The Best Mountain Bike Towns in the U.S., Ranked

The Best Mountain Bike Towns in the U.S., Ranked examines how trail networks and a town's culture shape where riders choose to go. Written by Outside magazine and drawing on extensive field experience, the piece rates towns on singletrack miles and the degree to which biking defines local identity. Duluth, Minnesota is highlighted as a standout, with the Cyclists of Gitchee Gumee Shores (COGGS) driving five trail hubs and fostering a Midwest biking ethos. Key routes include Mission Creek with more than 20 miles of flow, Spirit Mountain with lift-served gravity, Hartley Park's 15 miles of flow and tech, and the Duluth Traverse, a 42-mile point-to-point ride entirely within city limits. Beyond Duluth, the author notes geographic variety while acknowledging a few destinations have risen in prominence in recent years, like Bentonville, as the list aims to spread across the country. Moreover, the piece emphasizes the town's cultural assets—food scenes and breweries—that reinforce biking's place in daily life and tourism. Overall, the article blends data with a strong sense of vibe as it charts how mountain biking sustains local communities and economies.