It’s almost Spring Break 2022, and with most college breaks ranging from March 5th to March 19th, it can be tough finding mountain biking destinations that are warm and dry enough to enjoy. To help you plan your Spring Break getaway, we’ve assembled a list of the best Spring Break mountain bike destinations that are comfortably warm in early to mid March. Take your pick from flowy singletrack in Northwest Arkansas to rampage riding near the Red Bull event grounds in Utah—there’s something in this list for every level of rider!
Las Vegas, NV
When you’re looking to party hard for Spring Break, what better place than Las Vegas. Sure, there’s all sorts of debauchery in town, but the real fun is found in the mountains surrounding the city. There, you can find a handful of the sweetest singletrack trail systems in the country, serving up a solid week’s worth of riding.
A huge bonus for those traveling to Vegas during the Spring Break season is the weather. Average temperatures in March are a perfect 72º, making it the ideal time to check out the riding in the area when compared with the unbearable heat in the summer.
If you only have a day to ride in Las Vegas, Mt. Charleston is the place to go. The mountain is actually visible from the strip, but the higher altitude transforms the landscape into a place worlds apart from the barren desert below, with sub-alpine tree cover and vegetation.
You’ll find plenty of legit singletrack trails at Mt. Charleston that can be ridden up or down. That said, the biggest win at this trail system is the ability to shuttle to the top for all-day downhill shred sessions. What better place for Spring Break?
HURRICANE, UT
Hurricane has gained attention in part because of the Red Bull Rampage event that’s held in nearby Virgin, UT. Bringing things down to a more sane but still wildly fun level, Hurricane offers tons of trail options for all experience levels. This spot has become a massive tourist destination, so Spring is a great time to visit to avoid the crowds as well as the heat.
Only two hours from Las Vegas, the area is home to Zion National Park, one of the busiest in the nation. There are numerous places to camp for free, and there are some remarkable sights to see in Zion if you want to take some time off the bike to explore.
There are plenty of camping options just off the trails, making Hurricane an idyllic mountain biking destination for the whole family on Spring Break.
Grand Junction + Fruita + Palisade Plunge
The area in Western Colorado stretching from Grand Junction to Palisade has long been a top destination for endless superb singletrack. But the recently opened Palisade Plunge has totally taken the riding there to eleven.
Serving up a truly epic 32 miles of shuttled singletrack, this route puts the Whole Enchilada on notice as one of the premier point-to-point rides in the nation. Starting in aspen groves atop 10,730’ Grand Mesa, the trail drops 6,000’ over its length for one of the longest downhill rides you can experience anywhere.
Ending at the Colorado River, the Palisade Plunge offers a tapestry of unique scenery and trail features that challenge even the best riders. Keep in mind this isn’t a beginner’s ride. But if you can hang, you’ll be rewarded with amazing views of the San Juans, Uncompahgre Plateau, Colorado Monument, and Book Cliffs. Oh, and shuttles can be booked for only $30 per rider!
If the prospect of an entire day’s worth of technical descending over intense rock gardens and risky exposures isn’t chill enough for your Spring Break, there are endless options in Grand Junction and Fruita for every skill level. The area, in general, is reasonably priced and there are limitless amenities within a short drive of all the trail systems.
NORTH GEORGIA: ELLIJAY + BLUE RIDGE + DAHLONEGA
While the trails are less crowded than those out west, the summers add stifling humidity to the heat in North Georgia. That makes it an excellent place to visit for Spring Break when the temps are still mild yet much warmer than up north or the midwest.
Here you can find tons of roots and rocks covering the trails, with rolling hills and dense forests covering ridgelines for miles. There’s an extensive network of trails in the area, most notably the Pinhoti that stretches all the way to Alabama from the northernmost part of the state.
If you want something more hardcore than the Pinhoti, check out the Aska trail system, which has 17 miles of intermediate and advanced riding with up to 3200 feet of climbing.
Heading down to Dahlonega, you can find the Bull and Jake Mountain IMBA Epics – Intermediate trails with fantastic flow, gorgeous vistas of the north Georgia mountains, and blazing-fast downhills.
When you’re seeking one of the most convenient and chill places to stay and ride, check out Mulberry Gap in Ellijay. This place treats mountain bikers like royalty, with meal plans that fill you with some of the tastiest food you’ll eat anywhere before and after your ride each day. Oh, and you can roll right onto the Pinhoti from camp. It’s a must-visit if you’re riding in North Georgia!
Bentonville + Nebo Ridge, Arkansas
Bentonville has become a top destination for its award-winning mountain bike trails, attracting more and more riders from across the country each year.
Check out the Coler Network of trails for starters, which boasts 17 miles of well-crafted trails ranging from green to black diamond technical DH runs. There’s a central trailhead that connects everything back to the bottom, so it’s perfect for groups of riders with varying skill levels. There’s even camping there now that’s very reasonably priced.
Mt. Nebo is around two and half hours southeast of Bentonville but worth the trip if you have the time and love technical rocky riding. Check out BKXC’s stellar video showcasing the trail system HERE.
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