There are several states in the US that are known for their excellent mountain biking trails, and the answer to this question can be subjective depending on individual preferences. However, some states are more well-known for their mountain biking than others.

Here are a few states that are often considered to have some of the best mountain biking:

1) Colorado

Colorado is considered by many to be the best state for mountain biking due to its extensive network of trails, beautiful scenery, and variety of terrain. The state has over 5,000 miles of mountain biking trails, including the famous Colorado Trail, which runs over 500 miles from Denver to Durango.

Colorado is considered the best mountain biking state due to its combination of stunning scenery, diverse terrain, world-class trails, and a thriving mountain biking culture. Here are a few reasons why:

Scenic beauty: Colorado offers some of the most stunning mountain scenery in the United States. Riders can take in views of the Rocky Mountains, high alpine meadows, aspen groves, and deep forests.
Diverse terrain: Colorado has a wide variety of terrain for mountain biking, from high-alpine trails to desert singletrack, and everything in between. Riders can find everything from flowy cross-country rides to challenging technical descents.
Extensive trail system: Colorado has an extensive trail system with over 5,000 miles of trails. The trails are well-maintained and offer a variety of difficulty levels to cater to different skill levels.
World-class trails: Colorado is home to several world-class mountain biking trails, including the Colorado Trail, the 401 Trail, and the Monarch Crest Trail.
Mountain biking culture: Colorado has a thriving mountain biking culture, with many communities embracing the sport and offering resources and events for riders. Mountain biking is a popular pastime for both locals and visitors.

Overall, Colorado's combination of stunning scenery, diverse terrain, extensive trail system, world-class trails, and thriving mountain biking culture make it the best mountain biking state in the United States.

Top 5 Singletracks in Colorado

The 401 Trail - Located near Crested Butte, Colorado, this 14-mile trail is known for its stunning mountain views and wildflowers.
Doctor Park Trail - Located near Crested Butte, Colorado, this 6-mile trail offers technical challenges and steep descents through aspen groves and meadows.
Kenosha Pass Trail - Located near Bailey, Colorado, this trail offers a 14-mile ride through aspen groves and pine forests with views of snow-capped peaks.
The Monarch Crest Trail - Located near Salida, Colorado, this trail offers high-altitude riding with stunning views and technical challenges over 35 miles of singletrack.
The Lunch Loop Trail - Located near Grand Junction, Colorado, this trail offers technical challenges and scenic views over 36 miles of singletrack.

2) Utah

Utah is considered the 2nd best state for mountain biking due to its diverse landscape and extensive trail system. Here are a few reasons why:

Varied terrain: Utah offers a diverse range of terrain for mountain biking, from slickrock to high-alpine trails, desert singletrack to forested mountain rides.
World-class trails: Utah is home to several world-class mountain biking trails, including the famous Slickrock Trail in Moab, which is a 12-mile loop with steep climbs, descents, and challenging technical features.
Extensive trail system: Utah has an extensive trail system with over 6,000 miles of trails, making it a mountain biker's paradise. The trails are well-maintained and offer a variety of difficulty levels to cater to different skill levels.
Scenic views: Utah's stunning landscapes provide breathtaking views while riding, from the red rock formations of Moab to the towering Wasatch Mountains.
Weather: Utah's dry climate and mild temperatures make it an ideal location for year-round mountain biking. The state receives over 300 days of sunshine each year, making it possible to ride even in the winter months.

Overall, Utah's combination of diverse terrain, extensive trail system, world-class trails, scenic views, and favorable weather make it a top destination for mountain bikers.

Top 5 Singletracks in Utah

Slickrock Trail - Located in Moab, Utah, this 10.5-mile loop trail is considered one of the most iconic mountain biking trails in the world. It features challenging technical features, steep climbs, and descents on slickrock terrain.
The Whole Enchilada Trail - This trail is a 26-mile point-to-point ride that begins at the top of the La Sal Mountains near Moab, Utah. It offers a range of terrain and scenery, from high-alpine meadows to slickrock ledges and a final descent through a canyon to the Colorado River.
Wasatch Crest Trail - Located in Salt Lake City, Utah, this 20-mile trail offers stunning views of the Wasatch Mountains, Park City, and the Salt Lake Valley. It offers a challenging ride with technical descents and climbs.
Thunder Mountain Trail - Located in Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah, this 7.3-mile trail offers a unique ride through hoodoos and rock formations, with steep climbs and fast descents.
Gooseberry Mesa Trail - Located in Hurricane, Utah, this 13.5-mile trail offers technical challenges on slickrock terrain with stunning views of Zion National Park and the surrounding landscape.

3) California

California is considered the 3rd best state for mountain biking due to its diverse terrain, extensive trail system, and favorable weather conditions. Here are a few reasons why:

Varied terrain: California offers a diverse range of terrain for mountain biking, from coastal trails to high-alpine routes, desert singletrack to forested mountain rides.
Extensive trail system: California has an extensive trail system with over 16,000 miles of trails, making it a mountain biker's paradise. The trails are well-maintained and offer a variety of difficulty levels to cater to different skill levels.
Scenic views: California's diverse landscapes provide breathtaking views while riding, from the Pacific coastline to the Sierra Nevada Mountains.
Favorable weather: California has a mild climate and offers year-round riding opportunities. The state receives plenty of sunshine, making it possible to ride even in the winter months.
World-class trails: California is home to several world-class mountain biking trails, including the Downieville Downhill, the Tahoe Rim Trail, and the Santa Cruz Mountains.

Overall, California's combination of diverse terrain, extensive trail system, scenic views, favorable weather, and world-class trails make it a top destination for mountain bikers.

Top 5 Singletracks in California

Downieville Downhill: Located in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, this 17-mile trail features fast descents, technical rock gardens, and stunning views.
Tahoe Rim Trail: This 165-mile trail circles Lake Tahoe and offers breathtaking views of the lake and surrounding mountains. The trail features a mix of singletrack and dirt roads, with options for both cross-country and downhill riding.
Mount Lowe Railway: Located in the San Gabriel Mountains, this 5-mile trail features challenging technical terrain, steep climbs, and incredible views of the Los Angeles basin.
Soquel Demonstration State Forest: Located near Santa Cruz, this network of trails offers a range of difficulty levels and features fast flowy singletrack, technical descents, and scenic vistas.
Big Bear Mountain Resort: Located in the San Bernardino Mountains, this resort offers over 60 miles of trails, including the famous Skyline Trail, which features over 4,000 feet of vertical descent and stunning views of the surrounding mountains.

4) Oregon

Oregon is considered the 4th best mountain biking state for several reasons:

Diverse terrain: Oregon offers a diverse range of mountain biking terrain, from the high alpine trails of the Cascades to the rugged coastline. Riders can find everything from flowy singletrack to technical descents.
Extensive trail system: Oregon has an extensive trail system with over 2,000 miles of trails. The trails are well-maintained and offer a variety of difficulty levels to cater to different skill levels.
World-class trails: Oregon is home to several world-class mountain biking trails, including the McKenzie River Trail, Oakridge Trail, and Alpine Trail.
Mountain biking culture: Oregon has a thriving mountain biking culture, with many communities embracing the sport and offering resources and events for riders. Mountain biking is a popular pastime for both locals and visitors.
Scenic beauty: Oregon is home to some of the most beautiful scenery in the United States, with the rugged coastline, towering forests, and snow-capped peaks providing a stunning backdrop for mountain biking adventures.

Overall, Oregon's combination of diverse terrain, extensive trail system, world-class trails, mountain biking culture, and scenic beauty make it one of the top mountain biking states in the United States.

Top 10 States for Mountain Biking in the US (2021)

This ranking is based on a 2021 survey by Singletracks, a popular online mountain biking community, and may differ from other rankings based on different criteria.

Top 5 Singletracks in Oregon

McKenzie River Trail: This 26-mile trail is considered one of the best mountain biking trails in the United States. It features scenic waterfalls, old-growth forests, and challenging technical sections.
Oakridge Trail: The Oakridge Trail is a 20-mile trail in the Willamette National Forest that features fast flowy singletrack, technical sections, and stunning views of the surrounding mountains.
Sandy Ridge Trail System: Located near Portland, the Sandy Ridge Trail System offers over 15 miles of trails with a variety of difficulty levels. The trails feature fast flowy singletrack and challenging technical sections.
Alpine Trail: The Alpine Trail is a 14-mile trail located in the Cascade Mountains that features breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains and challenging technical sections.
Phil's Trail Complex: Located in the high desert of Central Oregon, the Phil's Trail Complex offers over 100 miles of trails with a variety of difficulty levels. The trails feature fast flowy singletrack and technical sections, and the scenery is stunning.

5) Vermont

Vermont may not be the first state that comes to mind when you think of mountain biking, but it's actually a hidden gem for riders looking for a great experience. Here are a few reasons why Vermont is considered the 5th best state for mountain biking:

Diverse Terrain: Vermont offers a little bit of everything when it comes to mountain biking, from rolling hills to rocky descents. This means that riders can find trails that cater to their specific preferences, whether they're looking for a challenging technical descent or a flowy singletrack.
Extensive Trail System: With over 750 miles of trails throughout the state, riders have plenty of options to choose from. The trails are well-maintained and offer a variety of difficulty levels, so riders of all skill levels can find something that suits them.
Stunning Scenery: Vermont is known for its beautiful landscapes, with lush forests, rolling hills, and scenic lakes and rivers. For mountain bikers, this means that every ride is a chance to soak up the natural beauty of the state.
Mountain Biking Culture: Communities throughout the state have embraced the sport, with many offering resources and events for riders. This has created a vibrant and welcoming community of mountain bikers, making Vermont a great place to ride no matter where you're from.
World-Class Trails: Vermont is home to several world-class mountain biking trails, including the Kingdom Trails, which features over 100 miles of trails through scenic woodlands and fields. These trails are a testament to the state's commitment to mountain biking, and are a must-ride for any serious rider.

Overall, Vermont offers a great mountain biking experience that is hard to match. With its diverse terrain, extensive trail system, stunning scenery, mountain biking culture, and world-class trails, it's no wonder that Vermont is considered one of the top states for mountain biking.

Top Craft Breweries in Vermont

Top 5 Singletracks in Vermont

Kingdom Trails: This trail system is located in East Burke and is considered one of the best in the country. It offers over 100 miles of well-maintained singletrack with something for everyone, from beginner to expert.
Perry Hill: Located in Waterbury, this trail system offers over 20 miles of technical singletrack that will challenge even the most skilled riders. The trails are well-maintained and offer stunning views of the surrounding mountains.
Cady Hill Forest: Located in Stowe, this trail system offers a variety of trails for riders of all levels. The trails wind through beautiful forests and offer stunning views of Mt. Mansfield.
Millstone Hill: Located in Barre, this trail system offers over 35 miles of singletrack through a historic granite quarry. The trails are technical and challenging, but the stunning views of the quarry make it worth the effort.
Pine Hill Park: Located in Rutland, this trail system offers over 16 miles of singletrack that wind through beautiful forests and past scenic ponds. The trails are well-maintained and offer a great mix of flowy and technical riding.

6) Arizona

Arizona is considered the 6th best state for mountain biking due to its unique and diverse terrain, challenging trails, and beautiful scenery. Here are a few reasons why Arizona is a great state for mountain biking:

Varied terrain: Arizona offers a variety of terrains, from desert to mountainous terrain, which makes it an ideal destination for mountain bikers. The state has a number of trails that are suited for different skill levels and interests.
Great weather: With over 300 days of sunshine per year, Arizona has a long mountain biking season. This means that you can ride the trails for most of the year, making it an ideal destination for riders who want to ride year-round.
Challenging trails: Arizona's trails offer a range of technical challenges for riders of all levels. From fast, flowy singletrack to steep and rocky terrain, there is something for everyone.
Beautiful scenery: Arizona's natural beauty is a major draw for mountain bikers. The state's trails wind through stunning landscapes, including red rock formations, canyons, and forests.
Great biking culture: Arizona has a thriving biking culture, with many communities that support mountain biking. There are plenty of bike shops, clubs, and events throughout the state that cater to riders of all levels.

Overall, Arizona is a great state for mountain biking due to its varied terrain, great weather, challenging trails, beautiful scenery, and thriving biking culture.

Top 5 Singletracks in Arizona

South Mountain: Located in Phoenix, South Mountain offers over 50 miles of trails that range from easy to extremely difficult. The trails wind through the desert landscape, offering stunning views of the surrounding mountains and city.
Hawes Trail System: Located in Mesa, this trail system offers over 20 miles of singletrack that wind through the Sonoran Desert. The trails are challenging and technical, with plenty of rocky terrain and switchbacks.
The Hangover Trail is a highly technical singletrack trail located in Sedona, Arizona that is known for its stunning views and challenging terrain. The trail is approximately 9 miles long and offers steep climbs, rocky descents, and exposure along narrow ridges that are not recommended for beginner riders.
Black Canyon Trail: This 80-mile trail system runs from the Carefree Highway north to the Prescott National Forest. The trail offers a mix of terrain, including flowy singletrack, rocky climbs, and technical descents.
Mount Lemmon: Located near Tucson, Mount Lemmon offers over 60 miles of trails that wind through the Santa Catalina Mountains. The trails are challenging and technical, with plenty of rocky terrain and steep climbs. The views from the top are well worth the effort.

7) North Carolina

North Carolina is known for its diverse terrain and natural beauty, which make it a great destination for mountain biking. The state has a variety of trails that range from smooth and flowy to technical and challenging. Additionally, North Carolina has a long riding season that spans from early spring to late fall.

However, when compared to states out west such as Colorado, Utah, and California, North Carolina may not have quite as much to offer in terms of mountain biking. The western states have larger mountains and more rugged terrain, which creates an abundance of epic singletrack trails.

Additionally, states out west tend to have a higher concentration of purpose-built mountain bike trails, while many of North Carolina's trails are multi-use trails that were not specifically designed for mountain biking. This can lead to less flowy and more technical riding experiences.

Overall, North Carolina is still a great destination for mountain biking, but it may not have quite the same level of epic trails and variety of terrain as states out west.

Top 5 Singletracks in North Carolina

Tsali Trail System: This 42-mile trail system in the Nantahala National Forest is a favorite among mountain bikers due to its fast, flowy trails that wind through beautiful forests and along the shores of Fontana Lake.
Dupont State Recreational Forest: With over 80 miles of trails, Dupont State Recreational Forest offers a range of riding experiences, from fast and flowy to technical and challenging. Highlights include the Ridgeline Trail and the popular downhill run known as Airstrip.
Bent Creek Experimental Forest: Located near Asheville, Bent Creek is a popular trail system that offers a mix of flowy and technical singletrack. Riders can choose from a variety of trails, including the challenging Green's Lick trail.
Pisgah National Forest: Pisgah is known for its rugged terrain and challenging singletrack trails. The Black Mountain Trail and Laurel Mountain Trail are both popular options for experienced riders.
Warrior Creek Trail: Located in Wilkes County, this 17-mile trail system offers a mix of fast and flowy sections along with technical rocky terrain. The trail offers beautiful views of the W. Kerr Scott Reservoir and surrounding mountains.