The Best Mountain Biking Trails in Montana

Big Sky Resort now offers a bonafide beginner flow trail that can entice even the most elementary of mountain bikers to rent a bike, hire a guide, and hop on a lift to the top of the (small) mountain....

Rabbit Run is the next logical step up in Big Sky's bike park progression from Easy Rider. This well-built flow trail features a slightly narrower trail tread and faster trail speed than Easy Rider....

The Grizzly Loop offers an easy entry into backcountry mountain biking in the Big Sky area. After building your skills on the [progressive trails found at Big Sky Resort](https://fatmap.com/guidebooks/55196/ramp-up-your-riding-on-big-sky's-progressive-trails), you can take those skills out into the backcountry and start tackling the types of big mountain rides that inspired the sport of mountain biking in the first place....

Leverich Canyon is home to one of the only bike-only, one-way, downhill-only trails in the Gallatin range. As such, it's an ultra-popular mountain bike ride, which is evidenced by the braking bumps that permeate the descent....

Blue Mountain is one of the most popular spots near Missoula for an after work ride, and with miles of trails, big views and options for all ability levels, it's easy to see why....

Starting and finishing in one of Missoula's most affluent neighbourhoods, this is a fabulous trip. The trail can be done on either foot or bike, and ascends and descends the same way, so be aware of other users on the way up and down....

Sitting remarkably close to Missoula is the Rattlesnake Wilderness Area, an area which (being an official Wilderness Area) can only be accessed by non-motorised forms of transport. Fortunately for us, the boundary of the Wilderness Area doesn't quite extend to cover this ride, so riders can get a feel for the Rattlesnake's wonders but still be on 2 wheels instead of on foot....

On the back road which links Missoula with Bonner are some of the most stunning residences in Montana, and some superb, easy biking. On the drive up Pattee Canyon you'll likely be distracted by the various rural properties you pass, but once you reach the trailhead you'll be absorbed by the enjoyable riding on this route....

It takes a bit of work to reach the somewhat hidden Otter Slide Trail. After riding up the very slow Explorer lift, you'll drop down a short section of singletrack, then descend a gravel road away from the core of the bike park....

Have you ever fantasized about the idea of a backcountry flow trail? Of berms and rollers that run down a ridgeline for miles and miles, instead of the meager 1-2-mile downhill trails found in most bike parks? If you've ever wondered how a "backcountry flow trail" would ride, then you need to travel to Big Sky, Montana, and check out Mountain to Meadow for yourself....

At the time of this writing in 2021, Flicker is one of the freshest lines to be cut into the slopes of Big Sky Resort. This intermediate-friendly "tech trail" offers riders an avenue to dip their toes into the world of lift-served downhill riding on narrow, technical singletrack trails....

Have you ever fantasized about the idea of a backcountry flow trail? Of berms and rollers that run down a ridgeline for miles and miles, instead of the meager 1-2-mile downhill trails found in most bike parks? If you've ever wondered how a "backcountry flow trail" would ride, then you need to travel to Big Sky, Montana, and check out Mountain to Meadow for yourself....

Happy Hooves is the easiest flow trail dropping off the Ramcharger lift in the Big Sky Bike Park. Even though it might be considered "easy," it's still a crowd-pleaser thanks to its fast trail speed and massive banked corners....

Mountain biking doesn't get much more rugged and remote than it does in the isolated Lionhead Mountains. For a top-notch mountain bike ride that crosses this beautiful range from one side to the other, check out this point-to-point ride from Mile Creek to Targhee Creek....

Sheep Lake is a classic out-and-back mountain bike ride to an alpine lake that requires zero navigational know-how. You simply climb the singletrack to the lake (and note the one sign at the only trail junction to keep climbing the correct direction) and then return the same way that you came....

The Mules Loop combines the classic Second Yellow Mule and First Yellow Mule backcountry trails into a loop of epic proportions that can be pedaled straight from downtown Big Sky! The route as mapped here begins from the Ousel Falls Trailhead....

If you want to enjoy the sweet singletrack on Grizzly Loop, but you need a bit more mileage to call it a decent mountain bike ride, consider extending the route with a trip up and down Lemon's Knob....

Garnet Mountain is located about halfway between Big Sky and the outskirts of Bozeman, making it one of the most popular backcountry mountain bike rides in the Southern Gallatins. The basic route is an 8-mile loop around the mountain combining dirt road, ATV trail, and fantastic singletrack....

Chestnut Mountain is an absolute gem of a mountain bike ride that rightfully reigns as one of Bozeman's favorite rips. The route shown here is a shuttle, but with a bit of paved road pedaling, you can connect the ends to form a loop ride....

The South Cottonwood trailhead is located right on the outskirts of Bozeman, making it a very popular access point for accessing the Gallatins. This trail can be filled with hikers, trail runners, and other mountain bikers at all times and on any day of the week—especially during mid-summer....