There are countless Mountain Biking Trails all across the U.S. If you live in Texas you might not be able to travel quite that far, yet you might be surprised to find some of the best trails in your own backyard.

So, here’s our list of 21 Epic Mountain Biking Trails In Texas:

1. Downtown Austin Tour – 6.3 miles – Easy
2. 6 Hours of the Dinosaur Loop – 10.3 miles – Easy/Intermediate
3. Barber Hills – 11 miles – Intermediate
4. Cedar Hill State Park DORBA Trail – 3 to 12 miles – Easy/Intermediate to Intermediate
5. Binkley Plus Baker Ride – 7.3 miles – Intermediate
6. Waterloo Lake Trail – 5.2 miles – Easy/Intermediate
7. El Paso Puzzler 50-mile Endurance Trail – 52.2 miles – Difficult
8. River Legacy Full Tour – 7.5 miles – Easy/Intermediate
9. Quanah Hill Full Loop – 7.1 miles – Intermediate
10. Lajitas Trails Loops – 3 to 14 miles – Easy to Intermediate
11. Sauceda to Solitario Loop – 49.6 miles – Indetmediate/Difficult
12. Colorado Bend State Park Loop – 12.2 miles – Intermediate/Difficult
13. Isle Du Bois Full Loop – 10.6 miles – Intermediate/Difficult
14. Arbor Hills Trail – 2.3 miles – Easy/Intermediate
15. Flat Rock Ranch Trail – 19 miles – Intermediate/Difficult
16. Enchilada Buffet Trail – 78.8 miles – Intermediate/Difficult
17. Northshore Trail – 21.3 miles – Intermediate/Difficult
18. Just Past Nowhere Trail – 23.5 – Difficult
19. Franklin Mountain Loop Trail – 25.2 miles – Difficult
20. Kerrville Schreiner Park Trail – 8.9 miles – Easy/Intermediate
21. Outer Loop – 12 miles – Intermediate/Difficult

What makes a trail one of the best? Well, being fun and having easy access is part of it, but don’t just take my word for it! I will be including some comments from people who actually rode the some of these trails so you can see for yourself.

1. Downtown Austin Tour – 6.3 miles – Easy

A fairly easy trail, this mountain biking trail is just over six miles in length. Being in the downtown part of the city, it has plenty of places to stop and rest and is very family friendly for young children who want to go for a bike ride. This area is also dog-friendly and it even goes by a popular swimming area called the Barton Springs were you are free to take a break and literally get your feet wet!

One person named Donovan who rode this trail describes it as: “An easy day ride for anyone who wants to experience some of the best outdoor biking spaces in the downtown area!” No, surprise considering this trail highlights some of the best scenery of Austin.

2. 6 Hours of the Dinosaur Loop – 10.3 miles – Easy/Intermediate

Located in San Angelo State Park, this easy/intermediate trail begins near the north entrance. While this trail does have a number of twists and turns in it, it is still quite family friendly for even younger mountain bikers. At just over ten miles from point to point, there is no doubting that this is a longer trail, but you are free to stop at any one of the creeks you cross along the way to rest.

This particular trail also has one feature that few others can boast about: dinosaur footprints! This alone makes it worth the trip to see them, and what better place for a field trip?

3. Barber Hills – 11 miles – Intermediate

An eleven mile single-track loop, this intermediate trail is located in Pat Mayse State Park. There is plenty of variety here, fast sections as well as areas with technical ascents. One comment by Bryan H. states that: “Barber Hills is by far the best trail in the northeast Texas area.” That being said, it is not for the faint of heart, though the trail does start off with an easy beginning to let you warm up.

An additional reason to try this mountain biking trail is the fact that there is a second trail called the Inner Loop that is somewhat easier and a lot shorter for those who don’t feel quite up to going the full eleven miles. There is even a third trail for beginners that is just under a mile long called Easy Rider.

4. Cedar Hill State Park DORBA Trail – 3 to 12 miles – Easy/Intermediate to Intermediate

This mountain biking trail in Cedar Hill State park actually has three different lengths. Going in a counter-clockwise loop, you have the option to do the three mile DORBA Short Trail, eight mile DORBA Medium Trail, or the twelve mile DORBA Long Trail. While not particularly difficult, there are a few steep and challenging areas that prevent this trail from being too easy.

There are benches all along the loops so you can take a break and enjoy the scenery, which you will probably want to do, since Colin H. commented: “When the trail opens up, there are great views of the lake.”

5. Binkley Plus Baker Ride – 7.3 miles – Intermediate

Located in Binkley Park, this trail is slightly more advanced. Over seven miles long in a single-track loop, it has multiple wooden ladders, berms, and drops with numerous quick turns sprinkled throughout. What’s more, since this trail is on two sides of a street, there are also two tunnels to ride through to provide safety as well as fun.

Brantly B. describes the trail as: “A technical single track loop with wooden features and enduro style flow covering what Binkley has to offer.” There is even a skills area provided near the parking lot to allow you to practice the features with the same scale as on the trail.

6. Waterloo Lake Trail – 5.2 miles – Easy/Intermediate

Going all the way around Waterloo Lake, this five mile loop trail is traveled counter-clockwise by bikers and clockwise by hikers. It has a wide trail and good signage and is moderately easy with stunning views of the lake. Switchbacks and fast corners help keep you guessing as to what comes next.

This trail is commented on by Matt G. as: “Excellent trail! Fast, flowy, lots of great scenic view. Beginner friendly, but also challenging enough for intermediate riders who are looking to push it.” And if that doesn’t have you sold on this place, then perhaps the knowledge that there is a cave you can stop at and explore along the way might convince you to give this place a try.

7. El Paso Puzzler 50-mile Endurance Trail – 52.2 miles – Difficult

At almost exactly fifty-one miles long, this mountain biking trail is the very definition of difficult. This trail in Franklin Mountains State Park is the location of a yearly mountain biking race in both its thirty-five and fifty-one mile long trails. Both trails go all the way to the far end of the park and back again.

Steep climbs coupled with the desert-like scenery means that you might want to pick cooler weather, since there is little to no shade to help you keep cool. However, this also means that you can see for miles and the view can be a breathtaking one.

8. River Legacy Full Tour – 7.5 miles – Easy/Intermediate

Located near Arlington, this trail is a network of cross-country paths that form one large loop with a few optional loops and lines you can add into your route if you are looking for more miles. The additional lines are conveniently color-coded according to difficulty and there is even a loop called Fun Town loop which features more challenging areas.

Krystal M. who went here states: “Fun town is a blast! Great for learning how to handle drops, tree gates, and balance beams. Trails for all levels!” This locations also features a place where you can stop and walk down to the river nearby for a refreshing break.

9. Quanah Hill Full Loop – 7.1 miles – Intermediate

This seven mile loop that lies west of Fort Worth may not be the most challenging. However it does have a few climbs and the parking lot also provides water and a shaded area to sit in. This trail has plenty of downhill riding to compensate for the uphill sections, including one -20% grade near the end that gives you enough of a rush to make you want to go again.

“Trail is in great shape and a great condition builder, especially if you ride more than one loop,” was what one person named Kevin K. said about it. There are also a few smaller loops if you are interested in taking the family along.

10. Lajitas Trails Loops – 3 to 14 miles – Easy to Intermediate

Located in West Texas, these series of loops were built around the year 2,000 and at one point was part of the old Chihuahuan Desert Challenge course. Coming in a range of distances and difficulties, this desert location is sure to please everyone. Steep grades and fast technical sections as well as a section that goes through a creek bottom are only a few of the things you will find here.

Minutes away from the airport, it makes the perfect way to spend a stopover should you happen to be passing through and have some time to kill. Or perhaps you can take a detour for a few hour so as not to miss this gem.

11. Sauceda to Solitario Loop – 49.6 miles – Indetmediate/Difficult

This mountain biking trail in Big Bend Ranch State Park is only for the intermediate/difficult bikers. At almost fifty miles long, it contains more than one hike-a-bike section, so you will want to take plenty of water. The trail goes all the way around the Solitario dome resulting in amazing scenery and great picture-worthy views of the dome.

Going deep into the heart of the park, it is also so far removed from everything else that cell service is virtually non-existent along the trail. This means that you will likely want to buddy up or tell someone where you are going in case of any unforeseen accidents.

12. Colorado Bend State Park Loop – 12.2 miles – Intermediate/Difficult

Located in central Texas, Colorado Bend State Park has two loops. Both of these loops are in the difficult rating, with one being considered by some to qualify as extremely difficult. This is no wonder since the heavily rocky areas cover most of the paths. It also has some steep +20 % grade climbing and equally steep descents, but it does provide a few benches to rest on.

Some of the highlights of these ten to twelve mile loops are going past the cave that serves as a bat preserve and the river part of the trail. Going up and down the canyons gives some excellent views of the surrounding scenery and make it well worth the trip.

13. Isle Du Bois Full Loop – 10.6 miles – Intermediate/Difficult

This Ray Roberts Lake State Park trail is nearly eleven miles long. Featuring difficult alternate lines with more than a few rocks, this mountain biking trail also has some shade from the thick trees. The state park it is in does require even bikers to either pay a fee or to have a Texas State Parks pass, but it is worth it to bike here.

Most of the trail is not too far away from Lake Ray Roberts, allowing you to catch a few glimpses of the water. Cameron B. remarked: “Feels very secluded, even passed by some deer. Rocky technical climbs. I would not call them black diamonds. No drops. Took a dip in the lake after.”

14. Arbor Hills Trail – 2.3 miles – Easy/Intermediate

Placed on the edge of Arbor Hills Nature preserve, this fairly easy two and a half mile trail is not necessarily a piece of cake. In fact, the regular rhythm of the rise and fall of the hills makes this place great for working out and focusing on intervals. However, if you are prone to accidents of one kind or another, then this might be just the place for you since the trail is regularly ridden by the North Texas Mountain Bike Patrol.

One person name Donald M. really summed this place up nicely in their comment: “A popular winding, loop trail that’s easily accessible while still offering challenges.” In addition it is surprisingly close to the city for ease of access.

15. Flat Rock Ranch Trail – 19 miles – Intermediate/Difficult

With nearly twenty miles of different trails, this mountain hiking trail is conveniently located not too far from Houston, Dallas, or San Antonio. Found on a privately owned mountain bike ranch, the trail leads through hilly terrain and features the hilltop views that bikers love to see.

This site also holds various mountain biking competitions for various age groups, including an annual TMBRA race. One fan named Richard M. remarked: “One of THE best XC courses in Texas – it’s a blast to ride!” While another anonymous rider added: “Both upper and lower loops clock in around 20+ miles of great riding. Trails are marked and maintained. Closed during hunting season. Hot Showers, water and great Texas hospitality from the property owners who are avid mountain bikers.”

16. Enchilada Buffet Trail – 78.8 miles – Intermediate/Difficult

Located in the Walnut Creek Metropolitan Park this difficult trail system is referred to by Tony F. who said: “The Enchilada Buffet is the annual measuring stick for Austin mountain biking.” A few races/events have taken place here for that very reason. That and the fact that this eighty mile trail system can challenge even the best.

There are some spectacular views, with small creeks to bike through or cool off at, a mixture of shade and rocks and anything else you could want. Plus with this trail’s location in the city you can stop at any point if you get to tired to continue and have a friend pick you up in their truck.

17. Northshore Trail – 21.3 miles – Intermediate/Difficult

This incredibly scenic trail along the coast of Grapevine Lake is a multi-loop trail system that has a total of nearly twenty-two miles of paths you can ride. Several of the descents, though not overly steep, do have jumps and other technical features with the west side being more difficult than the east side.

A nearby park offers maps and water, as well as the use of their bathrooms to the bikers who pass through and there is more than once place where you can get on the trail with your bike. “First ride on this trail, so I took it slow and rode the east side, lots of varied terrain and features. Plan to hit the west side next time I am in Dallas,” stated John F.

18. Just Past Nowhere Trail – 23.5 – Difficult

Located in the Hill Country State Natural Area in south Texas, this difficult biking trail has a few other trails nearby that add up to over forty miles. Some areas are flat, while other sections have technical, ledged climbs where you might have to carry your bike for a bit. The descents require extra care because cactus and yucca plants abound.

The view, and the challenge, however are worth the effort. One person with the username Lost J. says that this trail is: “An epic ride through beautiful, isolated country with rocky, technical singletrack and lots of cacti to keep you company.” As a final note, be sure to bring plenty of water.

19. Franklin Mountain Loop Trail – 25.2 miles – Difficult

Franklin Mountains State Park is the home of this system of trails, the most difficult of which is well over twenty-five miles long. Huge, loose rocks and challenging switchbacks are only part of what make this path so difficult, and it is recommended that you plan on six to eight hours to get from the beginning to the end.

There is one particularly high point in the trail with a breath-taking view. Christian M. sums up the trail as being a: “Tough ride on single speed at the end. The ride sucks you in, with beautiful flowy terrain the first half, then it gets steeper and looser after that.”

20. Kerrville Schreiner Park Trail – 8.9 miles – Easy/Intermediate

Well under ten miles long, this series of interconnecting trails are relatively easy. There is birding, swimming, camping, and more all located nearby in the park which makes this a great place for families to come and bike together here. There is one difficult climb that leads to a nice view of that part of the park, though the rest can be suited to any age.

With plenty of trees and little in the way of rocks, this place was described by Brad W. as having: “Very nice trails through cover, would be great in heat since almost fully shaded.” And the fact that it is in a city park also makes for easy access.

21. Outer Loop – 12 miles – Intermediate/Difficult

Located in the heart of the Government Canyon State Natural Area, this system is described by one biker named Sheldon M. who enthused: “This trail system was a hidden gem. Like a little Moab right in TX. Great rock shelves for climbing and descending. Had a blast!”

In all there are over twelve miles of trails nearby with some difficult and some easy sections for all to enjoy. High hills provide excellent vantage points, one hill even having a nearly mile-long ascent, and make the few hike-a-bike sections well worth it. This system is also not too far away from a freeway and is just on the edge of San Antonio.