The Midwest’s Best Mountain Bike Destinations
When you think of mountain biking, your mind probably wanders to places like Colorado, Arizona and Utah rather than the Midwest. For those in the know, Indiana, Tennessee, Kentucky and Michigan are singletrack nirvana. All offer truly epic trails. And rest assured, when you roll out from any of these trailheads, you’ll not only find great views, but also technically demanding terrain to test the limits of both body and bike.
Copper Harbor, Michigan
Getting to the Copper Harbor trails, on the northern-most tip of Michigan off the coast of Lake Superior, might be a hassle, but the 20 miles of singletrack boasts several major, leg-sapping climbs. You might be gasping for breath, but at least you’ll be breathing in the pure, crisp scent of the surrounding pine forest. On The Edge is a trail that links turn after turn, leading you into a virtual maze of wooden bridges and structures. The screaming descent on the Flying Squirrel isn’t for the faint of heart, as the smooth dirt quickly gives way to snarled roots and rock gardens.
Montgomery Bell State Park, Tennessee
Just a two-step away from Nashville, Montgomery Bell State Park’s 20-plus miles of singletrack offer a welcome natural distraction from Music City. Trails throughout the hardwood forest are well marked and color-coded by difficulty. Riders fly down both Chain Reaction and the Esses, railing the bermed turns and launching down thrilling descents. Other sections are throwbacks to the sport’s earlier days—a bit choppier with less discernable flow.
Sheltowee Trace, Kentucky