Bikepacking in the USA

USA Bikepacking Routes

A list of bikepacking routes from across the USA… classics as well as S24Os, weekenders, fat bike routes, gravel-packing routes, and more…

330 mi. / 531 km3.5 days

The Palmetto Trail: Southern Ditch Divide!

comment 45 time Mar 8 compose Logan Watts  USA

The bikepacking edition of the Palmetto Trail is a 330 mile traverse of South Carolina through long-leaf pine forests, sand hills, wetlands and wooly swamps. The route follows established passages from Spartanburg in the upstate all the way to the Intercoastal Waterway just north of Charleston, SC.
60 mi. / 97 km2 days

The LA Observer, California.

comment 55 time Mar 2 compose Cass Gilbert  USA

The LA Observer is a short foray into the city's neighbouring Angeles National Park, via the unexpectedly steep and rugged folds of the San Gabriel Mountains. Reaching over 5,000ft at times, it offers bouts of flowing singletrack and a medley of abandoned dirt roads, set to one sweeping panorama after another. Time your ride right and it also promises the chance to ogle at Los Angeles' endless sea of illumination at dusk, or even from the comforts of your tent at nightfall...
152 mi. / 245 km3-5 days

Central Oregon Backcountry Explorer

comment 24 time Jan 26 compose Sarah Swallow  USA

The Central Oregon Backcountry Explorer serves as an introductory route to the Ochoco Mountains and the geologic wonderland of the John Day Basin. Ride twisty dirt, gravel and paved roads through old-growth ponderosa pine forests, past stunning volcanic landscapes, old pioneer mines and ghost towns, the Painted Hills, all the way to the friendliest hostel around. The availability of water, great camping, and fairly non-technical terrain makes this a great ride for all levels of experience, just watch out for goat head thorns!
316 mi. / 509 km7 days

Monumental Loop, Southern New Mexico

comment 98 time Jan 4 compose Guest Routes  USA

The Organ Mountains are a geological highlight of Southern New Mexico. Visible throughout the route, they form the backbone of the newly created Organ Mountains Desert Peaks National Monument. Weaving together a network of rarely ridden singletrack, backcountry dirt roads, and sandy washes into an expansive Figure 8, the Monumental Loop maximises time spent exploring the monument and the surrounding Chihuahuan Desert... yet still providing ample opportunities for those all important burrito resupplies!
95 mi. / 153 km3 days

Butte Batholith Route, Montana

comment 19 time Dec 20 compose Guest Routes  USA

The Butte Batholith Route is a 95-mile trail connecting a vast system of singletrack on and around the Continental Divide Trail—passing by the beautiful Highland Mountains and weaving throughout a unique batholith of granite boulders. This easily accessible route takes riders through some of the best singletrack found in Southwestern Montana.
52 mi. / 84 km2 days

Elkhorn Crest Trail, Oregon

comment 4 time Dec 8 compose Sarah Swallow  USA

The Elkhorn Crest Trail runs along the Elkhorn Mountain ridgeline in the Blue Mountains of northeastern Oregon. This technical trail traverses sub-alpine forests and grasslands and offers panoramic views of Baker Valley and the Wallowa Mountains to the East, and the Blue Mountains to the West. Camp at one of the high mountain lakes, enjoy views of the rocky nearby peaks, and maybe even catch a glimpse of a herd of elk or resident mountain goats.
107 mi. / 172 km3 days

Tour de Chequamegon, Wisconsin

comment 22 time Nov 14 compose Guest Routes  USA

Boasting over 100 miles of unpaved dirt and gravel, and accessibility for a midwesterner with a family and full time job, this weekend bikepacking route is a great escape that provides easy access to the Chequamegon-Nicolet wilderness…
248 mi. / 399 km5 days

Green Mountain Gravel Growler, Vermont

comment 250 time Oct 19 compose Joe Cruz  USA

This extraordinary loop weaves a selection of storybook-farm dirt roads, flowy New England singletrack, and rugged historic woodland paths to create a circuit of some of the world’s best and most coveted craft beers.
123 mi. / 198 km2-3 days

Alabama Skyway

comment 40 time Oct 10 compose Colt Fetters  USA

Formerly known as the Talladega Traverse, the Alabama Skyway connects the TNGA to Flagg Mountain, the southern terminus of the Pinhoti Trail and the last stage of the Southern Highlands Traverse. The Skyway is a southern red dirt road bikepacking route crossing the Talladega National Forest and winding through rugged pine forests, shady gaps, and along ridge tops that offer panoramic views of the Alabama countryside.
121 mi. / 195 km3 days

Valles Caldera Supervolcano Explorer, New Mexico

comment 69 time Oct 5 compose Cass Gilbert  USA

Lying within the beautiful, unassuming folds of the Jemez Mountains, New Mexico's very own supervolcano has recently been opened to year-round bicycle access. The Valles Caldera Explorer serves as a meandering introduction to the area - by way of dirt roads, hot springs and trout fishing - using public transport from Santa Fe and Los Alamos as its bookends.
126 mi. / 203 km3 days

The Oglala Loop: Plains, Buttes and Toadstools

comment 12 time Sep 26 compose Carl Gauger  USA

The Oglala Loop transverses two of the area’s National Grasslands, surveys the corners of Nebraska, Wyoming, and South Dakota, passes through two groups of badlands, and traverses the Pine Ridge. It offers dispersed, remote camping in open, exposed prairie, and tight ponderosa stands, with some of the darkest skies you can imagine.
1673 mi. / 2,692 km42 days

The Baja Divide

comment 35 time Sep 16 compose The Gypsy  USA

The Baja Divide connects the Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Cortez, historic Spanish mission sites rich with shade and water, remote ranchos and fishing villages, bustling highway towns, and every major mountain range in Baja California on miles and miles of beautiful backcountry desert tracks.
357 mi. / 575 km8 days

Oregon’s Big Country

comment 39 time Aug 31 compose Gabriel Amadeus  USA

Linking up the best of Oregon's Big Country with forgotten wagon roads and rugged overland travel. Cross three mountain ranges, a desert playa, visit five hot springs, and enjoy the solitude of vast empty landscapes.
33 mi. / 53 km3 days

Blue Blazes: North Country Trail, Bike-rafting the Manistee

comment 9 time Aug 24 compose Guest Routes  USA

The best of the North Country Trail’s 4600 miles parallels the crystal cool Manistee River, through the Pleasant Peninsula’s most picturesque National Forest. For a perfect weekend loop, ride singletrack draped over dune topography - amongst pine and hardwoods that invite open camping - before indulging in a lazy river return back again.
79 mi. / 127 km2-3 days

Mount St. Helens Epic (Weekender)

comment 26 time Aug 22 compose Guest Routes  USA

The Mount St. Helens Epic Weekender features around 80 miles of diverse and rugged terrain, connecting some of the Pacific Northwest’s most well-known and unique singletrack — including the Ape Canyon Trail, The Abraham Trail (Plains of Abraham), and the Lewis River Trail — and making an excellent weekend escape into the heart of Washington state mountain bike country.
77 mi. / 124 km2-3 days

Boulder Weekend Loop

comment 42 time Aug 17 compose Guest Routes  USA

Long climbs, fast descents, and cool summer nights characterize this weekend loop that starts and ends in bike friendly Boulder, CO. This logistically simple route removes some of the stress around planning, making this a great first bikepacking trip for anyone with the legs and lungs to make it up into the Front Range mountains.
154 mi. / 248 km3 days

Cedar Mesa Loop: Ruins and Monuments

comment 35 time Aug 10 compose Guest Routes  USA

With its abundance of canyon hikes, Cedar Mesa has long been a popular destination for backpackers. But great bikepacking opportunities abound on the dirt roads atop the mesa and through its washes and canyons. This weekend loop offers the chance to pass through incredible desert landscapes and explore some of the many Ancestral Puebloan ruins in the area.
66 mi. / 106 km2 days

The Olympic Adventure Route

comment 69 time Aug 8 compose Guest Routes  USA

The Olympic Adventure Route offers a great weekend bikepacking getaway on the Olympic Peninsula. The route is mostly singletrack through dense mossy forests with spectacular views of mountains and sea.

Bikepacking in the USA

USA Bikepacking Routes

The Palmetto Trail: Southern Ditch Divide!

The LA Observer, California.

Central Oregon Backcountry Explorer

Monumental Loop, Southern New Mexico

Butte Batholith Route, Montana

Elkhorn Crest Trail, Oregon

Tour de Chequamegon, Wisconsin

Green Mountain Gravel Growler, Vermont

Alabama Skyway

Valles Caldera Supervolcano Explorer, New Mexico

The Oglala Loop: Plains, Buttes and Toadstools

The Baja Divide

Oregon’s Big Country

Blue Blazes: North Country Trail, Bike-rafting the Manistee

Mount St. Helens Epic (Weekender)

Boulder Weekend Loop

Cedar Mesa Loop: Ruins and Monuments

The Olympic Adventure Route

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