Why does May score lower?

Wet season. Most networks have explicit mud-closure rules; ride them and you'll be banned.

Tubeless absolutely necessary?

Yes for Rothrock. The rock will pinch-flat any tube within 5 miles.

Bears in central PA, especially fall acorn season. Make noise.

Best Mountain Bike Trails in Pennsylvania

Rothrock, Allegrippis, Wissahickon, Raystown. Our team's picks for one of the most underrated MTB states in the country.

Pennsylvania is the rocky, rooty, technical state that makes you a better rider whether you wanted to or not. Owen calls Rothrock State Forest "Pisgah's smarter cousin" — same rock, more sustained, fewer tourists. The Allegrippis Trails at Raystown Lake are 36 miles of purpose-built flow that ride like Bentonville, except in the middle of nowhere.

Wissahickon (Philly) and Frick Park (Pittsburgh) are real urban networks — you can ride 20 miles of singletrack without leaving the city. Season runs March through November; mud closures kill May reliably.

By region

Rothrock State Forest (State College)

Tussey Mountain ridge rides. Tech, tech, more tech. The IMBA Epic.

Allegrippis (Raystown Lake)

Purpose-built flow, 36 miles, IMBA Gold. Most accessible big network in PA.

Philly (Wissahickon + Frick)

Urban gold. Wissahickon is 20+ miles inside the city. Year-round if it's not muddy.

Jim Thorpe + Pocono

D&L Trail rail-trail + nearby singletrack. Train-shuttle gravel possibilities.

When to go

jan

feb

mar

apr

may

jun

jul

aug

sep

oct

nov

dec

best good ok poor

Common questions

Why does May score lower?: Wet season. Most networks have explicit mud-closure rules; ride them and you'll be banned.
Tubeless absolutely necessary?: Yes for Rothrock. The rock will pinch-flat any tube within 5 miles.
Wildlife?: Bears in central PA, especially fall acorn season. Make noise.