Carson Valley is a rural valley with Lake Tahoe to the west and the great basin of Nevada to the east. The foothills and mountains that form the valley’s boundaries serve up awe-inspiring vistas. The Pinenut mountains on the east are arid and provide a significant contrast with the lush green of the Sierras on the west. The Carson River and its many forks and tributary creeks provide even more diverse habitat. The legendary cycling passes of Alpine County and the single track of the Tahoe Lake basin are all part of the mixed terrain cycling routes of Carson Valley.

Carson Valley is home to Nevada’s oldest settlement and a section of the Old Pony Express Route. The valley lies at the crossroads of key highways linking Reno and points north to the Eastern Sierra and southern California to Lake Tahoe, Alpine County, and Northern California. Excellent paved roads cross the valley and climb the surrounding passes but there are also miles of forest service roads, BLM roads, ranch roads, old mining roads, logging roads, and miles of abandoned roadway. Trail groups have completed miles of scenic single track all around the valley.

But Carson Valley is no rural backwater—you’ll find hotels for every budget, great places to eat and unwind after your ride, bike shops to keep your bicycle running, and great medical facilities—just in case.

Carson Valley is the ultimate destination for mixed terrain cycling—awesome scenery, extensive mixed terrain routes, and all a short ride from your front door.

• The Carson Valley Adventure Ride Series

• Riding Carson Valley Mixed Terrain All Year

• Places to Stay

• Places to Eat