Trail Description:
McAllister Park offers a little something for everyone. The extreme novice riders will enjoy the paved trails at the front of the park. The Intermediate and more advanced riders will enjoy the hard-pack twisty singletrack at the back of the park. There isn't anything too extreme here, but riders of any skill level can find trails that they will enjoy. The park is quite popular and can get extremely busy with walkers, joggers, and bikes.
How to get there:
From San Antonio, head North on 281 to Bitters Road. Go East on Bitters for about 2 miles. Turn right onto Jones Maltsberger and immediately turn right again. The entrance to the park is on the right (next to the police station)
Highlights from a 10.3m perimeter ride. This trail has a few small drops that are fun at speed. If you like speed, this is a fun trail, a pedalers delight. There are many more interior trails that could be incorporated, but there is usually less traffic out on the perimeter. I rode a hardtail 29er out here and it seemed to be the ticket, no need for full suspension really.
Posted by: rmillet on 5/14/2010
I'm from SA. This trail used to be challenging...I'm more XC oriented now, and I had to ride perimeter trails twice and out past Thousand Oaks a few times to get a workout. It's fun, but not what it used to be. Quite a few trails were lost since development of a school on one side, and not as many off shoots out towards Th. Oaks (not as many as shown on the STORM maps.....)
With Flat rock 35 minutes away, and Govt canyon 30-40 minutes away......rather ride there with fewer/no trail runners etc.
My favorite parts are the shady creek bottom areas, you can roll creek bottoms at speed. Was very hard pack black dirt when I rode mid April 2010, as of today, 5/14, looks like SA is getting dumped on, those bottom areas will be a mess........
Posted by: Laid on 4/14/2009
12,000 plus feet for the first comment below-sorry
Posted by: Laid on 4/14/2009
I bought a house in 05 near Mac to be close to the park. I've ridden all over from 12plus feet chair lift downhill in California, Smithsville, Rocky Hill Ranch, Bandera, OP, etc. I've ridden every trail in Mac-literally, including a lot of time on the jumps and drops. It always irritates me when Mac is rated at the "beginner" level. There are sections of Mac that would challenge most riders, but you have to be able to spot the lines, take risks and go off the path. OP has better downhill lines due to some of the elevation, but Mac is a great place to ride, stretch your legs and get a little of everything. If you spend enough time in this park riding, you will discover some places that are advanced skills only.
Posted by: Pedigre on 1/12/2008
Enter off of Jones Maltsberger. You will pass where the trailhead intersects the road before you reach the parking lot on your left. Head back up to the intersection and turn left on to the trail. After a short ride you will have to take a small section of paved trail to jump back on to the singletrack. Once you are back on the trail it will split; red to the left, blue to the right (on the map, red and green, respectively). Either choice works since they come back together right before crossing Buckhorn Rd. The blue (green) trail takes you past a gate along a stretch of doubletrack that sends you to a nice little downhill and into the woods for a little singletrack action. The red trail is pretty much pure singletrack that brings you passed a spot that you can drop down and hit a few jumps if that’s your thing. Once you cross Buckhorn it is especially important that you stay on the trail, otherwise you might be off the trail fixing a flat. Officially, McAllister has 9 miles of mapped
Posted by: Pedigre on 1/12/2008
Officially, McAllister has 9 miles of mapped trails; however, you will find numerous offshoots that leave the total amount of trails to be anyone’s guess (some say 20+ miles total). For example, between the 3 and 4 mile marker you will see a nice little double whoop-dee-do off on a trail that branches to the left. I can’t say where that trail leads, but I can say that the double whoop-dee-do is a trip. McAllister isn’t exactly the most technical in the area so it’s a great place to get someone hooked on riding. Don’t get me wrong, technical it isn’t, but a pleasure for anyone of any skill level it is.
Posted by: Kevin on 11/16/2007
I'm a new rider and these trails were amazing. Some areas were a little more than I would travel on right now but overall it was a great ride. The only draw back is that it can be a bit busy at times. If you don't mind sharing the trail with walkers and other riders this place is great.
Posted by: Kaleenglish on 4/25/2007
ok for beginners, but if you are at all experienced, do not waist your time!
Posted by: Victor V on 8/7/2005
There is a map at the STORM website, check-out http://www.storm-web.org/mcallister.shtml . Good luck and good riding.
