The 51 Mountain Bike Capitals of the United States

New Mexico: Taos Taos, NM boasts more than 300 miles of mountain bike trails within 25 miles of town, including the lift-serviced trails at Angel Fire resort to the east. Not only that, the most popular trail in New Mexico–South Boundary Trail #164–is located between Taos and Angel Fire. To the west of town, mountain bikers …

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

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New Mexico: Taos

Taos, NM boasts more than 300 miles of mountain bike trails within 25 miles of town, including the lift-serviced trails at Angel Fire resort to the east. Not only that, the most popular trail in New Mexico–South Boundary Trail #164–is located between Taos and Angel Fire. To the west of town, mountain bikers will find some of the most scenic rides in the state along the Rio Grande Gorge. With more than 40 different trails to choose from, mountain bikers can spend weeks exploring all that New Mexico’s MTB capital has to offer!

New York: Poughkeepsie

NYC may be the financial capital of the world but the state’s mountain bike wealth is concentrated in Poughkeepsie. State mountain bikers rave about the beginner and intermediate trails in Lippman Park where the Renegades mountain bike club has poured a ton of sweat into building an excellent trail system. Stewart State Forest in nearby Newburgh boasts 55 miles of riding and Taconic-Hereford gets high marks from riders as well. Poughkeepsie is located in New York’s Catskill Mountains, making it a natural spot for the state’s MTB riders to congregate and shred.

North Carolina: Brevard

No doubt about it: Brevard is the mountain bike capital of North Carolina, if not the entire east coast. Brevard is surrounded by the Pisgah National Forest and offers easy access to more than 400 miles of mountain bike trails. Not only that, Brevard is the only city east of Colorado that cracks our top 10 mountain bike destinations list. The trails in Pisgah have a reputation for being steep, rooty, and rocky, but that’s just part of the story. Faster, flowier stuff can be found in places like Bent Creek and Dupont State Forest. This part of the state is really special, so it’s no wonder bike companies and breweries alike are making their home in and around Brevard.

North Dakota: Medora

Maah Daah Hey / Bully Pulpit. photo: Jetnjeff29r

Let’s face it: North Dakota isn’t exactly a mountain bike mecca. But for riders in the state, Medora is the place to go as it’s the home to the well known, IMBA Epic Maah Daah Hey Trail. This roughly 100-mile trail offers a good intro to bikepacking and its length is roughly equal to all the other singletrack in the state combined. Experiencing the Maah Daah Hey has been on our to-do list for a long time, so when we finally do bring our bikes to North Dakota, you can be sure we’ll be heading to Medora!

Ohio: Wooster

Ohio is another one of those states that, through no fault of its own, just doesn’t have the terrain mountain bikers are looking for. But that hasn’t stopped industrious riders from creating places to ride like Ray’s Indoor Bike Park in Cleveland. Looking at the top-rated rides in the state, two of the top three (Vultures Knob and Mohican) are within 25 miles of Wooster, which is a pretty solid endorsement. Throw in the trails at Reagan/Huffman and you have nearly 50 miles of trails within 25 miles of Wooster. Woot!

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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

[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.

New Mexico: Taos

New York: Poughkeepsie

North Carolina: Brevard

North Dakota: Medora

Ohio: Wooster

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