Best Mountain Biking Trail in DFW? | Marion Sansom Park

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I hear many people say that Sansom Park is the best mountain biking trail in Dallas-Fort Worth. Does it deserve that designation over Northshore?
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[@deborahlawrence5542]

No other trail in DFW is like Sansom. It is true mountain biking. I live most of the year in northern NM and have access to some of the best trails in the SW. So Sansom feels like home! Elevation, rock gardens, a few drops and whoops! My hat’s off to the builders at Sansom. They’ve done an AWESOME job!

[@TofuCakeCan]

Sansom is a pretty polarizing trail. Most people either love it or hate it, for obvious reasons. It's funny you say it's not technical, but I'll firmly say that riding at Sansom has done more to improve my skills than any other DFW trail i've been to. However, I tend to stay on the east side of the trail (Thunder Road) and avoid the west side (Lone Wolf, the side you rode first). The climbs on Lone Wolf are just too much work for me to enjoy, but I love plowing through the rocks on the east side. All that gnar is a nice change of pace from the usual hardpack of DFW trails. I went to NS for the first time like a week after watching this video (only rode the east side so far), and yeah, I'd probably agree that NS Is more fun. I like 'em both, for different reasons. Some days, I'm just in the mood to plow through some rocks.

[@doublebassinyaface]

Yeah I have visited several times and never really enjoyed myself. I haaaaaaaaate riding trail where I’m constantly trying to figure out where to go. Feels like I’m always climbing.

[@kenny75077]

You Definatly need to revisit sansom. New now hill lines and the bug jump.

[@Cris-du4ws]

Just moved to from San Diego CA to Plano TX, I'm gonna check this out in a couple days. Missing the mountains, but I'm glad there is something in the area.

[@CommentCorrector]

Is it just me or do u look like Casey niestat

[@huntstyle]

Ha! Probably just my sunglasses.

[@CommentCorrector]

Huntstyle nah it’s your hair a jawline and mouth

[@huntstyle]

Haha, I don't see it, but any comparison to Casey I'll take, lol!

[@jacobduncan5319]

Literally my first thought.

[@prshryan]

lol i thought it was him at first

[@rocpyro]

Sooooooo much better than Northshore!!!!! Doesnt even compare, unless you like smooth groomed trails and treegates like all you Dallas boys. Go ride in Colorado or Utah, this is the kind of trail you have to master, and the rocks make it lively!

[@huntstyle]

LOL of course Colorado & Utah blow any Texas trails away. I was in Moab last weekend, actually. Videos in the coming weeks!

[@MrMentallo]

I agree. I'm from Austin and this is IMO the best trail in DFW. I ride it every time I'm in town. None of the treegates DFW is known for and somewhat challenging tech. You have to take that stuff with speed. Lots of berm love.

[@huntstyle]

Northshore west is technically challenging. Sansom is not.

[@MrMentallo]

Jumps and loose rocks aren't technical? Northshore west is a blast though. As a whole, I like Sansom. It reminds me of local to me trails with the elevation change. Needs more ledges and rock features though versus loose over hardpack. The flow is fine with the berms and lack of treegates. You just have to have familiarity with the rats nest to know what to take and what not to. Not worth it for you because of distance. Worth it for me when I am in DFW as I have family close by.

[@huntstyle]

I wouldn't call jumps technical features. I'm talking about rock gardens. The loose rocks are just annoying. It is a lot like Austin, but don't you want to ride something different when you're traveling?

[@texasrogue93]

Great video! I have been wanting to check out Sansom park and I also live by North Shore. I love that trail especially loops 1-5! I enjoy doing Knob Hill and Horseshoe as well. Oak Cliff Nature Preserve is pretty good as well. Keep up the great videos! @Huntstyle did you end up moving to a new area?

[@huntstyle]

Yep, I live in Idaho now! Twin Falls, so it's a drive up to Sun Valley, but it's worth it. I go up there pretty much every day off from the time the snow melts, until it snows again!

[@texasrogue93]

@@huntstyle That's awesome that's probably some legit mountain biking! Plenty of real hiking up there too. No more 100 degree rides now haha. Keep up the great videos! They motivate me to tackle new trails. I'm subscribed now - maybe you'll get a fat bike for the winter haha

[@fabianorozco4727]

5-8 hours. Buddy not trying to sound rude but I work from 6-2 every mon-fri cleaning pools. Then at 4 I go to my second job from 4-9pm from through Friday. And Saturday and Sunday I open and close the store from 9am-9pm. How do I do it ? I don’t know 🤷‍♂️ I still try to request 1 Sunday out of the month to enjoy the outdoors… but in reality I’m trying to work hard to save up for the down payment of a house.

[@slatonhughes5823]

You missed the 3 other DH Trails

[@huntstyle]

Dang! Was so easy to get lost out there!

[@bjongoco]

You had the same experience as me at Sansom. It was fun in areas, but not well marked and easy to get lost. Did you get riders telling you that you were going the wrong way? I liked northshore better as well.

[@huntstyle]

No, I don't think I ever went the wrong way, but I think I missed some spots. I also went through one section twice, somehow, lol. To me the fun factor overall just wasn't anywhere close to Northshore. And there's really nothing technically challenging at Sansom. I love those Northshore west side rock gardens!

[@edge2991]

Hey man sick vid. Do you need special tires for this trail ? I see so many rock ls how do you not get a punctured tire you got some aggressive gnarly riding

[@huntstyle]

Nah, just regular mountain biking tires!

[@edge2991]

@@huntstyle thanks!

[@GathKingLeppbertI]

Marion Sansom Park famous for submarine racing!

[@tyrinscott6118]

Do you need a certain bike to do this? I live in Irving thinking about going there but my bike is pretty old.

[@huntstyle]

A good quality bike is recommended. Just need something that's not going to fall apart on the rough terrain, lol

[@nofrontbrakes]

Looks fun! I need to come up there some weekend and ride Sansom and Northshore!

[@huntstyle]

I want to go back to Sansom. I bet I'd like it better now! If we can get the flooding to recede, we'll be in business! Let me know when you plan to come up!

[@AustinsThicc]

No Front Brakes full face and the bug jump trail are a MUST if you go!

[@davidcarper5411]

So, Gateway loop is ground beef?

[@Redbelo]

Thanks man I didn’t know about north shore trail , I am a beginner, any other places I should check out ?

[@thebigfish1016]

Gateway trails fwmba in Fort Worth, Tx. They have some beginner trails on the west loop side. East loop is more challenging

[@knobbynomad1428]

This video was the only footage I ever saw on Sansom so I held off on driving out. I know you are not down here now, but man Heavy Metal with the VW Bug gap jump is amazing and the DH flow leading up to it is awesome... but then you have to climb back out. 😂 Hope you are enjoying the new stomping ground!

[@huntstyle]

Yeah, that was all added well after this video! I never did get back out there to check it out!

[@joecalderon7088]

Will a hardtail be able to do okay here? I have a Fuji Nevada 1.7 on 27.5s

[@ktscott27]

To each his own I guess. I LOVED Sansom! Sessioning the downhills was a completely different level than NS. NS east feels more XC to me. The rocky terrain of Sansom (and the dang climbs) are getting me in way better shape to tackle West side of NS! Does get hot AF tho.

[@huntstyle]

Yeah the downhill parts were fun, but that only made up about 2 minutes of the whole ride, haha! I heard there's some new stuff out there, though. For me it's nearly an hour drive, so it better blow me away to drive that far often to ride!

[@ktscott27]

Huntstyle there’s a jump over a Beatle. Did I do it? Nope. Would I grab a camera to watch others take a crack? Absolutely.

[@huntstyle]

@@ktscott27 Haha! Yeah, I saw that. I'd probably skip that, too! I still do not partake in gap jumps!

[@rodnezrides7983]

I know what though mean about mostly climbing but Look at the enduro races at Sansom. They seem to be mostly downhill.

[@falconwings]

Have you tried the hidden gem .... Quanna hill?......best flow and yes, some climbing. All about energy use.

[@huntstyle]

Yep! You'll find a video I did there a while back!

[@Foes1969]

I have yet to ride there also..like you said, its hard to get away from Northshore. Johnson Branch isnt a bad ride.

[@huntstyle]

I think that one 30 second downhill segment may be the best segment in DFW (that I've ridden so far), but Northshore has numerous fun segments throughout. I haven't ridden Johnson Branch yet. Went to IDB last summer, that was pretty good. Very technical, and physically challenging in the summer heat!

[@eddieknight8392]

Northshore is a great beginner to intermediate trail......samson is way beyond that......please.....stay at north shore

[@huntstyle]

Hahaha! What? What is "way beyond" intermediate at Sansom? Sansom is a blue trail at best. Northshore west side requires far more technical skill than anything at Sansom, and probably qualifies as a black. Have you even ridden it?

[@eddieknight8392]

Yes I ride ns quite a bit.....ON MY DH BIKE....LOL..... Samson can be alittle confusing due to the massive amount of hikers and water runoff areas......samson has more speed...rocks and takes an entirely different skill level than anything I've seen at NS.....I accually enjoy NS..

[@huntstyle]

Any trail is more challenging as you increase your speed. Pretty sure I've reached higher speeds at NS than I did at Sansom, but I only rode there this one time. I didn't think Sansom flowed very well. So many spots with 5 seconds of fun followed by another steep climb. It's certainly more challenging in terms of fitness level than NS. I love the rock gardens at NS, though. Always a challenge. And it just seems like features are tied together much better. Just my opinion!

[@lukerisser9163]

Dude there is no jumps at north shore. There is a jump over a car at Samson. It’s not even on the same playing field. North shore is an xc park with 0 elevation. Sansom is getting into downhill park territory with 1300 ft of elevation and big step ups and gap jumps. You just didn’t ride the pro lines when you were there I guess. The red triangle lines are not even close to xc trails.

[@zacharyterrell6866]

Check out the Chisenhall trails in Burleson!

[@durtywhiteboi9398]

Lol i use to ride these trails on my bmx no brakes bad combo good time

[@huntstyle]

Hahaha, that sounds wild!

[@ChrisCXK]

I almost rode there when I was in Fort Worth for Thanksgiving, I went to Texplex instead after talking to someone who rode there before.

[@huntstyle]

Gotta get to Texplex sometime!

[@LowResBS240p]

Lol you should of gone for the Jumps. Go big man !!!

[@huntstyle]

Haha I know! I gotta get more comfortable with jumps. Slowly working my way up!

[@jamesworth378]

How does Sansom compare to Cameron Park?

[@huntstyle]

I most definitely preferred Cameron Park, but it's been a long time since I rode either. Considering I'm now accustomed to big mountain riding, I'd probably say they both suck now, lol.

[@lukerisser9163]

Which dfw trails have the most jumps?

[@johnnyjoeharmon3764]

Most beautiful spot ..glad.i live 100 yards away

[@huntstyle]

Awesome! You can just ride there!

[@clydesdalemountainbiking7393]

In Dallas frequently and would love to find some consistent places to ride. Looks like a fun area :)

[@huntstyle]

Unfortunately right now we're struggling with excessive rainfall closing all of our trails!

[@clydesdalemountainbiking7393]

@@huntstyle that seems to be my luck. Everytime I am there trails are rained in. Ironic since I come from the pnw. My next trip there isn't until June, so planning to rent a bike for some weekend riding.

[@huntstyle]

@@clydesdalemountainbiking7393 Hopefully it's dry by then. But right now Northshore has spots underwater again, as Lake Grapevine is 10 feet above pool. And more rain is coming this week. I'm holding out hope that a drought is on the horizon, lol! It seems like we're either flooded, or in a drought, there is no in between! Five years ago everyone was freaking out because it was so dry and the lakes were way down. Don't have that problem now! Difference here vs PNW is that we get dumped on all at once. There were some spots that received 8 inches of rain in one night a couple weeks ago!

[@aarongardner1753]

Finally made the trip to FW and tried this one today... it kicked my ass dude! I was lost pretty much the whole time, so that was frustrating. Just couldn’t keep any momentum going. I think it would be worth trying again with a local.

[@huntstyle]

Yeah, I may get back out there at some point and give it another chance. It is definitely confusing! A couple fun sections, though.

[@TheWickedRuts]

i just got a new bike a trek fuel ex 8 is this a good train for to ride this bike on?

[@huntstyle]

My life as MR absolutely!

[@durtywhiteboi9398]

Yes

[@lukerisser9163]

Are there a lot of good jumps at this park?

[@huntstyle]

They've added a lot since I was there. From videos I've seen it does look like it!

[@lukerisser9163]

I guess I should go there then

[@zornj61]

Check out Knobhill up in Roanoke for a good ride. Or after you do north shore head across the lake and hit horseshoe.

[@huntstyle]

zornj61 I've ridden both. Not a huge fan of either, especially compared to Northshore!

[@zornj61]

Nothing in the metroplex compares to northshore, just some fun rides

[@carlospinzon1559]

Nirvana in style 😎

[@wurkhorsefitnessandtrainin8031]

yo great riding. i feel the same way about this trail just did it yesterday

[@huntstyle]

Right on! A lot of people seem to love it, I just don't see it! But to each his own!

[@wurkhorsefitnessandtrainin8031]

Huntstyle for sure. If the loops were better marked and you could find flow maybe. But north shore is really nice like you said. I'm about to head to Boulder park for the first time right now. We should collab sometime!

[@stevejill91]

That's normal mtb, bit of everything, technical trials, loose climbs.

[@chhimsakronn]

Sansom is way better than northshore. Sansom is probably to rough for most people. Lol northshore is alright, but it’s too much of xc trail for me. I like to ride more aggressive.

[@huntstyle]

Sansom is XC, too.

[@brookskirchen807]

Bro, it’s way better than northshore. If u ride more aggressive

[@huntstyle]

That's one caveat... since I know NS so well, and this was my first time at Sansom. I know that certain parts of NS didn't become fun until I learned it. But, I've only been riding for 1 year.

[@TonyB4679]

Brooks Kirchen let's have a challenge for both !

[@farmerstanbrand4064]

I've only been there once and I'm new, but I also thought it was confusing.

[@jonathann0222]

@@huntstyle y

[@dylanr.7713]

where are the jumps in the dfw??

[@huntstyle]

Sansom, Northshore, Erwin, Oak Cliff & Boulder all have jumps.

[@camodudemtbh7594]

How many miles did u do there.

[@huntstyle]

Don't remember. Tried to cover the whole trail, but didn't know my way around, so I think I may have missed a few spots.

[@Sckribfishing11266]

I have been there

[@matthewpaladini7250]

you didn’t even go down the best trail at Samson. it’s hidden so the beginners don’t get hurt

[@huntstyle]

If it's hidden that's probably why I didn't find it!

[@Tweva92]

Anyone know of any beginner trails in North Texas ?

[@huntstyle]

Almost all DFW trails are beginner friendly. If you come up on a section you can't do, you can always walk. Even on the harder trails, those sections aren't a huge portion of the trail, so you can still ride it. NS west side is probably the hardest (technical rock gardens) in DFW.

[@THOMAS01ify]

That's the only thing about here in texas all the stupid rocks no soft ground here.

[@ronaldornelas5786]

you should post a picture of your bike.

[@huntstyle]

instagram.com/huntstyle :)

[@catchingfeels3891]

That does look fun...

[@huntstyle]

I cut out all the not-so-fun parts, lol! I do need to go back out there sometime, though. I think I'd like it better now!

[@catchingfeels3891]

@@huntstyle yeah the flats and such, I'm just getting into mountain biking... but I'm extremely athletic, I'd be down to ride a trail in dfw metro plex sometime!

[@GathKingLeppbertI]

Possum kingdom lake! Hehehe

[@derickbrouhard5643]

What about Big Cedar?!?!

[@huntstyle]

That's one I gotta check out! It keeps getting mentioned!

[@derickbrouhard5643]

Huntstyle at one point in time it was the best... with some issues with land ownership etc it went from 25 miles + to 8-12 depending on what you ride. Still awesome with lots of climbing!

[@derickbrouhard5643]

I’ll be there tomorrow around 9 am

[@huntstyle]

Yeah, I've heard about that, cuz it's on land owned by a church, right?

[@derickbrouhard5643]

Huntstyle church, Oncore, and a few others... church is good with the riders, use it as a outreach and helps keep the trail groomed for their use.

[@dreadsanddirt5966]

I have always despised that trail. LOL. The new(ish) jump segments are fun, but otherwise that trail just isn't fun. No flow to it at all and it's not marked so you end up turned around at every intersection. As far as challenge, the west side of NS simply owns sansom (and nope, NS is not my favorite trail). I didn't like sansom when I rode it ten years ago, I didn't like it last time I rode there about two months ago. Most of my riding buddies are regulars out there. I live 15 minutes away and can't be bribed to ride there.

[@huntstyle]

Exactly! Just no flow!

[@veconsports7650]

Very helpful. Thanks for the ride!

[@huntstyle]

Awesome! Thanks for watching!

[@Rowdt98]

I’ll pass with a lot of climbing I’m out lol

[@huntstyle]

Yeah, it's all loose rocks, too, which makes it pretty exhausting, then it's really steep going back down, so your payoff is pretty short-lived. For being close to an hour drive, just not worth it to me!

[@Rowdt98]

Huntstyle right have you tried rowlett creek it’s pretty cool...

[@mikemoore1135]

u took some wrong trails there is sections where u do wall rides, and big jumps over cars and then there wall rides and drop offs.

[@huntstyle]

I don't believe any of that was there when I filmed this video. I know for sure the bug jump wasn't.

[@mikemoore1135]

Huntstyle , you for sure need to go back it’s a lot better now I went there and hiked and had some fun, Gate way Park in Haltom as well is a very good park.

[@huntstyle]

@@mikemoore1135 I won't be going back. I live in Idaho now. Trails here blow every DFW trail out of the water!

[@hmobb7838]

Am I allowed to ride a motorcycle here?

[@huntstyle]

no

[@Freshtony15]

it doesnt look as good as northshore when you only ride the green trails.. the ump sections and gnarly downhill areas put northshore to shame.

[@huntstyle]

I guess I missed those...

[@corbinrandel9402]

Yo I'd storm chase! That sound dope... I'm in fw

[@SuperSnipehunter]

Time for a Mid fat bike. 2.8 rocks!!!!

[@huntstyle]

I've ridden a Yeti SB5+, it was pretty nice!

[@GathKingLeppbertI]

Mind the armored dillos

[@BobbyKivlin]

Hard to beat North Shore. Boulder Park isn’t bad.

[@huntstyle]

I need to get to Boulder, and have also heard good things about Big Cedar. Maybe I'll do those next!

[@ratapolwaitayangkoon1483]

Huntstyle big cedar is my favorite trail in dfw.. I'd you get a chance check out dinasour valley in glen rose, the trail in possum kingdom, or Cameron park down in Waco. I bit of a drive but all really worth it. just make sure you have a guide at Cameron park, that trail is the most confusing trail I've ever been to. 10 times worse than sansom

[@jordank87]

Boulder red loops are legit 👌🏻

[@b-rycevlogs1132]

I live here

[@brookskirchen807]

yes northshore is made better, but there is no vertical...

[@huntstyle]

Aside from a couple decent downhill runs, I didn't feel the elevation changes were used well at Sansom. Mostly short downs followed by more climbing.

[@huntstyle]

Have you been up to Bentonville, AR? Blows away anything we have here in DFW!

[@journeemae3172]

Can u ride dirtbike there

[@huntstyle]

no

[@brianwilliams2907]

Northshore is SO overrated. Big Cedar and Boulder are WAY better than NS. Can't comment on Sansom, haven't ridden there.

[@huntstyle]

Lol, I'm in Idaho now. All those DFW trails suck in comparison!

[@alexlp6782]

Best Xc trail in DFW=NS =flat Ride outside the bubble

[@huntstyle]

LOL all of Dallas is XC. I've been wayyyy outside the bubble!

[@bobsaggett9678]

Looked downhill af

[@1966bluemax]

Boo hoo many immigrants work 80 hours a week

[@huntstyle]

Never settle.

[@Hawlkeye-e9p]

About to move to plano. Looks like im selling both my bikes as all trails look like shit horse paths.

[@huntstyle]

Bahahaha! Okay, DFW will never be a mountain biking destination, that's for sure. Northshore is pretty fun, though. And Bentonville, AR is only a 5.5 hour drive! Where are you moving from?

[@Hawlkeye-e9p]

@@huntstyle i came from florida. As flat and as sandy as fl is it blows away any trails i have seen around here. I dont get it... why doesnt someone build a bike park here? Theres tons of money here. Im in lewisville and there is absolutely nothing.

[@huntstyle]

That's why I travel a lot! Went to Angel Fire this past weekend... oh man, it was so much fun!

[@Hawlkeye-e9p]

6 more months and im moving again. This place is not for me.