Trail Building

SWMMBA has constructed or consulted on over 30 miles of trail in Southwestern Montana. We have successfully completed the Copper City Trails network in Three Forks, Montana with over 20 miles of excellent trails. Additionally, we have worked with various partners to consult on publicly accessible trails in and around Bozeman, Montana.

Hire Us To Build Your Trails

By hiring SWMMBA to create a proposal, plan, and execute construction of your trails, you are putting your money back into the trail community here in Montana. Trails open to mountain bikers and the general public qualify for reductions in cost, but we are also happy to just build your private trail system as well. We can work with the best trail builders in Montana, and offer a variety of options for trail style, difficulty, and construction methods to meet your specific needs.

Email our Executive Director here, to find out more: ed@mtbmt.org

Public Lands Trail Systems

SWMMBA has worked with Public Lands managers to secure trail building projects across Southwestern Montana. We’re always looking to take on new public trails systems and enjoy working with partners from the Bureau of Land Management to the National Forest Service to the Montana Department of Natural Resources Conservation. We also work hand-in-hand with local Land Trusts and Community Organizations who look to us for guidance on bike-friendly infrastructure, trails, and fun trail features. If you’re a land manager looking to build trails and want some help, maybe even just throw some ideas around.

Email our Executive Director here, to find out more: ed@mtbmt.org

Current and Past Projects

Bozeman Bike Parks

In 2016, volunteers dedicated more than 900 hours and 130 machine hours to rebuild the Dirt Jumps at Westlake Park. We held a grand opening dirt jam party under the lights in the fall of that year. That same year we began to revitalize the Pump Track at the Gallatin County Regional Park. Now, we have two amazing community resources, each with hundreds of monthly visitors.

Westlake park Dirt Jumps

We have big news—Bozeman’s Westlake Park dirt jumps are getting rebuilt. With all of the construction and new development happening around Westlake Park, the dirt jumps were unfortunately bulldozed, but we’re going to rebuild them better than ever.

With Integrated Trail LAB leading the charge, the Bozeman cycling community will soon have world-class dirt jumps right in the center of town.

Gallatin County Pump Track

The pump track at Gallatin Regional Park has been volunteer built and maintained since 2011. It is a great place to have fun and practice skills with friends or your family! In 2018, SWMMBA undertook a major renovation on the west-most section of the pump track. This renovation included table tops, wider spacing, progression drops, a shade shelter, and a tool shed.

Check it out in the far southeast corner of the park.

Copper City Trails was a project by the Southwest Montana Mountain Bike Association in partnership the Bureau of Land Management’s Butte Field Office. The plan called for 17+/- miles of bike-optimized trails, open to hikers and trail runners. The system encompasses a wide range of trails including beginner-friendly, technical ridge, flow, and two downhill-only bike-only trails. There is also a youth-focused skills park with skills features and a pump track catering to all ages and abilities. The project launched in 2017 and was completed in 2019.

Copper City is a non-motorized trail system

E-bikes, dirt bikes, ATVs/side-by-sides and other forms of motorized transport are allowed only on designated motorized routes.
Only mountain bikers and hikers can access the trails at Copper City.

Driving vehicles off of designated routes is Illegal

Driving your vehicle above the Neversweat Kiosk alongside this trail to park or shuttle that or any other trail is NOT PERMITTED.
Violation of this travel management plan can lead to Federal Fines and Federal Prosecution; not to mention potentially ruining access to this trail for everyone.
Curious what is open to drive on? Check Trailforks.

Current Conditions

Map on Trailforks

Curious about camping at Copper City?

COPPER CITY HAS ONLY DISPERSED CAMPING

WHAT IS DISPERSED CAMPING?

Dispersed camping is allowed on public land for a period not to exceed 14 days within a 28 consecutive day period. The 28 day period begins when a camper initially occupies a specific location on public lands. The 14 day limit may be reached either through a number of separate visits or through 14 days of continuous overnight occupation during the 28 day period. After the 14th day of occupation, the camper must move outside of a 25 mile radius of the previous location until the 29th day since the initial occupation. The purpose of this special rule is to prevent damage to sensitive resources caused by continual use of any particular areas. In addition, campers must not leave any personal property unattended for more than 10 days.

Dispersed camp sites are located along most secondary roads and may not be marked.  Popular locations can be recognized by the telltale flat disturbed area that has been used as a camp site before.  Not all flat spots are sites. If possible, please use existing sites to avoid creating new disturbances. To further protect your public lands, campers must not dispose of any refuse, hazardous materials, sewage, or in any manner pollute the surrounding area.

Above from BLM website: https://www.blm.gov/programs/recreation/camping