Every mountain biker has their strengths, and for many, including myself, massive jumps aren’t always at the top of the list. While small drops and jumps are fun, the idea of big air can be intimidating. However, a healthy dose of (rational) fear didn’t stop me from exploring one of Texas’s freshest mountain bike destinations: Station Mountain Bike Park.
Located conveniently close to Spider Mountain – Texas’s only lift-served downhill bike park – Station Mountain Bike Park distinguishes itself with a focus on jumps. We’re talking big jumps, small jumps, gap jumps, and jumps that might make you think twice. While you’ll find some natural, raw trails, the park’s reputation is built on its impressive jump lines.
The truly unique aspect? Forget chairlifts – at Station Mountain, you get towed to the trailheads by a tractor!
During my day at Station Mountain, I pushed past my comfort zone, riding solo and embracing the challenge. Despite my initial jump anxieties, I had an absolute blast. Even if you’re not a seasoned jumper, Station Mountain is surprisingly accessible. Designed specifically as a jump park, many trails and features are progressively built, allowing riders to develop skills and confidence in a safe and exhilarating environment.
Station Mountain Bike Park might not cater to every single rider, but if you’re intrigued and considering a visit, this guide provides everything you need to know for your first experience.
Mountain biker's perspective looking down a jump line at Station Mountain Bike Park in Marble Falls, Texas
Station Mountain Bike Park: Essential Facts & FAQs
Station Mountain Bike Park offers a unique bike park experience. It’s shuttle-accessed via tractor-pulled trailer, unlike typical lift-served parks, and it’s renowned for its jump trails. Having just opened in November 2023, it’s a relatively new and developing park. Here are key details to plan your visit:
- When is Station Mountain Bike Park open? Station Mountain welcomes riders on Saturdays and Sundays, from 9 am to 4 pm.
- Is Station Mountain Bike Park a year-round destination? Yes, it operates year-round, but closures may occur due to rain or severe weather.
- How do I purchase tickets? Tickets are available for purchase upon arrival at the park. They accept credit cards, Venmo, and Zelle for payment.
- Is access pedal-up or shuttle-based? Both options are available! The shuttle is a distinctive wooden trailer towed by a tractor. You can also pedal up the service road, though ticket prices remain the same for pedal access.
- Can I ride outside of shuttle hours? Yes, weekday riding is possible with prior authorization. More information is available on their website about weekday riding.
- Are e-bikes permitted? Yes, e-bikes are allowed at Station Mountain Bike Park.
- What is the trail difficulty level? Station Mountain is better suited for intermediate to advanced riders. While there are easier flow trails like High/Middle/Low Tire, complete beginners might find it challenging. Hourly coaching is offered for $35/hour to help develop skills.
- Do I need to be an experienced jumper? Some prior jump experience is recommended before visiting. While expert-level skills aren’t essential, riders completely new to jumps might find it difficult to fully enjoy the park initially.
- What facilities are available? The park provides basic amenities including a small shop selling snacks, drinks, and essential gear. Portable restrooms, water stations, and camping facilities are also available.
Series of wooden ramp drops in the Drop Zone at Station Mountain Bike Park, Texas
The Origin Story of Station Mountain Bike Park
The story of Station Mountain Bike Park is quite inspiring. It began as a high school project for Rhett Jones, who was tasked with creating a ‘Masterpiece’ – something ambitious and impactful. His vision? To build a bike park.
Through months of dedicated effort, and with substantial community support, Station Mountain Bike Park became a reality in under a year from Rhett’s initial plans.
During my visit, I sensed the park is still evolving and refining its operations, which is natural for any new venture. It’s exciting to imagine how Station Mountain Bike Park will grow and develop in the future.
For a deeper dive into Rhett’s story and the beginnings of Station Mountain, check out this excellent article in Texas Monthly.
Directions to Station Mountain Bike Park
Station Mountain Bike Park is nestled in Marble Falls, Texas. Travel times from major Texas cities are:
- Austin: Approximately 1.5 hours
- Dallas: Approximately 3.5 hours
- San Antonio: Approximately 1 hour 50 minutes
It’s also conveniently located just 30 minutes south of Spider Mountain Bike Park, making it easy to combine both parks into a weekend trip!
For precise navigation, use these Google driving directions.
Important Navigation Tip: Avoid accessing Station Mountain from Crider Rd. to the west. Google Maps might suggest this route, but it leads to a closed gate. Ensure you access Crider Rd. from the east for park entry.
The rural, single-lane access road leading to Station Mountain Bike Park in Marble Falls, Texas
Station Mountain Bike Park: Passes, Hours, Rentals, and More
Passes
A day pass is required for riding at Station Mountain Bike Park, purchasable on-site upon arrival. Advanced ticket sales are not currently available.
Day passes cost $50, which includes unlimited shuttle rides via the tractor-pulled trailer. While initially seeming a bit pricey compared to Spider Mountain’s $25 lift ticket, consider that you’re supporting a young entrepreneur’s vision and passion, which is definitely worth it.
Frequent visitors can opt for a season pass at $400.
Loam Pass network logo for bike parks and trails
The Loam Pass
Station Mountain Bike Park is part of the Loam Pass network, offering Loam Pass holders two complimentary days of shuttles. The Loam Pass grants access to numerous bike parks and trail systems across the country. It’s a valuable investment if you plan on mountain bike road trips, offering significant savings on shuttle and park access fees.
Tractor pulling a trailer loaded with mountain bikers and bikes at Station Mountain Bike Park in Texas
Operating Hours
Station Mountain Bike Park operates exclusively on weekends, Saturday and Sunday, unless prior arrangements are made for weekday riding.
The tractor shuttle service runs continuously from 9:30 am to 4 pm.
Bike Rentals
Bike rentals are available at Station Mountain Bike Park, with a limited fleet of Norco Sight bikes. Rentals are priced at $50 per day.
Full Face Helmet Recommendation
Smith Mainline Full Face Mountain Bike Helmet for enhanced protection
Prioritize face protection. When riding at bike parks, a full-face helmet is highly recommended. It provides enhanced protection and peace of mind, especially when tackling downhill trails and jumps, significantly reducing the risk of head and facial injuries in case of a crash.
My preferred full-face helmet is the Smith Mainline. It combines comfort, ventilation, and downhill-certified safety standards.
This helmet also includes multiple cheek pad sizes for a customized and secure fit.
Buy at Backcountry Buy at Smith Optics Buy at Competitive Cyclist
Station Mountain Bike Park entrance sign in Texas
Coaching and Lessons
Currently, Rhett Jones, the park’s founder, offers personal mountain bike coaching for an incredible rate of $35 per hour. This is an exceptional opportunity to improve your skills. Contact him via text before your visit to schedule a session.
Trail Layout and Variety at Station Mountain
Station Mountain Bike Park is compact but thoughtfully designed. Approximately half a dozen trails descend the slope, all originating from a central hub at the top.
To experience the full spectrum of trails, exploration is key. It’s easy to stick to the most prominent trails, but venturing slightly off the beaten path unlocks the park’s diverse offerings.
Key park stats:
- Total Trail Mileage: 6 miles
- Maximum Elevation: 1,327 ft
- Vertical Descent: 316 ft
- Number of Trails: 23 (mostly shorter, interconnected trails)
Trail Breakdown: An Introduction to Riding at Station Mountain
What’s it like to ride at Station Mountain Bike Park? As mentioned, jump trails dominate, but there’s also a selection of hand-cut technical trails. Having ridden them all, here’s a quick guide to what you can expect:
- High/Medium/Low Tide: This beginner-friendly, three-part trail offers a gentle descent with wide berms, rollers, and small features, ideal for warming up and getting accustomed to bike park terrain.
- 75 Hits: Station Mountain’s signature trail, supposedly featuring 75 jumps and features (though I lost count!). Jumps and drops progressively increase in size as you descend.
- ‘Murica: A personal favorite, this flow trail blends intermediate drops and kickers for a fun, engaging ride.
- The Holder: An intermediate jump line that intersects with a dedicated practice drop zone, perfect for sessioning and skill development.
- Berm Park: A dedicated area to hone your cornering skills on tight, banked turns.
- Banquet: A unique hand-cut trail featuring a notable drop leading into a wall ride.
- Step one: A large jump line designed for more advanced airtime.
- Your mom: Perhaps the standout trail, offering a fantastic mix of technical sections, flow, and diverse features.
- Your Dad, Nickle & Dine, Beer Trail: These three are hand-cut, technical trails characterized by rock gardens and natural drops, providing a raw, challenging experience.
- Marble Falls: A short, steep section featuring rock ledges and ‘falls’. While rated double-black, careful line choice makes it manageable for advanced intermediate riders.
- Albanian Boogie: A brief, rocky, and technically demanding old-school chunk trail.
- El Cinco: Home to jumps that are beyond my current skill level – reserved for expert jumpers.
New to Bike Parks?
Consider reviewing these resources to prepare for your visit to Station Mountain Bike Park:
- [Beginner’s Guide to Mountain Bike Parks](Link to a relevant guide on usabikers.net or external resource)
- [Essential Mountain Bike Park Gear](Link to a relevant gear guide on usabikers.net or external resource)
Station Mountain Bike Park trail sign for Your Mom and Albanian Boogie trails
My Personal Take: Conquering Jump Intimidation at Station Mountain
I’ll admit, I felt a bit apprehensive heading to Station Mountain Bike Park, especially riding solo. Jumps aren’t my forte, and it had been a while since my last dedicated downhill session.
However, my worries quickly dissipated as I had an absolute blast! The park has a fantastic, welcoming atmosphere, and everyone is there to enjoy themselves. After a few runs, I relaxed and found my rhythm. While my jumping prowess didn’t magically transform, I definitely felt more confident tackling smaller features and progressing my skills.
Station Mountain Bike Park is still in its early stages, with a fresh, evolving vibe. It’s truly impressive what Rhett Jones has created, and I’m confident it will only grow and improve from here.
Getting in as many laps as possible is the goal at Station Mountain Bike Park.
Accommodation Options: Camping & Lodging Near Station Mountain
Planning a weekend trip? Here are lodging and camping options near Station Mountain Bike Park:
- On-site Camping: Camping is permitted directly at Station Mountain Bike Park. Facilities include water and portable restrooms, but no electrical hookups are available.
- Reveille Peak Ranch: The nearby Reveille Peak Ranch offers camping with some hook-up sites, though potable water is limited. Reveille Peak Ranch also boasts its own network of excellent mountain bike trails!
- VRBO: A variety of VRBO rentals are available in Marble Falls, a short drive from Station Mountain. Some rentals, like this one, are even bikeable to the park.
- Inks Lake State Park: A beautiful state park north of Station Mountain, offering a campground for RVs and tents.
Looking for hotels? Explore hotels near Marble Falls on Booking.com.
Beyond the Bike Park: Local Attractions
While Station Mountain Bike Park can easily fill a day or two, the surrounding area offers plenty of other activities. Consider these options:
- Spider Mountain Bike Park: Combine a day at Station Mountain with a visit to Spider Mountain Bike Park. Spider Mountain is open Friday through Monday.
- Longhorn Cavern State Park: Explore the fascinating Longhorn Caverns.
- Hill Country Wineries: Discover the numerous wineries in Texas Hill Country. Fiesta Winery in Marble Falls is a great option near the park.
- Bear King Brewery: Enjoy local brews and food at Bear King Brewery in Marble Falls, known for its tacos.
- Inks Lake State Park: Relax, swim, kayak, or hike at Inks Lake State Park.
Ready to send it? I hope this guide provides all the information and encouragement you need for an awesome day at Station Mountain Bike Park. If you feel slightly intimidated, that’s perfectly normal, but don’t let it deter you from experiencing this unique park! After all, when else will you have the chance to be shuttled up a mountain by a tractor?
Man driving a tractor pulling a trailer at Station Mountain Bike Park
Have you visited Station Mountain Bike Park? Share your experiences and thoughts in the comments below! Were you also initially intimidated? What questions do you still have?
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