By Colin FosterUpdated November 2026
Anyone planning to ride bend mountain bike trails needs more than a vague idea of where to go. You need trail-specific information: which routes suit your skill level, how the singletrack is organized, and where the riding sits relative to town, the Deschutes River and the Three Sisters. This list focuses on print guides, a regional map and a few rider-oriented gifts. Each pick was assessed against four criteria: how specific the content is to Bend and Central Oregon, how useful it is for planning rides on the ground, how well the format holds up outdoors, and what owners and buyers commonly say about it.
Our top picks at a glance
- 1
TOP CHOICEBest overallMountain Biking Bend and Central Oregon: A Complete Trail and Travel GuideView on Amazon - 2
TOP CHOICEBest for planning a map-based rideBend- Three Sisters, OR No. 622SX (Green Trails Maps)View on Amazon - 3
TOP CHOICEBest for riders comparing destinations100 Best Mountain Bike Trails in the United States: The Ultimate GuideView on Amazon - 4
Best for a home or shop wall8×12 Inch Art Print Wall Decor Lantern Press Print, Bend, Oregon, RideView on Amazon - 5
Best for riders planning a trip beyond OregonGuide To West Virginia Rail TrailsView on Amazon - 6
Best budget pick for local ridersBend Oregon Mountain Biking Bend Mtb Trails Retro Comfort Colors Adult SweatshirtView on Amazon
Our Top Picks
The table below summarizes what each product is best suited for. The detailed notes follow, ordered by how closely each item fits the planning and riding needs most people bring to bend mountain bike trails.
| Product | Best for | Key feature |
|---|---|---|
| Mountain Biking Bend and Central Oregon: A Complete Trail and Travel Guide | Riders who want a dedicated Bend trail guide | Region-specific trail descriptions and travel context |
| Bend- Three Sisters, OR No. 622SX (Green Trails Maps) | Riders who navigate with paper maps | Topographic-style map of the Bend and Three Sisters area |
| 100 Best Mountain Bike Trails in the United States | Riders comparing trips across the country | National selection with a singletrack focus |
| 8×12 Inch Art Print, Bend, Oregon, Ride the Trails | Riders who want a décor piece for a garage or office | Ready-to-hang print with a Bend mountain bike theme |
| Guide To West Virginia Rail Trails | Riders building a rail trail itinerary | Rail trail coverage for a different state |
| Bend Oregon Mountain Biking Retro Comfort Colors Adult Sweatshirt | Local riders and fans of Bend riding culture | Garment with a Bend mountain biking graphic |
Mountain Biking Bend and Central Oregon: A Complete Trail and Travel Guide
Mountain Biking Bend and Central Oregon: A Complete Trail and Travel Guide
Best for: Riders who want a single book that covers the trail network around Bend and the wider Central Oregon area
This is the most directly relevant book on the list. It is built around the riding in and around Bend rather than a general national overview, which makes it useful for someone deciding where to start, what a loop feels like and how the trail systems connect to town. It suits riders who prefer reading ahead of time and want trip context alongside route descriptions.
Key specs
- Format: printed guide focused on mountain biking in Bend and Central Oregon
- Scope: trail descriptions plus broader travel information for the region
Pros
- Regionally specific, so less time filtering out irrelevant trails
- Useful for trip planning as well as on-trail reference
- Works well as a pre-ride study guide for first-time visitors
Cons
- A printed guide can go out of date as trail systems change, so check current signage and maps
- Less useful for riders who want turn-by-turn GPS navigation
Bottom line: The best starting point for most riders who want a Bend-focused book. Pair it with a current map for navigation on the ground.
Bend- Three Sisters, OR No. 622SX (Green Trails Maps)
Bend- Three Sisters, OR No. 622SX (Green Trails Maps)
Best for: Riders who prefer a paper map for navigating routes around Bend and the Three Sisters area
A regional map sheet is the right tool when you want to see the whole landscape at once: road access, trailheads, elevation contours and how one drainage connects to the next. It fits riders who plan loops in advance, carry a map on the bike, and want a reference that does not depend on battery or signal.
Key specs
- Format: folded paper map covering the Bend and Three Sisters area
- Coverage: regional, with terrain shown for route planning
Pros
- Shows the big picture of connections that a trail-by-trail guide can miss
- Needs no power, signal or app
- Good for checking elevation and access before committing to a ride
Cons
- Folded maps are awkward to use on a handlebar and need a protective bag
- Trail-level detail is more limited than a dedicated mountain bike guide
Bottom line: A strong companion to a trail guide for riders who like to plan routes on paper, and a sensible backup for any ride.
100 Best Mountain Bike Trails in the United States: The Ultimate Guide to America’s Top Singletrack
100 Best Mountain Bike Trails in the United States: The Ultimate Guide to America's Top Singletrack — From Epic Rides to Hidden Gems
Best for: Riders who want to compare bend mountain bike trails against other destinations in the country
This is a national survey rather than a Bend guide, so it works best as a planning tool for someone building a multi-destination trip. It helps you judge whether Bend’s singletrack fits your goals alongside riding elsewhere in the United States.
Key specs
- Format: printed guide covering trails across the United States
- Focus: singletrack-oriented selection of destinations
Pros
- Makes comparisons across regions easy
- Good for discovering destinations you might not have considered
- Useful for riders who ride several different terrains each season
Cons
- Coverage of any single area, including Bend, is necessarily shallower
- Not a substitute for a local map or detailed route notes
Bottom line: A useful reference for riders planning a broader trip, but better as a supplement than a primary Bend guide.
8×12 Inch Art Print Wall Decor Lantern Press Print, Bend, Oregon, Ride the Trails, Mountain Bike
8×12 Inch Art Print Wall Decor Lantern Press Print, Bend, Oregon, Ride the Trails, Mountain Bike
Best for: Riders who want a Bend-themed piece of wall art for a garage, workshop or home office
This is not a trail resource, but many riders keep a visual reminder of the places they love to ride. It suits anyone who wants decor that references Bend’s mountain biking identity without taking up floor space or requiring a mounting system beyond a standard frame.
Key specs
- Size: 8 x 12 inches
- Type: art print with a Bend, Oregon and mountain biking theme
Pros
- Compact size fits small walls and shelves
- Good gift choice for a rider who already has the maps
- Simple to frame or hang
Cons
- Contains no trail information, so it cannot help with route planning
- Small print size may look modest on large walls
Bottom line: A thoughtful gift or décor item for someone already committed to bend mountain bike trails, not a planning tool.
Guide To West Virginia Rail Trails
Guide To West Virginia Rail Trails
Best for: Riders building a rail trail itinerary who may want to ride outside Oregon
Rail trails offer gentle grades and long, continuous routes that differ from Bend’s singletrack-heavy network. This guide is relevant if you want to compare Bend’s riding style with rail trail touring in another state, or if you are planning a trip that combines both types of riding.
Key specs
- Format: printed guide focused on rail trails in West Virginia
- Terrain focus: converted rail corridors rather than technical singletrack
Pros
- Clear contrast with Bend’s terrain for riders diversifying their riding
- Useful for multi-day rail trail routes
- Focused and easy to read for a single state
Cons
- Not relevant to riders who only plan to ride near Bend
- Rail trails and singletrack require different bikes and skills, so expectations should be set accordingly
Bottom line: A good fit for riders who want to compare terrain types or plan a rail trail trip, but of limited use for Bend itself.
Bend Oregon Mountain Biking Bend Mtb Trails Retro Comfort Colors Adult Sweatshirt
Bend Oregon Mountain Biking Bend Mtb Trails Retro Comfort Colors Adult Sweatshirt
Best for: Local riders and fans of Bend’s mountain biking culture who want a casual, wearable option
Apparel is a low-stakes way to show affiliation with a riding community. This sweatshirt suits riders who spend time on bend mountain bike trails and want something comfortable for after the ride, the trailhead or a casual day around town.
Key specs
- Type: adult sweatshirt with a Bend mountain biking graphic
- Style: retro-inspired design
Pros
- Practical layer for cool mornings at the trailhead
- Strong option for gifting to a local rider
- Simple, recognizable design tied to Bend
Cons
- Sizing can vary between sweatshirt brands, so check the size chart before ordering
- Not technical outerwear and not a substitute for a waterproof layer
Bottom line: A good budget pick for riders who want to represent their local trail scene, not a piece of riding gear.
Buying Guide
The right choice depends on what you are trying to do: plan rides, learn the terrain, or celebrate the riding community. These factors help you narrow the field.
Coverage of the Bend trail network
Check whether a guide or map focuses on the Bend area specifically or covers a broader region. Bend’s trail systems are concentrated, so a resource that names trail systems, trailheads and loops in the city and its surroundings is more useful for a local visit than a general survey. Look for mention of the major trail areas around town and the connections between them.
Good picks for this: Mountain Biking Bend and Central Oregon: A Complete Trail and Travel Guide, Bend- Three Sisters, OR No. 622SX (Green Trails Maps)
Map format: paper versus digital
Paper maps work without battery or signal and show the broader landscape. Digital tools can give turn-by-turn guidance but depend on device charge and connectivity. Many riders carry both. If you go paper, choose a waterproof bag or a sleeve that keeps the map readable on a handlebar.
Good picks for this: Bend- Three Sisters, OR No. 622SX (Green Trails Maps)
Difficulty and skill-level information
Look for descriptions that label trails by difficulty and explain what that label means in practice, such as steepness, technical features, and exposure. Ratings differ between systems and between agencies, so a clear explanation of the scale matters more than any single label.
Good picks for this: Mountain Biking Bend and Central Oregon: A Complete Trail and Travel Guide, 100 Best Mountain Bike Trails in the United States
Scope: local versus national
A local guide gives depth; a national list gives breadth. Decide which you need before buying. If you are making one trip to Bend, depth wins. If you are choosing among several destinations, breadth helps you compare.
Good picks for this: 100 Best Mountain Bike Trails in the United States, Guide To West Virginia Rail Trails
Durability and outdoor handling
Books and maps get wet, bent and dirty on the trail. Look for laminated or coated maps, sturdy binding and a size you can fold and store. Prints and apparel should be treated as home or casual-use items rather than trail gear.
Good picks for this: Bend- Three Sisters, OR No. 622SX (Green Trails Maps), Mountain Biking Bend and Central Oregon: A Complete Trail and Travel Guide
Size and fit for gifts and apparel
For clothing, check the manufacturer’s size chart and compare it to a garment you already own. For prints, measure the frame opening before ordering so the artwork fits without cropping. Small details like these prevent returns and disappointment.
Good picks for this: Bend Oregon Mountain Biking Bend Mtb Trails Retro Comfort Colors Adult Sweatshirt, 8×12 Inch Art Print Wall Decor Lantern Press Print, Bend, Oregon, Ride the Trails, Mountain Bike
Use case: planning, riding or displaying
Decide what job the product has to do. A ride-planning guide should be consulted before and during the trip. A reference map should be easy to fold and read. A print or sweatshirt is for enjoyment and identity. Matching the product to the job prevents buying the wrong category.
Good picks for this: Mountain Biking Bend and Central Oregon: A Complete Trail and Travel Guide, 8×12 Inch Art Print Wall Decor Lantern Press Print, Bend, Oregon, Ride the Trails, Mountain Bike
FAQ
What is the best guide for bend mountain bike trails?
For most riders, a dedicated Bend and Central Oregon trail guide is the best starting point because it focuses on the local network. Pair it with a regional map if you plan to navigate on your own or want to see how trail systems connect.
Do I need a paper map if I already use a phone app?
Not always, but it is a sensible backup. Phone apps depend on battery life and signal, and signal can be patchy in parts of the high desert. A paper map provides a reliable reference that does not require either.
Are rail trail guides useful for riding in Bend?
Generally no. Rail trail guides cover converted railroad corridors with gentler grades, which differ from Bend’s singletrack-heavy terrain. They are more useful if you plan to ride rail trails elsewhere or want to compare riding styles.
How do I know which trails in Bend suit my skill level?
Read the difficulty explanation in the guide, not just the label. Look for details on steepness, technical features and exposure. If you are unsure, start with a moderate loop, check the trail description before you ride, and turn around if conditions or features exceed your comfort level.
Is a national trail guide worth buying if I only plan to ride in Bend?
Probably not as a primary resource. A national guide offers breadth, but local depth matters more for a single destination. It can still be useful for future trip planning.
What should I look for in a trail map for mountain biking?
Look for clear trailheads, contour lines or elevation information, road access and a legend that distinguishes trail types. A sturdy, water-resistant finish helps the map survive handlebar use.
Are the apparel and print options good for trail riding?
They are best treated as lifestyle items. Apparel is useful for comfort around the trailhead, but it is not technical gear and does not replace proper cycling clothing or a waterproof layer.
Conclusion
For planning bend mountain bike trails, the most useful combination is a dedicated Bend trail guide and a regional map. The guide gives you trail context and difficulty information, while the map helps you see connections and access. A national guide is worth considering if you are comparing multiple destinations, and a rail trail guide suits riders who want to explore other terrain. The print and sweatshirt picks are best as gifts or local identity items rather than planning tools. Choose based on the job you need done: planning, navigation, comparison or celebration.
Sources
- Trail and forest information for national forests in the Central Oregon region, including trail system maps and conditions (fs.usda.gov)
- Public land guidance and recreation information for Bureau of Land Management areas in Oregon (blm.gov)
- General guidance on trail safety, navigation and preparedness for outdoor recreation (nps.gov)
Related reading
- Bend Oregon Mountain Bike Trails: 8 Best Maps and Guides for Riders
- Top 8 Mountain Bike Trails Sedonas: Routes for Every Skill Level
- Top 8 Mountain Bike Trails Sedona Arizonas for Every Skill Level
- Top 7 Phoenix Mountain Bike Trails Worth Riding (2026)
- Top 7 Claremore Mountain Bike Trails for Every Skill Level
- Rocky Hill Ranch Mountain Bike Trails: 7 Best Maps and Guides Compared
About Colin Foster
Colin Foster is part of our editorial team and reviews and edits our bike touring & bikepacking guides, checking product details against manufacturer specifications and owner feedback.
