Alabama's Mountain Biking Trails: Hidden Gems That Rival the Nation's Best
From purpose-built jump parks to ridge-line singletrack, Alabama’s MTB trails deliver serious riding without the crowds—these are the ones to know.
I ride Oak Mountain all the time, but only recently started to realize how much Alabama really has going on. Between the newer trails, the downhill park in Birmingham, and underrated spots like Auburn, it’s legit.
After a week in Bentonville, I expected to come back and miss it. I didn’t. The riding here holds its own—fast, technical, and fun without the crowds. Alabama’s mountain biking scene is growing, and honestly, now’s the time to ride it. I’m mostly alone on the trails at Oak Mountain. That wasn’t the case in Bentonville—or most other well-known spots.
Mountain Biking Oak Mountain State Park – Birmingham’s Top Trail System
Oak Mountain is about two miles from my mom’s house—basically in her backyard. Her mailing address is Birmingham, which tells you how close this park is to the city. I ride here almost daily when I’m visiting, and even after all the laps I’ve put in, it still delivers.
It’s the largest state park in Alabama, and the trail system has a little of everything: long climbs, techy descents, fast singletrack, and now, purpose-built downhill runs and jump lines. It’s the kind of place that rides well no matter your mood or skill level—and somehow still flies under the radar.
Best Mountain Biking Trails at Oak Mountain
These are the ones I keep coming back to:
Johnson’s Mountain – a great mix of climbing, speed, and rhythm
Watch my ride: Johnson’s Mountain – A Climb Worth the Ride! 🔥Centipede – fast and flowy with tight corners and good line choices.
Watch my ride: Centipede Trail – Flow and Fun at Oak MountainBlood Rock – short, rocky, and always a bit slick; a local rite of passage
Watch my ride: Why This Quarry Ridge Trail Section Lives Up to Its Name.Room Service – smooth, fun, and perfect for stacking miles
Watch my ride: Alabama’s Smooth and Rocky Ride.
I’ve filmed more trails—check out my Mountain Biking playlist for more from Oak Mountain.
New Downhill Trails at Oak Mountain
Trail sign marking the entrance to Rodeo Clown, one of the new downhill-only trails at Oak Mountain State Park.
The top of the mountain has a whole new zone of downhill-style trails, built specifically for speed, features, and sessionability. These were designed and constructed by Barry Smith Trail Design, a respected trail builder based in the Southeast, known for gravity-style lines with natural rock integration.
The terrain at the top is steep, with tight switchbacks and chunky rock features that keep you alert from the start. As you descend, the trails start to smooth out—opening into fast, flowy sections with better sightlines and good speed. It’s a mix that rewards both control and momentum.
Here’s what’s up there:
Dropping into Fish Whistle at Oak Mountain—expect rocks, tight corners, and a fast, punchy descent from the start.
Rodeo Clown (~1 mile, one-way downhill)
Tech-heavy and raw. Starts with a boulder roll-in into a tight switchback, then stays rocky and off-camber through the upper section. Toward the bottom, it opens up with more speed and line choices.Fish Whistle (~1 mile, one-way downhill)
More playful than Rodeo, but still has its challenges. It starts with some steeper rock work and transitions into flowier sections with medium-sized tabletops, smoother berms, and good rhythm.Belcher Byway (~1.6 miles, two-way trail)
The least aggressive of the three, Belcher is rideable in either direction and connects easily to other top-mountain lines. Still has its moments, but it’s a good way to recover or build into the steeper stuff.
Oak Mountain’s Black Jump Lines: Lightning, Thunder & Tails
There’s also a cluster of black-rated jump trails—Lightning, Thunder, and Tails—for riders looking to progress or just catch air. No lift access here, but these ride like mini bike park lines. Short, steep, and feature-packed. I’ve ridden all three and they’re well built with clean takeoffs and rollable landings if you’re not sending it full throttle.
Why Oak Mountain Is
My Favorite Place to Ride
I keep coming back because I love riding here—for all it offers. The mix of terrain, the climbs, the tech, the rock—Oak Mountain has all the stuff I actually enjoy riding. And being based in flat northern Illinois, the elevation is a bonus. It’s not about checking boxes. I just have fun here.
Even with all the new trail work, it’s still quiet out here. I’ve had full rides without seeing anyone. That’s rare. You don’t get that kind of space in places like Bentonville.
Want to Ride Oak Mountain?
Get the full trail map and local updates before you go:
📍 Trail Info + Map on BUMP.org – includes Trailforks
integration, trail updates, events, and how to support local trail building
Mountain Biking at RideBHM – Birmingham’s Downhill Bike Park
RideBHM is a different setup from Oak Mountain. It’s Alabama’s first downhill-style bike park, built around a central climb trail with multiple hubs that drop into short, fast descents. It’s smaller and more session-focused—great if you want to work on skills, hit features, or just squeeze in a solid ride.
I finally got a chance to check it out, and it’s fun. Some trails are smooth and flowy, others have wooden drops, rock sections, and some legit jumps. I’m still figuring out my favorite lines, but the layout makes it easy to try everything.
RideBHM Trail Difficulty: Green to Pro Lines
The park has a solid range of trails for different levels:
Green (Beginner): 5 trails
Blue (Intermediate): 5 trails
Black Diamond (Advanced): 4 trails
Double Black Diamond (Expert): 4 trails
Pro Line: 1 trail
Whether you’re just starting out or chasing air, there’s something here for you.
RideBHM Features: What to Expect on Trail
Each trail is short and built for progression. Features vary by trail, but here’s what you’ll find:
Tabletops and doubles – rollable or jumpable depending on your speed
Wooden drops and ramps – mostly on black lines, often with ride-arounds
Berms – fast, grippy, and built for flow
Rock features – natural slabs, roll-downs, and tight corners
Gaps and hips – on more advanced lines, including the pro line
Optional lines – a good way to push your riding without getting overwhelmed
RideBHM Access, Passes, and Rentals
RideBHM is on private land, so you’ll need a day pass or membership to ride. You can buy it online, and there’s a waiver to sign before hitting the trails. They also rent bikes, run skills clinics, and host regular dig days.
If you're traveling through, they allow overnight car camping and Sprinter vans in the parking lot for a small fee. It’s an easy way to stay close to the trails without needing a full campground.
Mountain Biking Chewacla State Park – Creative Trails in Auburn, AL
Chewacla might not be huge, but it packs in more than you'd expect. Tucked into Auburn, this state park has become a local favorite for sessioning fun, well-built features, and short, skill-focused loops. It’s one of those places that proves size doesn’t matter—if the trail design is smart.
The trails here are built and maintained by CAMP (Central Alabama Mountain Pedalers), with some of the bigger features shaped by the pros at Dirt Sculpt. Together, they’ve created a system that rides way better than most would expect from a small state park. Whether you're working on jump progression or just looking for a fast lap, it’s worth a stop.
Top Mountain Biking Trails at Chewacla State Park
Here’s what to ride when you want something with character—not just mileage:
The Great Wall of Chewacla – the signature line, built by Dirt Sculpt. Includes a wood wall ride, berms, rock drops, and a fast, creative layout that’s fun to loop.
For Pete’s Sake – smooth, flowy, and loaded with small tabletops and berms. Great for warming up or working on cornering speed.
Tiger Woods – tighter, more old-school singletrack with roots, elevation changes, and tight corners. Good if you want a tech break from the flow trails.
Rock Bottom – a short trail with chunky natural rock features and a bit more punch than you'd expect. Worth a few repeats.
Why Mountain Bikers Should Ride Chewacla State Park
I hadn’t really thought of Auburn, Alabama, as a mountain biking destination—until my brother, who went to school there, told me about the trails. He said, “If you like the wooden features in Bentonville, you’ll probably like Chewacla.” That got my attention.
I haven’t ridden it yet, but based on what I’ve seen and what he described, it looks like the kind of place I’d have fun riding. The lines are tight, the features are smart, and it’s all packed into a park that’s easy to lap without wasting time. It’s definitely on my list.
Plan Your Chewacla State Park Mountain Biking Trip
🛠 Trail updates + local support via CAMP – trail work, events, and community info
Pro Tip: Download
Trailforks Before You Ride
I can’t count how many times someone’s stopped mid-ride to ask where a trail is—and I just pull out my phone and load up Trailforks. If you’re riding Alabama (or anywhere new), this app is essential.
Other Great Trails Around Birmingham
This blog focuses on some of Alabama’s most fun and progressive places to ride, but there are a few more trail systems worth checking out—especially if you’re looking to explore beyond the main hubs:
Tannehill Ironworks Historical State Park (McCalla) – A growing trail system maintained by BUMP. The mix of terrain and historic setting makes it a unique ride, and it’s also becoming a major hub for adaptive mountain biking. Learn more about these trails.
Coldwater Mountain (Anniston) – One of the most established and diverse mountain biking systems in the state. Big climbs, long descents, flow trails, and a true backcountry feel. If you’re after a bigger ride day, this is the spot.
These may not have the jump lines of RideBHM or the variety of Oak Mountain, but they offer legit riding—and are worth adding to your Alabama bike trip.
Final Thoughts: Why Alabama’s Worth Riding
Alabama’s not always on the radar when it comes to mountain biking—but it should be. Between the downhill lines at RideBHM, the massive variety at Oak Mountain, and the creative builds at Chewacla, there’s a lot here that holds up against more hyped riding destinations.
The scene is growing, the trails are getting better, and the crowds are still minimal. If you like sessioning jumps, riding rock, or just exploring new places that ride well—get here before everyone else figures it out.
More from My MTB Setup
I’ve pulled together the gear I use—bike, GoPro setup, and trail essentials.
You can also watch more of my trail footage, ride breakdowns, and gear reviews on my YouTube channel @overlandgirl.