Situated just a short drive from the I-25 corridor, Rhyolite Bike Park offers an exciting yet accessible mountain biking experience. Known for its well-marked trails and a community that's keen on progressive improvements, this park is a jewel in the mountain biking landscape of Castle Rock. The loop is one-way, with clockwise traffic, eliminating worries about oncoming hikers or bikers.
From I-25, take exit 181 for Wilcox St/Plum Creek Parkway and continue east for about 1.5 miles. Make a right on Lake Gulch Rd and drive another 1.5 miles, then turn right onto Crystal Valley Pkwy. You'll find the parking lot and trailhead just a third of a mile down the road on the right. Once parked, loop around the restrooms to find the singletrack trailhead near the tennis courts.
Although the park is promising, riders note a significant gap between intermediate and difficult trails. However, there are plans for skill development areas and further expansions. Also, the new sessions park with three new lines shows the park's progressive potential.
Rhyolite Bike Park in Castle Rock, Colorado, offers a remarkable yet straightforward biking experience for enthusiasts of all skill levels. With community support and incremental enhancements, it stands as a testament to the city's commitment to outdoor activities. While there's room for growth, especially in bridging the skill gap in trail difficulty, Rhyolite remains a destination well worth your rubber.