Quantcast

Good places to ride and camp in the West

Serial Midget

Al Bundy
Jun 25, 2002
13,053
1,896
Fort of Rio Grande
Hey monkies, I'm looking for suggestions on good places to trail ride and camp in 2017. So far I'm thinking Sedona in February, Bozeman in August, Moab in September and Fruita in October. I have a fondness for the Capital Forrest in Olympia Wa, so that may happen in June or July.

I like easy acess for tent camping with a car in close proximity to multi day ride options. Do not like humidity and prefer temperatures in 75 to 90 degree range.

What you got?
 

Adventurous

Starshine Bro
Mar 19, 2014
10,261
8,767
Crawlorado
The Crested Butte, CO area is, from what I hear, pretty killer. Haven't had the opportunity myself (pathetic I know) but I shall be remedying that next year.
 

Montana rider

Turbo Monkey
Mar 14, 2005
1,741
2,164
Based on your vacation "bragging" yesterday, I assume you're planning to take a few 4 day weekends in lieu of one master trip?

I need to pull out my old computer which has a master "wish" list of trails/locations in the western US I've been meaning to explore but off the top of my head in order of interest:

Kettle Crest (Eastern WA): epic high alpine rides so [summer]
Fernie Canada, 7 Summits and all that jazz ("closer" to you) [late-summer]
CDT from ID=>Butte or Helena [mid-summer], need to scout some more rides re: MT Monkeyfest 2017
Salmon ID/Lost Trails: high alpine [mid-summer]
Stanley ID: high alpine & hot springs galore [mid-summer]
Pocatello: longer season [early/late summer]

MT spots still on my to do list: Helena area, Missoula area, Whitefish area
Already mentioned: Driggs/Jackson

Depending on the timing/next summer's "workload" -- AND assuming you're down for company -- I could join you for most of them.

2017: THE YEAR OF THE GIGGLEPIG(s)
 
Last edited:

boostindoubles

Nacho Libre
Mar 16, 2004
7,839
6,145
Yakistan
I've taken a few camp/bike trips around the west. I used to just drive to Moab and spend my entire time riding the trails around there. Then I started taking days away from Moab and hitting the spots I was driving through. Now I like to keep moving for entire trips, hitting different trailheads everyday and often camping at those traileads.

In Utah => Vernal, St. George, SLC/park city, Moab.

In Colorado => Cortez, Durango, Buena Vista, Crested Butte, Fruita/GJ, Steamboat, etc... basically the whole state outside the front range.

Idaho => Boise, Sun Valley, Priest Lake

Priest Lake in extreme North Idaho should be on everyone's bucket list.
 

Serial Midget

Al Bundy
Jun 25, 2002
13,053
1,896
Fort of Rio Grande
Based on your vacation "bragging" yesterday, I assume you're planning to take a few 4 day weekends in lieu of one master trip?

I need to pull out my old computer which has a master "wish" list of trails/locations in the western US I've been meaning to explore but off the top of my head in order of interest:

Kettle Crest (Eastern WA): epic high alpine rides so [summer]
Fernie Canada, 7 Summits and all that jazz ("closer" to you) [late-summer]
CDT from ID=>Butte or Helena [mid-summer], need to scout some more rides re: MT Monkeyfest 2017
Salmon ID/Lost Trails: high alpine [mid-summer]
Stanley ID: high alpine & hot springs galore [mid-summer]
Pocatello: longer season [early/late summer]

MT spots still on my to do list: Helena area, Missoula area, Whitefish area
Already mentioned: Driggs/Jackson

Depending on the timing/next summer's "workload" -- AND assuming you're down for company -- I could join you for most of them.

2017: THE YEAR OF THE GIGGLEPIG(s)
Ha! My vacation penis is HUGE.

I was planning on 4 week long trips, numerous 4 day weekends and even more mid week days off for Montana, Idaho & Wyoming runs. Pocatello has been on my list for some time now, its a 6 hour drive.
 

rideit

Bob the Builder
Aug 24, 2004
23,067
11,303
In the cleavage of the Tetons
I will. What is a good month in your area? Tips on camp grounds with car access but not motor home or trailer acess would be appreciated. :)
Good riding starts (generally) beginning of July to get up at all high. Go to google earth and check out Horseshoe Canyon (Idaho) (next to a 17 mile trail network me and my homies have built over the years) . Also check out Teton Canyon, Mike Sell campground, Mosquito Creek (Jackson side) and Shadow Mountain. Those are good starting points.
Get on trail forks and look at the Grand Targhee trails, Teton Pass trails, and Snow King area trails. And then the really good stuff in the Big Holes aren't even on there, I don't think. I'll post more as I can. There is a decent thread over in the Idaho,Montana, Wyoming forum on empty beer. There is every kind of riding that you can think of for a high alpine environment here.
It's good.