Is Montana The Best State For Mountain Biking?

I’m not a mountain biker myself, so I can’t speak from the seat of a bike—but living in Montana, you definitely notice how many people are out riding the trails. Whether it's locals hitting the dirt after work or out-of-staters showing up with bikes strapped to their rigs, mountain biking is a big deal here. And honestly, it makes sense.

With our endless public lands, mountain views, and trails that wind through everything, it’s kind of a dream setup for riders.

So when I saw that Montana was recently ranked as one of the top states in the country for mountain biking, I wasn’t surprised at all.

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VelociRAX compiled a list of the best states for mountain biking, taking several factors into account. These factors include the number of trails, the percentage of hilly terrain, the total miles of trails, the proportion of difficult trails, average trail scores, bike-ability rankings, and average elevation.

Where Does Montana Rank for Mountain Biking?

Big Sky Country landed in 8th place on the list—even with a few interesting odds stacked against us. For starters, Montana reportedly has fewer trails overall, averaging only about 7 trails per 1,000 square miles. But what we lack in quantity, we seem to make up for in terrain. A solid 36.5% of our land is considered hilly, which works out great for mountain bikers looking for elevation and challenge.

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Even with fewer trail miles, Montana stands out for having the highest percentage of difficult trails in the country. Other states that made the list ahead of Montana, in order, were Vermont, West Virginia, Idaho, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Colorado, and Connecticut.

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Are you a mountain biker? Do you agree with this list—or have a favorite spot that didn’t make the cut? Let us know HERE.

5 Things To Know When Moving To Montana

Montana is known by a few nicknames. Big Sky Country. The Treasure State. The Last Best Place. We're also known for our beautiful mountains, lakes, and rivers. As well as our many outdoor activities. Millions of people visit Montana each year, and for many of them, the idea of living here is very appealing. However, before you decide to pack up and become a "Montanan," there are some things you need to be aware of.

Gallery Credit: Derek Wolf

Montana's 5 Best Old School Food Joints

For those who love food AND nostalgia, Montana is home to some wonderful old-school food joints that need to be on your radar. While some of these are only open on a seasonal basis, you'll have to place your "culinary cruise" appropriately.

Gallery Credit: Derek Wolf

Montana's 6 Most Beautiful Places

Living in Big Sky Country has its perks. From breathtaking scenery to world-class skiing and fly fishing, Montana has a lot to offer. Not only are we home to hundreds of lakes and rivers, but we also claim two of the most famous National Parks in the country. Although it should be noted that we didn't include any spots in Yellowstone because it covers multiple states. So, which places in Montana are the most beautiful? Here's our Top 6.

Gallery Credit: Derek Wolf