50 Mountain Unicycle Trails (or Systems) to Ride in America: Part One

America the beautiful is home to thousands upon thousands of miles of mountain bike trails, ranging from the rock-strewn ridges of Appalachia to the sandstone formations of the southwest, with a little bit of everything in between.

The best part, for us unicyclists at least, is that the traits that make a trail great for mountain bikers often make it great for a mountain unicyclist, too.

With that said, and with no further ado, here’s your first installment of 50 mountain bike (or mountain unicycle, skip the odd bike for these) trails in America you should make it a point to ride at some point in your life.

Alabama: Oak Mountain State Park

Try the 18-mile loop which combines singletrack, access roads, hiking trails, and even some other special sections that don’t neatly fit into any other category. It’s easily accessible from Birmingham and there’s tons to explore in the state park besides the muni trails.

Alaska: Kincaid Park

With over 45 miles of trails, there’s no specific one you need to try, but the park is a must-visit. The area is naturally hilly, making for a challenge with a mountain bike, and despite the fact that the surrounding forest is very dense, most of the trails are double-wide and well-marked.

Arizona: Hawes Trail

Only 2.1 miles, but rated as difficult, Hawes Trail, which is not too far from Phoenix, offers a good sample of desert singletrack and relatively smooth riding, without being too technical.

Arkansas: Mount Kessler

With 7 miles of narrow singletrack and rock gardens, the rocky loop at Mount Kessler will challenge you. Some areas are more difficult and technical than others - there’s no shame in getting out of the saddle and walking the tough spots!

California: Tahoe Rim Trail

At 165 miles, the Tahoe rim trail is going to take you a few days to complete, but it’s well worth the effort. It also overlaps with the Pacific Crest Trail and will deliver you unforgettable scenery. You can hear what we have to say or try it yourself; there’s no substitute for the experience.

Colorado: Monarch Crest Trail

Colorado has some of the best mountain biking (and unicycling) opportunities in the whole country, so it was hard to pick one here, but the Monarch Crest Trail, with over 30 miles of (mostly) singletrack showcasing some of the best scenery in the state (and country) this is one not to miss.

Connecticut: Nassahegan State Forest

This park is readily accessible and there is a large main loop with multiple side trails for you to explore, with about 15 miles of singletrack in all.

Delaware: Brandywine State Park

Brandywine state park, not far from Wilmington, offers 15 miles of mostly singletrack with plenty of exciting technical challenges, including but not limited to downed trees, exposed roots, rocks, and stream crossings.

Florida: Caloosahatchee Regional Park

This one we picked because, even though it’s in South Florida, there’s not a lot of loose sand - but there are over 10 miles of singletrack with plenty of fun but not too difficult technical challenges, such as some relatively steep climbs and drops - at least for Florida.

Georgia: Blankets Creek Trail Network

With 15 miles of trails, ranging from beginner friendly, easily accessible singletrack to more intermediate and advanced sections of trails with technical challenges like rocks and berms, there’s plenty for everyone to love. If you want a much more serious, committed challenge, consider the Pinhoti Trail, which actually starts in Alabama but which will take you through Georgia to the start of the AT; some sections of the trail are paved, though.

Hawaii: Haleakala Downhill Mountain Bike Ride

The Haleakala downhill mountain bike ride is just what it sounds like; you take Mamane trail all the way down the mountain, which has no climbs. The challenge, however, is in controlling the descent.

Idaho: Hard Guy

Not too far from Boise, the Hard Guy trail is so named because it’s pretty much a long, sustained climb. Pretty much the whole thing is old ranching roads converted to singletrack, with some steep, loose, sandy sections that will really try a mountain unicyclist. Wear your unicycle safety gear and take it slow.

Illinois: Bullfrog Lake Forest Preserve

There is a network of trails through Bullfrog Lake Forest Preserve, with plenty of singletrack to explore. You’ll see some of Illinois’s finest sights, with plenty of trails that run into the nearby woods.

Indiana: Winona Lake Trail

Indiana might be a fairly flat midwest state, but Winona Lake Trail has some great singletrack with some technical challenges, including plenty of jumps. Just beware: riding is only permitted in one direction along the trail and it’s fairly strictly enforced.

Get the Unicycle or Odd Bike Geared Up

We don’t recommend taking an odd bike on any of these trails, but they’re pretty much all excellent challenges, in some way or other, for the die-hard mountain unicyclist, and afford a pretty amazing cross-section of what the country has to follow. Stay tuned and bookmark our blog so you don’t miss parts two and three, coming soon!