Blazing Trails in Mars Hill
By Kimber Ray
With the scheduled opening of Bailey Mountain Bike Park in Mars Hill, N.C., this June, mountain bikers skilled at high-speed maneuvering down steep, rough terrain may soon travel to rural Madison County from across the country.
Unlike traditional downhill trail operations, which often convert to ski slopes in the winter, Bailey will be the first in the U.S. to remain open year-round and cater exclusively to mountain bikers. The first stage of the park will include five trails, but the long-term plan is to build as many as 30 trails.
The nonprofit Natural Capital Investment Fund, a business loan fund that supports sustainable economic development, helped finance the park.
“We’re looking to make ourselves a mini-destination,” says Bailey co-owner Jennifer Miller. “It’s highly likely that the people who come to us will go and explore other things in the area too, whether it be the hot springs or downtown Marshall or Mars Hill.”
Miller is optimistic that, combined with continued development of nearby cross-country bike trails, Bailey’s opening could help “put Madison County on the map for some major mountain biking action.”
Visit: baileymountainwnc.com
Related Articles
Latest News
More Stories
Signs of Life
In the Nantahala National Forest, a team of biologists spotted Indiana bats, an endangered species that hasn’t been seen in North Carolina for the last 11 years.
‘First Line of Defense’
During Hurricane Helene and its aftermath, rural fire departments and other first responder hubs played critical roles in keeping their communities safe, even without power and cut off from outside support for days or weeks after the storm. Two years later, plenty of work remains to ensure these hubs have the resources they need to operate day to day and be ready when emergencies or natural disasters strike.
The Rocky Road — and Bridge — to Recovery
Hurricane Helene is estimated to have damaged nearly 7,000 private roads and bridges in Western North Carolina. Two years later, many restoration projects are complete, but the journey hasn’t been easy — and isn’t over for others.
After 20 Years, Letcher County Prison Proposal Is Still Alive, Though Obstacles Remain
A $605 million proposal for a federal prison on a former strip mine site in Letcher County, Kentucky, championed by U.S. Rep. Hal Rogers, refuses to die, despite local opposition, a lack of support from the executive branch and numerous other obstacles.
The Washout and Rebuild
For nearly two years, residents of Unicoi County, Tennessee, have had to make do without a hospital after Hurricane Helene destroyed the rural hospital. Ballad Health, which owns the hospital, broke ground on a new location — in another floodplain — in August 2026.
The Shenandoah Salamander
The Shenandoah salamander is a woodland salamander, which has adapted to life at higher elevations away from water. This sparkling rarity lives among the dry leaves, cracked logs, and stony hillocks on the highest peaks of Shenandoah National Park.
Leave a comment
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *
Leave a Comment