Top 5 Places for Fall Mountain Biking
When the temps drop and the leaves turn gold, there’s no better time to load up your bike and chase the crisp air of fall. The trails are tacky, the crowds thin out, and post-ride evenings are made for hoodies and cold brews. Here are five of the best places to experience fall mountain biking in the U.S., each with a killer mix of trails, community, and town vibes.
1. Crested Butte, Colorado
Crested Butte is an icon for a reason. Fall here means golden aspens lining legendary trails like 401, Doctor Park, and Teocalli Ridge. The combination of high alpine singletrack and blazing color makes every ride unforgettable.
2. Sun Valley, Idaho
Tucked into central Idaho, Sun Valley is a fall paradise with over 400 miles of singletrack. Trails like Greenhorn Gulch and Adam’s Gulch flow through open ridgelines and groves of quaking aspens that absolutely glow in late September.
3. Kingdom Trails, Vermont
Fall foliage and East Coast dirt? Hard to beat. The Kingdom Trails network is packed with flowy classics like Sidewinder and Tap & Die, all surrounded by fiery maples and crisp New England air.
4. Bentonville, Arkansas
And well-known by this point, Bentonville is no longer a quite little town, it’s a full-blown MTB capital. With miles of perfectly sculpted trails like Slaughter Pen and the Coler Mountain Bike Preserve, it feels like the town was designed with riders in mind. Fall brings cooler temps, grippy dirt, and just the right atmosphere to remind you why Bentonville is always in the conversation.
5. Sedona, Arizona
Sedona cools down just in time for prime fall riding. Trails like Slim Shady, Templeton, and the big day on Hangover serve up red rock views and tech that keeps you honest. The desert light in October and November makes the landscape glow.
Sedona, AZ Trails
Trail-to-Town Bonus: Grab tacos at Tortas de Fuego or head to Oak Creek Brewery to watch the sunset over red rock spires.
Wrap It Up
Fall is fleeting, but if you plan it right, you can chase the season across the country—from aspen groves in Colorado to red rock in Arizona. Wherever you land, pack your layers, keep your tires sticky, and don’t forget to hit the local spot after the ride. Because half the fun of mountain biking in fall isn’t just the trails
