Known for high altitude, scenic views, and captivating landscapes, Colorado offers exciting opportunities to those who love mountain biking.
The trails here offer an adventurous yet beautiful riding experience with breathtaking terrains. That’s one of the reasons we are here to help you choose the best mountain bike trail in Colorado for your upcoming journey.
The article also includes details about parks you might find interesting and all the necessary information you need before going.
So let’s jump straight to it.
Top 10 Best Mountain Bike Trails in Colorado for 2022
- North Fruita Desert/Mountain Bike 18 Road Trails
- Length: 40 miles
- Est. riding time: 3 hours 20 minutes
- Helpline numbers: (970) 244-3000
- Restaurants and Hotels: Yes
Our most-favorite trail system is present in the North Fruita Desert, which has recently become an attraction for mountain bikers.
And it isn’t just us who love the trail. Even Single Tracks lists it as the #1 trail among 1344 other trails in Colorado. Trust us when we say this area offers a whole new experience to the riders.
The whole trail network is about 40 miles long, and it would take an average rider about 3 hours and 20 minutes to cover all of them.
Most of the terrains are single-track with no usual hindrances in the way. That’s the main reason it’s tagged suitable for intermediate mountain bikers.
Other than that, the trails usually go up and down in between the cattle pastures available in the way. Some of them deviate towards Book Cliffs where professional bikers can quench their thirst for more adventure and thrill.
Overall the North Fruita Desert is an appealing attraction for the MTB bikers. The weather is kinda extreme, so we do recommend going there with proper biking gear and essentials.
- Colorado Trail
- Length: 500 miles
- Est. riding time: 33 hours 20 minutes
- Helpline numbers: (303) 384-3729
- Restaurants and Hotels: Yes
- Website: https://coloradotrail.org/trail/
Known as the largest and one of the most popular trails in Colorado, this multi-use track system offers a variety of ventures both to hikers and mountain bikers.
It consists of 500 miles of trails and it’s quite understandable considering the landscape it covers.
With a lung-busting elevation, MTB bikers will have the opportunity to visit Colorado Trail and get themselves entertained with the scenic views.
The weather remains moderate and you’ll face no major setbacks while cruising on different trails of this network.
If we take the 500 miles distance into consideration, then it would take an average biker about 33 hours and 20 minutes to cover the whole area.
That is one of the reasons we suggest picking a certain track and to cover it accordingly. You simply cannot manage to cover all tracks situated in this area in a single day.
A more obvious option to choose would be the most popular track from Silverton to Durango as it offers aesthetic and vibrant mountain views entwined with huge vertical climbs that you’ll have to endure.
A more accessible area on this trail is a single-track located in the town of Littleton known as Waterton Canyon.
Other than that, we would recommend that you choose the Colorado Trail only if you have the resilience and stamina. Build your physique so that the roughness of the trail won’t do anything bad for you.
- Phil’s World
- Length: 27 miles
- Est. riding time: 1 hour 48 minutes
- Helpline numbers: 970-882-7296
- Restaurants and Hotels: Yes
Another attraction that would intrigue many of the fellow bikers in Colorado is Phil’s World.
The single-track MTB biking spot has an elevation of around 750 feet, which makes it an ideal place to hike as well as to bike. Other than that, the 27 miles long terrains will welcome you with some deep falls, high vertical climbs, and bumpy surfaces on the way.
Phil’s World comprises multiple sections and it’s been well-maintained according to the demands of mountain bikers.
You will find many exciting places here including the rollercoaster section that would allow you to test your biking skills along with the bike’s speed.
Being a rather short trail, it will take you about 1 hour and 48 minutes to cover Phil’s World. Considering the breathtaking views of the area, it’s worth every penny to visit the area once if you reside in the state of Colorado.
Mind you most trails in the area are suited for beginners and newbies. However, some terrains are exclusive for professionals and they should only take it after ensuring high maintenance of their bike as well as their stamina.
- Buffalo Creek, Pine
- Length: 14 miles
- Est. riding time: One hour
- Helpline numbers: (303) 275-5610
- Restaurants and Hotels: Yes
Comprising of 14 miles of both single and double-track terrains, Buffalo Creek is one of the places you can hit with your mountain bike and cruise there all day long.
There are multiple tracks available within the area plus the terrain that leads you towards Buffalo Creek is steep enough.
Other than that, it also consists of an area marked as a burnt forest that looks quite aesthetic and pleasing to the eyes at the same time.
Normally it would take around an hour to cover the track with an average speed of around 15mph, you can easily cover all tracks available in this area in a single day.
What’s even better is that the place offers camping and you can plan a whole weekend to spend there and get yourself entertained with the beauty of this area.
The majestic rock foundations, vivid and scenic mountainous areas, as well as harsh and bumpy trails, would welcome you once you visit Buffalo Creek on your MTB bike.
- Monarch Crest Trail for Mountain Biking
- Length: 35 miles
- Est. riding time: 2 hours 20 minutes
- Helpline numbers: 1-719-581-2702
- Restaurants and Hotels: Yes
The captivating and one of the best downhill trails, Monarch Crest Trail in Colorado allows you to cruise through different tracks and terrains as per your will and wish.
It’s about 35 miles long and it will take the trail users about 2 hours and 20 minutes to complete the trail if everything goes ideally.
Offering majorly a shuttle ride of 2,300 feet, you can ride up there and from there, you can experience a smooth downhill of about 6,000 feet.
Dense forest sections, huge mountains, rocky terrains, and gravel roads will welcome you as you do the moderate climbing on the Monarch Crest Trail.
The descent, on the other hand, consists of smooth surfaces where you can easily control your MTB bike to stay away from any major injury, etc.
The good thing about Monarch Crest Mountain Bike Trail is that shuttle services are available here, so you can call them anytime you want and book your ride along with your mountain bicycle.
- Doctor Park
- Length: 23 miles
- Est. riding time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Helpline numbers: N/A
- Restaurants and Hotels: Yes
Want to enjoy a long downhill while visiting the best mountain bike trail in Colorado? Doctor Park is something that might interest you A LOT in this aspect.
Not too long as the trail network consists of 23 miles of distance, you can easily cover it within 1 hour and 30 minutes.
Doctor Park is actually a sub-trail of the Colorado Trail system that we discussed earlier. Featuring beautiful and eye-catchy meadows, farms, and single-track terrains, you can really enjoy biking over there.
Visiting the trailhead would not require any major effort. However, if you do not want to cover the distance of the loop, you can simply use a shuttle service to reach the major area of the trail.
Camping and other facilities such as night riding as well as hiking are available at this multi-use trail. You can avail of these services after visiting there.
- Lunch Loops, Grand Junction
- Length: 80 miles
- Est. riding time: 5 hours 20 minutes
- Helpline numbers: 970-244-3000
- Restaurants and Hotels: Yes
The very reason you should be interested in going to Lunch Loops is that it contains a dirt road playground for dirt bikers. Mountain bikers could also use it for cruising purposes.
Other than that, the single-track terrain consists of a plethora of surfaces that will test your stamina and girth on the way.
Lunch Loops is about 80 miles long and to cover this much distance, you’ll need at least 5 hours and 20 minutes. Considering this estimated riding time, we’d suggest that you visit this area only on weekends.
The trail, on the other hand, is challenging and is not way too suitable for beginners or intermediate riders. An advanced skill set is required to cruise through the area and that too when you are fully prepared for the adventure.
All in all, Lunch Loops is an interesting place to visit, but make sure that you are an advanced rider and have enough hydration supply available while visiting this trail system in the summers.
- Kokopelli Area Trails for Mountain Biking
- Length: 40 miles
- Est. riding time: 2 hours 40 minutes
- Helpline numbers: (435) 259-2100
- Restaurants and Hotels: Yes
Apart from the Colorado Trail system, if there’s anything as exciting for MTB bikers in this state, then it’s none other than the Kokopelli Area trails.
Widespread at about 40 miles, one of the difficult trails contains a number of single-track terrains that are somewhat easier to ride as compared to Lunch Hoops that we already mentioned above.
Although the whole of the track system is easily coverable in about 2 hours and 40 minutes, you’d need to be completely geared up for the upcoming challenges on the terrains.
The most impressive thing about Kokopelli Area is that you can ride its trails in either direction. Some exceptions are there but you can simply ignore them.
The amazing and stunning views will await your arrival and once you get there, you’d surely forget about all other trails of the state.
- Apex Park Trail for Mountain Biking
- Length: 8 miles
- Est. riding time: One hour
- Helpline numbers: 303-271-5925
- Restaurants and Hotels: Yes
Covered with snow in winters, Apex Park requires an extreme skillset and that’s one of the reasons we do not endorse newbies to go over there, especially in the winters.
The trail is only 8 miles long, but covering it completely would require more than just the average biking speed of an expert rider.
Although the terrain is single-track, you will face many harsh challenges on the way to completing it and that would include rocks, falls, jumps, and snow.
Restrooms are available for biking enthusiasts who want to cover this advanced-level trail on their mountain bikes. Helpline assistance is also available in case of emergency.
Make sure that you pack for this venture while keeping the extreme conditions of winters in mind. Apart from the hydration supply, wearing warm clothes, gloves, full-face biking helmets, and neck coverings are a must for this area.
- Arkansas Hills
- Length: 20 miles
- Est. riding time: 1 hour 20 minutes
- Helpline numbers: 719-539-5329
- Restaurants and Hotels: Yes
Last but not the least, if you want to see steeped mountains as you ride your way on a mountain bike, Arkansas Hills is the best place for it.
The fun trail network is only 20 miles long, but it consists of a variety of terrains both easy to cover and dangerous.
Following the stacked loop design, the trail conditions available at the bottom of the hills are suitable for beginner riders. However, as you go up, the terrain would get tougher to cover.
Arkansas Hills is open for mountain bikers and you can visit the place on the weekends to actually get the gist of it without any worries.
Bike Parks in Colorado for Road and Mountain Bikers
- Golden Bike Park
Consisting of jump lines, flow sections, and gravity trails, Golden Bike Park is an ideal place where you can learn mountain biking.
It is well-maintained as the government of Colorado has tried its best to keep the park away from any damage or distortion.
- Valmont Bike Park
Want to learn some epic biking skills in Colorado? Valmont Bike Park is your go-to place for this purpose. The park has acquired a land of about 42 acres and consists of multiple tracks that will certainly test your skills level.
- Ruby Hill Bike Park
This small yet quite effective biking park is best for those who want to learn dirt jumping, and other skills related to biking. You can get more details about this park by clicking the following link:
- Barnum Mountain Bike Park
Located at Barnum Recreation Center in Colorado, the mountain bike park offers exciting ventures to those who are new to biking.
According to many Google Reviewers, this place is best for kids and that’s the main reason we endorse going to this park with your family.
- Minturn Bike Park:
Minturn Bike Park is another option available for improving your skillset. The park consists of multiple terrains that could be utilized to get better at dirt, road, and mountain biking.
MTB Clubs and Groups to Join for a Ride in Colorado
Colorado Mountain Bike Association
Goes by the name of COMBA, the Colorado Mountain Bike Association is a team of volunteers who are working for the well-being of the biking community in the state.
They have been maintaining multiple biking trails including the famous Buffalo Creek for a long time. Learn more about this mountain biking club at: https://www.comba.org/
Trails 2000:
Located in Durango, Colorado, Trails 2000 is a non-profit organization that works to ensure effective networking and communication between the biking communities. You can learn more about it at https://www.trails2000.org/
Roaring Forks Mountain Bike Association:
The last club that you may want to join is the RFMBA. It’s a local group that utilizes different volunteers to help bikers in every possible way. Learn more about it at: https://www.rfmba.org/
Final Takeaways:
Biking in Colorado is not only fun, but it will also challenge your skillset from different perspectives.
That said, if you are living in Colorado and you want to visit some of its best trails with your mountain bike, simply pick one of the locations we have listed above and head over there.
You can also choose from the list of top 5 parks suitable for biking in Colorado to improve your stamina and biking skillset.
Rest, join the groups we have mentioned above to keep yourself updated about what’s happening in the Colorado biking community.
Happy Mountain Biking!
