If you find yourself near Branson in southwest Missouri, don’t be surprised if you hear shrieks, shouts, whoops, and howls echoing from the woodlands just off U.S. Highway 65. There’s nothing to fear, though. These sounds aren’t caused by some terrifying, fur-covered creature but rather by hundreds of mountain bikers tearing through the forest. And the only real monsters you’ll likely encounter are monster jumps, along with fast tracks and giant smiles. 

We’re talking, of course, about Howler Bike Park, perhaps Missouri’s most ski resort-like mountain bike facility. It opened in May 2022 and now attracts thousands of riders of all skill levels from across the country. Consider this your guide to the park.

Getting Started
Like other high-level mountain bike parks around the U.S., Howler has a nice, intentional flow that allows you to seamlessly transition from station to station and trail to trail to optimize your experience.

When you arrive at the park, you’ll go through the Howler Pass to the Basecamp tucked into a clearing in the valley. At Basecamp, you’ll find a Welcome Center where you can purchase day passes and rent a bike or additional accessories like elbow pads, knee pads, and chest protectors. This is also where you can grab a coffee, souvenirs, smash burgers, and (maybe after the ride) a rotating cast of local beers.

From here, you’ve got options. You can head to the skills park, which offers a small dirt pump track. This area is popular with young riders, but more experienced grinders also use it for a few warm-up laps before going full-send at the top of Howler Mountain.

Basecamp. (Courtesy of Howler Bike Park)

At this point, you’ll probably notice the fleet of military cargo trucks passing by. These vehicles are the quickest and most efficient way of getting up the mountain. Each truck can accommodate up to 20 riders and their bikes, and they’re always running, so wait times are minimal. That said, if you’re up for a challenge and want to skip the shuttle lines, you can tackle Say Uncle, the steep, leg-burning climbing trail that leads from Basecamp to the summit.

Find Your Flow
Atop the mountain, you can choose from seven of the park’s 12 mountain bike trails. Just like at ski resorts, the trails are rated by color: green for beginners, blue for intermediates, black for advanced, and double black for experts.

“A lot of the trails are interconnected, so there’s a lot of variability and you can create your own path back to the bottom,” says Max Penny, the founder and co-owner of Howler Bike Park. “You can hit up to three different trails on one ride down, and there’s a combination for every type of rider and skill level. It’s all about the smiles and not the miles at Howler.”

One of the easiest trails at the park is Stroller Coaster, a beginner-friendly blue run that features berms and flow sections and still can ride pretty fast. On the opposite end of the spectrum, The Wizard is the most challenging. “This run is a double black EX that is as close to a pro line as you can get,” says Max. “It’s big, it’s fast, and it builds upon itself. It’s a badge of honor to complete the whole thing, and you earn even more bragging rights if you can complete the whole thing without stopping.”

Stroller Coaster trail. (Courtesy of Howler Bike Park)

Setting Up Camp
Overnight guests at Howler have options, too. The Howler Hideout apartment in the middle of Basecamp sleeps four people. Five fully furnished glamping tents can accommodate up to 12 people, depending on your selection. Primitive camping and spacious “boondocking” spots for RVs, camper vans, and pull-behinds are available, too. (Still have questions? See these FAQs.)

When to Go
Howler Bike Park is open year-round from Thursday to Sunday (12-4 p.m. on Thursdays, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays).

To save time on checking in, you can buy day passes online and reserve your rentals ahead of time, as they can sell out early on busy days.

Day passes cost $46 for adults and $30 for kids 12 and under. Rentals are extra. Admission is free if you simply want to hang out, watch the action, and take advantage of the hiking trail and kids’ areas. Just don’t be surprised if you feel compelled to hop on a bike.

Author: Kyle Wayne Stewart is a frequent contributor to Terrain.

Top image: The Wizard trail at Howler Bike Park. (Courtesy of Howler Bike Park)