The 51 Mountain Bike Capitals of the United States

Kansas: Lawrence With at least 7 trails totaling more than 90 miles, Lawrence is a hotbed of mountain biking in a state generally not known for the sport. With two of the top three trails in the state according to our members’ reviews (Shawnee Mission Park and Clinton State Park), not only is there plenty …

By Singletracks Staff
March 7, 2016 Last Updated: August 5, 2024

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Kansas: Lawrence

With at least 7 trails totaling more than 90 miles, Lawrence is a hotbed of mountain biking in a state generally not known for the sport. With two of the top three trails in the state according to our members’ reviews (Shawnee Mission Park and Clinton State Park), not only is there plenty of riding to be done, but the trails are great quality, too.

Kentucky: Louisville

Louisville is home to a little more than a handful of trail systems, including Fort Duffield and the new Mega Caverns bike park. However, whatever Louisville may be lacking in trail diversity it makes up for in infrastructure and general cycling culture. You’ll also have no problem finding great eats and other diversions in this city.

Louisiana: Shreveport

Shreveport is home to at least 6 different trails, including the second highest-ranked trail in the state: The Monkey Trail. While the trail selection might not be remarkable, Shreveport is large enough to support plenty of biking infrastructure, including a handful of shops.

Maine: Portland

#mtb #bradburymountain #maine

A photo posted by Brendan (@herewearenowhere) on Nov 7, 2015 at 1:37pm PST

Despite being located on the coast, Portland, Maine is home to at least 27 trails, including the two most popular in the state: Bradbury Mt. State Park and Libby Hill Forest Trails. Also, if you’re a lover of craft beer, Portland is the place to be in Maine! Back in 2014 when we published our “10 Beer Towns with a Mountain Biking Problem” article, Portland received runner up status because it “only” had 9 breweries. Now, this Wikipedia article lists at least 14.

Maryland: Germantown

Maryland is another one of those states where choosing one town as the capital will likely hit most of the best trails in that state, but nevertheless Germantown has been chosen by our database and the recommendation of our editorial team as the place to be. Within roughly 25 miles of Germantown you can hit all of the best trails in the state, including Patapsco Valley State Park, Vineyard Trail, and Schaeffer Farms right in Germantown. There are tons of other trail systems and networks in the region, as well as other amenities like pumptracks, skills parks, and bike shops. And speaking of capitals, this destination is the closest one to our nation’s capital on this list. In fact, Germantown is only 27 miles by car from downtown Washington DC.

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GTXC4 Louisiana // 2011
Mar 12, 2016

Great work, I think this article pretty well sums up the best locations. Now, to hit them all....4 years to retirement lol.

0 reply

ToddWadd Missouri // 2022
1 week ago

In Missouri here, haven’t ridden Steeleville so thanks for putting it on my radar 👍🏼
Just updating KC has multiple trail systems( 8 off the top of my head) within an hour of each other with almost 400 miles of Singletrack to choose from tech to flow. Also St Joseph 40 min north has amazing trails most of which are gravity fed at the River Bluffs not to be missed when coming from the North to various destinations South of KC!
Love these articles as planning and getting in shape for trips are my JAM !

[email protected] 2016
Mar 8, 2016

Leominster? Seriously? Guess you guys never bothered to talk to any MTBrs in MA or maybe ride some of the much more actual MTB capitals: Harold Parker, Lowell Dracut, Russell Mills, Wompatuck, Vietnam, Trail of Tears, Otis, Fells, even tiny Landlocked Forest.

Jeff Barber Georgia // 1998
Mar 8, 2016

Great selections Adam! For next year's list, what is a central town for all (or most) of the trail systems you mentioned? BTW, we actually included Vietnam trails in our Rhode Island selection (Woonsocket) since it's within 25 miles of there. So much great riding close together in the NE!

YETIMAN4164 Illinois // 2015
Mar 7, 2016

Naperville??? Seriously? Most of the trails you guys listed are not even trails they are walking paths. Having lived in Naperville for a few decades I can assure you...You are WRONG!

Thanks Yetiman. A lot of people made the same comment but we haven't heard any suggestions for a better selection. Unfortunately Illinois just doesn't have a lot of options. :(

Robert Whisler 2015
Jul 5, 2016

Illinois: Bad research! Really bad reply. 30 seconds on Google would have fixed that. You are writing on behalf of mountainbikers? You mailed that one in!

YETIMAN4164 Illinois // 2015
Mar 10, 2016

I would suggest Chicago for Northern Illinois! Less than an hour to almost everything you listed for Naperville (including the short but awesome SawWeeKee in Oswego). The up-side to Chicago is that unlike Naperville, there are a ton of bike shops, hotels, and food and you are less than 45 minutes from Indiana riding like Rum Village, Imagination Glen, Potato Creek, etc...And the soon to open "Big Marsh" project in Chicago.
I have riden Peoria but not enough to comment.....So Chicago may not be the MTB capitol of Illinois, but Naperville certainly is not!

Palos Rocks, Singletracks.com Rocks, Thanks guys!

Frank Hassler Jr 2016
Mar 9, 2016

Peoria: http://www.pambamtb.org/

Back-up options might be Carbondale or Palos Hills

Laird Knight 2016
Jul 5, 2016

Proud as punch that Davis is listed as the capital for West Virginia! Twas, my intention from the beginning to put Davis on the map. Kudos to the on-going trail building and all the awesome new trails built by the Blackwater Bicycle Association!!! Keeping it fresh! And, to Sue Haywood for all her efforts on the Canaan MTB Festival. Ride on!

Jackofall Virginia // 2016
Mar 8, 2016

Roanoke has Carvins Cove. It's over 12000 acres of mountain biking.

Right, and technically Carvin's Cove is w/in 25 miles of Blacksburg which is why we picked it! We debated about Roanoke vs. Blacksburg but since they both grab Carvin's Cove, we opted for the smaller town of Blacksburg.

kjj9701 2011
Mar 22, 2018

This was a really good read. To play on the Moab being the Washington DC of all the capitals, which capital is the New York city...ie the biggest, most diverse, most eclectic, ect. My vote is Crested Butte.

mongwolf Mongolia // 2011
Mar 8, 2016

Wow, so many posters being so sensitive. I guess it just shows that mountain bikers feel strongly about their trails. All in all, for me it's nice to see the list and see the other locations that riders really like. One state that of course doesn't get much attention (and rightfully so) is Ohio. And though the current MTB capital may be Wooster. I think there is some momentum building in the southeast part of the state where the terrain is actually quite big and hilly and excellent for mountain biking. There is tons of potential there.

Derrick Nobman 2016
Mar 7, 2016

Don't forget about Fitzgerald's Bicycles in Victor Idaho!! The MTB authority in the Tetons and beyond!!

-1 reply

PacNWMTB Washington // 2013
Mar 16, 2016

Great summary - I now have a more exhaustive list of "must-visits." As a native of Washington state, Leavenworth is incredible - not only does it offer epic grinders, ripping descents and panoramic views, but also a community full of Bavarian fun. With that said, I have to make a plug for Bellingham, WA - a location Kona happily calls home for its US base. The mix and variety of terrain and general adventure vibe of the community makes it a great destination to visit.

Kansas: Lawrence

Kentucky: Louisville

Louisiana: Shreveport

Maine: Portland

Maryland: Germantown

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