The Best Mountain Biking Trails in Salida

Two of the most visually-stunning gravel roads near Canon City—Phantom Canyon and Shelf Road—can be combined into an incredible 70-mile loop ride that just might qualify as world-class gravel riding! The route mapped here runs from downtown Canon City, while avoiding traffic with the use of the gravel path band backroads....

Temple Canyon Road climbs directly out of downtown Canon City, quickly transitioning from pavement to gravel. This gravel road bisects one of the most popular mountain bike trail systems in the area, separating the South Canon trails from the Section 13 trails....

The Arkansas Riverwalk is a wide gravel trail running along the banks of the Arkansas River. You can access the Riverwalk from several different trailheads, including from close to downtown Canon City, but this out-and-back route beginning from the Mackenzie Ave trailhead is the most efficient way to cover the entire trail....

This brand-new trail network in Royal Gorge Park is a welcome addition to Canon City's trail offerings. While some of the trails offer chunky rocks and technical challenge, overall most of the singletrack here consists of machine-built flow, making the trails very approachable for beginner and intermediate riders....

Canon City has a plan. If an outsider could sum it up, it probably goes something like this: "Build enough high-quality singletrack to put our town on the map as one of the best spots to ride a mountain bike in the state of Colorado....

The South Canon Trails have turned into an expansive trail system that's rideable from downtown Canon City. With singletrack ranging from mild and flowy to rocky and steep, every rider can enjoy the mountain biking here at South Canon....

Penitente Canyon is best-known as a sport climbing hotspot. With routes ranging from easy to difficult, the rock climbing access here is easy and the canyon is simply stunning. However, Penitente is quickly becoming known for a totally different aspect: it’s trail system....

The newest addition to the epic Oil Well Flats Trail System is a Tony Boone Trails special. Tony Boone Trails has gained an international reputation for building some of the best mountain bike trails in the world....

The Royal Cascade is a formidable mountain bike trail connecting the Royal Gorge park to the town of Canon City. The community celebrated the opening of what's sure to be an iconic trail in March of 2022....

Penitente Canyon is best-known as a sport climbing hotspot. With routes ranging from easy to difficult, the rock climbing access here is easy and the canyon is simply stunning. However, Penitente is quickly becoming known for a totally different aspect: it’s trail system....

Tanner Peak rises outside the town of Canon City to a height of 9,340 feet above sea level. This is one of the most prominent close-to-town peaks and is easily accessible from multiple aspects....

The singletrack in the Hogbacks area is easily accessible from the west side of Canon City, making these trails popular for after work rides. Consequently, dog walkers, hikers, and runners also frequent these trails, although the nearby gravel trail takes much of the foot traffic....