Snowshoe Mountain Bike Park

About

Snowshoe Mountain Bike Park sits high in the Allegheny Mountains of Pocahontas County, West Virginia, offering one of the largest and most respected mountain biking destinations in the eastern United States. With 257 acres of terrain, 1,500 vertical feet of descents, and 60 trails, it's a place where riders of all skill levels can find their groove.

The park is the centerpiece of the Snowshoe Highlands Ride Center, which connects to over 375 miles of bikable trails winding through the surrounding mountains. Whether you're a seasoned downhill rider or picking up the sport for the first time, the variety here is impressive. Trails range from flowy beginner routes to technical expert lines that host major competitions like the WV Enduro Series and Downhill Southeast.

You don't need to bring your own gear. Snowshoe Mountain Resort offers bike and equipment rentals along with professional lessons, so newcomers can get started with confidence. Trail mapping is available through a partnership with the West Virginia University Extension Service, making it easy to plan your rides in advance.

Beyond biking, the resort village at the summit provides lodging, dining, and shops, all at an elevation of nearly 4,848 feet. The air is clean, the night skies are remarkably dark, and the mountain vistas stretch for miles in every direction. It's a genuine escape from the urban corridor, yet it's within a few hours' drive of Washington DC, Pittsburgh, Baltimore, and Richmond.

Snowshoe has also become home to adaptive sports efforts, with the Challenged Athletes of West Virginia based at the resort. This growing commitment to inclusion means the mountain is working to welcome visitors of all abilities, not just during ski season but year-round.

Accessibility

Snowshoe Mountain has taken steps toward accessibility, though visitors with mobility needs should plan ahead and contact the resort directly for current conditions. The Challenged Athletes of West Virginia, an adaptive sports organization, is based at Snowshoe and works to expand recreational access at the resort. Their presence signals an active commitment to serving visitors with disabilities.

Notably, individual staff members have driven accessibility improvements on the ground. Before a visit from the Paralyzed Veterans of America, a resort employee independently arranged for ramps and resurfaced pathways at the clay pigeon shooting area, making it wheelchair accessible. These grassroots efforts reflect a culture of inclusion, even where formal infrastructure may still be developing.

The resort village at the mountaintop includes lodging, restaurants, and shops. Some village areas feature paved walkways, but the mountain terrain can present challenges for wheelchair users or those with limited mobility. Trail surfaces vary widely, from groomed paths to rugged singletrack, so not all biking trails will be suitable for adaptive equipment without advance coordination.

For the most accurate and up-to-date information on accessible lodging, adaptive bike rentals, trail conditions for mobility devices, accessible restrooms, and parking accommodations, contact Snowshoe Mountain Resort directly. They can help coordinate with the Challenged Athletes of West Virginia for adaptive sports programming and equipment needs.

More accessible places in West Virginia

• Snowshoe Mountain (Snowshoe)
• Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park (Harpers Ferry)
• Gauley River National Recreation Area (Summersville)
• New River Gorge National Park and Preserve (Glen Jean)
• West Virginia State Museum (Charleston)
• Clay Center for the Arts & Sciences (Charleston)