This article is brought to you by our friends at INNO Racks . It is easy to take your bike along as you explore multiple mountain biking destinations with the help of INNO’s rooftop bike carriers and racks for carrying your favorite outdoor gear, from bikes to skis to kayaks.
Sun Valley, Idaho might be best known for snow sports, but the region also boasts nearly 400 miles of single track for dirt-loving mountain bikers to explore. Best of all, these mountain biking trails are located conveniently near campgrounds in and around the Sawtooth Mountains.
5 Campgrounds for Mountain Bikers Near Sun Valley, Idaho
These Sun Valley campgrounds are near out-and-back trails or loops, so you won’t have to worry about dropping a car or needing an extra bicycle carrier to get your gear back to camp. Just load up and head out. The scenic trails and campgrounds near Sun Valley Idaho are waiting:
1. Easley Campground
The 20-mile Harriman Trail, a mixed-use trail open to bikes, ATVs, and hikers in the summer and cross-country skiers in the winter, passes right through Easley Campground. Keep in mind this trail does get a lot of traffic, mostly because it’s accommodating for mountain bikers of all skill levels. The scenery is another major draw. You can bike along the Big Wood River, peddle through aspen groves, and weave your way through lush mountain meadows strewn with wildflowers.
Several water features are also accessible close to Easley Campground. You can fish at nearby Easley Creek, or squeeze in a recovery soak after your trail ride at Easley Hot Springs. The campground also has an onsite swimming pool and hot tub.
2. Coyote Yurt
If you want to experience the backcountry of Idaho, then Sun Valley Trekking (SVT) expeditions are a great option. SVT offers guided tours, even some specifically geared towards mountain bikers. That means you can choose your own adventure, whether you want an introductory mountain biking lesson, a rigorous guided trek, or to host your own big group bike blowout.
Sun Valley Trekking has several yurts, including the Coyote Yurt. The yurt can be your basecamp, where you can stage your excursions and return to relax after your ride. Coyote Yurt is actually a compound with two seperate yurts that can sleep up to 19 visitors. For convenience, the yurt is fully stocked with a propane stove, sleeping pads, firewood, solar lanterns, and even a charging station for your devices.
3. Bonneville – Warm Springs
Located on the other side of the Sawtooth National Forest, Bonneville Campground is an ideal endpoint after biking the Warm Springs Trail. Warm Springs will take you through 15 miles of ponderosa pines along the Payette River, near the Ponderosa Pine Scenic Route. This trail is also called the Warm Springs Plunge, because riders encounter an initial drop before winding through scenic terrain. The trail isn’t too technical, making it ideal for a group of riders with various skill levels
The Dyrt Ranger Jill R. gave this area high praise, writing, “This site is worth the ride for the soak that it had to offer.” Once you’re rested up, don’t forget to check out the area’s fishing opportunities, or shake things up by taking a raft or kayak down the South Fork Payette River.
4. Hyndman Campground
Hyndman Campground offers easy access to the Hyndman Creek Trail. Along this trail you will ride along an old mining road and into a basin cut long ago by glaciers before moving between Duncan Ridge and Cobb Peak. Along with pristine views, you will encounter quartzite rock along areas of the trail, and wildflowers during the spring and early summer.
Hyndman Peak is the 9th highest in Idaho and one of the state’s 12ers, which should give you some perspective on the difficulty of this stretch of trail. The hard work is rewarded if you make it to the top. Just hop off of your bike at about 8,200 feet, then continue on foot to find a waterfall and incredible views of Wildhorse Canyon.
5. Apres Ride
Most of these trails are relatively close to town. After your mountain biking adventure, you can grab a well-deserved beer in Sun Valley at Sun Valley Brewing Company or in Ketchum at Warfield Distillery & Brewery.
You can win free gear from Inno Advanced Car Racks and 19 other outdoor brands by reviewing campgrounds on The Dyrt. Share past camping experiences, photos, and videos to earn points towards monthly prizes in The 2018 Great Camping Giveaway!
Related Campgrounds:
- Stanley Idaho Camping, Stanley, ID
- Stanley Idaho Campgrounds at Stanley Lake, ID