Brown County Mountain Biking
The Midwest’s ultimate mountain biking destination

Calling all mountain bikers!

Ready to test your skills? With miles and miles of world-class trails, spectacular scenery, and rugged terrain, Brown County is a mountain biker’s dream.

For some, it’s the variety of trails. Flow. Jump. Sustained climbs. Technical. Brown County has them all! There is a trail for every skill level, whether you’re a beginner, an expert, or somewhere in between. (Check out real-time trail conditions on Flowfeed and know before you go!)

For others, Brown County is the perfect place to get away without going too far. You don’t have to travel hundreds of miles to find award-winning trails that are fast, fun, and challenging—they’re right here in the Midwest!

Riders also love all the amenities readily available in this tried-and-true mountain biking community, from bike shops and bike-friendly restaurants to places to stay specifically designed for mountain bikers.

So, grab your bike and hit the trails in Brown County! Mountain biking here will make your heart pump, your legs burn, and your spirit soar!

Paradise on two wheels

What makes mountain biking in Brown County special?

No wonder Brown County is the ultimate mountain biking destination!

 

Internationally known, nationally respected

Mountain biking in Brown County used to be one of the best kept secrets in the U.S. But not anymore!

We’re proud of the numerous awards and accolades we’ve received for being one of the Midwest’s premier mountain biking destinations.

IMBA Bronze-Level Ride Center™

Brown County State Park is renowned for its IMBA Bronze-Level Ride Center™ designation, a prestigious honor awarded by the International Mountain Bicycling Association to only a few destinations nationwide.

About the IMBA’s Ride Center™ designation:

  • The gold standard for mountain biking destinations
  • Given to world-class locations that deliver it all: epic variety, unmatched quality, and progression that keeps every rider stoked, whether you’re an advanced shredder chasing flow, a family looking for a weekend getaway, or a first-timer discovering the joy of trails
  • Highlights excellence with a dynamic badge system across four trail types:
    • Front Country: Trails close to the community that are ideal for an arrival-day lap, a family excursion, or a group ride
    • Backcountry: Trails farther from civilization that create an all-day adventure and immersion into that destination’s landscape
    • Gravity: Trails built with descending as the focus, with various methods of uplift possible to foster repeated runs
    • Bike Park: A contained, skills-based amenity that shines as a second-outing-of-the-day option or a place for youngsters to let off steam and build their abilities
  • IMBA Ride Centers have 60+ miles of high-quality trails and at least three badges

IMBA Trail Town

Nashville, Indiana, has been named an official IMBA Trail Town as of April 2026, a national designation recognizing communities that value trails and the people who ride them. It is the first community in Indiana to receive this designation (alongside Versailles).

 

IMBA Trail Towns demonstrate:

  • Strong and accessible trail infrastructure—approximately 25 miles of trails (or more) with a variety of riding styles
  • A commitment to long-term trail funding
  • An active local trail organization to lead local partnerships
  • A sustainable trail stewardship plan (e.g., hosting regular trail maintenance days)
  • A culture of community engagement

Other Awards and Accolades

  • Bicycling.com
    • The Top 6 Secret Mountain Bike Destinations in the U.S.
  • Singletracks.com
    • 10 of the Best Mountain Bike Descents in the Midwestern USA
    • 11 Off-Grid Races You Need to Ride – Gravel Grovel
    • Top 10 Best Mountain Bike Destinations East of the Rockies
    • Most Popular Mountain Bike Trails in the U.S. and Canada
    • Unofficial Mountain Bike Capitals State-by-State
    • The 10 Best U.S. Destinations for a Weekend Mountain Bike Getaway
    • Top 5 Destinations for Mountain Biking in the Midwest
  • Paste Magazine
    • Midwest’s Best Mountain Bike Destinations
  • Bike Magazine
    • Top 33 Best Rides in America
  • International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA)

Featured Blogs

Exotic Indiana: Mountain Biking Guest Blog

Exotic Indiana: Mountain Biking Guest Blog

We love it when people visit Brown County and enjoy it so much they decide to write about it! Check out this guest blog post on Brown County mountain biking from author & adventure traveler, Laura Holmes.     Guest blog post & photography by Laura Holmes, July...

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Geared up to welcome riders

Mountain bikers don’t just love our top-tier trails. They also love our top-notch amenities!

Looking for bike rentals, repairs, gear, or guided rides? Stop by one of the two bike shops in town: Brown County Bikes and Q’s Bikes.

Ready to refuel post-ride? Listen to live music as you enjoy pizza, burgers, beer, and bourbon at one of our bike-friendly downtown restaurants.

Need a place to stay for the night, so you can ride again tomorrow? (Staying all weekend is a must with so many mountain biking trails to conquer!)

And be sure to stop by the Visitors Center, so you can pick up our FREE Getaway Guide, and our team can share our favorite tips and recommendations while you are here!

Mountain Biking Guide

Singletrack minds are always welcome in Brown County!

Simply fill out the form below to download your FREE Mountain Biking Guide and discover why Brown County is the perfect hub for your next mountain biking adventure!

You’ll also be the first to know when we have MTB news to share, including new resources (like our new MTB guide in the works) as well as events, trails, infrastructure, parks, and features.

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Mountain Biking Guide - Brown County Indiana

FAQs

What kind of mountain biking trails does Brown County offer?

So many! We have more than 50 unique mountain biking trails spanning 79 miles, including flow, jump, sustained climbs, and technical trails. There is a world-class mountain biking trail for every age and skill level—beginner, intermediate, advanced, and expert. Mountain bikers love the variety of trails we offer, and new mountain biking trails are being added all the time.

What International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA) honors has Brown County received?

Brown County State Park received the IMBA Bronze-Level Ride Center™ designation—the gold standard for mountain biking destinations with epic variety, unmatched quality, and progression that keeps every rider stoked, including 60+ miles of high-quality trails.

In addition, Nashville, Indiana, was named an official IMBA Trail Town, a national designation recognizing communities that demonstrate strong and accessible trail infrastructure (25+ miles of trails with a variety of riding styles), a commitment to long-term trail funding, an active local trail organization to lead local partnerships, a sustainable trail stewardship plan (e.g., hosting regular trail maintenance days), and a culture of community engagement.

Is the Brown County Pump Track free?

Yes, the Brown County Pump Track at Deer Run Park is FREE! It is designed for riders of all ages and skill levels. Our paved concrete pump track features smooth beginner-friendly rollers, banked turns, advanced jump lines, and a flyover bridge that offer a fun, accessible way to build bike-handling skills—no pedaling required. Located near the park’s community garden and skate park, the pump track is open daily from early morning to evening and encourages year-round cycling fun for both locals and visitors. Events like skills clinics and community ride sessions also help make the pump track a vibrant hub for the regional biking community.

What can I do after mountain biking in Brown County?

Stop by a bike shop. Refuel at one of our restaurants. Tour a distillery. Listen to live music. Browse our shops and art galleries. Grab ice cream, fudge, or old-fashioned candy. Stay in a cabin for the night. Plus, we have events all throughout the week in Brown County—see what’s happening this week or check our full Event Calendar for the complete list of events and festivals. The possibilities for post-ride fun are endless!

Banner Photo ©Zach Dobson Photography

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