Region: East Texas
Season: Anytime except summer (primarily from June-August)
Miles: 280 | Elevation: 11,100’
Days Out: 3 | Tire Size: ≥ 38mm ”
Difficulty: 3/10 Physical | 3/10 Technical
The East Texas Piney Woods is a unique region of Texas that is very sparsely populated with people, but it makes up for that with an abundance of Loblolly Pine Trees. If you want to experience a part of Texas that is unknown to even most locals, this route is for you!
Region: Nevada
Season: May to June, perhaps April depending on snowpack
Miles: 124 | Elevation: 11,100’
Days Out: 2-3 | Tire Size: 2.2″ to Fat Tires”
Difficulty: 5/10 Physical | 3/10 Technical
Prepare to have your perception of Nevada forever transformed. Brace yourself for high alpine passes reaching 9,000 feet, vast desert basins, and landscapes reminiscent of the stunning vistas found in Kyrgyzstan. This adventure will redefine how you see the Silver State.
Region: North Caroina
Season: Fall
Miles: 54 | Elevation: 3,800’
Days Out: 1-2 | Tire Size: 2.1″ to 2.4″”
Difficulty: 4/10 Physical | 3/10 Technical
Pisgah Paddler is a beginner-friendly bikerafting loop consisting of a ride through Pisgah National Forest and a float along the French Broad River. Ideal for a 1 or 2 night ride with camping options both off trail and off river. The mostly-gravel route contains steep climbs, winding descents, minor fords, a quick hike-a-bike, singletrack, and a short ride through the town of Etowah. Paddle-in only campsites are available along the French Broad River Paddle Trail, and plenty of dispersed camping can be found throughout Pisgah National Forest. The packrafting section of this route is primarily flat water, perfect for gaining experience.
Region: North Carolina
Season: Year Round
Miles: 44 | Elevation: 4,400’
Days Out: 1-2 | Tire Size: 40mm-2.4″”
Difficulty: 4/10 Physical | 3/10 Technical
Roll Call is an overnight bikepacking trip starting from The Hub in Brevard, NC. Ridden counter clockwise you will climb up gravel roads and enjoy fast and flowy singletrack descents in the Pisgah National Forest, Ranger District. Camping options are sprinkled throughout the route at campgrounds or primitive riverside tent sites. Great views of Looking Glass Rock and riverside riding make this one of our favorite quick overnights in the area.
Region: Idaho
Season: Summer and early fall. Must be after snowmelt and before snowfall.
Miles: 138 | Elevation: 12,200’
Days Out: 2-4 | Tire Size: ≥ 2.0″”
Difficulty: 6/10 Physical | 5/10 Technical
The St. Joe Sampler is a scenic route connecting rail trails, backcountry roads, and spectacular views. Ride the Montana/Idaho State line high above the canyon before descending down to the Wild and Scenic St. Joe River.
Region: Southwestern Kentucky
Season: Any time
Miles: 63 | Elevation: 3,700’
Days Out: 1-2 | Tire Size: 40mm to 2.5″”
Difficulty: 3/10 Physical | 4/10 Technical
Land Between the Lakes (LBL), takes its inspiration from the route for the April Fool’s Gravel Camp, hosted by Gear Up Cycles each spring. Matt Falwell, the event organizer, has come up with a route that Kentucky Cycles dialed up into a great overnight bikepacking route. You’ll enjoy pristine gravel roads, scenic lake-front camping, and abundant wildlife spottings.
Region: Iowa
Season: April to October
Miles: 305 | Elevation: 9,700’
Days Out: 4-6 | Tire Size: 1.4”-2.0″”
Difficulty: 4/10 Physical | 2/10 Technical
The State Park Trio route is on lightly trafficked gravel roads with just enough hills to provide beautiful vistas, cemeteries for the history buffs in us all and swimming holes to keep you cool on hot summer days
Region: Wisconsin
Season: April-Mid November
Miles: 365 | Elevation: 17,000’
Days Out: 5-8 | Tire Size: ≥ 2.0”+”
Difficulty: 4/10 Physical | 4/10 Technical
The Tour de Nicolet takes riders through the majority of the Nicolet National forest traveling through old logging towns on lesser known roads and paths, following the constant paths of rivers and streams with lakes scattered throughout.
Region: Maryland
Season: April to November
Miles: 145 | Elevation: 14,000’
Days Out: 2-3 | Tire Size: ≥ 45mm-2.2””
Difficulty: 6/10 Physical | 4/10 Technical
Green Ridge State Forest features countless miles of lightly traveled forest roads punctuated by scenic overlooks and creek crossings; on this in-depth tour of Maryland’s largest tract of public land, you’ll conquer many of the state’s biggest gravel climbs and scream down the corresponding descents.
Region: Pennsylvania
Season: April-November
Miles: 84 | Elevation: 9,100’
Days Out: 2 (S24O) | Tire Size: ≥ 40mm to 2.2″”
Difficulty: 5/10 Physical | 4/10 Technical
Criss-cross the Appalachian Trail on Michaux State Forest’s extensive network of unpaved roads and trails; you’ll enjoy miles of sinuous tree-lined gravel, fast descents, minimal motor vehicle traffic, doubletrack and singletrack segments to spice up the ride, and a refreshing lake near your choice of backcountry, primitive, or developed campsites.
Region: Nevada/California
Season: May to October
Miles: 28 | Elevation: 2,800’
Days Out: 1-2 | Tire Size: 2.4”-3.0″”
Difficulty: 6/10 Physical | 4/10 Technical
The Bikefishing Desert Creek route crisscrosses a mountain creek on a pack trail and jeep track in the aspens and pines climbing out of the heat of the high desert.
Region: Viriginia
Season: April to October
Miles: 567 | Elevation: 47,284’
Days Out: 5-9 | Tire Size: 40mm-2.2””
Difficulty: 6/10 Physical | 4/10 Technical
Ride from DC to Damascus to cross Virginia in 565 miles on mostly unpaved country and forest roads, double track and rail trails. Explore Virginia’s best backcountry riding on this new gravel bikepacking and touring route focused on rideable, non-technical, unpaved terrain intended for multi-day trips carrying overnight gear. The route traverses a variety of challenging climbs in remote areas of VA’s beautiful mountains, national forests and public lands.
Region: Kansas and Oklahoma
Season: September to November, March to June
Miles: 475 | Elevation: 23,500′
Days Out: 5-8 | Tire Size: 1.75″-3″”
Difficulty: 6/10 Physical | 5/10 Technical
Scenic, rugged, and beautiful rock, gravel and dirt road bikepacking adventures in Kansas. Your travels will take you along the geological spine of the Flint Hills, a distinct ecoregion with the densest coverage of intact native tallgrass prairie in North America.
Region: Northern Arizona
Season: Late April – Early June; September – October
Miles: 237 | Elevation: 11,950′
Days Out: 4-6 | Tire Size: ≥ 2.5 – 2.8” (2.3” Minimum) ”
Difficulty: 4/10 Physical | 5/10 Technical
The Capes of the Canyon on the South Rim provides a backcountry ride through the southern landscape of Grand Canyon National Park and Baaj Nwaavjo I’tah Kukveni National Monument. From pinyon-juniper grasslands blanketing the base of Red Butte to towering ponderosa stands along the Coconino Rim that spill to limestone at Canyon edge, this route provides bikepackers an opportunity to see the Grand Canyon region.
Region: Northern Arizona
Season: Early Summer, Fall
Miles: 610 | Elevation: 42,060′
Days Out: 10-17 | Tire Size: ≥ 2.2″2.5 – 2.8″ (2.3″ Minimum)rdquo;
Difficulty: 7/10 Physical | 6/10 Technical
Ride from the desert base of Vermillion Cliffs National Monument at 3100 feet to the subalpine meadows and sprawling aspen forests of the Kaibab Plateau at 9200 feet. In-between, it weaves a circumference dirt tour of North Rim viewpoints along the edge of the Grand Canyon.
Region: Southern New Mexico
Season: Late April to September
Miles: 139 | Elevation: 13,655’
Days Out: 2-4 | Tire Size: 1.7-2.6””
Difficulty: 7/10 Physical | 3/10 Technical
Primarily using well maintained gravel, this high altitude route offers respite from the summer heat in the surrounding lowlands. Endless climbs along creeks, through aspen groves, and past elk herds, are only broken up momentarily when passing through tiny mountain villages. Climb, descend, repeat.
Region: Southern New Mexico
Season: October to March
Miles: 250 | Elevation: 8,850’
Days Out: 4-5 | Tire Size: 2.2’”
Difficulty: 6/10 Physical | 7/10 Technical
The Monumental Loop takes in all that Organ Mountain Desert Peaks National Monument has to offer and links it together with dirt roads through the Rio Grande Valley. Small towns full of spicy food break up the solitude of the desert.
Region: Idaho
Season:Late April – Late June and September – October
Miles: 558 | Elevation: 10,000’
Days Out: 4-6 | Tire Size: ≥ 2.2″”
Difficulty: 8/10 Physical | 4/10 Technical
Connecting rugged doubletrack and backcountry roads, The Great Rift Dirt Tour highlights the vast terrain of the Sagebrush Steppe on the Columbia Plateau. Over 283 miles, the route skirts expansive lava flows among nearby mountains and traveling deep into the remote high desert of the Snake River Plain. This Idaho bikepacking route is truly a remote, soul-searching odyssey!
Region: Southern Arizona
Season: October to March
Miles: 138 | Elevation: 7,984“
Days Out: 2-4 | Tire Size: ≥ 2.2″”
Difficulty: 6/10 Physical | 6/10 Technical
A sampler of everything the Tucson area has to offer from our paved bike paths to a very short section of the AZT trail. The ride can be done in 2 to 4 days depending on how hard to want to push and your ability to carry water. The route allows you to pedal from town without needing any vehicle shuttling for those flying in for some great winter weather.
Region: Arizona
Season: Mid-October to Mid-April
Miles: 225 | Elevation: 17,000’
Days Out: 4-6 | Tire Size: 2.4-3.0””
Difficulty: 8/10 Physical | 8/10 Technical
The Queen’s Ransom is a 227-mile bikepacking route around the greater East Valley of metro Phoenix, Arizona. It weaves together many of the area’s popular singletrack trail systems, regional parks, and the Arizona National Scenic Trail amid stunning topography, rolling dirt roads, and challenging terrain….
Region: Utah and Colorado
Season: Late spring to late fall
Miles: 364 | Elevation: 39,000′
Days Out: 4-6 | Tire Size: ≥ 2.4″”
Difficulty: 8/10 Physical | 7/10 Technical
The Grand Loop – one of the oldest bikepacking routes out there and arguably the original bikepacking race route, linking some of the earliest established long-distance mountain bike routes in the country. The Grand Loop is almost entirely dirt, but there’s very little singletrack or gravel along the way.
Region: Nevada
Season: Summer to fall
Miles: 70 | Elevation: 10,500′
Days Out: 2 | Tire Size: ≥ 2.3″”
Difficulty: 8/10 Physical | 7/10 Technical
The northern half of the Toiyabe Crest Trail (TCT) is open to bikes, and it’s a must-ride for anyone who loves remote singletrack traversals along the spine of a towering mountain range. This loop begins with a *steep* 4×4 road climb up Ophir Canyon to reach the TCT, followed by 35 miles of mostly singletrack on the TCT.
Region: New Mexico
Season: Spring to fall
Miles: 285 | Elevation: 20,000′
Days Out: 4-6 | Tire Size: ≥ 1.75″”
Difficulty: 5/10 Physical | 4/10 Technical
The New Mexico’s Western Highlands Loop! This 280-mile-long rough “gravel” bikepacking route meanders through the Black, Mogollon, San Francisco, and Gallo Mountains of western NM and the gorgeous Blue River Canyon in easternmost AZ. The loop takes riders on very, very quiet roads (~80% dirt, 20% paved) through almost entirely public lands, linking small communities, passing widely scattered ranches, and traversing a landscape where wolves still roam. Most of the loop is above 7,000 feet in elevation, making it a cool shoulder season ride or a relatively comfortable summer ride passing through beautiful ponderosa pine forests, high grasslands, and aspen glades.
Region: Arizona
Season: Winter
Miles: 125/190 | Elevation: 5,000/12,000′
Days Out: 3-5 | Tire Size: ≥ 2.4″”
Difficulty: 5/10 Physical | 5/10 Technical
This delightful desert tour is on 100% dirt, 100% public lands, through stunning mountains, and with reliable water sources – it’s a fantastic 3- to 5-day winter bikepacking trip! The long version of the route includes 2-3 opportunities to scramble up desert peaks and hike into deep canyons along the way, and the shorter version bypasses those side adventures.
Region: Utah
Season: Late spring to late fall
Miles: 170 | Elevation: 13,000′
Days Out: 3-5 | Tire Size: ≥ 2.4″”
Difficulty: 6/10 Physical | 5/10 Technical
This 170-mile loop follows the most seldom-traveled and arguably most scenic backcountry roads through Grand Staircase – Escalante National Monument through beautiful and remote Colorado Plateau country. Best ridden in late spring or autumn, this loop offers 3+ days of 4×4 riding and solitude.
Region: Montana
Season: Mid-Summer – Early Fall
Miles: 76 | Elevation: 14,000′
Days Out: 2-3 | Tire Size: ≥ 2.3″”
Difficulty: 8/10 Physical | 8/10 Technical
Offering some of the most stunning ridge crest riding in the northern Rockies, the Alpine #7 experience is a particularly rewarding (and technical) one. This trail is most often ridden as a series of day rides, but it can also be enjoyed as a bikepack over a few days, as a longer loop combined with part of the Great Divide MTB Route, or an absolutely massive one-day effort.
Region: Arizona/New Mexico
Season: Fall/Winter/Spring
Miles: 256 | Elevation: 11,000′
Days Out: 3-5 | Tire Size: ≥ 1.75″”
Difficulty: 4/10 Physical | 3/10 Technical
A Chihuahuan Desert bikepacking experience among the Sky Islands, desert grasslands, and diverse valleys of the Arizona/New Mexico borderlands. The route follows gravel roads, quiet pavement, and a few mellow sections of 4×4 tracks. It’s a fast-riding route that can be done on a gravel or mountain bike (just know that Arizona gravel tends to be a bit rougher and bigger than gravel in many other parts of the U.S.).
