took a nearly identical picture to the one you used for Oakridge when I was there...I knew it looked familiar!

Moab Utah 2013
Apr 17, 2015

Made me google Copper Harbor Michigan. That image gets attention!

RobertD Tennessee // 2013
Apr 17, 2015

North Georgia and Western North Carolina. Love those areas. Thanks for the report because some of those are doable. :)

John Fisch Colorado // 2006
Apr 14, 2015

Price, Utah
Home to the Luke's Trail network, Driver Trails, Goodwater Rim -- and not much else.
2 hrs from Salt Lake City/2.5 from Ogden/6 from Denver.

Vernal, Utah
Perfect for a long weekend. Red Fleet, McCoy Flats and the Flume.
3 Hrs from Salt Lake/2.5 from Provo/3.5 from Ogden, 6 from Denver
Did this as a long weekend from Colorado Springs (7 hours)

Pine Valley, CA
Big Laguna Trail, Noble Canyon, Cayamaca State Park, Noble Canyon
45 Min from San Diego, 2.5 Hrs from LA

Idyllwild, CA
The Idyllwild Park Trails will keep you entertained for a long weekend.
2 hrs from LA/3 from San Diego

Prescott Arizona (for after you've tapped out Sedona)
3 or 4 great trail systems.
1.5 hours from Phoenix, 2.5 from Tucson

Los Alamos, NM (for after you've tapped out Santa Fe and Taos)
1.5 hrs from Albuquerque

Luray, VA
Elizabeth Furnace, Kennedy Peak
1.75 hrs from DC

Bubblehead10MM Minnesota // 2012
May 28, 2015

The road goes on forever and the party never ends. Back home there's cuyuna, nice drive from fargo to green bay. And levis mound. Granted both could be considered destinations, but not when you set them next to ut or co destinations. I love potters pasture in Ne but there's not much near by. I don't think you drive from Denver for that.

8. Oakridge, Oregon

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