As we’ve shared along the blog trail, Moran State Park on Orcas Island is well known for off the charts hiking, great fresh water fishing, glamping, waterfalls, and the highest mountain top in the San Juan Islands. While it may not always make the top five list of awesome activities in Moran State Park every time for everyone, this 5,000 acre playground is also one of the top spots for mountain biking in Western Washington.
If you’re planning a mountain biking trip to Moran State Park on Orcas Island, you should definitely keeping reading so that you’ll know what to expect before you go!
Most upper elevation Moran State Park Mountain biking trails are closed during the busy season May 15th – September 15th. This means that the majority of the mountain bike trails you’ll want to explore will only be available during the quieter season September 15th – May 15th.
Check out the map below for the big picture of which trails are open when.
Though the majority of the top trails are closed during the summer months, you can still put together a pretty good trail ride leaving straight from our glamping sites and riding in the Southeast corner of the park. A popular mountain bike loop for the summer is the Southeast Boundary trail toward Mount Pickett to the Service Road and then back to your glamping site.
If you’d like to add a bit of interest, you could hop off the Service Road and sneak over toward Mountain Lake to pick up the Cascade Creek Trail for part of the way down. Though the Creek Trail will take you back to the Service Road, it’s a fun little bump out.
Last, you could also add a bit of length to this loop on your way back to camp by scooting over to the trail that meanders through the Primitive Campground toward the day use area. If you give this one a go, note that you’ll have to ride the County Road along Cascade Lake as you head back to your glamping site in the South End Loop.
Should you hit any trail by bike, please be safe, be courteous, and be certain to pay close attention to the trail that you’re on. The Park Rangers restrict certain activities to specific trails in designated seasons to maximize enjoyment for everyone. It’s also important to note that trail designations may change so be sure to check park bulletin boards and Ranger stations for the latest information before you set out for that trail ride!
