Bozeman affords some unbelievable biking, from single-track trails within the wilderness and grin-inducing downhill rides to family-friendly meanders by means of city parks. And for brand new arrivals, there’s an energetic biking group prepared to supply a serving to hand.
A mountain bike particularly will open up countless miles of grand mountain and forest surroundings round Bozeman, enabling you to cowl much more floor than climbing. From traffic-free highway journeys to fast-paced, flowy downhills, there is a biking route right here for everybody.
And you’ll be able to cycle in Bozeman at any time of 12 months, due to plentiful paved routes and concrete tracks. Some hill trails are open year-round and lots of ski resorts provide fats tire biking throughout the winter season, and fully-charged downhill rides in summer time. Here’s a information to the highest trails round Bozeman.
Tips for biking in Bozeman
- Bozeman’s gear outlets usually provide a great vary of motorcycle leases however there have been shortages in 2021 (as there have been nationally) so verify prematurely with shops equivalent to Bangtail Bikes and Owenhouse Cycling.
- Grizzly bears pose a selected danger to mountain bikers as a result of cyclists transfer at velocity and do not make a lot sound to scare bears away. If you are biking the extra distant components of the Gallatin Range, make sure to have bear spray accessible (ideally hooked up to your bike body) and think about attaching bear bells to your bike.
- Tap into the native biking group in Bozeman earlier than you hit the trails. Gallatin Valley Bicycle Club posts weekly rides, Alter Cycles has Friday drinks and weekly rides and Bangtail Bikes organizes a Monday evening journey.
- Many biking trails are shared with hikers, horse riders and even motorcyclists, so be careful for different visitors, particularly on quick downhills. Some trails limit mountain bikers to biking on sure days, and e-bikes are thought-about to be motorbikes with regards to trail-sharing rules.
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Bangtail Divide
Best for match mountain bikers searching for fabulous views
25 miles, 5–6 hours, intermediate, 3,100ft elevation acquire
Bozeman’s single best day journey is that this IMBA Epic Trail, beginning in Bridger Canyon, 20 miles northeast of Bozeman. This intermediate route will take you excessive into the mountains for a superb wilderness exercise and many downhill enjoyable. The opening 7-mile stretch is a lung-busting uphill switchback in first gear however the flowing single observe then takes you on a basic ridgeline journey by means of meadows of scented wildflowers with head-spinning views of six mountain ranges.
The last part is a superb, swooping 6-mile descent on Grassy Mountain. You then face a 7-mile highway pedal again to your automobile, otherwise you will be sensible and prepare a shuttle decide up. Pack loads of water and lunch for this lengthy day.
Main St to the Mountains
Best for households searching for a downtown park journey
2.5 miles spherical journey, one hour, straightforward
For an hour or two of energetic enjoyable on the town in Bozeman, households can go for a simple off-road bicycle journey on trails of packed earth and gravel working south from Main St and ending up with ridge-top views over town and Bozeman Creek.
Take the Gallagator Linear/Burke Park Trail from Bozeman Library by means of Lindley Park to Sculpture Park, earlier than gently climbing uphill by means of Burke Park after which go south alongside the Bozeman Trail. The full return journey is round 2.5 miles however you’ll be able to flip again at any time when it’s worthwhile to; a number of benches provide an opportunity for a breather.
Alternatively, comply with the Gallagator Trail to Langohr Park (with its climbing boulder) and roll on to the Museum of the Rockies, including on a go to to Bozeman’s best household attraction. You can verify the route on a map beforehand care of the Gallatin Valley Land Trust.
![Mystic Lake looks mysterious and enticing at any time of year A view over Mystic Lake near Bozeman in winter](https://lp-cms-production.imgix.net/2021-12/Mystic%20Lake.jpg?auto=format&fit=crop&sharp=10&vib=20&ixlib=react-8.6.4&w=850)
Mystic Lake
Best for mountain bikers searching for a simple journey on unpaved roads
20 miles spherical journey, three hours, intermediate, 450m of elevation acquire
The Sourdough Canyon Trail alongside Bozeman Creek to Mystic Lake is a no-stress, technically straightforward mountain bike route on huge and well-graded Forest Service dust roads, passing dashing streams within the pine-scented forests of the Gallatin foothills.
The turn-around level is picnic-worthy Mystic Lake, the place a Forest Service cabin affords a doable in a single day journey. The return is all downhill, again the way in which you got here, or you’ll be able to take another route again alongside the uncovered “Wall of Death” – because the identify suggests, that is for assured riders solely!
Big Sky Biking
Best for lift-served mountain bike trails and adrenaline-fuelled descents
Distances and instances differ, straightforward to superior
During the Montana summer time, from early June to mid-September, the downhill motion at Big Sky Resort shifts from snowboarding to mountain biking. Three lifts provide entry to 40 miles of trails, protecting a variety of difficulties and types, from excessive jumps to mellow banked rides. Lift passes value $40 per day.
Beginners can begin off with the two mile Easy Rider path accessed by way of the Explorer Lift, or decide up some new expertise on one of many weekly bike clinics. There are additionally good cross-country trails within the surrounding valleys, and you may go fats tire biking in winter. Try Grizzly Outfitters for leases and path data.
![Cycling options near Bozeman include gentle, level trails, as well as furious downhill rides Two female cyclists stop by a lake near Bozeman](https://lp-cms-production.imgix.net/2021-12/GettyImages-664834707.jpg?auto=format&fit=crop&sharp=10&vib=20&ixlib=react-8.6.4&w=850)
Spring biking in Hyalite Canyon or Yellowstone National Park
Best for traffic-free highway biking
15.5 miles spherical journey, three hours, straightforward
Springtime in Montana brings some unsure climate and muddy situations on unpaved trails, but in addition two dream highway rides. From April by means of to mid-May, scenic Hyalite Canyon Road to the southeast of Bozeman is open to cyclists solely, snow and ice situations allowing. It’s an actual deal with to have the ability to savor the scenic paved highway that runs alongside Hyalite Creek as much as Hyalite Reservoir with out the necessity to maintain alert for rushing visitors.
Further south in Yellowstone National Park, the spring thaw additionally brings a welcome interval of motor vehicle-free entry to the park’s western and north-western roads, linking Mammoth Hot Springs, Madison Junction and West Yellowstone. You can cycle so far as you need in elegant solitude, with highway visitors restricted to the occasional bison (give them a large berth). Electric bikes are allowed in Yellowstone National Park however not on Hyalite Canyon Road.
Crosscut Mountain
Best for newbie mountain bikers & youngsters
Distances and instances differ, straightforward to average
Crosscut Mountain to the north of Bozeman is a superb place for learners and children. There are 14 miles of trails (together with 10 miles of single observe), with loads of house to observe your expertise as a household. The nonprofit group Crosscut additionally runs mountain bike clinics and weeklong afternoon camps for tweens (grades 4 to eight) and youngsters. In winter come right here for some fats biking on groomed snow.
Leverich Canyon
Best for anybody searching for a downhill exercise near Bozeman
5 miles spherical journey, 1-2 hours, intermediate, 1,250ft ascent
Located simply previous Bozeman’s southern suburbs, the Leverich Canyon loop path kicks off with a 3 mile, 1,250ft ascent up the japanese aspect of the canyon, previous an deserted mine, earlier than lastly rewarding you with an thrilling downhill, bermed single observe journey. There are a number of locations the place you’ll be able to catch some air, however this can be a mixed-use path by means of the forest, so look out for hikers as you descend.