Nestled in the scenic hills above Lakeside, Montana, Legacy Bike Park is quickly becoming a haven for mountain bikers seeking thrilling downhill experiences. Every weekend, the sounds of excited riders echo through the trees as they navigate the park’s expertly crafted trails. After a successful partial opening season last year that frequently sold out, Legacy Bike Park has expanded its offerings, enhanced its facilities, and launched its second season to enthusiastic استقبال.
Pete Costain, owner of Terraflow trail building company and a founding partner of Legacy Bike Park, acknowledged the park’s initial rawness in its first year. “We knew the park was a little rough around the edges when we opened last year,” Costain admitted. “That being said, it absolutely met our expectations for year one. By the end of last year the trails were riding pretty well and this year they’re starting at a higher level. We’ve done a fair amount of improvements which have changed things for the better.” These improvements promise an even more refined and exhilarating experience for riders of all skill levels visiting this Montana mountain bike park.
The vision for Legacy Bike Park, a sprawling 500-acre mountain biking paradise, originated with Marty Beale after a trip to Whistler Resort in British Columbia. Inspired by the gravity bike park model popular in Canada, Beale envisioned a similar destination in the United States. “I kept thinking about what it would be like if there was a similar gravity park in the U.S.,” Beale explained. “Some amazing trails in the woods with good people … what about something like that in Montana?” Within a year, Beale, along with partners Costain and his wife Linda, and Whitefish design firm Mindful Designs, turned this vision into reality, opening Legacy Bike Park in July 2021.
Legacy Bike Park operates primarily as a gravity-fed mountain bike park. Riders are efficiently shuttled in groups of 20 from the base area to the trailhead at the top of the mountain, maximizing their downhill riding time. In its first year, utilizing two shuttles, the park accommodated around 100 riders daily. Recognizing the park’s growing popularity and demand, Legacy Bike Park added a third shuttle and bike trailer for the current season, increasing daily rider capacity to 120. This enhanced shuttle service ensures more mountain bikers can experience the thrill of Legacy Bike Park’s trails.
A mountain biker shreds a berm on one of the thrilling trails at Legacy Bike Park in Montana.
Following their inaugural season, the Legacy Bike Park team, led by Costain, wasted no time in expanding and improving the trail network. Despite positive feedback on the original 13 trails, which included a mix of flow and jump trails ranging from half a mile to two miles in length, the team identified areas for enhancement. The park’s extensive 500-acre property offered significant potential for growth and diversification of trail offerings.
“Almost all the comments we had last year were universally great, but we were missing some things,” Costain stated. “One thing was a truly accessibly beginner flow-jump line, so we built Casper, the Friendly Jump Line which has been a huge hit already.” Casper caters to beginner mountain bikers looking to develop their skills on flow trails and jumps.
Further upgrades include Jammer Lane, designed as an accessible expert-level jump line for advanced riders seeking bigger air. The team also rerouted sections of existing trails to improve flow and rider experience and completely rebuilt the pump track, recognizing its central role in the park’s base area. “The pump track is at the heart of the park and it’s really a good place for parents to sit down between rides, drink a beer and watch their kids on the track,” Costain noted, highlighting the park’s family-friendly atmosphere.
Accessibility improvements extend beyond the trails. A new parking lot, centrally located within the park, enhances visitor convenience. Legacy Bike Park is also continuously working to expand its non-riding amenities, ensuring a comfortable and enjoyable experience for all visitors. Currently under construction are platform features and a progressive jump line with a forked practice jump leading to an airbag or mulch landing, providing a safe and structured environment for riders to progress their jumping skills before tackling larger features on the trails.
For those wanting to extend their visit, Legacy Bike Park offers two camping zones with a total of 34 campsites. These campsites, available from Thursday through Tuesday, were also upgraded in the past year, offering improved facilities for overnight guests. Adding to the park’s convenience, Great Northern Cycle & Ski operates its mobile Stoke Wagon on-site every weekend. The Stoke Wagon provides Legacy Bike Park merchandise, full-service bike tune-ups, and bike rentals, ensuring riders have access to essential services and gear.
Looking ahead, the team behind Legacy Bike Park remains focused on organic growth and enhancing the rider experience. “We’re all just thrilled with what we’re doing,” Costain expressed. “Every once in a while, people will ask about our master plan and end goal, and honestly it’s just to make a really great bike park.” The emphasis is on creating a positive and welcoming atmosphere throughout the park, from the base area to the mountaintop trails. “We’re really working on creating a good vibe from the base to the top and we’re doing that as well and as fast as we can.”
A mountain biker catches air off a jump at Legacy Bike Park, showcasing the park's exciting features.
Legacy Bike Park is easily accessible off U.S. Highway 93, just 2 miles south of Lakeside. The park welcomes riders from Friday through Sunday until October 10th, weather permitting. For ticket purchases and further information, please visit www.legacybikepark.com. Experience the thrill of Montana mountain biking at Legacy Bike Park – your next gravity adventure awaits!
