Get Energized With These 5 Mountain Biking Destinations

This article was published in partnership with 5-hour ENERGY

There are so many mountain biking destinations in North America that you’ll run out of energy before you run out of trails. Thankfully, a 5-hour ENERGY Shot provides the vitamins, nutrients, and caffeine to keep you upright and shredding.

Pack one in your bag and check out these five incredible trail systems offering some of the best biking anywhere on earth.

Crested Butte, Colorado

Why We Love It:

Crested Butte is one of the birthplaces of mountain biking, boasting 450+ miles of trails in a variety of styles, altitudes, and challenge levels. The terrain is the main draw here: singletrack trails hug the valley, cutting smooth ribbons through wildflower meadows and aspen groves with snowcapped mountain peaks in the background.

The Inside Line:

If you crave a challenge, take the Red Lady Express lift to the Crested Butte Mountain Bike Park, where you can push yourself (and your tires) to the limit on 30+ miles of intense trails like Psycho Rocks, which is just as scary as it sounds. Otherwise, start your morning with a ride on the Lupine Trail, named for the beautiful lupine flowers that frame awe-inspiring views of the surrounding mountains, then cruise back into town to enjoy the food, microbreweries, and bustling bike culture in Crested Butte.

The 5-hour ENERGY Pick:

Locals love the technical riding and satisfying descent at Doctor Park, which begins with a tough 8-mile climb, continues with a muddy ride through thick forest, and finally gives way to five miles of smooth, fast downhill.

Park City, Utah

Why We Love It:

While it may be best known for its famous film festival, Park City itself looks like a movie set for the ultimate mountain biking adventure. The glorious Wasatch Mountains provide the alpine backdrop for this picturesque destination that not only doles out cinematic accolades, but was designated the first-ever Gold Level Ride Center by the International Mountain Biking Association (IMBA).

The Inside Line:

First, brush up at the indoor biking complex at Woodward Park City, with multiple progession zones and a jump line complete with airbags to help you hone your skills with a soft landing. You can access much of the 400+ miles of rideable terrain right from downtown, but first-timers should check out Deer Valley Resort, one of the longest-running bike parks in America featuring famous rides like Tidal Wave, one of the best flow trails in the region.

The 5-hour ENERGY® Pick:

Throw your bike on a city bus and take a free ride to Empire Pass, where you can access the must-ride Mid-Mountain trail. This 26-mile singletrack traverses Park City’s two ski areas, with spectacular views that have earned it IMBA Epic Ride status.

Snowshoe Highlands, West Virginia

Why We Love It:

If you can’t make it out west, Snowshoe Highlands provides a mountain biking experience that rivals the best spots on the West Coast. Tucked away in West Virginia, this Appalachian destination is within a day’s drive for nearly 2/3rds of Americans, but still feels like getting off the grid thanks to the lack of cell service that lets you disconnect and enjoy some serious shredding in the lush “green tunnel” of West Virginia forest.

The Inside Line:

This is classic East Coast riding—plenty of roots and rocks make for a challenging day for your body and your bike, so make sure to pack 5-hour ENERGY® Shots (and maybe some spare tires) for yourself and your crew. There are 375 miles of world-class trails centered around Snowshoe Mountain Resort, with technical test pieces like Red Run at Tea Creek that make you earn every single hard-won mile. Conversely, Mower Basin has been designed with miles of scenic singletrack that is ideal for beginners.

The 5-hour ENERGY® Pick:

Treat yourself to some unbeatable backcountry riding from Tea Creek to Gauley Headwaters, a 14-mile loop that weaves through old roads and rail beds and crisscrosses the Gauley waterway numerous times—bring an extra pair of dry shoes for after!

Vernon, British Columbia

Why We Love It:

The whole of British Columbia is a mountain biking mecca, but Vernon is the undisputed Trails Capital of BC, both by reputation and an official government decree signed in 2023. While the region itself is known for raw, intense riding, Vernon offers plenty of intermediate rides and a lower bar for entry than many neighboring trail systems.

The Inside Line:

Vernon is an embarrassment of biking riches: there are a half-dozen or so different trail systems within 20 minutes of downtown, and more are added every year. Standouts include Predator Ridge, which is accessible to the public through a private golf course community and features rock slabs and ridges overlooking beautiful Okanagan Lake; and SilverStar Resort, which has spent three decades elevating the flow trail to an art form. When the valley heat gets intense, pack a lunch and a swimsuit and head toward one of the three gorgeous lakes—the aforementioned Okanagan, plus Kalamalka Lake and Swan Lake—to enjoy a post-ride splashdown.

The 5-hour ENERGY® Pick:

At 30.2 miles with 6,000+ feet of elevation, Killer King is no joke—but brand-new Epic Ride is already one of best trails in Vernon. Bring a 5-hour ENERGY® shot and lots of water, because Killer King links technical cross-country trails to flow and descent trails that will keep you occupied all day long.

Hood River, Oregon

Why We Love It:

Just an hour from Portland, nestled in the sweet spot between the arid deserts of eastern Oregon and the rainy greenery of the coast, Hood River is a true year-round riding destination that is ideal for beginners and younger riders. Long known as a windsurfing haven on the Columbia River, the outdoorsy infrastructure makes Hood River feel like a summer camp for mountain biking: nothing but historic hotels, farm-to-table restaurants, and microbreweries representing the best that Oregon has to offer.

The Inside Line:

For newbies, the Post Canyon trails system has everything from freeriding to a kid-sized skills track at the Family Man Staging Area. There are miles of flowing jump trails, great cross-country trails, and some of the best climbing trails you can find anywhere. Climb to the peak of Post Canyon and choose any of the jump trail descents like Bad Motor Scooter and Upper Grand Prix, where you’ll face steep drops and big gaps—just make sure your suspension can handle it.

The 5-hour ENERGY® Pick:

For a seriously one-of-a-kind ride, head to the epic 44 Trails system and connect Surveyor’s Ridge trail with Dog River for 33 miles of ridgeline trails through a verdant fir forest that give way to a spectacular close-up view of Mt. Hood.