Mountain biking

The northern Arizona town of Prescott has gone the extra mile to make itself a premiere destination for mountain bikers. The town has 250 miles of trails that range from the biker’s equivalent of bunny slopes to the painfully tough and rugged. The mountain bike scene is anchored by the annual Whiskey Off-Road every April, a 3-day endurance race and event that includes tons of live music and—you guessed it—whiskey. What makes Prescott so appealing to cyclists is the variety of trails. In a relatively small area, you can find yourself tackling a smooth downhill slope, muscling cross-country, or navigating a technical hill. The Willow Dells Slickrock Trails are some of the most challenging and rewarding, circling through the otherworldly Granite Dells—outcroppings that protrude from the earth like eroded drip castles. In the early mornings and evenings, the still water of Willow Creek reflects the mounds, adding to the surreal feel.