Getting Muddy at Buddy Butts Park: Mountain Biking in the Pines

Tucked into a stretch of woods in south Jackson, Buddy Butts Park has become one of the city's most active outdoor spaces for mountain biking. The park sits just off McRaven Road, and while it is masked by a wall of greenery, it opens into a network of trails that draw riders from across the metro. What you find here is not a manicured bike park, but a working trail system shaped by the people who ride it. That has always been part of the appeal.

Singletrack Through the Pines

The trails wind through dense pine forest, with narrow singletrack cutting between trees and across small changes in elevation. Riders will find a mix of flowing sections and tighter turns that require attention, especially after rain when the ground softens. It is not a place built for speed alone. The terrain requires control, rhythm and a willingness to adjust as conditions change. For beginners, it offers a place to learn. For experienced riders, it gives enough variation to keep things interesting.

Local mountain biker Josh Broome says there are about 10 miles of hand-built singletrack trails. He adds, "the trails are an oasis in the woods surrounding the park. People regularly walk with their dogs. I see deer almost every ride. The trails are appropriate for beginners but also fun for experienced riders wanting fast, flowy, natural single track."

Built and Maintained by Riders

What makes Buddy Butts stand out is how much of it is maintained by the local riding community. The Tri-County Mountain Bike Association, often referred to as TCMBA, plays a central role in building and maintaining trails across the Jackson area, including here. Volunteers clear debris, shape the trail lines and keep the routes rideable throughout the year, often early in the morning or after storms.

TCMBA's presence also connects Buddy Butts to a larger network of riders in central Mississippi. The group supports trail systems across the region and works to grow access to mountain biking as both a sport and a community activity. At Buddy Butts, the condition of the trails and the steady presence of riders who treat the space with care are a reflection of how Jacksonians embrace the park and the alternative sport of mountain biking. It is not unusual to see someone stop mid-ride to move a branch or check on a section that needs attention.

More Than Just Trails

The park itself keeps things simple. Riders can be as close or separated from sports fields, RC airplane takeoffs and more as they wish to be. Woods, trails and space to move. Riders tend to park, gear up and head straight into the trees.

A Different Way to See Jackson

Buddy Butts Park offers a clear entry point into mountain biking in Jackson. It is accessible, active and shaped by the people who use it. For visitors, it provides a way to experience the city from a different angle, a more extreme angle.