# Looking for fun US gravel rides (not events/races) **URL:** \ **Category:** Training\ **Tags:** travel\ **Created:** [January 18, 2026, 4:08pm UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/looking-for-fun-us-gravel-rides-not-events-races/109687 "2026-01-18T16:08:20Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![NigelTufnel11](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/forum/user_avatar/www.trainerroad.com/nigeltufnel11/32/160164_2.png) [@NigelTufnel11](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/NigelTufnel11)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2026, 4:08pm UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/looking-for-fun-us-gravel-rides-not-events-races/109687/1 "2026-01-18T16:08:20Z")
My wife and I are recently retired and looking for some fun/scenic gravel rides in the US for some trips. I’ve tried searching the web, but the results seem to be predominantly populated with races and events, which is not what we’re after. We just want someplace to go and do a ride (or two or three different routes, for a longer stay) that would be fun and scenic. It would also be preferable if the routes are reasonably close to decent lodging, as our camping days are behind us! 😆 Beginner to intermediate routes would be best, as my wife is new to gravel riding, but not to cycling. And if there are other things of interest in the area that would be even better! Please let me know your suggestions. ---
**Author:** ![randomcoach](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/3d9bf3/32.png) [@randomcoach](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/randomcoach)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2026, 4:34pm UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/looking-for-fun-us-gravel-rides-not-events-races/109687/2 "2026-01-18T16:34:31Z")
I’ll sometimes browse strava heatmaps in combination of segment filtering to find ride ideas in areas I’m unfamiliar with. To get a sense of ride, I’ll click into public rides from the segment top lists to try to get a sense of the terrain/scenery. ---
**Author:** ![dirtyzilla](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/forum/user_avatar/www.trainerroad.com/dirtyzilla/32/25979_2.png) [@dirtyzilla](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/dirtyzilla)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2026, 4:51pm UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/looking-for-fun-us-gravel-rides-not-events-races/109687/3 "2026-01-18T16:51:22Z")
Well being here in the PNW and partial to the area, highly recommend these… > **[Olympic Discovery Trail - Olympic Discovery Trail](https://olympicdiscoverytrail.org/)** > > Starting in the Victorian seaport of Port Townsend, and ending on the shores of the Pacific Ocean,the ODT is filled with views of snow capped peaks, ocean vistas, fast flowing rivers and pristine lakes,and everywhere the majestic forests of the... Olympic Discovery Trail is scenic with the Olympic mountain range and Victoria BC Canada across the water. Rideable on gravel and mountain bikes. You’ll encounter bikepackers during the summer months but throughout the year mountain bikers as well. Lots of lodging nearby in Port Angeles, Sequim and Port Townsend. Lake Crescent is a pleasure sight to see along with the smell of lavender farms dotting through Sequim. And across in OR is C2C - Corvallis to the Coast. Make your way through the beautiful loamy forests out to the Pacific ocean. Again rideable throughout the year and most tackle these from early spring to the summer for longer daylight and warmer temps. My family and friends enjoy these when we need a relaxing activity to reset and wind down. > **[Corvallis to the Sea Bicycle Route to the Coast | Corvallis to the Sea Trail](https://c2ctrail.org/bicycle-routes/)** > > The Forest Service has not approved all of the Corvallis to the Sea Trail sections for bicycles. Some of the bicycle sections are on roads. Check the Current Status and Advisories page for temporary… ---
**Author:** ![dirtyzilla](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/forum/user_avatar/www.trainerroad.com/dirtyzilla/32/25979_2.png) [@dirtyzilla](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/dirtyzilla)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2026, 4:56pm UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/looking-for-fun-us-gravel-rides-not-events-races/109687/4 "2026-01-18T16:56:48Z")
Lastly, we also have the Palouse to Cascades trail (aka John Wayne pioneer trail). Beautiful trail through the summer and nearby lodging in various cities along the way such as Ellensburg. Bring a light for the Snoqualmie tunnel and a light jacket as it can be cool. > **[Palouse to Cascades State Park Trail MAPs and Information](https://palousetocascadestrailmaps.com/)** > > A resource for trail users on the Palouse to Cascades State Park Trail, a 285 mile rail trail across Washington State. ---
**Author:** ![spinnnout](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/forum/user_avatar/www.trainerroad.com/spinnnout/32/15455_2.png) [@spinnnout](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/spinnnout)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2026, 5:25pm UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/looking-for-fun-us-gravel-rides-not-events-races/109687/5 "2026-01-18T17:25:40Z")
Santa Fe? Probably quite a few ride outs and loops from there. Was there recently (no bike) and coming from drizzly London, New Mexico could be a cool and very different place to experience - it really depends what you are after, not just riding wise but climate, etc. > **[A night on the Caja del Rio, New Mexico](https://bikepacking.com/routes/caja-del-rio/)** > > The Caja del Rio offers a superb network of dirt roads suited to overnight bikepacking, with fine views of the Jemez and Sangre de Cristo Mountains. ---
**Author:** ![EMyers](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/forum/user_avatar/www.trainerroad.com/emyers/32/7757_2.png) [@EMyers](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/EMyers)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2026, 7:35pm UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/looking-for-fun-us-gravel-rides-not-events-races/109687/6 "2026-01-18T19:35:00Z")
The Asheville/Brevard area in NC has a lot of options, and easy to mix in some road (including the Blue Ridge Parkway) or easy singletrack (especially in Dupont State Forest), and plenty of bike-friendly rental availability. Plenty of other activities as well. ---
**Author:** ![johnjohn](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/forum/user_avatar/www.trainerroad.com/johnjohn/32/164770_2.png) [@johnjohn](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/johnjohn)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2026, 8:41pm UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/looking-for-fun-us-gravel-rides-not-events-races/109687/7 "2026-01-18T20:41:04Z")
We 100% need more of this. More publicly available quality routes, and fewer paywalls. What I’ve done (only a handful of times) in the past is to either check out some local races/events, and use part of the route, or find publicly available routes from Ride With GPS. ---
**Author:** ![randomcoach](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/3d9bf3/32.png) [@randomcoach](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/randomcoach)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2026, 8:53pm UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/looking-for-fun-us-gravel-rides-not-events-races/109687/8 "2026-01-18T20:53:18Z")
I’ve used ridewithGPS with some success, but I also ended up on a “gravel ride” that ended up routing me through blue & black difficulty MTB-trail access roads for about 15km (I came from MTB, so could ride a decent amount but still several hike-a-bike sections), then into 15km of soft sinking sand. To finish off the loop, when I finally made it back to tarmac and was 20km from my vehicle, the headwinds were so strong that I was struggling to hit 20km/hr on flat road, and was below 40km/hr on 8% descents. An expected 3 hr ride took almost 5, and the temperature was high. I know try to ask locals before trying any merry adventures in the heat. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![BCM](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/forum/user_avatar/www.trainerroad.com/bcm/32/137631_2.png) [@BCM](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/BCM)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2026, 9:59pm UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/looking-for-fun-us-gravel-rides-not-events-races/109687/9 "2026-01-18T21:59:18Z")
Vermont in late September through mid October. ---
**Author:** ![DaveWh](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/forum/user_avatar/www.trainerroad.com/davewh/32/13120_2.png) [@DaveWh](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/DaveWh)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2026, 9:59pm UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/looking-for-fun-us-gravel-rides-not-events-races/109687/10 "2026-01-18T21:59:40Z")
There are great gravel routes in the vicinity of Steamboat Springs, CO. Plenty of lodging as it’s a ski resort. Website here with a selection of rides (mainly in the vicinity of Steamboat, but also others). > **[Colorado Gravel Routes – The Dirty Roads](https://thedirtyroads.com/rides/)** > > A curated collection of Colorado's finest dirt road and gravel cycling routes! ---
**Author:** ![LacticacidMCB](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/forum/user_avatar/www.trainerroad.com/lacticacidmcb/32/167517_2.png) [@LacticacidMCB](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/LacticacidMCB)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2026, 10:03pm UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/looking-for-fun-us-gravel-rides-not-events-races/109687/11 "2026-01-18T22:03:06Z")
> [@NigelTufnel11](#): > > My wife and I are recently retired and looking for some fun/scenic gravel rides in the US for some trips. Check out the Endless Mountains of PA: [![](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/original/3X/9/2/92bde6ff87cce94d029781abd4877dd27c54dd48.jpeg "THE ENDLESS RIDE - a bikepackers dream") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lbG93sw4WUc) It’s a bikepacking video but they stayed in hotels. There is also going to be a three day gravel event (not race) in Eagles Mere, PA. > **[Eagle's Mere Grand Cru Gravel 2026 Online Registration](https://www.bikereg.com/73545?nc=1)** > > BikeReg - online cycling event registration It’s a first year event, so there is not a ton of details yet. ---
**Author:** ![BillyWaldman](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/forum/user_avatar/www.trainerroad.com/billywaldman/32/122094_2.png) [@BillyWaldman](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/BillyWaldman)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2026, 1:26am UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/looking-for-fun-us-gravel-rides-not-events-races/109687/12 "2026-01-19T01:26:40Z")
Are t a bunch of bridges out on the gravel at dupont? Thought i heard that. ---
**Author:** ![BillyWaldman](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/forum/user_avatar/www.trainerroad.com/billywaldman/32/122094_2.png) [@BillyWaldman](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/BillyWaldman)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2026, 1:28am UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/looking-for-fun-us-gravel-rides-not-events-races/109687/13 "2026-01-19T01:28:46Z")
> **[ROUTES | Tennessee Gravel](https://www.tennesseegravel.com/routes)** > > Bikepacking routes and gravel bike routes in and around the Cherokee National Forest and Southern Blue Ridge Mountains east of Chattanooga. ---
**Author:** ![mtbjones](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/forum/user_avatar/www.trainerroad.com/mtbjones/32/12895_2.png) [@mtbjones](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/mtbjones)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2026, 1:59am UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/looking-for-fun-us-gravel-rides-not-events-races/109687/14 "2026-01-19T01:59:05Z")
> **[Gravel Road Maps and Biking Routes - Gravelmap](https://gravelmap.com)** > > Gravelmap is a tool for finding and sharing local gravel roads for biking, gravel grinding, exploration and more. ---
**Author:** ![EMyers](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/forum/user_avatar/www.trainerroad.com/emyers/32/7757_2.png) [@EMyers](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/EMyers)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2026, 2:43am UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/looking-for-fun-us-gravel-rides-not-events-races/109687/15 "2026-01-19T02:43:39Z")
There was one big one still out last June when my wife and I were there, but fairly easy to get around, and easy ti link up with some other gravel outside Dupont itself ---
**Author:** ![Saddlesaur](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/forum/user_avatar/www.trainerroad.com/saddlesaur/32/33237_2.png) [@Saddlesaur](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/Saddlesaur)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2026, 1:56pm UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/looking-for-fun-us-gravel-rides-not-events-races/109687/16 "2026-01-19T13:56:41Z")
You might hit up Facebook groups and ask among those for local dope. Here’s one in CO: “Front Range Gravel Grinders” > **[Log into Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/groups/451609803550609)** > > Log into Facebook to start sharing and connecting with your friends, family, and people you know. ---
**Author:** ![mattand1mixtape](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/forum/user_avatar/www.trainerroad.com/mattand1mixtape/32/175756_2.png) [@mattand1mixtape](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/mattand1mixtape)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2026, 3:04pm UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/looking-for-fun-us-gravel-rides-not-events-races/109687/17 "2026-01-19T15:04:07Z")
Check out [gravel bike adventures](https://www.gravelbikeadventures.com/). These ladies do a solid job of giving route descriptions, advice, difficulty level, and places to stay. ---
**Author:** ![CaptainThunderpants](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/forum/user_avatar/www.trainerroad.com/captainthunderpants/32/133391_2.png) [@CaptainThunderpants](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/CaptainThunderpants)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2026, 3:29pm UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/looking-for-fun-us-gravel-rides-not-events-races/109687/18 "2026-01-19T15:29:46Z")
You can always search for events and see if they post the route. And then just go ride the route and/or use something like RideWithGPS to search the surrounding area. This is what I do a lot. Even if the event itself doesn’t post the route, if you search online I guarantee you can find the route. ---
**Author:** ![ingluis29](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/forum/user_avatar/www.trainerroad.com/ingluis29/32/12908_2.png) [@ingluis29](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/ingluis29)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2026, 3:38pm UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/looking-for-fun-us-gravel-rides-not-events-races/109687/19 "2026-01-19T15:38:02Z")
Underrated CO gravel area: [Trinidad](https://graveladventurefieldguide.com/trinidad-1) ---
**Author:** ![Kinkilla](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/forum/user_avatar/www.trainerroad.com/kinkilla/32/170083_2.png) [@Kinkilla](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/Kinkilla)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2026, 3:55pm UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/looking-for-fun-us-gravel-rides-not-events-races/109687/20 "2026-01-19T15:55:04Z")
In Oregon we have OMTM which are some pretty killer gravel rides centered around Portland. I’d argue these lean on the more technical side but they’ve got good writeups on the site that detail tire size. Bigger tires generally correlates to more adventure: [OMTM ROUTE LIBRARY — Our Mother The Mountain](https://www.omtm.cc/omtm-route-library) There’s also the dirty freehub routes which are based out of Bend, but have routes all over the western US. These have proven to usually be easier technically in my experience and also easier physically. Both route sites are pretty well vetted by the route creators (or disclaimers are made if its still in development) so you’re not going down a random mapped road that should go, maybe. [https://dirtyfreehub.org/](https://dirtyfreehub.org/) [Next page](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/looking-for-fun-us-gravel-rides-not-events-races/109687.md?page=2)