With more than 300 miles of trails crisscrossing the region, Central Oregon is a mountain bikers’ paradise. All year long, riders can shred singletrack trails in the region’s high desert expanse, descend through forests of ponderosa pine, enjoy sweeping views of nearby peaks, and test their mettle on technical challenges designed by—and for—avid mountain bikers.

Best of all: Rides can be found all over the region—from the forests of Central Oregon to the volcanic landscapes around Sunriver to the Cascade foothills outside of Sisters and beyond. So if you’re looking to hop in the saddle soon, we’ve put together a guide with some of our favorite trails, shops, and shuttles to help you get started.

As you ride, you’ll want to keep a few tips in mind: Uphill riders and horses have the right-of-way at all times, and riders should never go off trail to pass another rider. And note that e-bikes are not allowed on Central Oregon mountain bike trails.

All that said, here’s where to find berms, booters, and other awesome features on mountain bike rides around Central Oregon.

## Mountain Biking at Mt. Bachelor Bike Park

Mt. Bachelor is best known as an iconic ski resort with some of the most thrilling runs in Central Oregon—but when the snow melts, the mountain’s forested slopes make Mt. Bachelor Bike Park one of the most popular trail systems anywhere in the region.

In all, more than a dozen miles of machine-built flow trails and hand-built singletrack paths crisscross the pine-covered slopes of Mount Bachelor. Newbies can get a feel for their bike in the park’s skills area before descending from Little Pine, the park’s beginner-friendly lift, on some of Mt. Bachelor’s gentler trails. The Pine Marten Express lift, meanwhile, leads to exciting dirt jumps and more frantic descents for intermediate and expert riders. (Average slopes on some of the park’s double black diamond paths may reach a 20% grade.)

The park also hosts a tune-up and repair shop (with parts for purchase and services that range from brake adjustments and chain installations to suspension set-ups and full tune-ups), a bike-washing station, and private and group lessons for new riders.

Want to know what else the iconic peak has to offer? Discover Mt. Bachelor for more on the mountain’s year-round activities.

## Mountain Biking Near Bend

The Phil’s Trail Complex is among the most notable outposts for riders around Bend—but the city offers easy access to dozens of miles of epic singletrack rides. Here’s where to ride around town.

**Phil’s Trail Complex**: Far and away, the best-known mountain bike destination in Central Oregon is the Phil’s Trail Complex. (One highlight worth shouting out is the Lower Whoops Trail, a difficult descent that includes a variety of hazards geared toward expert riders.) You’ll find dozens of miles of trail at Phil’s, from beginner-friendly loops to more technical challenges. Throughout it all, riders enjoy fast, flowing downhill trails—along with rock gardens, berms, gaps, and other features for a more intense ride.

**Wanoga Complex**: Each winter, Wanoga Snow Play Area Sno-Park is a popular destination for cross-country skiing, sledding, and tubing along the Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway—but, come summer, the park transforms into one of the best mountain biking trail networks in the Bend area. In all, more than two dozen trails cover the complex, with a design centered around flowing downhill singletrack. That said, you’ll find plenty of berms, jumps, outcroppings, log rides, banked corners, and other technical challenges on trails throughout Wanoga.

**Horse Ridge Complex**: When the mountains are covered in snow and the foothills are soaked in rain, local riders make the Horse Ridge area—just east of Bend—their spring and wintertime destination of choice. The Horse Ridge complex includes about 30 miles of trails that head through a forest of juniper and pine—with plenty of clearings that show off epic views of the surrounding high desert environment. Rocky climbs and fast, flowing downhill runs are the hallmark of the trails at Horse Ridge.

Interested in visiting Bend, Oregon? We’ve got you covered with lodging, activities, outings, and more.

## Sunriver Mountain Bike Trails

The resort community of Sunriver is a hit with families, thanks to its forested setting, wide range of amenities, and scenic Cascade views. But the hamlet also offers easy access to a wide range of landscapes that can be explored from the saddle—including ancient lava flows, ponderosa pine forests, and even the inside of an active volcano. Here’s the scoop.

**LaPine State Park:** Beginners and families enjoy the roughly 12 miles of mountain bike trails at LaPine State Park, located 15 minutes southwest of Sunriver. The mostly level trails pass through forests of ponderosa pine, eschewing technical challenges and daunting climbs for more relaxing rides where the scenery steals the show. (Head toward the Deschutes River, which runs through the park, for views of nearby Cascade peaks and the bucolic river itself.)

**Black Rock Trail:** The Black Rock Trail, departing from the Lava Lands Visitor Center just 10 minutes northeast of Sunriver, holds a special place in the history of mountain biking around Central Oregon. The 4.5-mile one-way ride is among the oldest mountain biking trails in the region—and is renowned for the lava-strewn scenery through which it passes. The singletrack trail flows well and features only a few brief technical rock challenges, making it accessible to beginners and fun for advanced riders. And if you’d rather not do an out-and-back ride, the path links up with other trails that lead to Sunriver, the Deschutes River Trail, and other destinations outside of Bend.

**Crater Rim Trail:** Just 35 minutes southeast of Sunriver sits Newberry Volcano, the heartbeat of the broader Newberry National Volcanic Monument. And within the volcano is the 21-mile Crater Rim Trail, which takes riders through thick forests, rocky terrain, gravel ascents, and thrilling singletrack that delivers outstanding views of the caldera and nearby Cascade peaks.

Whether you want to relax in the resort community or explore the landscapes beyond town, plan your visit to Sunriver, Oregon, for a memorable trip.

## Mountain Biking Near Sisters

The Old West-inspired community of Sisters might be known more for saddles of another type—but mountain bikers love the town for its close proximity to a wide range of trails. You’ll find easy outings just south of town, but more adventurous riders can head further west for a mix of under-the-radar backcountry rides and some of the most popular sites anywhere in the region.

**Old Cascade Crest:** The “Old Cascades” area, sitting about 45 minutes northwest of Sisters (just beyond the Santiam Junction), shows off a part of the Cascade Range that can be up 14 million years old—far older than the rest of the region’s more famous peaks (such as Mount Bachelor or Mount Jefferson). Riders can explore the Old Cascade Crest Trail Area here, where six trails make up a loop that measures 28 miles and affords roughly 8,000 feet of elevation gain. Expert riders in good shape enjoy a steady diet of peak views, steep descents, frequent inclines, and rugged trails that trade technical features and well-graded paths found elsewhere for a quieter, if more difficult, backcountry experience.

**Peterson Ridge Trails:** The popular Peterson Ridge Trails system has long been a popular destination for riders just five minutes south of downtown Sisters. In addition to its close proximity to town, the Peterson Ridge system—which totals more than 20 miles of trails, in all—boasts mostly level rides, with the occasional technical challenge mixed in for good measure. Flowing trails pass through wide-open meadows, forests of pine, and occasional viewpoints that show off Cascade peaks.

**McKenzie River National Recreation Trail:** Stretching for nearly 25 miles, the McKenzie River National Recreation Trail isn’t just one of Central Oregon’s most popular mountain bike trails—it’s among the best-loved anywhere in North America. The upper trailhead sits just 35 minutes west of Sisters and offers access to some of the most dramatic views anywhere in Central Oregon—from ancient lava flows to the rich, teal hue of Clear Lake to the thundering Sahalie and Koosah Falls. Keep in mind that short stretches of trail may be closed due to wildfires, and this outing should only be undertaken if you have two vehicles for a shuttle at the end of the ride.

Want to experience all Sisters has to offer, from Old West-inspired decor to the community’s eateries and art galleries? Visit Sisters, Oregon, for a deeper dive into the town at the base of the Cascades.

## Local Bike Shops in Central Oregon

With such a lauded mountain biking scene, it’s no surprise Central Oregon is home to more than a few shops that can help with whatever riders need—from offering trail recommendations to renting or selling new bikes. Here are some of the region’s most notable shops for the next time you’re in town.

**Pine Mountain Sports:** For more than 20 years, Pine Mountain Sports has been synonymous with mountain biking in Bend, Oregon. The popular shop boasts a wide range of rentals from some of the industry’s biggest brands (from Trek to Santa Cruz), a high-end demo fleet, and helpful services (including basic bike washes, inspections, tune-ups, and suspension services) to help get you on the trail. The shop even hosts co-ed and women-only group rides in summer, with after-work outings tailored to riders of all skill levels.

**Project Bike:** Since opening in 2017, Project Bike has earned acclaim in Bend for its thorough rental fleet (with several brands and styles available, depending on your skills and desired trails), and variety of gear and accessories.

**Crow’s Feet:** A Mountain Collective: As perhaps the closest bike shop to the Phil’s Trail network of mountain bike trails on Bend’s forested westside, Crow’s Feet: A Mountain Collective makes an excellent stop on your way out of town if you need a piece of gear or some quick service. The shop boasts a curated selection of bikes for sale, the latest equipment for purchase, and helpful services (from flat tire repairs to tune-ups to free expert advice).

**Hutch’s Bicycles:** With four locations throughout Central Oregon—three in Bend, one in Redmond—Hutch’s Bicycles makes it easy to leave the shop and hit the trail in almost no time at all. Hutch’s claims to offer one of the largest rental fleets in the region and makes sure you’re ready for a fun day on the trail; each rental includes a helmet, water bottle cage, combination lock, choice of pedals, and—for a small fee—repair kits and full-face helmets. (Naturally, racks and tailgate pads are available at select locations, as well.) Services include tune-ups, fork and shock services, and overhauls—and a suite of a la carte options is available if you only need quick work before a day outdoors.

**Blazin Saddles:** The family-owned-and-operated Blazin Saddles is a full-service shop in the heart of Sisters. The shop offers a rental fleet of rugged hardtail mountain bikes and comfortable full-suspension bikes, boasts a variety of labor services (including a safety check that covers tire inflation, chain lubrication, drivetrain and brake adjustments, and more), and is quick to provide recommendations for trails on the Peterson Ridge system and along the McKenzie River.

**Trinity Bikes:** The Redmond-based Trinity Bikes might not offer rentals—but the shop sells a variety of parts and provides several services, including cleaning, cable and housing replacements, dropper post service, and suspension overhauls. The shop also sells mountain bikes from numerous brands if you’re ready to pony up for a ride of your own.

**Good Bike Co.:** If your mountain bike adventures lead you to Prineville and into the Ochoco National Forest, Good Bike Co. (housed in a converted gas station) offers just about everything a rider might need for an epic outing. The shop offers rentals, full-service repairs, new bikes for sale, parts, accessories, and even locally brewed craft beer on tap at the in-shop bar.

## Mountain Bike Shuttle and Tours in Central Oregon

Need a ride to the trailhead? Would a shuttle make your next trip infinitely easier? Fortunately, a pair of local outfitters—one in Bend, the other along the McKenzie River—can help make the most of your next trip around the region.

**Cog Wild Bicycle Tours:** The family-run Cog Wild Bicycle Tours is perhaps the best known mountain bike tour and shuttle company anywhere in Central Oregon—largely thanks to the wide range of outings and services it offers. Riders can rent bikes, tag along on guided rides, take lessons, and get shuttle service to popular trailheads all over the region. (For more, check out our page on bike tours in Central Oregon.)

**Horse Creek Lodge & Outfitters:** The husband-and-wife team behind Horse Creek Lodge & Outfitters doesn’t just offer a comfortable bed after a long day on the McKenzie River National Recreation Trail; the duo also provides shuttles for popular trails in the area, along with rentals for children and adults alike.

Not ready to call it a day? Check out our page on bike trails across Central Oregon for the skinny on mountain biking, road rides, and more. And if you want to spend a few more days exploring the region’s trails, check out our page on places to stay in Central Oregon for lodging inspiration that meets the budgets and needs of all travelers.