Santos Fat Tire Festival
The ultimate guide to Florida's biggest mountain bike event at the Santos Trail System in Ocala — featuring the EPIC 50 ride, a free vendor village, skills clinics, camping, and food trucks.
About the Santos Fat Tire Festival
The Santos Fat Tire Festival is the largest annual mountain biking event in Florida and one of the premier cycling gatherings in the southeastern United States. Held each year at the Santos Trail System — one of the top-rated mountain biking destinations in the Southeast — the festival brings together 6,000+ riders, vendors, and cycling enthusiasts for a multi-day celebration of trail riding.
Santos Trail System sits on the Marjorie Harris Carr Cross Florida Greenway in southern Marion County, about 15 minutes south of downtown Ocala near Belleview. The trail network features over 80 miles of singletrack across every difficulty level, from smooth beginner-friendly loops to advanced technical terrain and the legendary Vortex freeride area. That variety is what makes Santos the natural home for a festival of this scale — there is something for every level of rider.
The festival is organized around a free Vendor Village with dozens of bike brand booths and food trucks, the flagship EPIC 50 endurance ride, guided group rides, skills clinics, and camping right at the trailhead. Whether you are a seasoned endurance rider tackling the EPIC 50 or a curious newcomer browsing vendor booths and watching demos, the Santos Fat Tire Festival is the defining mountain bike event on the Ocala calendar.
2026 Festival Recap
The 2026 Santos Fat Tire Festival ran March 5-8, 2026 at the Santos Trail System, 3080 SE 80th Street, Ocala, FL 34480. The four-day event drew an estimated 6,000+ mountain biking enthusiasts from across Florida and the Southeast.
The centerpiece of the 2026 festival was the EPIC 50 Ride — a grueling 50-mile challenge through the full Santos trail system. Riders navigated singletrack across every difficulty level, from flowing beginner trails through technical intermediate sections and into the demanding advanced terrain that gives Santos its reputation. The ride is not a race but an endurance challenge that rewards persistence and trail skill.
The free Vendor Village was open Friday and Saturday from 10am to 5pm, and Sunday from 10am to 2pm, featuring mountain bike brands, gear manufacturers, local bike shops, cycling apparel, nutrition vendors, and food trucks. Bike demos allowed attendees to test ride new models on the actual Santos trails — a far more meaningful test than any parking lot demo.
What to Expect
EPIC 50 Ride
The flagship 50-mile endurance challenge through the full Santos trail system. Covers every difficulty level across 80+ miles of available singletrack. Registration required.
Free Vendor Village
Open to the public with bike brand booths, gear demos, bike shops, and cycling apparel. Fri-Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 10am-2pm. No ticket required.
Skills Clinics
Guided sessions for riders of all levels looking to improve technique. Learn from experienced coaches on the same trails you ride during the festival.
Camping
Santos Campground has 23 sites with water and electric hookups right at the trailhead. Roll out of camp and onto the trails. Reserve early — sites fill fast.
Food Trucks
Food vendors and beverage trucks keep riders fueled throughout the festival. Live music rounds out the atmosphere at the trailhead gathering area.
Bike Demos
Test ride new mountain bikes from top brands on the actual Santos trails — a far more meaningful demo than any parking lot test ride.
Santos Trail System
Santos Trail System is one of the premier mountain biking destinations in the southeastern United States and the reason the Fat Tire Festival exists. Located on the Marjorie Harris Carr Cross Florida Greenway, Santos features over 80 miles of singletrack across a color-coded difficulty system — yellow for beginner, blue for intermediate, and red for advanced.
The system's crown jewel is the Vortex, a former limestone quarry converted into a freeride area with drops, pump tracks, and gap jumps that has earned a national reputation among mountain bikers. Santos holds IMBA (International Mountain Bicycling Association) Epic Ride designation and Bronze Ride Center status, confirming its place as a world-class trail network.
The trail system has no admission or parking fees and is open year-round. For a full guide to Santos trails, difficulty levels, and riding tips, see our Santos Bike Trails page.
Getting There & Tips
Directions
- Address: 3080 SE 80th Street, Ocala, FL 34480
- 15 minutes south of downtown Ocala
- From I-75: Exit 341 (SR 484), head east toward Belleview
- Free parking at the trailhead
What to Bring
- Mountain bike (or rent on-site at Santos Bike Shop)
- Helmet — required for all organized rides
- Hydration pack, water, and sunscreen
- Spare tube, multi-tool, and tire lever
Camping Info
- Santos Campground: 23 sites with water & electric
- Adjacent to trailhead — ride directly from camp
- Reserve through FL Dept. of Environmental Protection
- Book early — sites fill fast during the festival
Festival Tips
- Arrive early — parking fills up by mid-morning
- Vendor Village is free: Fri-Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 10am-2pm
- Register for EPIC 50 and clinics well in advance
- Check santosfattire.com for schedule updates
2027 Santos Fat Tire Festival
Dates for the 2027 Santos Fat Tire Festival have not been announced yet. The festival is traditionally held during the first weekend of March each year, so early March 2027 is the expected timeframe.
Check santosfattire.com for official date announcements. We will update this page as soon as the 2027 dates are confirmed.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the Santos Fat Tire Festival?
The Santos Fat Tire Festival is held annually during the first weekend of March. The 2026 festival ran March 5-8 at Santos Trail System in Ocala, Florida. Dates for the 2027 festival have not been announced yet but are expected in early March 2027.
Is the Santos Fat Tire Festival free?
The Vendor Village is free and open to the public — Friday and Saturday from 10am to 5pm, and Sunday from 10am to 2pm. Santos Trail System itself has no admission or parking fees. Some organized rides like the EPIC 50 require separate registration through santosfattire.com.
What is the EPIC 50 ride?
The EPIC 50 is the centerpiece event of the Santos Fat Tire Festival — a 50-mile mountain bike challenge through the Santos trail system. It takes experienced riders across singletrack of every difficulty level throughout the day. Registration is required and spots typically fill well in advance.
Can beginners attend the Santos Fat Tire Festival?
Absolutely. The free Vendor Village, food trucks, and live music are open to everyone. Skills clinics are offered for riders looking to improve, and Santos has beginner-friendly trails. You do not need to be an experienced rider to enjoy the festival atmosphere.
Can I camp at Santos during the Fat Tire Festival?
Yes. Santos Campground has 23 sites with water and electric hookups adjacent to the trailhead. Sites fill quickly during the festival, so early reservations through the Florida Department of Environmental Protection are strongly recommended.
How many people attend the Santos Fat Tire Festival?
The Santos Fat Tire Festival draws an estimated 6,000 or more mountain biking enthusiasts over the four-day event, making it the largest mountain bike festival in Florida and one of the biggest in the southeastern United States.
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