Distance: 6 miles of trail (links to 11+)
Elevation: Gentle, rolling
Difficulty: Beginner–intermediate (green–blue)
From downtown: ~5–10 minutes

Just across from the hospital on Bozeman's south side, Highland Glen offers a stress-free introduction to riding dirt, with natural-surface singletrack winding through wildflower meadows and cattle pastures. Its six miles connect into the Main Street to the Mountains system managed by the Gallatin Valley Land Trust, so riders can string together as much or as little as they like. Link Highland Glen to Painted Hills and Triple Tree for an 11-mile lollipop loop entirely on singletrack, or start downtown at the Gallagator Trail and build a 17-mile ride from there.

Distance: 5.4 miles
Elevation gain: ~900 ft.
Difficulty:  Beginner–intermediate (green–blue)
From downtown: ~10 minutes

Triple Tree packs sunny hillsides, shady glens, wildflowers, and a payoff view across the valley to the Tobacco Root Mountains into a loop short enough for a quick lunch lap. Starting right at the loop(counterclockwise) delivers the gentler climb, so that's the way most locals go. The natural-surface singletrack crosses Limestone Creek twice on the way up — good news for thirsty dogs — and two benches wait at the top for anyone who wants to sit with the view for a minute before dropping back down. Deer and moose are common here, and bears show up often enough that bear spray belongs in every pack. Park at the signed lot off Sourdough Road, and expect company: it's one of the most popular multi-use trails close to town, so give hikers and runners room and keep speed in check on the descent.

Distance: ~5-mile loop
Elevation gain: ~1,200 ft.
Difficulty: Intermediate (blue), with a flowy black-leaning descent
From downtown: ~15 minutes (8 miles south)

Leverich is the most popular mountain bike trail in Bozeman, and for good reason. A steady singletrack climb up the east side earns a purpose-built descent down the west side, complete with banked turns, berms, and a few small jumps. Hikers and horseback riders stick to the east side, leaving the west open for bikers. The small trailhead lot closes in winter.

Distance: ~5–12 miles round trip (out-and-back)
Elevation gain: ~300–1,000+ ft.
Difficulty: Green to black (progressive)
From downtown: ~25 minutes (13 miles southwest)

South Cottonwood suits a total beginner and a hardened expert on the same day. After a short climb out of the lot, wide, shaded singletrack rolls along the creek with a handful of log-bridge crossings. The first 2.5 miles stay easy (green), the next stretch ramps to intermediate (blue), and things turn rocky and technical (black) the farther out riders go. Dense tree cover makes it a favorite on hot afternoons.

Distance: ~20 miles round trip (out-and-back)
Elevation gain: ~1,470 ft.
Difficulty: Easy–intermediate (green–blue)
From downtown: ~15 minutes to the trailhead (7 miles south)

This mellow out-and-back starts easy on an old dirt road before settling into smooth singletrack toward Mystic Lake. A narrow, sidehill-exposed section near the end calls for caution. The payoff: a scenic mountain lake with a rentable Forest Service cabin at the top — reserve it well ahead since it books fast.

Distance: ~6–7 miles round trip (out-and-back)
Elevation gain: ~1,000 ft.
Difficulty: Intermediate (blue) lower, advanced (black) upper
From downtown: ~30 minutes north (Bridger Range)

A post-work favorite in the Bridger Range, Truman Gulch climbs gradually through shady forest alongside a creek before steepening into rockier, technical black-diamond terrain near the Bridger Foothills Trail. The descent flows fast on the lower half, so keep speed in check up top.

Distance: ~10 miles round trip (out-and-back)
Elevation gain: ~1,850–2,000 ft.
Difficulty: Advanced (black)
From downtown: ~45 minutes (up the canyon past the reservoir)

Plenty of locals call Emerald Lake the best ride around. A steady, rocky, root-strewn grind up a series of switchbacks reaches a stunning alpine lake ringed by 1,000-foot walls, followed by a playful descent through everything from smooth forest floor to technical rock gardens. Pack a fly rod — it's worth lingering at the top. No bikes on Sundays and Mondays during the mid-July to early-September timeshare window.

Distance: ~11 miles round trip (out-and-back)
Elevation gain: ~2,000 ft.
Difficulty: Intermediate–advanced (blue with black sections)
From downtown: ~45 minutes (Grotto Falls Trailhead

This is the famous one — a canyon ride passing roughly 11 waterfalls on the way to an alpine lake in a glacier-carved cirque. The grade stays moderate for much of the climb, though rocky pinches and creek-fed wet spots add some technical bite. Bikes are prohibited past the junction with the Squaw Creek Divide Trail, so leave yours there and walk the last stretch. This trail's timeshare closes it to bikes on Fridays and Saturdays during the same summer window.

Looking for something shorter? The nearby Hood Creek trail offers a quick out-and-back with a rewarding overlook of the reservoir. And every spring, Hyalite Canyon Road closes to cars from April 1 to May 15, turning the paved canyon road into a peaceful, traffic-free 15.6-mile ride to the reservoir and back.

Distance: ~22 miles point-to-point (shuttle recommended)
Elevation gain: ~3,500 ft. of climbing
Difficulty: Intermediate (blue), but long and committing
From downtown: ~20 minutes to Stone Creek Trailhead (12 miles up Bridger Canyon)

One of Bozeman's most storied rides, the Bangtail Divide earns its IMBA Epic status. Ridden south to north from the Stone Creek Trailhead, a switchback climb warms riders up fast before the trail settles onto the ridgeline for mile after mile of flowing singletrack, with views of the Bridger, Crazy, Absaroka, Gallatin, and Madison ranges. A shuttle to the Brackett Creek (Grassy Mountain) end is the classic move—without one, plan on roughly 8 road miles back to the car. The trail isn't especially technical, but its length makes for a genuine full-day effort, so pack a lunch, start early, and bring a map for the occasional junction.

Distance: 15 miles of dedicated trail (growing)
Trail type: Mixed—flow trails, climbing trails, access roads
Difficulty: Green to black (full range for beginners through advanced)
From downtown: ~25 minutes (about 17 miles north via Bridger Canyon Road)

Tucked into the Bridger Range, spanning Crosscut Mountain Sports Center and Bridger Bowl ski area, this trail system is one of the newest and fastest-growing in the Bozeman area. Crosscut maintains 15 miles of dedicated singletrack that's free to ride all summer, with everything from wide, welcoming routes for beginners and families to flowier, more technical terrain for riders looking to push a little harder. Bike rentals, clinics, and camps are all available on-site for riders who want a lesson or a loaner bike.

What's next: A second phase of trail work is underway through the summer of 2026, adding a family-friendly green flow descent, a rerouted climbing trail, and two signed access roads to connect it all. Construction is expected to wrap by late August 2026, so check SWMMBA's project page for the latest on what's open before heading up.

Distance: ~17 miles of trail
Trail type: Loops, flow, and two downhill-only runs
Difficulty: Green to black (full range)
From downtown: ~40 minutes west (near Three Forks)

Built by SWMMBA with the Bureau of Land Management, Copper City has become a regional favorite. Roughly 17 miles of bike-optimized trail span beginner-friendly loops to technical ridgelines, plus two downhill-only, bike-only descents and a youth skills park with a pump track — a great spot to bring the whole family. It's a non-motorized system with dispersed camping available, and it tends to dry out earlier than the higher mountain trails, making it a solid early-season pick.

Distance: ~7–8 miles round trip (out-and-back)
Elevation gain: ~2,800 ft.
Difficulty: Advanced (black)
From downtown: ~40 minutes south (via Hwy 191 & Storm Castle Rd)

On the way toward Big Sky, Garnet Mountain delivers one of the best descents in the county. The climb is steep, with relentless sidehilling that demands full focus, and the top half-mile kicks up into loose, rocky double track. The reward: a historic 1930s fire lookout, rentable through the Forest Service, with sweeping views of the Gallatin and Madison ranges. Strong, confident riders love the fast ride back down.

Distance: 50+ miles of lift-served trail
Trail type: Lift-served downhill & cross-country
Difficulty: All levels (green to double-black)
From downtown: ~1 hour south
Season: June 13–September 13, 2026

For riders who want to skip the climb entirely, Big Sky Resort offers some of the only lift-served mountain biking in Montana, with more than 50 miles of trail spanning beginner flow to expert tech. Load up on the Ramcharger 8 or Swift Current 6 and lap long descents all day, or ride the tram to the top of Lone Mountain for views of three states and two national parks. Rentals, lessons, and kids' camps are all on-site.