While enjoying a family camping trip at Martha Creek, Klaus and I had an opportunity to ride Boulder Mountain. It’s one of Revelstoke's best riding areas for a variety of punchy climbing, downhill trails, and shuttle opportunities. Whether you're after a solid half-day or a full day of laps, there's enough here to keep everyone happy — including the young intermediate riders in your crew.
Since our kids are not Boulder Mountain ready, we found a fun day camp for them to join so us parents could take advantage and have some kid-free time. More on that below.
Getting There
If you plan to park and pedal, Boulder Mountain parking is in the lower parking lot at the trailhead for Sisyphus, just passed the bridge on your left. It has a covered area that's perfect for a lunch break and it also has an outhouse. The parking lot is quite small. If it’s full, you’ll have to turn around and park at the Frisby Ridge parking and bike the short distance to the trail head.
If you are planning some shuttle laps, Boulder Mountain is accessed via an active logging road. If you plan to shuttle, a radio is mandatory — trucks move regularly up and down and they'll appreciate the heads up from other vehicles. Speaking from experience, it’s no fun coming around a corner to find one of those trucks barrelling down the hill. So avoid the surprise and carry a radio.
Trails Worth Knowing
Sisyphus is a newer, well-built blue that takes you up to the better trails above. It's a proper trail climb with good flow once you're warmed up — not just a grind.
Boondocker is fast, technical in the right spots, and never boring. One of the better descents on the mountain.
Loggin' Leftovers is a fun blue flow trail with lots of variety — a good first descent if you're figuring out what the mountain has to offer.
Man Quads is a more technical blue with well-built woodwork throughout. Keeps things challenging without going black.
For Families with Youth Riders
The blue trails here are a good fit for youth intermediate riders who get to take advantage of a shuttle. Start with Loggin' Leftovers to get your bearings, then move up to Man Quads once everyone's comfortable.
If you are keen to have a parent only ride, just like us, Revelstoke Mountain Resort (RMR) runs day camps weekly in July and August for ages 5–13, with daily drop-ins available. It’s not cheap, with daily drop-ins rates almost $100, but its a solid option — the kids get their own adventure while you get to ride what you want.
Family Half-Day Option — Mount MacPherson
MacPherson is a fun area for families — lots of variety without the hard climbs. We didn't make it out here with the kids on this trip (mosquitoes got the better of us), but from a coaching perspective, it's a great spot for confident young riders.
Dusty Beaver, Beaver Tail, and Eager Beaver are green, bi-directional flow trails that are super fun and easy to lap. Park at the Griffith Creek parking lot and follow Griffith Creek FSR and Beaver Lake Road up to the trailhead. If the kids are looking for more, the Miller Time Adaptive Loop is a good add-on.
One practical note: the upper parking lot has an outhouse.
The Pump Track in Town
Revelstoke's Velosolutions pump track at Centennial Park is worth the visit. Two lines, good flow on both. Find it near the end of Centennial Park Drive toward the mill.
Practical notes: no bathrooms nearby, mosquitoes can be bad in summer, not much shade for spectators. Morning sessions are better on all counts. Pairs well with the rest of Centennial Park — space to run around after, and town is close for food or coffee.
Quick Notes
- Boulder Mountain: Half-day minimum; full day if you want more laps
- Shuttle radio: Required on the logging road
- Youth riders: Start with Loggin' Leftovers, work up to Man Quads
- Day camps: Revelstoke Mountain Resort, weekly July–August, ages 5–13
- MacPherson: Better for a mellow family ride day
- Pump track: Centennial Park, near the end of Centennial Park Dr toward the mill; morning sessions recommended