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Mountain biking in florida

Mountain biking in florida

At first, mountain biking in Florida might sound like an oxymoron. After all, how can you mountain bike in a state where the highest point is a measly 345 feet above sea level?

Luckily, there are actually tons of MTB trails in the Sunshine State. Whether you’re stationed in Miami, Destin, Jacksonville, or Tampa, you’ll find there are plenty of chances to shred the gnar.

Santos in Ocala is often listed as the best mountain biking in Florida, as well as Alafia River State Park. However, you’ll find MTB trails and parks in every corner of the state.

Are you ready to spend a day pumping, pinning, and flowing? Then stick with us while we check out some of the most awesome spots to go mountain biking in Florida.

Mountain Biking Trails in Northeast Florida

Whether you’re in Jacksonville, St. Augustine, or Palm Coast, you’re never far from great MTB trails. You can ride through a historic Civil War site at Fort Clinch, head to more technical terrain at Hanna Park, or flow through the woods of Florida at Little Big Econ State Forest.

Little Big Econ State Forest

Mountain biking in Florida
Little Big Econ State Forest

With twelve miles of trails, Little Big Econ State Forest is the perfect spot for either beginner or intermediate riders. Through the old backwoods of Florida and along the river, this is a beautiful trail with lots of opportunities to get into the flow.

Fort Clinch State Park

Mountain biking in Florida
Fort Clinch State Park

Located in Fernandina Beach right on the Atlantic Ocean, Fort Clinch State Park offers an awesome ride just north of Jacksonville. While there are a handful of steep ups and downs as well as tight, twisting sections, this isn’t an overly technical trail.

Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park

Mountain biking in Florida
Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park

One of the longer trail systems in Northeast Florida, Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park is perfect for riders of all skill levels. If you’re looking for a little turbulence, you’ll be glad to know there are inclines, drops, roots, and sharp turns to make this an exhilarating ride.

San Felasco Hammock Preserve State Park

Mountain biking in Florida
San Felasco Hammock Preserve State Park

San Felasco Hammock Preserve State Park is the ideal Northeast Florida spot for a full day of mountain biking. With nearly forty miles of flowing single-track trails, you’ll get to explore a patchwork of ecosystems in the preserve along the way.

Mountain Biking Trails in the Panhandle

Mountain biking in the Florida Panhandle offers rich opportunities for riders of all skill levels. With dozens of miles of trails, adrenaline junkies and beginners alike will find routes that suit their fancy.

University of West Florida Mountain Biking Trails

Mountain biking in Florida
University of West Florida Mountain Biking Trails

While Florida isn’t known for its mountains, this trail system is afforded some elevation change in the area’s history. Thanks to an old log flume in the 1800s, you won’t have to feel like you’re in the nation’s flattest state anymore. With more than eighteen miles of trails, beginners and experts alike can find suitable routes here.

Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park

Mountain biking in Florida
Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park

There are a number of MTB trails at Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park. One popular trail is the Lake Overstreet Trail, which is an easy two-mile double track. If you’re looking for downhill mountain biking in the Florida Panhandle, the Redbug Trail gives you a little taste of more mountainous lands.

Tom Brown Park Mountain Biking in Florida

Mountain biking in Florida
Tom Brown Park Mountain Biking in Florida

Located in Tallahassee, the Tom Brown Park MTB trails host the Florida State Championships every year. Not for the faint of heart, these trails have steep inclines to get your heart racing and descents to make your stomach drop. On top of that, there are plenty of berms and sharp banks to get you flying.

These are considered some of the best mountain biking trails in Florida for advanced riders.

Timberlake Mountain Bike Trails

Mountain biking in Florida
Timberlake Mountain Bike Trails

Are you a beginner mountain biker? No problem. Head over to the Timberlake Mountain Biking Trails, with more than thirteen miles of flowy trails.

It’s worth noting that you’ll need to purchase a $20 pass from Jackson Guard to use this property. The pass also includes access to other areas on the property, including great fishing spots.

Trails Mountain Biking in Florida

From the eighty-plus miles of Santos mountain biking in Ocala to the off-road biking at Alafia, some of the best Florida mountain biking can be found in central Florida. If you’ve had your fill of Disney World and other tourist traps, hop on your trusty steed and explore the lush trails.

Jimmie Cotton’s Trail

Mountain biking in Florida
Jimmie Cotton’s Trail

Calling all MTB pros! Jimmie Cotton’s Trail in Lakeland, Florida is where you can find some of the most technical ridings in the entire state. The elevation here exists thanks to two phosphate pits that surround the trail system. Because it’s such a difficult trail, you’ll need to be invited by the Ridge Riders Mountainbike Association in order to shred the gnar here.

Withlacoochee State Forest

Mountain biking in Florida
Withlacoochee State Forest

The mountain bike trails at the Withlacoochee State Forest are lovingly known to regulars as Croom. If you’re looking for long-distance trails, you’ll be happy to know that this trail system stretches for fifty-five miles. Once a mining site, the terrain here is rough and offers a number of technically challenging sections.

This trail system is ideal for intermediate riders who are looking to improve their skills. However, there are also great trails for beginners as well as experts at Croom.

Santos Mountain biking in Florida

Mountain biking in Florida
Santos Mountain biking in Florida

Located in Ocala, you’ll often hear Santos referred to as some of the best mountain biking in Florida. In fact, it’s one of the most renowned trail systems in the entire Southeast U.S.

Located on an old rock quarry, these trails have been being built and maintained by the Ocala Mountain Bike Association for decades. With 85 miles of trails, you can find awesome beginner singletracks as well as more advanced riding accessible through the Vortex Trail Head.

Loyce E. Harpe Park

Mountain biking in Florida
Loyce E. Harpe Park

Another Florida MTB trail built on an old phosphate mine, the trails at Loyce Harpe Park were designed to suit riders of all skill levels. In addition to routes that range from beginner to advanced, there’s also a pump track at the trailhead and wood features sprinkled throughout the park.

Alafia River State Park

Mountain biking in Florida
Alafia River State Park

If you ask around for the best mountain biking in Florida, Alafia River State Park will inevitably get mentioned. Here you can ride over the naturally restored land of a defunct phosphate mining site. There’s a family-friendly beginners trail as well as very advanced, adrenaline-junky types of trails in this central Florida mountain biking trail system.

Chuck Lennon Trails

Mountain biking in Florida
Chuck Lennon Trails

While there are a few opportunities for beginners to get some riding in, these trails are really for intermediate to very advanced riders. There are a number of wood features sprinkled throughout these trails as well as a dirt jump section and a pump track located here.

Orlando Wetlands Park

Mountain biking in Florida
Orlando Wetlands Park

This Orlando mountain bike park features eighteen miles of double-track trails. Orlando Wetlands Park is ideal for riders who are looking for a laid-back, scenic ride or for those who are just starting out. The trails here are gentle enough that you can even bring the kids along.

Grapefruit Trails

Mountain biking in Florida
Grapefruit Trails

Located in Melbourne near Palm Bay, the Grapefruit Trails is a place for experts to hone their skills. With incredibly technical riding and jumps, these short trails are really only for advanced riders.

Halpatiokee Regional Park

Mountain biking in Florida
Halpatiokee Regional Park

The trails at Halpatiokee Regional Park are generally flat with lots of roots covering the trail. With about eleven miles of trails to explore, these central Florida mountain biking trails let you get into the flow and get your heart racing.

Mountain Biking Trails in Southwest Florida

Southwest Florida is best known for its sandy white beaches and gorgeous sunsets. However, that doesn’t mean there aren’t some nice opportunities to get into the woods and get into the flow.

T. Mabry Carlton Reserve

Mountain biking in Florida
T. Mabry Carlton Reserve

The Carlton Reserve has tons of long singletrack trails and double-track trails. Riding these trails is also a great opportunity to see lots of local wildlife. You might even get to see some wild pigs along the way!

Caloosahatchee Regional Park

Mountain biking in Florida
Caloosahatchee Regional Park

Located in Fort Myers, the Southwest Florida mountain biking trails in Caloosahatchee Regional Park are quite family-friendly. Singletrack and sandy, are great trails for groups with younger riders. Alternatively, it’s also an ideal spot for those just looking for a shady place to clock some miles!

Mountain Biking Trails in Southeast Florida

Leave it to Florida to prove that you don’t need mountains to offer awesome mountain biking. In South Florida, you’ll find everything from technical single tracks to easy trails for beginners to get into the zone.

Jonathan Dickinson State Park

Mountain biking in Florida
Jonathan Dickinson State Park

Jonathan Dickinson State Park has a system of off-road bike trails called Camp Murphy. You can find trails here that range from beginner to black diamond. The vibe here is family-friendly and welcoming, making it an awesome outing for every rider in your household.

Fort Pierce Mountain Bike Trail

The Fort Pierce Mountain Bike Trail is a technically challenging trail that twists through a forested area. Located in Port St. Lucie, this Southwest Florida trail system is an adrenaline junkie’s dream. While most of the trails on our list offer opportunities for a range of skill levels, every single trail at Fort Pierce is evaluating intermediate.

Amelia Earhart Park

Amelia Earhart Park is where the famous female pilot of the same name took off for her last flight. You can find eight miles of trails here in this Hialeah, FL park that range from beginner to intermediate. The more technical trails offer jumps, steep inclines, and sharp banks, while the beginner trails are smooth and relaxed.

Oleta River State Park

Looking for mountain biking near Miami? Check out Oleta River State Park with its fourteen miles of well-marked trails that offer something for all skill levels. If you’re looking for a trail that really gets your heart racing, make your way over to Gilligans.

Markham Park Mountain Bike Trails

For a $5 entry fee, you can access thirteen miles of trails while being nearby truly committed riders. Head over to the beginner trails to enjoy scenic wildlife scenes or challenge your skills on the twisting, advanced trails. There are even adaptive trails here, perfect for those who use hand-crank or recumbent mountain bikes.

Mountain Biking in Florida: One of the Best Ways to Explore the State’s Natural Beauty

You can find hundreds of miles of trails for mountain biking in Florida. Whether you’re on the coast or inland, north or south, an awesome trail or park is never too far away. Pack up your bike gear, some snacks, and your bug spray for a full day of adventure and flow in the beautiful Sunshine State.

Are you looking for more resources to help plan your perfect vacation? If so, be sure to check out the rest of our blog for all of the best must-see destinations!