Off-Road Kid Rides

When your kid is ready to graduate from beginner status and take to the hills, try one of these (relatively) easy trails:

Bozeman Creek / Sourdough Canyon—mileage varies
This local favorite (you’ll see ten people you know, and their dogs) is an easy introduction to mountain biking. The closed-to-motor-vehicles Forest Service road follows Bozeman Creek up the canyon. Mystic Lake is about ten miles (one way) and the bridge is about five miles, but you can turn around before anyone gets too tired.

Moser Creek, Hyalite Canyon—4.1-mile loop
This is one of the easier trails—actually a dirt road—in the Hyalite drainage. The “trailhead” is just before Langohr Campground; ride up the road about half a mile and veer right at the fork. After 2.2 miles, you’ll reach the top of the climb and a junction. Go straight and take a right just .2 miles later. When you come to a gate at 3.7 miles, point your wheels downhill to Hyalite Canyon Road.

Lone Star Geyser, Yellowstone National Park—5 miles roundtrip
Located 3.5 miles southeast of the Old Faithful area, this mostly level trail follows an old service road along the Firehole River through unburned forests of lodgepole pine. The final 100 yards to the geyser is on foot. Lone Star Geyser erupts about every three hours, but it’s worth the ride even if you miss it.