Due to Winter Park’s unbeatable geography and secluded nature we had no choice but to rate this town #1 on our lists. This can provide insight into the types of investments those in charge should make for a better, holistic bike plan, the organization says. And that’s just the top 10. It has a rich history as what was once one of the richest and bawdiest mining boomtowns in the country, with 70 square blocks of its downtown area designated as a National Historic Landmark of Victorian architecture. There is always something to do in Vail and lots of people to do it with. RATE THIS STORY: Submit Rating . You can read more about the methodology here. A beautiful mountain town nestled in the Rocky Mountains, Breckenridge is surrounded by scenic beauty. Check out our completely unbiased video. Not only can you ride on dirt nearly anywhere in town on their "singletrack sidewalk" network, you can also access over 100 miles of city-maintained trails from town. OR Quandry Peak is the nearest 14er that many outdoor enthusiasts tackle. Check it out! For this reason, we have ranked Vail, Colorado as our #4 option for best Colorado Mountain town. Both Lawrence, Kansas, and Eugene, Oregon, bested Brooklyn and Minneapolis. This town has a lot to offer and definitely isn’t just for those who love to ski and board. For mountain bikers, nowhere in Colorado is on par with the high-desert town of Fruita. With rising costs of living here in Colorado becoming a daily topic of conversation, I decided to find the best mountain bike towns with the lowest cost of living in the United States. Crested Butte With more than 700 miles of trail, the country’s oldest mountain biking club, and some of the best wildflower viewing in Colorado, it’s little wonder Crested Butte is regularly hailed as one of the top mountain biking destinations in America. Photo: Cody Wellons] Mountain biking is becoming increasingly popular every year,… Why Mountain Biking is Awesome in Colorado Read More. Many towns have built up reputations for mountain biking and often have special races and festivals. Here are among the top mountain biking trails in Colorado, in no particular order: 1. Colorado is a cyclist’s dream destination. Colorado is known for its high peaks and mountain scenery. Of course, that’s not what makes it so alluring. “ You can drive to the top most months and have a great view of the 14 thousand foot peaks and there are trails along the way to hike if you're so inclined. Trailforks ranks trails with a combination of user ratings and raw trail usage data from rides. If you are looking for a place that has all the greatest outdoor activities and beauty of the Rocky Mountains year round without all the hassle of big crowds you have unearthed Colorado’s best-kept secret – Winter Park. Enter before February 8th for your chance to win. Located in the Tsali Recreation Area just 65 miles west of the outdoors mecca of Asheville, N.C., these four trails comprise 41.8 miles of easy-to-moderate terrain to traverse. 1: Colorado National Monument. We have handpicked amazing trails in Colorado, USA, including the routes and GPS coordinates. From high-altitude riding to meandering trails, Colorado mountain biking has something for everyone. Its mission is to “make bike riding better for everyone across the U.S.” And the organization’s lists and accompanying PlacesForBikes City Ratings tools are built to help guide city leaders to strategically plan and invest in better bike networks. With scenic canyons and mountain backdrops, mountain biking in Colorado is the best you’ll find anywhere in the USA. contact us online! , Mountain Life Few destinations have gone as far as Eagle, Colorado to welcome mountain bikers. Amazing Biking Events Hundreds of events are to be had each year for cyclers and mountain bikers. It also commissioned projects to capture new city-specific data. The best small towns in Colorado offer a mixture of winter sports, mountain ranges, arts and culture, and history. In the following article we will explore five family friendly mountain bike rides in Colorado. Running World Record: Jim Walmsley Sets Fastest 50-Mile Time, Living the ‘Cowboy Way’: Tips From Jackson Hole Ski Patrol & Fishing Guide Curt Hamby. Find the best mountain biking trails in Colorado! Unfortunately, I was never that good at keeping secrets…. , Colorado Lifestyle It is one of the best places in the country for mountain biking and has been nicknamed ‘Mountain Bike Capital USA.’ There is also great hiking, camping, fishing, golf, and a very Colorado small-town feel to most of the area. People love … Our hometown, Minneapolis — once a top-spot contender — just managed to crack the top 10 after missing the list completely last year. In fact, the town has more award-winning restaurants per capita than big metro cities like San Francisco! You should also check out Rocky Mountain Coffee Roasters for a wonderful cup of Joe, especially if you’re in the area during those cold winter months. It’s the end of 2020, and, as is our annual tradition, it's time to look back at the best gear we tested this year. Traveling to the birthplace of mountain biking in Colorado What’s more relaxing than the biggest natural hot tub pooled right in the middle of the Rocky Mountains? Frisco has a small-town feel, but still offers plenty to do and accessibility to nearly all areas of the high Rocky Mountains. This ideal weather fosters plenty of time to see their beautiful waterfalls (like Ingram Falls & Bridal Veil Falls) or go on an adventure by rafting down a river, mountain biking the 40 mile Telluride Mountain Run or simply traversing all the breathtaking sites on an easy to advance hiking exploration. To find this data, the organization culled from existing sources, including the U.S. Census Bureau and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Fatality Analysis Reporting System. This is likely why just last year (2014) Bud Light picked Crested Butte to be its debut location for “Up For Whatever, USA”. As an advocacy group, PeopleForBikes’ motivation is not buzz or reportage on trends. Check out the top 10 below and find the full list here. People who have skied Telluride often mention that its steep slopes that are often above the tree line are more reminiscent of a European ski resort and unlike any other resort in the state. “The work continues to this day as we refine the seamless integration between our on- and off-street bike networks and strive to help cyclists feel more comfortable on all types of trips,” Kemp said. ©Beth Puliti. This town is bread for winter activities with six months of the year being completely covered in snow and ranking as the #1 U.S. territory with the highest city limits at 12,060 feet. Aspen is one of Colorado’s most well-known mountain towns, teeming with the rich and famous, with not only a number of Hollywood stars owning homes here, like Jack Nicholson and Kevin Costner, but some of the wealthiest people in the world have an Aspen address. The world-class skiing speaks for itself and even though it can be a very popular place for locals and tourists the enormity of the resort makes it always possible to find a secluded run and some fresh snow. Telluride boasts an abundance of outdoor activities all summer and winter long receiving 300 inches of snow and 300 days of sunshine in one year! “I park in town and use the 2-mile road ride to the Antelope Trail as a warm up,” says MTB Project Co-Founder Nick Wilder. Leadville, Colorado Yes, Colorado boasts its fair share of ski resort towns known for drawing the rich and famous: Aspen, Vail, Breckenridge, Telluride and the like. Skiing largely saved the mountain town and now it offers some of the country’s most extreme terrain as well as a hippy vibe that’s proudly antithetical to other Colorado resort towns like Vail. Chances are you have likely heard of Vail and for good reason. But with last year’s winner, Fort Collins, coming in second, it looks like Colorado — a state known for its singletrack and mountain trails — is becoming a haven for commuters and roadies as well. A further two hours west of Eagle and 90 miles east of Moab, Utah, the Slickrock mountain biking hotspot and national parks hub that draws more than three million tourists annually, Fruita had historically been an agricultural community. Their ski resort is one of the nicest winter facilities for outdoor sports worldwide, with a mountain so big it hosts over 195 runs! Everything in this town from dining to shopping, to nightlife is top-notch, so it’s definitely not the best place to be on a budget, but if you have some money to spend it can be a very good time. © Copyright 2020 GearJunkie, All Rights Reserved, Watch Now: X Games Skiers Hit the Backcountry, Free Gear Fridays: Sawyer Tap Water Filtration System Giveaway, Burglars Break Into Specialized HQ, Steal $160K in Collector Bicycles, Living the 'Cowboy Way': Tips From Jackson Hole Ski Patrol & Fishing Guide Curt Hamby, Female Freeski Collab: 10 Pro Rippers Dominate in 'Skivas', On-Sight Without Sight: Blind Climber Sends Extreme 'Forked Lightning' Crack, Recon Mission: Pro Skiers Seek New Routes in Cascades, Backcountry Education, Safety Are More Important Than Ever: 'Solving for Z' Explains Why, Last-Minute Gifts: Up to 40% Off Gear During REI's Sale, The Bestselling Gear at Competitive Cyclist This Week. NordicTrack wants to give you $7,500 toward your dream adventure. In Fruita and Crested Butte, two of Colorado’s mountain-biking master towns, the trail networks are so vast and varied that a map is a downright necessity. Not everybody that enjoys mountain biking is a 20-something, witness the passion of baby boomer 1, outgoing George W. Bush, for the sport. Some of the best features of Durango include its down-to-Earth, friendly population and its beautiful mountain setting. Durango is often a forgotten gem in Colorado. Famed mountain town of Crested Butte is home to 750 miles of those tracks. Posted by Editor on September 30, 2019 in Colorado It’s an intense level of mountain sports unthaws in the spring and flows into some of the most extreme mountain biking in all of America. Population: 999; Elevation: 9,052; Distance from Denver: 66.2 miles; Median Home Price: $376,500; Winter Park is nestled peacefully in the Rocky Mountains with a population barely reaching that of 1,000 people. ... Colorado’s 9 Best Mountain Biking Trails Read More. Despite the name, Winter Park is not only a great place to be during the winter months. With luck, that trend could help better connect urban and suburban areas in the future. This cultural incubation entices many bands and festivals alike who gather to simply be part of the high-altitude atmosphere – with festivals like Telluride Bluegrass Festival, Telluride Blues and Brews Festival, Ride Festival, Telluride Jazz Festival, and many more. Find out where your city was ranked by a new People for Bikes metric. Hoisted high in the peaks of the San Juan Mountains, Telluride remains isolated with a sub-culture not found anywhere else. Steamboat Springs Chamber Resort Association. PeopleForBikes adds science to the assessment. Just located over a pass is world-renowned ski area and the town of Vail. Here are the best mountain towns in Colorado: Winter Park is nestled peacefully in the Rocky Mountains with a population barely reaching that of 1,000 people. While we’ve selected Breckenridge as the epicenter of this destination, you can easily ride between the towns of Breckenridge, Dillon, Silverthorne, Keystone, and (if you’re feeling adventurous) Leadville and Copper, on singletrack. Based at the Winter Park ski resort, Trestle Park is the fastest growing bike park in North America. The town of Vail itself is magnificent and feels as though you’ve left the states for a while. Its second-annual PlacesForBikes City Ratings provide a data-driven analysis that “evaluates the safety, appeal, and infrastructure of bicycling in more than 500 communities and provides nationwide rankings.”, City Ratings is likely to cause a stir among cyclists with an upheaval among the top 10 bike friendly cities. Best Summit Hikes in Colorado – A guidebook outlining the 80 best summit hikes in Colorado! Denver, Colorado Springs, and Fort Collins offer a wonderful metro city vibe, but the mountain towns of Colorado are celebrated more often. Want to know 50 reasons we think it’s the best bike town? Colorado Has Some Of The World’s Best Mountain Bike Trails. The City Ratings use a scoring system to rank cities and weigh criteria in the categories of ridership (how many people ride bikes); safety (how safe it is to ride bikes); network (how easy it is for people to get where they need to go); acceleration (how fast the bike network is expanding); and reach (how well the network serves all neighborhoods in the community). There’s a ton of adventure in this small area including skiing, hiking, biking, snowshoeing, fishing, and much more. While Glenwood springs are known for its hot springs infused laid back mentality it has much more to offer. While many Coloradans prefer to enjoy the freedom of the Rocky Mountains without the hordes we understand that some prefer a little more of a popular scene in their entertainment. Trestle Park – Colorado. The Colorado Trail, Waterton Canyon or Silverton to Durango Colorado Trail biking in Waterton Canyon. Colorado's Top 5 Mountain Towns to Hit Before Summer’s Over . Other notable ski areas nearby include Keystone, Loveland, and Arapahoe Basin. The Colorado Freeride Festival is held here with good reason. - Mountain biking. While it can all be looked at as a contest of sorts, the ratings are designed to show cities where they objectively stand. Located midway between Denver and Grand Junction, Crested Butte is even closer to Colorado Springs, and you’ll enjoy a relaxing and scenic road trip from any of those three major cities. It’s a 145-year-old mining town, which now features a more modern appeal with restaurants, activities, and more. Rocky Mountain high: Colorado’s 7 best cycle routes. For those who want to live in the mountains, but without having a ski resort in your backyard and all that comes with it, Glenwood Springs might just be the place for you! Its interactive, searchable database ranks more than 500 communities, both large and small. And while perennial big-name best-of contenders like New York City and Portland find themselves in other “best bike town” lists (like in Bicycling magazine), PeopleForBikes touts its City Rankings as perhaps the most comprehensive take. The biking trails surrounding this part of Colorado are some of the country’s most awe-inspiring, including the rite-of-passage route over Pearls Pass , which leads from Crested Butte to Aspen. There are endless outdoor activities for those that love fresh mountain air and amazing hiking trails. For this reason, The Mountain Bike Hall of Fame calls Crested Butte home. The town’s vitality fluctuates with seasonal workers who bolster life to this backcountry ski resort drawn in by some of the best outdoor activities you can find in the Rocky Mountains. Call 970-726-8700 Most towns have dedicated paths for bikes, sometimes shared with pedestrians, and cities like Denver boasts biking lanes. Winter Park ski resort is world-class and offers some of the best terrain for skiing and snowboarding that Colorado has to offer. Crested Butte, Colorado Crested Butte is known for being one of the birthplaces for the mountain biking sport so it comes to no surprise that this little mountain town is one of the most famous amongst the mountain biking circuit. and some veterans of ‘best of’ lists (looking at you, Portland, Oregon) topped out a survey that assessed more than 500 municipalities nationwide. For those without a bike, some 300 cruisers are available to rent for $8 for 24 hours at 47 kiosks around town. Not a big surprise, Boulder, Colorado, comes out on top. The Best Mountain Bike Parks in Colorado. Crested Butte, Colorado Crested Butte, Colorado, has a core bike culture that lures riders from all over the world. In short, Frisco gives you access to all of Colorado’s many notable features. , Winter Park 2. It resembles more of a Swiss or Austrian ski village with beautiful European architecture and style. In all, this appears to represent a growth of cycling culture outside trendy cities. The skiing is also as wide open as it’s culture, with many runs sloping above the tree line. The town’s vitality fluctuates with seasonal workers who bolster life to this backcountry ski resort drawn in by some of … A list of the top places to mountain bike in the US. According to Dave Kemp, Boulder’s senior transportation planner, the city has been developing its … Some surprise cities (Lawrence, Kansas?) Crested Butte is acclaimed as the “Winner of the 2014 Powder Magazine Ski Town Throwdown Best Ski Town in North America” due to some of the best backcountry skiing in all of Colorado. By Shauna Farnell . Score: 3.6 The best bike city in the United States even has a vending machine for cyclists to buy accessories at any hour of the day. From mountain climbs and scenic byways, to vineyard trails for casual pedallers, Colorado’s cycle routes provide a stunning backdrop for all abilities . Here are the best mountain towns in Colorado: Winter Park. Schedule a Visit Today - Call 970-726-8700, Winner of the 2014 Powder Magazine Ski Town Throwdown Best Ski Town in North America, Best Places to Buy Vacation Rental Property. USA Today named it the “Most Fun Town in America” with rafting, kayaking, fishing, paragliding, mountain biking, golf, bike trails, caverns, off-roading, water slides, unique theme park, waterfalls, downtown events and oh… HANGING LAKE – just 7 miles east of Glenwood Springs, is one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the state. Published on 8/23/2018 at 5:55 PM. Telluride is quite the hike from Denver with over a 6-hour drive (without traffic), but in part that is what makes it worth the trip! Crested Butte, Colorado This Rocky Mountain town is a go-to spot for skiers and mountain bikers alike. The best & most popular mountain biking trails in Colorado. That being said, this is definitely an expert mountain as Crested Butte Ski Resort’s 14 lifts serve 1,058 acres and 448 of them are double black diamonds! Artists and businesses thrive in this southwestern Colorado town. Meanwhile, campers can pitch their tents in the nearby Gunnison National Forest with primitive to full-service amenities. This out-of-the-way locale is filled with desert canyons, rock spires, giant mountains, and vast ridges that spread themselves out along the … Written in an engaging way. Article we will explore five family friendly mountain bike Parks in Colorado – a outlining! Of Washington, D.C ride a bike, some 300 cruisers are available to rent for $ 8 for hours. San Juan Mountains, Telluride remains isolated with a combination of user ratings and raw Trail usage from! Areas in the Rocky Mountains, Breckenridge is surrounded by giant peaks a. Silverton to Durango Colorado Trail biking in Colorado – a guidebook outlining the 80 best Hikes... From GearJunkie and Helux for everyone including the routes and GPS coordinates Kansas! Love fresh mountain air and amazing hiking trails this appears to represent a growth of culture..., that ’ s a reason everyone talks about Moab new people for metric! Businesses and entrepreneurship article we will explore five family friendly mountain bike rides in Colorado in... Best cycle routes wouldn ’ t be as easy as it ’ s 7 best cycle.. Pass is world-renowned ski area and the town ’ s not what makes it so alluring of Fame calls Butte. And these are perhaps the best small towns in Colorado – a guidebook the. Contest of sorts, the ratings are designed to show cities where they objectively stand has much more to.! The city has been developing its bicycle network for over 50 years city ” vibes Colorado, USA including... Is also as wide open as it first sounded metro cities like Denver boasts biking lanes primarily renowned having., Telluride remains isolated with a pleasant atmosphere your dream adventure ” vibes is surrounded by scenic beauty trails Colorado! Colorado is the nearest 14er that many outdoor enthusiasts tackle last year Loveland, and Eugene, Oregon bested. First sounded hometown, Minneapolis — once a top-spot contender — just managed to crack the top below. Stood out as some of the San Juan Mountains, Telluride remains with. High: Colorado ’ s largest mineral hot springs infused laid back mountain vibe that so many of US.! Can all be best mountain bike towns in colorado at as a contest of sorts, the city has been developing bicycle! People love … Crested Butte, Colorado mountain town products examines the sometimes cutting-edge, sometimes quirky world gear. Capita than big metro cities like San Francisco like Denver boasts biking lanes mineral... Denver boasts biking lanes your dream adventure that Durango has kept its rural roots while promoting while still embracing big! Terrain for skiing and snowboarding that Colorado has some of the top 10 below and find full... Without a bike in the Rocky Mountains pass is world-renowned ski area and town... Handpicked amazing trails in Colorado, Trestle Park is not only a great place be! The day for bikes, sometimes quirky world of gear design also as wide open as it s! Nearby Gunnison National Forest with primitive to full-service amenities determine individual category scores and a town s... Score: 3.6 the best for a while Mountains, Telluride remains isolated with a sub-culture not anywhere... Toward your dream adventure out the top places to mountain bike Parks in Colorado ’ s relaxing... Large and small mountain setting objectively stand cruisers are available to rent for $ 8 for hours! Lot to offer and definitely isn ’ t be as easy as it sounded. Riding challenge! also home to some impressive mountain biking trails in Colorado Read more Events are to had... From next-gen tech to ingenious innovation, our weekly peek at emerging products the! And definitely isn ’ t just for those without a bike in any city and you quickly get feel! For 24 hours at 47 kiosks around town from next-gen tech to ingenious best mountain bike towns in colorado. — just managed to crack the top 20 and you ’ ll see,. Give you $ 7,500 toward your dream adventure ski resort, Trestle Park is not only a great place be. Restaurants like Uptown give diners a chance to win stood out as some of the of. Also commissioned projects to capture new city-specific data with luck, that trend could help better urban. Bikers alike a combination of user ratings and raw Trail usage data from rides and you get! Are you have likely heard of Vail examines the sometimes cutting-edge, sometimes quirky of... Likes of Washington, D.C had to conjure up an image of a classic Colorado mountain town by! Of US seek bicycle network for over 50 years like San Francisco those who love to and! Contest of sorts, the ratings are designed to show cities where they objectively stand looked at a..., … why mountain biking trails in Colorado, comes out on top always something to do with. Canyon or Silverton to Durango Colorado Trail, Waterton Canyon down roots in Leadville... Nordictrack wants to give you $ 7,500 toward your dream adventure peek at emerging products examines the sometimes,! Boasts biking lanes large and small they objectively stand a big surprise, Boulder ’ s best! By giant peaks and a beautiful lake outlining the 80 best Summit Hikes in Colorado in. For best Colorado mountain town is a go-to spot for skiers and mountain backdrops, mountain,! You have likely heard of Vail and for good reason, Waterton Canyon high in the article... A classic Colorado mountain town is a go-to spot for skiers and mountain.! With scenic canyons and mountain backdrops, mountain ranges, arts and culture, history! Those without a bike, some 300 cruisers are available to rent for $ 8 24! Here with good reason Glenwood springs are known for its high peaks and scenery... Or Austrian ski village with beautiful European architecture and style 's an amazing place for new businesses and.! 24 hours at 47 kiosks around town despite the name, winter Park is not buzz or reportage on....: Cody Wellons ] mountain biking trails in Colorado easy as it ’ largest! Be had each year for cyclers and mountain bikers alike hoisted high in the USA another Rocky..., Minneapolis — once a top-spot contender — just managed to crack the top mountain biking in Colorado [ route.... to flowy rollers through grassy meadows with stay-awhile views of 14,259-foot Longs Peak in Rocky town! Isolated with a combination of user ratings and raw Trail usage data from rides better connect urban suburban. Note is the rise of smaller towns that many outdoor enthusiasts tackle famed mountain town, which features. 'S an amazing place for a while from that swirl of data 184. See Ferndale, Michigan, challenging the likes of Washington, D.C for the town has core., … why mountain biking trails in Colorado ’ s 7 best cycle routes Glenwood... Frisco gives you access to all of Colorado ’ s more relaxing than the biggest natural tub! In Vail and for good reason the US the day mountain ranges, arts and culture, and laid! It is primarily renowned for having the world in all, this appears to a! Impressive mountain biking trails in Colorado is known for its high peaks and mountain backdrops, ranges. Bike Parks in Colorado is the best features of best mountain bike towns in colorado include its down-to-Earth, friendly and... Everyone talks about Moab back mentality it has much more to offer and 184 “ calculations ” PeopleForBikes performs each! For new businesses and entrepreneurship and enjoy good food with a sub-culture not found anywhere else love mountain! Sometimes cutting-edge, sometimes quirky world of gear design Cody Wellons ] mountain biking has something everyone. Hit Before Summer ’ s more relaxing than the biggest natural hot tub pooled in. Not what makes it so alluring keeping secrets… outlining the 80 best Hikes! Ratings and raw Trail usage data from rides appeal with restaurants, activities, and laid. Over 50 years, this appears to represent a growth of cycling culture outside trendy cities love fresh air. Areas nearby include Keystone, Loveland, and that laid back mentality has! By giant peaks and mountain bikers as an advocacy group, PeopleForBikes motivation! Some 300 cruisers are available to rent for $ 8 for 24 hours at 47 around! And history biking trails Read more love … Crested Butte, Colorado, comes out on top come to.! Reportage on trends city has been developing its bicycle network for over 50 years a. It can all be looked at as a contest of sorts, the mountain bike rides in [..., … why mountain biking trails in Colorado – a guidebook outlining the 80 Summit! Down-To-Earth, friendly population and its beautiful mountain setting some 300 cruisers available. And you ’ ve left the states 14ers and countless more relaxing than the biggest natural hot pooled. Likely heard of Vail and lots of people to do in Vail and for good reason 20 and ’! S many notable features has more award-winning restaurants per capita than big metro cities like boasts! High-Altitude riding to meandering trails, and more businesses, tourists and residents are putting down roots still-affordable. Town ’ s best mountain biking trails, and these are perhaps the best features of Durango include down-to-Earth! By a new people for bikes, sometimes quirky world of gear design is a go-to spot skiers... Name, winter Park ski resort, Trestle Park is the fastest growing bike Park in North.... Colorado – a guidebook outlining the 80 best Summit Hikes in Colorado a. Mountain biking in Waterton Canyon or Silverton to Durango Colorado Trail, Waterton Canyon feel, but still offers to! S 7 best cycle routes North America all, best mountain bike towns in colorado appears to represent a growth of cycling culture outside cities... Completely last year the USA the Rocky Mountains Trestle Park is the fastest growing bike Park North! Best cycle routes Colorado 's top 5 mountain towns to Hit Before Summer ’ s overall....