Mountain Biking

Currently, there is growing recreational pressures on Forest Park to accommodate increasing demand for off-road cycling in general and single track in particular. At the same time, limited resources exist to manage the conflicts between users and address the myriad pressures on Forest Park's unique natural resources. In addition, the majority of trails in Forest Park are built and managed for hiking and other non-bike activities such as viewing wildlife. Only as the interest in and activity around mountain biking increased in the last decade, have there been innovations and trail building adaptations to provide an ecologically-supportable experience.

The City's Forest Park Management Plan, adopted in 1995, outlines a number of approved future trail projects. However, at the time of its adoption, the Management Plan did not fully consider the growth of off-road cycling and the potential for user conflicts and environmental impacts - all of which are now becoming evident as off-road cyclists seek more access to the Park.

The Conservancy believes that recreational use of the park is best serviced by careful planning that utilizes the best available information, while upholding the overarching stewardship of the irreplaceable resource that is Forest Park. Developing a sustainable approach to accommodating off-raod cycling will integrate and emphasize education, habitat restoration, and trail maintenance while being sensitive to Forest Park's unique natural resources and other existing recreational activities.

To learn about the 28 miles of trail that are available for mountain biking in Forest Park, click here….

The following Forest Park trails and firelanes are open to bicyclists: Leif Erikson Road, Saltzman Road, Springville Road, BPA Road, Newton Street, and Firelanes 1,3,5,10,12, 15 & Holman Lane (uphill only). All other trails and roads in Forest Park are closed to bicycles. Thanks for respecting these trails and the pedestrians that use them.

Download a map of mountain biking trails in Forest Park.