October 16–18, 2026 | El Prado Group Campground

Have a question we haven't answered below? Email events@sdmba.com.

Registration

How much is registration?

Trail Fest uses tiered pricing – the earlier you register, the more you save.

Once a pricing tier sells out, registration automatically moves to the next tier.

What does a Festival Pass include?

Your Festival Pass includes:

• Group camping at El Prado Campground Friday and Saturday nights

• Catered Saturday BBQ dinner

• Guided rides

• Bike demos

• Vendor Village

• Friday night movie

• Saturday night live music and festivities

• One opportunity drawing ticket

• Access to other Trail Fest activities throughout the weekend

Food trucks will be available on-site for additional meals, or you're welcome to bring and prepare your own food at camp.

What add-ons are available?

Optional add-ons include:

• $50 Parking Pass – required for each vehicle entering El Prado

• MTB Skills Clinics

• Noble Canyon Shuttles

• Reserved campsites in Meadow and Shady Loops

• Official 2026 Trail Fest T-shirt

This year, Trail Fest shirts will be screen printed live at the event! Pre-order your 100% cotton heavyweight unisex tee in your preferred size, then choose from available 2026 print designs at Trail Fest.

Are single-day passes available?

We don't offer a separate single-day pass, but you're welcome to purchase a regular Festival Pass and attend for just one day if that's what your schedule allows. We'd love to have you for however much of the weekend you can make!

Is there a discount for non-riding attendees?

No. A Festival Pass is required for everyone attending, regardless of whether they plan to ride.

Can I register at the event?

No. There is no walk-up registration for Trail Fest. Please register in advance.

Can I get a refund or transfer my registration?

Trail Fest registrations are non-refundable. We may facilitate a transfer to another participant if both parties handle payment directly. Contact events@sdmba.com in advance if you need to transfer your registration.

What happens if Trail Fest is canceled?

Trail Fest takes place during fire season and is subject to U.S. Forest Service restrictions, closures, severe weather, emergencies, and other circumstances beyond SDMBA's control. Registration fees are non-refundable and cannot be rolled over to a future event.

Camping & Lodging

Is camping included?

Yes! Your Festival Pass includes group camping at El Prado Campground Friday and Saturday nights.

Camping is first-come, first-served within the designated group areas. Think mountain bike festival camping – tents, friends, bikes, and plenty of activity nearby.

Can I reserve my own campsite?

Yes. SDMBA has reserved a limited number of individual campsites in Meadow Loop and Shady Loop at the adjacent Mount Laguna Campground.

These are optional upgrades and must be booked separately from your Trail Fest registration. Booking a reserved campsite does not register you for Trail Fest.

Reserved campsites include Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights with Monday checkout.

Can I bring an RV or trailer?

RVs and trailers cannot be accommodated within El Prado Group Campground.

If you're bringing a larger RV or trailer, reserve an appropriate individual campsite in Mount Laguna Campground or another nearby campground.

Will I be able to park next to my tent?

Probably not. El Prado is a group campground rather than individually numbered campsites. Depending on where you camp, you may need to unload your gear and then move your vehicle to a designated parking area within El Prado.

Pro tip: Bring a wagon! It makes moving camping gear much easier.

Where else can I stay?

Nearby options include Mount Laguna Campground, Burnt Rancheria Campground, Mount Laguna Lodge, local cabins, and vacation rentals.

Mount Laguna Campground is immediately adjacent to El Prado, while Burnt Rancheria is several miles away.

Parking

Do I need a parking pass?

If you're bringing a vehicle into El Prado, yes.

Parking is one of our biggest constraints. Every vehicle entering El Prado Campground must have a $50 parking pass, purchased in advance.

Carpooling is strongly encouraged.

Where can I park if I don't purchase an El Prado parking pass?

Nearby options may include:

• Mile Marker 19 / Sunset Trailhead

• Penny Pines

• Agua Dulce / Wooded Hill

• Red-Tailed Roost

• Mount Laguna Campground day-use areas

Some locations require an Adventure Pass or day-use fee. If parking remotely, plan to ride into El Prado.

Food & Drinks

What food is included?

Your Festival Pass includes a catered Saturday BBQ dinner from Julian Beer Co., with a vegan pizza option available.

For 2026, we've simplified the included meal program and significantly lowered registration prices compared with previous years. Rather than building the cost of an entire weekend of catered meals into every ticket, we're giving you more flexibility to eat how – and where – you want.

What about the rest of my meals?

You've got options!

Food trucks will be on-site throughout Trail Fest with additional meals and food available for purchase. You're also welcome to bring your own food and cook at camp, subject to any U.S. Forest Service fire restrictions in effect during the event.

And if you'd rather head out for a meal, The Outpost by Valley Farm is just up the road in Mount Laguna and offers food, beer, and other provisions.

Should I bring my own food?

Yes. Plan to bring whatever additional food, snacks, and beverages you'll need outside of Saturday's included BBQ. Between your camp kitchen, the on-site food trucks, and nearby options, you'll have plenty of flexibility throughout the weekend.

Will there be drinking water?

Potable water is available at the campground. SDMBA will not provide bottled water, so please bring reusable bottles and any additional water you need.

Will there be coffee?

We recommend bringing whatever you need to satisfy your morning coffee requirements. If we have coffee available on-site, consider it a bonus!

Bathrooms & Showers

What bathroom facilities are available?

El Prado has vault toilets, and additional portable restrooms will be available for Trail Fest.

Are showers available?

Yes – newly refurbished showers at El Prado are back in action!

A limited number of coin-operated showers are available in the Yerba Santa area of El Prado Group Campground. This is a welcome upgrade after many years without working showers, but remember: we'll have a few showers and a few hundred campers, so don't count on one being available exactly when you want it.

Bring quarters and consider a hot shower a Trail Fest luxury!

Weather & Fire Safety

What will the weather be like?

Mount Laguna weather can vary considerably in October. Days may be warm and sunny while nighttime temperatures can drop significantly.

Check the forecast before you leave and come prepared with layers, warm sleeping gear, and appropriate rain protection.

Will campfires be allowed?

Maybe. Trail Fest takes place during Southern California's high fire danger season, and U.S. Forest Service fire restrictions may be in effect.

Restrictions may prohibit campfires, charcoal, stoves, propane fire pits, or other open flames. All participants are required to follow the U.S. Forest Service restrictions and Trail Fest fire safety rules in effect during the event.

SDMBA will communicate any applicable restrictions as Trail Fest approaches.

Rides, Clinics & Activities

How do I sign up for guided rides and activities?

Guided rides and other casual activities will be signed up for in person at Trail Fest. We'll have schedules and sign-up information available when you arrive.

Activities with limited capacity – including MTB Skills Clinics and Noble Canyon Shuttles – should be purchased in advance during registration. These regularly fill up, so don't wait if there's something you really want to do.

Are MTB skills clinics available?

Yes! Optional MTB Skills Clinics will be offered by Ride Pine Flow and are available for $20 per clinic.

Enrollment is limited to maintain small group sizes and a high-quality coaching experience, so clinics should be purchased in advance during registration.

Please review the description and prerequisite skill level for each clinic before signing up.

Will there be Noble Canyon shuttles?

Absolutely – and we've added two additional Saturday shuttles for 2026 by popular demand!

We're working with Trek to provide more shuttle opportunities than in previous years. Shuttles pick riders and bikes up at the lower Noble Canyon Trailhead in Pine Valley and return them to El Prado, saving you the vehicle shuttle back up the mountain.

Space is limited to 14 riders and bikes per shuttle, and these sell out every year, so reserve yours during registration.

Noble Canyon is an advanced ride with technical terrain, so come prepared with an appropriate bike, equipment, fitness, and riding ability.

Shuttle reservations are non-refundable but may be transferred on-site. 100% of shuttle proceeds support trail projects in the Mount Laguna Recreation Area.

Bikes & Demos

Will there be demo bikes?

Yes! Bike demos from participating brands will be available throughout the weekend. Vendors and available bikes are subject to change.

What do I need to demo a bike?

Demo providers generally require a valid driver's license or credit card and may require you to sign an additional waiver.

Please follow each company's checkout procedures and return demo bikes promptly so other attendees get a chance to ride them.

Can I bring my e-bike?

E-bike access is determined by U.S. Forest Service regulations for individual roads and trails. Many trails in the Mount Laguna Recreation Area are designated non-motorized and do not permit e-bikes. SDMBA continues to advocate for Class 1 eBike access on non-motorized trails in the Cleveland National Forest.

E-bikes may be ridden on roads and routes where motorized use is permitted. Please check current U.S. Forest Service regulations and posted trail rules before riding.

Kids & Families

Do kids need to register?

Yes.

Kids ages 6–17 are $35, and kids 5 & under are free. All children attending Trail Fest must be included in their family's registration.

Can someone under 18 attend without a parent or guardian?

No. Participants under 18 must attend with a parent or legal guardian.

Dogs

Can I bring my dog?

Yes, but please use good judgment. Trail Fest brings hundreds of people, bikes, kids, other dogs, food, and activity into a relatively compact campground. If your dog isn't comfortable in a busy, crowded environment, Trail Fest may not be the best place to bring them.

Dogs must be well behaved and kept on leash within campground areas. Owners are responsible for their dogs throughout the weekend.

A Few Trail Fest Pro Tips

Will cell service work?

Cell service in Mount Laguna can be unreliable. Don't count on having a connection.

If you plan to purchase merchandise, food, opportunity drawing tickets, or other items during the weekend, bringing some cash is a good idea.

Will lights be available for night rides?

Maybe! We're working on having demo lights available again this year, but it's not guaranteed.

Bring your own lights if you're planning to ride after dark – and if we have some sweet demo lights available, consider it a bonus.

Where Does My Registration Money Go?

Trail Fest is one of SDMBA's largest annual fundraising events.

Proceeds support trail maintenance, new trail development, volunteer stewardship, advocacy, and SDMBA's work with the Cleveland National Forest in the Mount Laguna Recreation Area and throughout San Diego County.

When you join us for San Diego's Bike Party in the Woods, you're also investing directly in better trails.

Sponsors & Vendors

Interested in participating as a sponsor or vendor?

Email events@sdmba.com.

Still have questions? Email events@sdmba.com and we'll be happy to help.