Mountain Biking Trails in Oregon

Oregon is one of the best mountain biking states in the country, with volcanic high desert on one side of the Cascades, deep forest and soft, dark soil on the other, and hundreds of miles of singletrack in between. Bend is the hub, with the vast Phil’s Trail network right on the edge of town, the lift-served Mt. Bachelor Bike Park up the road, and the McKenzie River Trail, one of the most celebrated singletrack trails in North America, within driving distance.

West of the Cascade crest, the old timber town of Oakridge is a mountain biking destination in its own right, with more than 300 miles of singletrack, an IMBA Gold-level Ride Center rating and the Alpine Trail, a long, flowing descent that put the town on the map. Shuttles and the summer Mountain Bike Oregon festival make it easy to bike big days without the climbs.

Closer to Portland, the Post Canyon network above Hood River packs jump lines, flow trails and steep tech into a compact area, with Surveyor’s Ridge nearby offering long views of Mount Hood. Sandy Ridge, an hour from the city, is a purpose-built favourite for wet-weather biking, and Ashland brings big descents to the south of the state. Linking much of it together is the Oregon Timber Trail, a roughly 670 mile backcountry route from California to the Columbia River Gorge that is more than seventy per cent singletrack.

The season is long here. The high desert around Bend stays open for biking most of the year, the low-lying trails at Oakridge and Post Canyon dry out early in spring, and the high Cascades are clear of snow from around mid-June. Most people bike Oregon’s trails independently, though guided trips and shuttles are widely available if you would rather have the logistics handled.

Oregon is a great locale for mountain biking, but so is the rest of the world! Let somebody else plan your next mountain biking trip with one of these mountain bike tours scattered all over the globe, or browse guided tours in the United States

What’s New in 2026

• Oregon has trails you can bike almost all year, as long as you pick the right elevation. The high desert around Bend and the low-lying trails at Oakridge and Post Canyon dry out earliest in spring. Snow does not clear from the high Cascades until around mid-June, and remote trails can stay blocked by fallen trees until later in the summer.
• Oakridge holds an IMBA Gold-level Ride Center rating, with more than 300 miles of singletrack and the much-loved Alpine Trail. Outside magazine placed it fifth in its 2026 list of the best mountain bike towns in the United States. Shuttles run to the trailheads, and the Mountain Bike Oregon festival takes over the town each summer.
• Most trailheads in the national forests need a Northwest Forest Pass to park, at $5 per day or $30 per year, or a valid America the Beautiful pass. For lift-served descending, the Mt. Bachelor Bike Park near Bend runs through the summer, and shuttle operators serve Bend, Oakridge and Hood River.
• As of late 2025, class-one pedal-assist e-mountain bikes are allowed on selected Deschutes National Forest trails, with a winter closure from December to March. Rules differ on other forests and on state and city land, so check locally before you set out.

The Best Mountain Bike Trails in Oregon

Bend sits at the heart of Oregon’s mountain biking, and the trails below are the ones that make the trip worth it, from the mellow singletrack of the Phil’s Trailhead network to a trail many consider the finest in North America.

Easy Trails

• Phil’s Trail: the namesake trail of Bend’s busiest trailhead, a mostly one-way, mellow descent with fast sections, small jumps and a couple of rock gardens. A fine place to find your feet.
• Ben’s Trail: a one-way, uphill-only cross-country climb from Phil’s Trailhead, broken up by short descents and fun features, and quieter than the trails around it.
• Kent’s Trail: another Phil’s Trailhead classic that works as either a climb or a mellow descent, and slots easily into a bigger day out.
• Peterson Ridge Trail: a ladder-shaped network near Sisters that lets you go as long or short as you like, with smooth, gentle trails that suit families and new cross-country riders.

Moderate Trails

• Whoops Loop: Bend’s answer to the A-Line, a downhill flow trail with berms and tabletops, reached by a relaxed logging-road climb. Easy to lap all day.
• McKenzie River Trail: often called the best singletrack in North America, running through temperate rainforest and over magma rock past waterfalls and blue pools. Worth the drive from Bend.

Plan Your Trip

Oregon is one of the best states for mountain biking in the USA, part of our wider mountain biking routes collection. If you would rather travel on foot, browse our hiking routes in Oregon as well.

Frequently Asked Questions About Mountain Biking in Oregon

Where is the best mountain biking in Oregon?

Bend is the best-known base, with the huge Phil’s Trail network on the edge of town, the Mt. Bachelor Bike Park and the McKenzie River Trail within reach. Oakridge is the other heavyweight, an IMBA Gold-level Ride Center with more than 300 miles of singletrack and the Alpine Trail. Near Portland, Post Canyon above Hood River and the purpose-built Sandy Ridge are the local favourites.

When is mountain biking season in Oregon?

Oregon has trails you can bike almost all year. The high desert around Bend and the low-lying trails at Oakridge and Post Canyon are open from early spring to late autumn. Snow does not clear from the high Cascades until around mid-June, so July to October is the window up high. Autumn brings firm, grippy dirt on the west side.

Do you need a pass to mountain bike in Oregon?

Most national forest trailheads, including many around Bend and Oakridge, require a Northwest Forest Pass to park, at $5 per day or $30 per year, and an America the Beautiful pass also works. There is no timed-entry system, and many state and city trail networks are free.