While enjoying a week-long family camping trip at Martha Creek, Klaus and I had the opportunity to check out some of the riding areas around Revelstoke. Both Boulder Mountain and Mount MacPherson offer a great variety of trails — punchy climbs, cross-country, and downhill — with shuttle options if that's your thing. 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 riders in your crew.
Boulder Mountain
Boulder Mountain is for the downhill-minded rider. You can pedal up via a well-built climbing trail or shuttle your way to the good stuff. We chose to shuttle — no regrets.
If you're keen on a parent-only ride day, Revelstoke Mountain Resort runs day camps weekly in July and August for ages 5–13, with daily drop-ins available. It's not cheap — drop-in rates are close to $100 — but it's a solid option. The kids get their own adventure while you get to ride what you want. It worked well for us.
Getting There
For park-and-pedal, the lower parking lot at the Sisyphus trailhead is your spot — just past the bridge on your left. There's a covered area great for a lunch break and an outhouse on site. Fair warning: the lot is small. If it's full, head back to the Frisby Ridge parking area and ride the short distance to the trailhead.
If you're shuttling, note that Boulder Mountain is accessed via an active logging road, and a radio is mandatory. Trucks move up and down regularly and they'll appreciate the heads up. Speaking from experience, coming around a corner to find one barrelling downhill is not the vibe. Carry the 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 great fit for youth intermediate riders, especially if you can take advantage of a shuttle. Start with Loggin' Leftovers to get your bearings, then work up to Man Quads once everyone's comfortable.
Mount MacPherson — The Family Ride Day
MacPherson is the move if you want a more relaxed ride with the kids. Lots of variety, no brutal climbs, and trails that are genuinely fun to lap. We didn't make it out here with ours on this trip — the mosquitoes were bad enough to put anyone off, and when you've got kids who need regular breaks, that's a recipe for a miserable afternoon. But from a coaching perspective, it's one of the better spots for young riders.
Trails Worth Lapping
Dusty Beaver, Beaver Tail, and Eager Beaver are green, bi-directional flow trails that are easy to lap and fun for all ages. If the kids are looking for more, the Miller Time Adaptive Loop is a good add-on. Park at the Griffith Creek parking lot and follow Griffith Creek FSR and Beaver Lake Road up to the trailhead — it loops back to where you started. The upper parking lot has an outhouse.
Getting There
Park at the Griffith Creek parking lot and follow Griffith Creek FSR and Beaver Lake Road up to the trailhead. It’s nice loop that will take you back to the parking lot.
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 — don't skip this
- Youth riders: Start with Loggin' Leftovers, work up to Man Quads
- Day camps: Revelstoke Mountain Resort, weekly July–August, ages 5–13; drop-ins ~$100/day
- MacPherson: The better pick for a mellow family ride day
- Pump track: Centennial Park, near the end of Centennial Park Dr toward the mill; mornings recommended
Worth the Visit
Revelstoke has a reputation as a destination for serious riders — and it earns it. But what caught us off guard is how well it works for families who aren't ready to leave the kids at home. Between Boulder Mountain for the adults, the RMR day camp option for the kids, MacPherson for a mellow family ride day, and the pump track in town for an easy afternoon, there's something for every age and skill level.
If you're a mountain bike family looking for a trip that doesn't ask anyone to compromise, Revelstoke deserves a spot on your list.