Best Dirt Bike Trails in Austin, Texas

There are many dirt bike trails in Austin, Texas. In this post, we will list the best trail riding locations for dirt bike riders who love to go out and explore new riding locations in the Austin area.

Different riding locations usually come with a unique kind of single track and different terrain styles that will help you with training and getting better at dirt bike riding. But first and foremost, the diversity of the riding locations makes riding dirt bikes interesting.

These dirt bike trails also offer great views and scenery and other activities so the entire family will stay entertained and not just the dirt bike riders.

Some of the best dirt bike trails are within a one-hour drive from downtown Austin, Texas. These are the top 3 dirt bike trails in Austin:

  1. CTOR aka Central Texas Off Road
  2. Emma Long Metropolitan Park aka City Park
  3. Hidden Falls Adventure Park

Let’s dive right into it and take a look at the top 3 dirt bike trails near Austin, Texas.

1. Best Dirt Bike Trails in Austin: CTOR aka Central Texas Off Road

A dirt rider sitting on a dirt bike on the best dirt bike trails in Austin Texas at CTOR
CTOR is the winner of our top 3 list for the best dirt bike trails in Austin, Texas.

CTOR or Central TX Off Road is a great place for dirt bike riding and the winner in our list for the best dirt bike trails in Austin, Texas.

It has rightfully earned its place at the top of our list simply by being the best at most categories, except for accessibility.

This members-only ranch offers anything you can wish for and then some. It has miles and miles of great single tracks from the beginner level to highly advanced riders.

Recommended Rider Levels at CTOR

CTOR offers several types of riding opportunities.

Next to the parking lot, you have a fairly good-sized warm-up loop with fairly sizable jumps that also works great for beginner riders. The trail system has four main loops and the easiest loops, loops 4 and 3, are great for beginners. Harder sections usually are not included in the main loops. Instead, they are marked with a ‘X’ in the sign, for example 2X.

Advanced riders can easily enjoy themselves on loops 2 and 1. And they can rest assured that they are going to find challenging enough trails at CTOR. This is why we love this place so much. While we have conquered a lot that this place has to offer, you start missing it the moment the gate closes behind you. Even after three years!

We recommend CTOR primarily to advanced riders and hard enduro riders. However, it also works well for beginner level riders working their way up to more and more challenging trails.

Amenities Available at CTOR

Shower | Toilet | Camping: Primitive

There are few picnic tables around and plenty of parking space. There is also a shower and a toilet at the property. Usually, this place is not busy to ever have to wait in line to use them.

In addition, you can bring a trailer and also camp out; the owner has few spots to rent. Just remember that this is a members-only ranch so you need to talk to the owner before you can access the place. The gate is always locked.

Accessibility and Pricing Options for CTOR

CTOR is members only. You need to talk to the owner first and arrange to visit the ranch as a guest and then join the membership to ride there. The annual membership is listed at $250 for single members and they also have family plans and other discounts.

Good to Know at CTOR

The property has cows, donkeys, llamas, and large dogs running around. They don’t bother you if you don’t mess with them. On some occasions, we have seen the llamas and donkeys near the trails but they are used to riders and do not generally get spooked or affect your riding.

If you plan to ride loops 4 and 3, use a soft to medium rubber compound with stiffer sidewalls for faster pace. Dirt becomes mud inside the woods, so expect big water puddles right after raining and sloppy conditions for few days.

Loops 2 and 1 contain lots of rocks, ledges, and very loose rubble. So choose soft tire knobs with Tubliss around 5PSI rear and 11PSI front or very soft Mousse for protection. Some of the goat trails have several cactai and punctures are very likely if you’re not careful.

The gate is always locked. So don’t plan on popping by and expect to be let in. Call or contact ahead and talk to the owner.

Location and How To Find CTOR

CTOR is located at Salado, Texas.

It’s about an hour drive north from Austin. Map it out with Google here.

Check out general information about the park here: CTOR.

Don’t forget to call ahead to ride this fantastic dirt bike ranch near Austin for dirt bikes and enduro style riding.

2. Emma Long Metropolitan Park (City Park)

A dirt biker riding on a single track dirt bike trail near Austin Texas at Emma Long Metropolitan Park

Fantastic location combined with great accessibility makes Emma Long Metropolitan Park the runner-up on our list of best dirt bike trails in Austin, Texas.

Emma Long Metropolitan Park or City Park offers a great practice playground for advanced and technical riders and it’s one of the best dirt bike trails in Austin, Texas.

Even though we only recommend this place for advanced riders, other factors, such as riding style, accessibility, price, and location, placed it high on our list.

The location has one about 5-mile main loop with several smaller offshoots or loops.

Recommended Rider Levels for City Park

We recommend City Park to advanced dirt bike riders. The trail contains mainly ledges as well as rocky and slick limestone climbs. If you are a beginner rider, this place doesn’t really offer you much other than brutal suffering and therefore not fun.

But for riders who love extremely technical and challenging trails, this is a must location! It’s easily accessible and free with the annual Texas State Park sticker. It’s a great practice location that you can hit even after work if you’re local.

We recommend City Park only to advanced riders and hard enduro riders.

Amenities Offered at City Park

Toilet

There are few picnic tables around the parking lot and plenty of parking space. There is also a toilet in the area but it has often been closed or out of order. Usually this place is not busy.

Accessibility and Pricing at City Park

You can ride here free with the Texas OHV sticker. The City Park is open from 7am to 10pm. No camping allowed.

Good To Know at City Park

This location is popular with mountain bikers. So, make sure you run the one-way loop the correct way. They switch the entry every few years. Look for the large sign that says “START HERE”.

As for the dirt bike tires, use a soft or super soft tire rubber compound here with Mousse or Tubliss for maximum traction. If the terrain is wet or very dry, expect very slippery conditions.

One loop takes between 25 to 60 minutes depending on the rider’s skill level.

It gets very hot in the summer months, so pack water and have a plan ready for breakages. There is a lake close by where you can go cool off after the hot day of trail riding.

If you or someone else gets injured, the location has mapped out markers for emergency personnel to find you on the trail system. Look for red background signs next to the highway leading to the park. Entrances into the trail system have a sign to tell the emergency personnel.

Location and Accessing City Park

Emma Long Metropolitan Park or City Park is located in Austin, Texas. It’s about a 30-minute drive northwest from Austin. Map it out with Google here.

Check out general information about the park here: Emma Long Metropolitan Park

3. Hidden Falls Adventure Park

A dirt bike jumping over a ledge on a dirt bike trail near Austin Texas at Hidden Falls

Great trails and lots of river beds and obstacles is the reason why Hidden Falls Adventure Park deserves a place on our list of the best dirt bike trails in Austin, Texas.

Hidden Falls Adventure Park is a great place to ride dirt bikes. The park has miles and miles of single track dirt bike riding opportunities in variable styles and difficulties.

In addition to single tracks, the park offers great alternative riding spots that are great for technical practice. We love the river beds and ravines for extreme technical riding opportunities. This is definitely one of the must locations to check for dirt bike trails in Austin.

Recommended Rider Levels at Hidden Falls Adventure Park

We recommend Hidden Falls Adventure Park to all dirt bike riders. You can easily find places for beginners and kids alike and explore the park even with a bigger adventure bike. Bring the whole family and enjoy the park with great amenities.

The three main single track trails, South Loop, Ridge Trail, and North Loop, are fast paced, somewhat technical, and fairly long loops. The South Loop is great for beginners and the North Loop is the most difficult one and a better fit for advanced riders. All loops have cutoffs you can use to bypass the most difficult sections and bailouts when you get tired or need to get back to camp quickly.

We recommend Hidden Falls Adventure Park to all dirt bike riders, beginners, kids, and families.

Amenities at Hidden Falls Adventure Park

Shower | Toilet | Camping: Primitive to cabins and hookups for trailers | Shop | Food Truck

This place has everything you need. The amenities are great, clean, and accessible for anyone visiting the park.

There are picnic tables around the park and plenty of parking space. There are spacious shower and toilet facilities available for use. You can bring a trailer, camp out, or rent a small cabin if you want to spend the entire weekend riding.

The small store sells ice and some drinks and food as well as some spare parts, including even dirt bike tires.

Accessibility and Pricing at Hidden Falls Adventure Park

You can buy day passes or join the membership and everything in between. Opening times vary depending if you are a member of not, so check their site for details. Non-members need to leave the park by 5pm on Sunday and they are usually not able to access to park during weekdays.

Good To Know at Hidden Falls Adventure Park

This location is popular with Jeeps and other full-size trucks. Dirt bikes, however, are allowed to ride anywhere on the marked trails and full-size trails. Some jeep riders are unaware of this and generally don’t care about dirt bikers, so be extra cautious around them.

Non-members need to exit the park by 5pm on Sunday.

Use a soft or super soft tire rubber compound here with Mousse or Tubliss for maximum traction. If the terrain is wet or very dry, expect very slippery conditions.

The main single track loops are about 25 to 60 minutes each depending on the rider’s skill level. The loops have bypasses and exits to get back to camp.

It gets very hot in the summer months, so pack water and have a plan ready for breakages.

Location

Hidden Falls Adventure Park is located about 50 miles northwest from Austin, Texas. It’s about an hour drive  northwest from Downtown Austin. Map it out with Google here.

Check out general information about the park here: Hidden Falls Adventure Park

Conclusions

We regularly visit these three dirt bike trails in Austin, Texas. They all offer the type of riding that helps us improve technical skills and they are also conveniently located near us.

If you are new to the dirt bike riding scene in the Central Texas or Austin area, check these locations out and you won’t be disappointed!

Keep the knobs on the trail and blast away!

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