This Secret Bike Park Will Give You the Thrill of Your Life

In a state better known for flat horizons, Spider Mountain Bike Park feels almost impossible: a chairlift hauling riders 350 vertical feet to nearly 20 downhill trails overlooking Lake Buchanan.

It’s the only lift‑served mountain bike park in Texas—and the only year‑round one in the entire country.

Just 60 miles northwest of Austin, the Texas Eagle chairlift eliminates the grind of climbing, leaving riders to focus on pure gravity‑fed fun.

Load your bike, ride to the top, pick a trail, and let the descent do the talking.

How the Lift Changes Everything

The four-person chairlift carries riders and bikes together to the summit, where views of Lake Buchanan spread out below.

From the top, trails branch off in multiple directions, each offering a different combination of terrain, features, and difficulty.

Instead of grinding up hills to earn your descents, you can stack runs back-to-back, fitting more trail time into a single day than most traditional riding spots allow.

One experienced rider reported completing 23 laps in a full day, hitting every trail multiple times.

That kind of volume isn’t possible when you’re pedaling uphill between runs. The efficiency transforms what riding means here—less endurance test, more pure downhill enjoyment.

The lift operates year-round, taking advantage of Texas’s mild winters.

When ski resorts elsewhere sit dormant, Spider Mountain keeps spinning, drawing riders from across the country who want to keep their skills sharp through the off-season.

The Trails

Spider Mountain packs nearly 20 downhill trails into seven miles of purpose‑built singletrack, ranging from beginner greens to double‑black expert lines.

Itsy‑Bitsy introduces first‑timers with smooth flow and lake views, while blue trails like Sidewinder, Vipers Den, and Venom add berms, drops, and jump lines.

Tarantula ups the fun with nine wooden features—ramps, wall rides, and rollable jumps—letting riders choose how hard to push.

For experts, Stinger and Sleep Tight deliver steep descents, rocky gardens, and big drops visible from the lift.

New trails keep appearing, from raw runs like Sticky Icky to jump lines like Antidote.

With so many options branching from the same lift, riders of all skill levels can lap together, each carving their own adventure down the mountain.

Skills Park and Lessons

At the base, a skills park lets riders practice on wooden features, rollers, and berms before heading uphill.

On select Saturdays, the park even offers free beginner lessons—guides walk newcomers through the skills park, show how to load bikes onto the lift, and ride alongside them down Itsy‑Bitsy with coaching.

Registration is required online, while lift passes and rentals are separate.

For those without gear, Spider Mountain rents full‑suspension bikes and protective equipment, from helmets to pads.

Staff helps match riders with the right setup—trail bikes work fine, but enduro and downhill rigs shine on the steeper, rockier terrain.

It’s a setup that makes the park accessible to first‑timers and seasoned riders alike.

What to Know Before You Go

Safety gear matters here—full‑face helmets are strongly recommended on the more aggressive trails, while eye protection is a must everywhere.

Lift tickets are best purchased online, where prices fluctuate with demand and can dip to $25–30 on slower days compared to $50 walk‑up.

Season passes and multi‑day options are available for regulars.

The park typically runs Fridays from noon to 7 p.m. and weekends from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., though hours shift seasonally, so checking the website before heading out is smart.

Amenities keep riders fueled and comfortable.

Water stations sit at both ends of the lift, a food truck often rolls in on weekends, and the ticket window sells drinks—including beer—for post‑ride refreshment. Parking is free but fills quickly on race days.

With exposed terrain that bakes in summer heat, hydration and early starts are the best way to maximize riding time.

Visiting Information

Spider Mountain Bike Park is located at 200 Greenwood Hills Trail in Burnet. From Austin, take Highway 29 west through Burnet, then turn onto County Road 2341 and continue past Reveille Peak Ranch.

For trail maps, current hours, lift ticket pricing, and rental information, visit Spider Mountain’s official website or call ahead.

Use the map to plan your ride and explore the lakeside terrain near Burnet and Lake Buchanan.

Where: 200 Greenwood Hills Trail, Burnet, TX 78611

Spider Mountain Bike Park delivers Texas’s most unexpected mountain biking experience—lift-served downhill runs and miles of purpose-built singletrack above the sparkling waters of Lake Buchanan, no climb required.