Mountain Bike Tours

Mountain Biking in Big Bend

The Big Bend area contains plenty of challenging terrain for Mountain Bike enthusiasts. There are miles of trails and jeep roads to ride in the surrounding mountains and desert, ranging from easy to difficult, from a morning outing to a multi-day adventure excursion.

October through April is the recommended season for multi-day guided mountain bike tours. We have options for day rides most of the year. Plan your fall ride now!

From the dirt roads of Big Bend National Park to the singletrack of the Lajitas or the Contrabando Trail Systems, to some of the more remote corners of Big Bend Ranch State Park, Desert Sports can match a trip to your riding style and fitness level. All our Multi-Day guided trips include great food, informative and experienced guides, and unique itineraries which can be scheduled from October through the end of April with a minimum of four people. One-Day rides include excellent guide service and are available most of the year with a minimum of two people.

Can’t make the minimum number for booking a trip? Check the Scheduled Tour Postings or contact us with your dates and we will try and put you together with other folks to meet the minimum booking requirements.

All trips start with a rendezvous at Desert Sports unless otherwise noted or arranged. Itineraries are subject to change due to weather, road and trail conditions and campsite availability.

Various Big Bend LocationsOne-Day Rides

If you’re short on time, join one of our guided day-rides. We have various options based on your group’s ability and desires for the day. Challenge yourself or take a relaxing ride with one of our experienced, informative guides.

Big Bend Ranch State ParkFresno Canyon/Solitario/Sauceda, 4-Day

Ride your mountain bike to the heart of “The Middle of Nowhere” as we explore the many highlights on the eastern side of Big Bend Ranch State Park. We will complete the challenging, infamous IMBA EPIC Loop and go the extra miles to visit the geologic wonder of the Solitario, an ancient volcanic caldera. Four days of outstanding scenery and cycling adventures.

Day 1: Ride Contrabando East Trailhead to Pila Montoya (Fresno Canyon to Government Rd.), ± 23 miles.
Day 2: Ride Pila Montoya to Tres Papalotes via Solitario Inner Loop, ± 15 miles.
Day 3: Ride Tres Papalotes to Papalote Llano, ± 20 miles.
Day 4: Ride Papalote Llano to Contrabando East Trailhead (Madrid Rd. to Fresno Creek), ± 24 Miles.

Trip Length / DistanceRatingNo. People: Cost
4 days / 82 milesModerate +4 min/8 max: $1150 each

Big Bend Ranch State ParkFresno Canyon/Sauceda EPIC Loop, 2-Day

This route, designated an IMBA EPIC in 2010,  is one of our most challenging Mountain Bike tours. This ride starts off on the Contrabando Trail System and out past the Whitroy/Buena Suerte mine ruins. Dropping into the Fresno Canyon, we’ll skirt the edge of the famous flatirons of the Solitario caldera and up past La Posta Mountain on our way to our evening’s destination near Sauceda. Day two begins with the climb up Madrid Hill toward Chorro Vista and then drops us down past the Madrid House and back into Fresno Creek.

Day 1: Ride Contrabando East Trailhead to Sauceda area (Fresno Canyon), ± 30 miles.
Day 2: Ride Sauceda to Contrabando East Trailhead (Madrid Road), ± 28 miles.

Trip Length / DistanceRatingNo. People: Cost
2-days / 55+ milesAdvanced4 min/8 max: $600 each