Best Beginner Bikepacking Routes in the US: Start Your Adventure Here
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Your First Route Makes or Breaks the Experience
The perfect first bikepacking route doesn't exist—but plenty of great ones do. The key is matching route difficulty to your current skills while still providing genuine adventure.
Choosing your first bikepacking route involves a delicate balance. Too easy feels pointless. Too hard creates suffering that might end your bikepacking interest before it begins. The routes below hit the sweet spot—challenging enough to feel like real adventures, forgiving enough to build confidence.
For gear preparation before tackling any route, see our Complete Bikepacking Gear Guide and Beginner's Guide to Bikepacking.
What Makes a Route Beginner-Friendly?
Before diving into specific routes, understand what separates beginner-appropriate routes from those requiring more experience.
Distance and Terrain
Daily mileage under 40 miles allows time for breaks, camp setup, and unexpected delays. First-timers consistently underestimate how long loaded riding takes.
Mostly smooth surfaces—gravel roads, rail trails, or maintained dirt—reduce technical challenges while you learn to handle a loaded bike. Technical singletrack waits for later.
Moderate elevation gain keeps climbs manageable. Under 2,000 feet of climbing per day is reasonable for fit beginners; under 1,000 feet is comfortable.
Support Infrastructure
Bail-out options every 15-20 miles provide escape routes if weather, mechanicals, or fatigue strike. Feeling trapped amplifies problems.
Cell coverage for most of the route enables emergency calls and navigation assistance. Remote routes require more experience.
Water access without extensive carries simplifies logistics. Routes through towns or with reliable streams reduce the water management learning curve.
Camping Accessibility
Established campgrounds remove uncertainty about where to sleep. Wild camping skills develop over time.
Predictable camp locations let you plan daily mileage accurately. "Camp wherever darkness catches you" works better with experience.
For detailed trip planning guidance, see our First Bikepacking Trip Planning Guide.
Best Beginner Routes by Region
Pacific Northwest
San Juan Islands Loop — Washington
Distance: 65-80 miles (2-3 days) Terrain: Paved roads and gentle gravel Best Season: May through October
The San Juan Islands offer stunning Pacific Northwest scenery with minimal climbing. Ferry connections between islands create natural stage breaks, and established campgrounds provide reliable overnight options.
Why it works for beginners:
- Mostly flat terrain with occasional rolling hills
- Multiple campgrounds on each island
- Towns for resupply and bail-out options
- Stunning scenery maintains motivation
- Ferry schedules create natural daily endpoints
Route highlights:
- Lopez Island's pastoral roads and friendly communities
- Orcas Island's slightly hillier terrain for those wanting challenge
- San Juan Island's whale-watching opportunities
- Fresh seafood at route-side restaurants
Logistics: Start from Anacortes; ferry reservations recommended in summer. Each island has grocery stores and basic services.
Mountain West
Mickelson Trail — South Dakota
Distance: 109 miles point-to-point (3-4 days) Terrain: Crushed limestone rail trail Best Season: May through September
This converted railroad grade through the Black Hills offers perhaps the most beginner-friendly multi-day route in the country. The gentle grade (maximum 4%) and smooth surface let you focus on the bikepacking experience rather than technical challenges.
Why it works for beginners:
- Rail trail = gentle gradients throughout
- Surface suitable for any bike with 32mm+ tires
- Towns every 10-15 miles
- Established trailside campgrounds
- Self-contained route with clear endpoints
Route highlights:
- Four historic railroad tunnels
- Over 100 converted railroad bridges
- Views of Black Hills granite formations
- Wildlife including deer, turkey, and occasional bison
Logistics: Shuttle services available between Deadwood and Edgemont. Most riders go south (downhill on average). Trail passes required.
Maah Daah Hey Trail — North Dakota
Distance: 144 miles point-to-point (4-6 days) Terrain: Singletrack and doubletrack Best Season: May through October
The Maah Daah Hey traverses the otherworldly badlands of western North Dakota. While more challenging than rail trails, the well-marked singletrack and regular campgrounds make it achievable for fit beginners with some mountain biking experience.
Why it works for motivated beginners:
- CCC-built campgrounds with water every 20-30 miles
- Well-marked trail reduces navigation stress
- Relatively remote but with road crossings for bail-out
- Spectacular scenery unlike anywhere else
Route highlights:
- Painted canyon badlands formations
- Theodore Roosevelt National Park sections
- Wild horse herds
- Solitude—you might not see another person for hours
Logistics: Shuttle services available. Most riders go south to north. Summer can be hot; carry extra water.
Southwest
Arizona Trail 300 — Arizona
Distance: 300 miles (5-7 days for the bikeable sections) Terrain: Mix of singletrack, doubletrack, and roads Best Season: March through May, October through November
The full Arizona Trail spans 800 miles, but the bikeable "AZT 300" follows the best cycling sections through stunning desert landscapes. While long, the mild gradients and reliable water sources make it manageable for prepared beginners.
Why it works for beginners:
- Mostly rideable terrain (some hike-a-bike)
- Established resupply points in towns
- Well-documented water sources
- Excellent trail marking and GPS tracks available
- Mild weather in shoulder seasons
Route highlights:
- Sonoran Desert landscapes and saguaro cacti
- Oak Creek Canyon's red rocks
- Historic copper mining towns
- Incredible night skies
Logistics: Point-to-point requires shuttle planning. Towns along route provide resupply. Summer is dangerously hot—avoid June through September.
Midwest
KATY Trail — Missouri
Distance: 240 miles point-to-point (5-7 days) Terrain: Crushed limestone rail trail Best Season: April through October
The longest rail trail in the country follows the Missouri River through pastoral heartland landscapes. The flat, smooth surface and regular town stops make it ideal for beginners wanting a longer adventure.
Why it works for beginners:
- Dead flat—former railroad grade
- Towns every 10-20 miles
- Smooth surface suits any bike
- Camping, B&Bs, and hostels along route
- Well-maintained and clearly marked
Route highlights:
- Missouri River bluffs and bottomlands
- German heritage towns with local wineries
- Historic Lewis and Clark route
- Exceptional fall foliage
Logistics: Easy shuttles via Amtrak (bikes allowed). Most ride west to east with prevailing winds. State park camping plus commercial options.
Great Allegheny Passage + C&O Canal — Pennsylvania/Maryland/DC
Distance: 335 miles point-to-point (5-7 days) Terrain: Crushed limestone and packed dirt Best Season: April through November
This classic route connects Pittsburgh to Washington DC entirely on car-free trails. The combination of two trails creates perhaps the ultimate beginner bikepacking experience in the eastern US.
Why it works for beginners:
- Completely car-free
- Gentle grades (former railroad and canal towpath)
- Towns and services throughout
- Established camping every 15-25 miles
- Iconic endpoint in DC
Route highlights:
- Stunning Ohiopyle State Park
- Historic C&O Canal locks
- Small-town hospitality in trail communities
- Gradual transition from mountains to tidewater
Logistics: Amtrak connects both endpoints. Most ride east (net downhill). Book camping and B&Bs in advance during peak season.
Northeast
Empire State Trail — New York
Distance: 400+ miles (sections variable) Terrain: Mix of paved paths and canal towpaths Best Season: May through October
New York's new cross-state trail network offers multiple beginner-friendly sections. The Erie Canalway section provides classic rail-trail bikepacking; the Hudson Valley section adds scenic variety.
Why it works for beginners:
- Multiple starting points allow customized distances
- Well-marked state trail system
- Regular towns and services
- Flat canal sections with rolling valley options
- Strong cycling infrastructure support
Recommended beginner section: Albany to Buffalo along the Erie Canal (360 miles, 7-10 days)
Route highlights:
- Historic Erie Canal locks and towns
- Finger Lakes wine country
- Hudson Valley estates and views
- Varied small-town Americana
Logistics: Amtrak serves multiple trail towns. Mix camping with occasional lodging for comfort.
Planning Your First Route
Before You Commit
Research the route thoroughly. Read recent trip reports, not just official descriptions. Conditions change; recent information matters.
Check seasonal conditions. Many routes have optimal windows. Desert routes bake in summer; northern routes face mud in spring.
Verify water sources. Trip reports from your planned season tell you which sources flow reliably.
Plan bail-out options. Know where you could exit the route if needed and how you'd get home.
Gear Considerations by Route Type
Rail trails require minimal tires—32-40mm works fine on smooth surfaces. Any bike handles these routes.
Gravel and dirt roads benefit from 40-50mm tires for comfort and traction. Gravel bikes excel here.
Routes with singletrack demand 2.0"+ tires and ideally a mountain bike or gravel bike with wide clearance.
See our Best Bikepacking Bikes and How to Convert Any Bike guides for bike selection help.
Distance Estimation
For your first multi-day trip, use these conservative guidelines:
| Terrain | Beginner Daily Average |
|---|---|
| Paved rail trail | 40-50 miles |
| Smooth gravel | 35-45 miles |
| Rough gravel/doubletrack | 30-40 miles |
| Singletrack | 20-30 miles |
These assume moderate fitness and full daylight riding. Reduce further if your fitness is uncertain or you want more leisure time.
FAQ
Which route should I choose for my very first overnight?
Pick the closest option from this list that fits your bike and fitness. Proximity matters—you want to minimize logistics and maximize riding time. A nearby mediocre route beats a distant perfect one for your first trip.
Can I do these routes on a road bike?
Rail trails (KATY, GAP/C&O, Mickelson) work on road bikes with 28mm+ tires. Other routes require wider tires. A gravel bike handles everything listed.
What if I can't finish the whole route?
All routes listed have exit points. Plan potential shortcuts before departing. Cutting a trip short isn't failure—it's good judgment.
Should I go solo or with a group?
Either works. Solo builds self-reliance; groups provide safety and shared problem-solving. For first trips, a partner reduces uncertainty. See our guide on planning Your First Bikepacking Trip.
When should I book campsites?
Popular routes on weekends require advance booking (GAP/C&O, Mickelson). Weekday travel usually allows flexibility. Off-season trips rarely need reservations.
Start With What's Accessible
The perfect route doesn't exist in the abstract—it exists within range of your current home, bike, and experience. These routes all accommodate beginners, but your first trip should prioritize accessibility over perfection.
Pick a route. Set a date. Start planning. The experience you gain from one imperfect trip exceeds anything you'll learn from endless research.
For complete preparation, see our Bikepacking Packing List and Weekend Trip Essentials.
The trails are waiting.
