Hundreds of miles of great mountain biking trails can be found around Butte with summer and fall being ideal times to ride! Diverse terrain and scenery makes these trails perfect for all mountain bikers. 

Hundreds of miles of spectacular and uncrowded trails are minutes from Butte! The nationally recognized Continental Divide National Scenic Trail (CDNST) surrounding Butte is accessible from multiple trailheads. Thompson Park, just 9 miles south of Butte, offers 25 miles of non-motorized trails, including the Milwaukee Road that connects to the CDNST. Travel west and explore the Anaconda-Pintler Wilderness, providing primitive and unforgettable biking opportunities. The Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest and the Bureau of Land Management offer over 400 miles of trails 30 minutes from Butte to the east at the Whitetail-Pipestone area and Fleecer Mountain.

Single Tracks Magazine named Butte as the number 2 of the “10 Best US Mountain Bike Towns with the Lowest Cost of Living”, March 2018.

Trail maps are available at the Butte Visitor Information Center, U.S. Bureau of Land Management, or U.S. Forest Service.

Map of Biking Locations

Click a marker for more information on recreation areas.

Tread Lightly Principles

The Tread Lightly principles were developed to help educate and guide recreationists in sustainable minimum impact practices that mitigate or avoid recreation-related impacts. Each Principle covers a specific topic and provides detailed information for minimizing impacts. Visit the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics for more information on responsible recreating.

1. Travel And Recreate With Minimum Impact

  • Travel on designated routes or areas only.
  • Travel only in areas that are open to your type of recreation.
  • Motorized and mechanized vehicles are not allowed in designated Wilderness areas. This includes ATVs, OHMs, 4WDs, Mountain Bikes, Snowmobiles, and PWCs.
  • Don't create new routes, expand existing trails, or cut switchbacks.
  • Avoid sensitive habitats like wetlands, meadows, shorelines and tundra. These areas are easily damaged affecting wildlife, water quality, and aesthetics.
  • Cross streams at designated fords, crossing slowly at a 90-degree angle to minimize damage.
  • Go through or over obstacles such as mud, rocks, or trees. Riding around widens the trail and causes more damage.
  • Avoid muddy trails. Ride during drier times. Ease up on the gas to avoid wheel spin in soft ground.

2. Respect The Environment And The Rights Of Others

  • Respect and be considerate of other users so that all may enjoy a quality outdoor experience.
  • When driving, yield to horses, hikers, and bikers. If using watercraft, be cautious around canoes, kayaks, and other boats.
  • Respect wildlife. Be sensitive to their life-sustaining needs by keeping your distance.
  • Comply with signage.
  • Leave gates as you find them and always obtain permission to cross private land.

3. Educate Yourself, Plan And Prepare Before You Go

  • Know local laws and regulations.
  • Know which areas and routes are open to your type of recreation.
  • Make your trip safe. Have the right information, maps, and equipment and know how to use them.
  • If traveling by vehicle, make sure the vehicle is properly maintained and compatible with road or trail conditions.

4. Allow for Future Use of the Outdoors, Leave It Better Than You Found It

  • Take out what you bring in.
  • Properly dispose of waste.
  • Leave what you find.
  • Minimize use of fire.
  • Avoid the spread of invasive species. Clean your gear and vehicle after every trip.
  • Restore degraded areas. Volunteer your time and help local land managers.

5. Discover The Rewards Of Responsible Recreation

  • Do all you can to preserve the beauty and inspiring attributes of our lands and waters for yourself and future generations.
  • Outdoor recreation provides the opportunity to get away from the hustle of everyday life and builds family traditions.
  • Respect the environment and other recreationists. By using common sense and common courtesy, what is available today will be here to enjoy tomorrow.