Spring Kickoff: Finding the Best Early-Season Trails

Ah yes, spring is in the air! But for those of us in Canada, it’s still a waiting game—snow may melt, but trails take weeks to dry, and early-season rides can quickly turn into a mudfest that wrecks trails for the rest of the season. The best way to kick off the season early? Head south!

For northern riders, Pennsylvania is a prime early-season destination—just a 6-8 hour drive swaps slushy trails for warmer, drier conditions.

Now that my son is old enough for family biking adventures, our road trip limit is one day’s drive max (to avoid meltdowns), making Pennsylvania’s a perfect fit.

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The Why-Factor

What Makes This Destination Great?

🚵‍♂️Trail Variety: Loop networks featuring singletrack, flowy green trails, and double tracks.

🌡️Early-Season Access: Trails dry out by early April, unlike my local region.

📍Accessibility: A day’s drive south from Canada, making it a realistic long weekend getaway.

🎯Best For: Beginner & family-friendly MTB trips (at least the trail networks covered here).

Pennsylvania offers two great options for an early-season trip—and they’re less than an hour apart.

📍 Day 1: Allegrippis Trails – Raystown Lake

The Allegrippis Trails are a flow-lover’s dream—built specifically for mountain biking, they drain incredibly well, making them one of the fastest-drying networks in the region. Beginners will love the smooth, rolling singletrack with scenic views of Raystown Lake.

✅ Top beginner trails:

• Buck Trail – Smooth terrain, gentle curves, and minimal technical challenges.

• Doe Trail – A fun, rolling and with great flow and no steep climbs.

📍 Day 2: Rothrock State Forest – State College

For day two, head to Rothrock State Forest, where on non-technical forested doubletracks provide an excellent next step for beginner riders. The scenic, wooded trails offer a peaceful contrast to the open terrain at Allegrippis.

✅ Top beginner trails:

• Detweiler Run Trail – A wide, non-technical doubletrack perfect for beginners learning basic downhill skills.

• Beidleheimer Rd Trail – A winding doubletrack with stunning forest views and a relaxed riding experience.

📍Day 3: For an extra day repeat whichever trail network you liked the best! Happy riding.

🛶 Things to do After Your Ride…

• Rent a kayak or paddleboard on Raystown Lake.

• Lots of shopping ideas in the Raystown Lake area.

• Take a ride aboard an old-school trolley at the Rockhill Trolley Museum.

• Visit Penn’s Cave & Wildlife Park for an underground boat tour.

🍽 Local Restaurants & Lodging Ideas…

• Get a bite at Top’s Diner or enjoy lakeside dining at Seven Points Marina Restaurant.

• Grab a meal at Otto’s Pub & Brewery or the Corner Room in State College.

• Stay at Lake Raystown Resort for a cozy lakeside retreat.

• Stay at Hyatt Place State College or camp in Rothrock State Forest for a rustic experience.

Why This Trip Works!

• Allegrippis gives you fast, flowy trails to shake off the winter rust.

• Rothrock adds variety with forested, scenic rides to round out the weekend.

• Both locations dry out faster than most, making them a great early-season MTB escape.

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