Big Sky Mountain Biking
Big Sky mountain biking is extremely popular, and we frequently field questions about mountain biking trails & services as well as other Big Sky biking options. The Big Sky area offers a wide variety of biking trails, great for all ages and skill levels, with several biking choices including mountain biking, downhill biking, road biking, or just cruising around the town of Big Sky as alternative transportation. To help visitors, we have assembled a great list of places to ride and a few of the Big Sky area bike shops, services, & activities available.
Mountain Biking Big Sky
If you ask people local to the area, "where are the best mountain biking trails in Big Sky?" you would probably get a wide variety of responses, but certainly no wrong answers. Big Sky is host to loads of amazing mountain biking options, from single track to downhill mountain biking, and over 50 miles of lift-serviced trails that can be found on Lone Mountain at the Big Sky Resort. Whether you prefer resort-maintained trails, mountain bike-friendly dirt roads, or pedaling your way straight into the mountain wilderness for more rugged rides, Big Sky has what you are looking for.
Top Big Sky Mountain Biking Trails
Here are some of our favorite Big Sky mountain biking trails:
Big Sky Resort Mountain Biking
Big Sky Resort offers fantastic summer mountain bike services & trails. Purchase a Bike Haul Pass, then take lifts Ramcharger 8, Swift Current 6, and Explorer 2 to access flow and tech trails that are of all skill levels. At the same time, while here, don't pass up the chance to experience America's fastest 6-person chairlift with all-new bike carriers.
New to mountain biking? Check out Big Sky Resort's Different Spokes Bike Shop to rent a high-performance downhill mountain bike and necessary safety gear. There are also tons of other mountain bike rental, repair, and equipment stores in the Big Sky area.
Have kids who love to bike and race around, then sign them up for Big Sky Resort's Youth Downhill Mountain Bike Camp for ages 8-17. They have spots for those new to downhill mountain biking and groups for those looking to build upon existing downhill skills. Groups are formed as best as possible, considering age, ability, and motivation. Instruction takes place on features and trails while targeted to each group of riders.
Don't just let the kids have all the fun, Big Sky Resort offers downhill coaching for all ages & skills.
This 7.9-mile trail is a classic hour-long descent from Buffalo Horn/Ramshorn. It can be rocky and rooty in places and interspersed with several short climbs. NOTE: The trail is closed to bikes and horseback from April 1st to June 15th.
This is a very well-maintained trail as it is a National Recreation Trail and is considered a moderate to difficult trail. The Garnet Mountain trail can be ridden as a steep out and back or a longer dirt road/two-track climb with a single-track descent. The average completion time is an hour and a half for the 3.9 one-way trail. The trail wraps around the flanks of Garnet Mt with a few isolated technical spots. The top half mile is a steep, rocky, and loose double track but is worth the effort for the views from the lookout.
The trail is a loop of 3 miles and is rated as moderate difficulty. In the first 1.5 miles, the trail climbs 450 feet which gets you breathing a little more before the descent that includes berms and other terrain features to the flowy feel. This trail is intended to be ridden counter-clockwise. The trail allows dogs on leash or voice/sight command along with having a trailhead informational kiosk and dog waste station.
This 13.5-mile loop starts from Garnet Mountain and Castle Rock Trailhead. On average, it takes 2 to 2 and a half hours to complete the loop, along with an altitude change of 2,474 feet. This trail has an intermediate to difficult rating.
Family Biking In & Around Big Sky
One of the most popular and enjoyable routes is the well-maintained path that travels from the Ousel Falls trailhead by Big Sky Town Center through the Meadow Village, down to the Canyon, and south along Highway 191/Gallatin Road. This group of different trails makes a great family ride for all ages and abilities when strung together or done individually. Checkout the primary trails you can loop together.
Road Biking In Big Sky
Like to road bike? Travel the scenic mountain roads and highways on your own or on a rented road bike. Enjoy the twists and turns of the Gallatin Canyon/U.S. Highway 191, and travel into the edges of Yellowstone National Park or the town of West Yellowstone. Pedal right from your vacation rental's front door to the Big Sky Spur Road, a.k.a. Lone Mountain Trail, for a more than 10-mile ride that takes you up Big Sky's Meadow Village to Big Sky Mountain Village and then on to Moonlight Basin, making a challenging and scenic ride.
Big Sky Bike Rentals
We have gathered some of Big Sky's best places to either rent a bike or get service done on your personal bike.
Big Sky Mountain Biking Home Bases
We have a variety of fantastic Big Sky vacation rentals that will suit anyone's needs, and offer exceptional access to all of our Big Sky biking activities. We at Wilson Peak Properties have excellent local knowledge to help you map out your mountain biking adventure and other vacation plans.
Search our Big Sky rentals in Meadow Village, Big Sky Town Center, Mountain Village, and Gallatin River Canyon for easy access to the mountains. Get ready for your mountain vacation by exploring our Big Sky Area Guide!
