Biking

From sweet singletrack to scenic tours, Montana State Parks offer fat tire enthusiasts and road bikers endless excitement and scenery.

Couple with bikes at Lewis and Clark Caverns State Park

Mountain Biker at Lewis and Clark Caverns State Park

Children riding bikes at Giant Springs State Park

Hike and bike campsite at Whitefish Lake State Park

Mountain biking at Medicine Rocks State Park

Mountain bikers at Lone Pine State Park overlook

State Parks with Biking

State Parks with Bike Camping

Hike-Bike sites are located at:

For those arriving by foot or peddle-power, hike/bike campsites are designed just for you! A hike-bike site accommodates up to 10 tent spaces, available on a first-come first-served basis.

photo of hike/bike campsite

Photo of Hike/Bike campsite at Whitefish Lake State Park

Included:

Tent pads
Fire rings
Bear resistant food lockers
Potable water
Electrical outlets
Covered shelter with picnic tables
Bicycle racks
Bicycle maintenance stand

State Park Campsites near Mountain Bike Trails

Many Montana State Park campsites sit a short distance away from Montana's vast network of hiking and biking trails. Some of those trails sit right inside the parks, some a short bike ride away, and others surround state parks and offer day-trip experiences with a state parks campsite as the perfect base camp. While not exhaustive, here's a short list of campsites with great trail access.

Lewis and Clark Caverns and Missouri Headwaters

These parks sit right in the middle of some of Montana's premier mountain bike trails. Access the Copper City Trail System, journey out for day trips to the Bozeman area, the Butte trail system, Discovery Bike Park, or to Big Sky, not to mention the excellent trails right within Lewis and Clark Caverns State Park. (If you're leaning a little more toward Butte and Discovery, Lost Creek State Park may be a more convenient hub.)

Black Sandy

Camp at Black Sandy for a little waterside rest after exploring the Helena Trail System.

Flathead Lake and Whitefish Lake

To explore the Flathead Valley trails, from Blacktail to the Whitefish Trail, not to mention the excellent road biking into and around Glacier National Park, the campsites around Flathead Lake and Whitefish Lake State Parks offer the perfect launchpad. Also, Lone Pine is great for a short jaunt, or as part of a longer ride connecting to the Herron Park trail system.

Travelers' Rest

This culutral and historic state park also boasts campsites close to the Missoula and Lolo trail systems.

Placid Lake and Salmon Lake

These state parks offer hike/bike campsites that are a great option for folks traveling along the Great Divide Trail.

Wildlife Management Areas with Biking

Montana's Wildlife Management Areas offer a wide variety of outdoor recreation opportunities.

Check out the areas with biking here.

Biking Basic Information

For general biking preparadeness and trail ettiquette, visit the Leave No Trace Mountain Bike Skills Page here.
Read the International Mountain Biking Association's Responsible Riding Guide here.

trail etiqutte sign

From Here to There

How Montana’s trail system links people to the state’s most spectacular places

People have been walking, riding, and canoeing along Montana trails for centuries. Many existing trails follow these ancient routes, such as the Old North Trail along the Rocky Mountain Front, an important travel and trade corridor for at least 3,000 years. Over the years, trail use technology has expanded to include skis, bicycles, in-line skates, motorcycles, allterrain vehicles, snowmobiles, and other ways of getting from one place to another.

Read the Article