Nestled into the rolling hills of Massachusetts, Thunder Mountain Bike Park (TMBP / Thunder) has been beckoning mountain bikers since 2015. Thanks to buttery-smooth berms, progressive technical riding, and the biggest public jump line in the United States, Thunder Mountain has something to excite both the brand-new rider and seasoned veteran. The park offers 33 trails serviced by a high-speed lift, making it easy to lap your favorite trails over and over.
Based in Charlemont, a hotspot for biking, snow sports, hiking, and whitewater access, Thunder Mountain is part of a broader community aimed at exploring the outdoors. This region is just shy of the Vermont border, making it the perfect weekend getaway.
Here are a few tips on maximizing your visit to Thunder Mountain Bike Park:
Trails
Sugarline – Green Flow
Sugarline is Thunder’s marquee green trail. It gently weaves three miles down the mountain, featuring a friendly grade, and plenty of berms and small rollers. It’s the perfect trail for a newer rider to gain their confidence, or for an experienced rider looking to warm up for the day.
Cat N Mouse – Blue Flow
Cat N Mouse is one of Thunder’s most beloved trails, thanks to its endless buffet of manicured berms. The trail feels like a bobsled track for mountain bikers, as it slingshots you from one berm to the next. The TMBP Trail Crew pours a lot of energy into the trail, creating berms that are works of art. This is a great trail for riders wanting to step into blue terrain and for experienced riders looking to tip it and rip it.
Gronk – Blue Flow
For those looking for airtime, Gronk is the place to go. This blue jumpline is known for its progressive tabletop jumps and sweeping berms. It’s the kind of trail that will delight a new jumper or someone who likes sending it to the moon. If you’re new to jumping, consider booking a lesson with a TMBP Bike Coach or enrolling in their Jumps and Drops Clinic before dropping in.
Billy Badger – Black Tech
Thunder has a variety of fun and challenging technical trails, but one of its most popular is Billy Badger. This Black Diamond tech trail pairs rooty and rocky sections with steep berms, optional drops, and jumps, making it a fast and thrilling descent. There are multiple lines in the technical sections, so there’s always something to challenge yourself during your ride.
Hawleywood – Double Black Flow
Expert jumpers are at home on Hawleywood, Thunder’s double black jump line. Hawleywood takes things up a notch with giant tabletop jumps, wooden drops, and step-up senders that are perfect for showing off your whip.
Cliff Clavin – Double Black Tech
Chutes, steeps, rocks, and roots — that’s Cliff Clavin in a nutshell. This challenging double black tech trail is one long puzzle that demands brake control, line choice, and comfort in the steeps. If the tech alone wasn’t daunting enough, the trail ends with a wooden drop (with an option to roll it).
Lodging
For those who want to roll right out of bed and be right at the bike park, you can’t beat the convenience of camping at TMBP. The park offers 17 tent camping sites and oversized camping in designated areas of the main parking lot. The tent sites are open-field style with fire pits.
If you’re looking to disconnect and immerse yourself in the outdoors, Mohawk Trail State Forest is one of the most scenic woodland areas in Massachusetts. It covers 6,000 acres of mountain ridges, gorges, and woods, and has 53 wooded campsites and 6 log cabins for overnight stay.
Blue Vista Motor Lodge (pictured above)
Home to the best view in the area, the Blue Vista is a cozy, renovated Motor Lodge. The hotel is an easy driving distance from TMBP, and aptly situated for exploring both Charlemont and the nearby North Adams. With amenities such as a hot tub and sauna, you’re sure to recover and relax after your day of riding.
The Red Rose is a lovely motel located on the Deerfield River in Charlemont, MA, just a short drive to TMBP. It’s a family-run business that aims to connect visitors with the local region. When you’re not out riding, kick back and relax at their private beach on the river, fire pit, or the swimming pool.
Food
The Crazy Horse Bar & Grill is located upstairs in the Main Lodge and overlooks the mountain. Their summer menu is a range of sandwiches, salads, appetizers, and entrees ranging from classics like burgers to creative dishes like Roast Duck with a Thai Chili Glaze.
The Taqueria
Relax between laps at “The Backyard” seating area adjacent to the main lift, where you can order tacos, burritos, taco salads, drinks, and more at The Tacqueria. This grab and go spot offers quick and easy bites, and there are plenty of picnic tables and Adirondack chairs for lounging with your friends.
What happens when two passionate cyclists dream of starting a brewery? You get Dirt Church, a down-to-earth taproom that also serves as the local watering hole for the region’s many adventure seekers. Enjoy one of their many in-house beers on tap, as well as, pizza and light bites and non-alocholic options, while soaking in the sun in their beer garden.
Other Activities
Berkshire East Zipline Adventures feature some of the longest and fastest zip lines on the East Coast with spectacular views of the Deerfield River Valley! The Mountain Top Tour is perfect for first timers and groups and the Valley Jump Tour is great for adventure seekers looking for the experience of a lifetime
Think of it as a combination alpine slide and roller coaster. The Thunderbolt Mountain Coaster takes riders up 1,580 feet of up-track through the forest before the cart disengages and gravity takes over. It’s fun for all ages.
Zoar Outdoor pioneered whitewater rafting on the Deerfield River in 1989. 35 years later, they continue to build on their experience to offer well planned trips with friendly professional guides. Trips vary from Class II, III, and IV whitewater and range from 3-hour trips to whole day adventures.