Mountain biking in the Adirondacks
The Adirondack mountain-bike scene centers on Wilmington near Whiteface — the Flume Trails and Hardy Road singletrack — with growing networks at Frontier Town (North Hudson) and Fern Park (Inlet), plus gravel on the Adirondack Rail Trail. The one rule to know: bikes are welcome on Wild Forest trails but banned in designated Wilderness (most of the High Peaks). Browse the trail map →
Where to ride
- Wilmington / the Flume Trails— the region's premier singletrack, a purpose-built network of flow and technical trails at the base of Whiteface, maintained by the Barkeater Trails Alliance. The place to start.
- Frontier Town (North Hudson) — New York rebuilt this Northway-side hub with a campground and a growing trail network, an easy stop off I-87.
- Fern Park (Inlet) — a family-friendly network in the central Adirondacks, groomed for cross-country skiing in winter and ridden in summer.
- The Adirondack Rail Trail — a wide, hard-packed multi-use path linking Lake Placid, Saranac Lake, and Tupper Lake: the gravel/hybrid-friendly ride for families and bikepackers.
- Gore Mountain (North Creek) — has run lift-served summer mountain biking, the closest thing to a downhill park.
The Wild Forest vs Wilderness rule
The Adirondack Forest Preserve is classified into units, and bikes are treated differently by class. On Wild Forest land, bikes are generally allowed on trails and old roads. In Wilderness, Primitive, and Canoe areas — including most of the High Peaks — bicycles are prohibited. So the classic 46er trails are off-limits to bikes, but there's a huge amount of legal Wild Forest riding. Check the classification and posted rules for any trail before you ride, and never ride around a closure.
Season & the people who build it
Ride roughly late May through October, once the trails firm up — spring mud riding wrecks the tread and gets trails closed. Much of the singletrack exists thanks to the Barkeater Trails Alliance and volunteer trail days; joining a work day is the best way to give back to the network. For the road side of two wheels, see our road cycling guide and the full cycling guide.
Frequently asked
Where is the best mountain biking in the Adirondacks?+
Wilmington, near Whiteface, is the hub — the Flume Trails and Hardy Road offer purpose-built singletrack maintained by the Barkeater Trails Alliance. Other standouts are the trail network at Frontier Town in North Hudson, Fern Park in Inlet, and the gravel-friendly Adirondack Rail Trail between Lake Placid, Saranac Lake, and Tupper Lake.
Can you mountain bike on Adirondack Forest Preserve trails?+
It depends on the land classification. Bikes are allowed on many Wild Forest trails and old roads, but they are prohibited in designated Wilderness, Primitive, and Canoe areas — which includes most of the High Peaks. Always check a trail's classification (and any posted rules) before you ride.
Are there bike parks or lift-served mountain biking in the Adirondacks?+
The scene is mostly cross-country and flow singletrack rather than lift-served downhill. The Wilmington/Flume network has flow-style trails, and Gore Mountain in North Creek has run lift-served mountain biking in summer seasons. For pure downhill, most riders head to the network trails and shuttle themselves.
Who builds and maintains Adirondack mountain bike trails?+
The Barkeater Trails Alliance (BETA) builds and maintains much of the region's singletrack (and the Jackrabbit ski trail), working with NYSDEC and local communities. Volunteer trail days keep the network open — many trails exist because riders build them.
When is mountain bike season in the Adirondacks?+
Roughly late May through October, once the trails dry out. Avoid riding muddy trails in spring — it damages the tread and gets trails closed. Fall riding through the foliage is the highlight of the season.