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Home/Northshore/Mountain Bike Trails to the Max
mountain bike jumps hill on bike trail in Bogue Chitto State Park Louisiana

Mountain Bike Trails to the Max

A mountain bike trail where you least expect it – in the gentle hills of southern Louisiana. Off-road bicycling enthusiasts have spent the last few years helping to design and build several trails that go from beginner to extreme in Bogue Chitto State Park.

mountain biker flies over dirt hill on trail in Louisiana's Bogue Chitto State Park
Getting some air! A biker flies over a curve on the trail.

It’s been a perfect match. A group of off-road bicyclers teamed up with Bogue Chitto State Park in Franklinton, Louisiana to create a system of mountain bike trails that will get your heart pumping. “It’s quite hilly for South Louisiana,” explains park manager Tony Frickey. And with an elevation change of about 200 feet, Frickey says, “we were able to use some of these rises and falls in the bike trail system.”

hills along a mountain  bike trail in Bogue Chitto State Park Louisiana
Trail effects designed for the experienced mountain biker

mountain bike trails for all skill levels

The state park now features 12 miles of mountain bike trails. And they are designed for all skill levels. Members of the Northshore Off-Road Bicycling Association (NORBA) and other volunteers provided thousands of hours of labor. In addition, they secured grants and payed contractors to do the heavy construction work. “I always joke this trail system is for somebody that’s 2 years old, all the way up to 80 years old,” says NORBA’s Toby Cortez. “So it’s actually for the experts, the black diamond riders, and it’s for the beginners.”

Video takes you on a thrilling ride on the mountain bike trails

massive drops on the mountain bike trails

If you watched the video, you saw a few hair-raising jumps and drops. These are for skilled riders only on the park’s black diamond trail. “It looks like you’re going off of a diving board,” explains Cortez. He adds, “You are actually going over bikers going through the trail”. And to get that experience, you can work out in a progressive jump park. Side-by-side trails feature jump effects that go from beginner to intermediate and advanced.

bicycler flies above several jump features on trails in Bogue Chitto State Park Louisiana
Test your riding skills on multiple big jumps

bogue chitto a destination for outdoor adventure

With the opening of the new mountain bike trails in April, 2021, Bogue Chitto State Park is packed with outdoor activities. The Bogue Chitto River has long been a destination for tubing and paddling. And hikers can spend a couple of hours on the Gorge Run Trail. The trail loops from the park’s higher elevations down to the river and back. A boardwalk takes you down a series of wooden steps to the bottom of the gorge known as Fricke’s Cave where the nature trail continues for another two-thirds of a mile. The state park also has horeseback riding and rentals, disc golf, picnic areas, camping and cabins. The bike trails and other day-use activities are available for a $3 entrance fee.

bogue chitto’s mountain bike trails on tv

Watch this TV Feature on Bogue Chitto’s mountain bike trails

Getting to bogue chitto state park

17049 State Park Blvd, Franklinton, LA 70438

More Louisiana Outdoor Activities

Mountain biker crosses wooden bridge biking the beast trail at St. Francisville Louisiana

Biking the Beast

    gravel hiking trail along creek surrounded by autumn color trees backlit by afternoon sun hike Bogue Chitto State Park Louisiana

    Hiking the Gorge

      horses in corral for trail ride in Bogue Chitto State Park Louisiana

      Trail Ride

        Written by:
        Dave McNamara
        Published on:
        December 24, 2021
        Thoughts:
        5 Comments

        Categories: Featured, Northshore

        Reader Interactions

        Comments

        1. Pamela

          April 6, 2021 at 9:58 pm

          We can’t wait to visit! Horses!!!! OMG! 😍

          Reply
        2. Richard

          April 10, 2021 at 10:05 pm

          Can you ride your E-MOUNTAINBIKE ?

          Reply
          • Dave McNamara

            April 11, 2021 at 9:09 pm

            Yes, E-mountain Bike are allowed on the bike trails

            Reply
        3. Mcelhen Yasa

          May 3, 2021 at 1:46 am

          Useful information! Thanks for your post.

          Reply
        4. Jose Hernandez

          May 11, 2021 at 11:40 am

          Yes! My kids and I just went there Mother’s Day weekend. I’m 43 and kids range from 6-13 years old. We rode all the trails. Cortez Coaster and Mega Zeph were so fun! All but the 6 year old rode the Mega Zeph. The park is so clean and beautiful.

          Reply

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