Moab, Utah, is renowned as one of the best mountain biking destinations in the world, offering incredible riding for cyclists of all skill levels. This unique town in the desert Southwest has a rugged terrain, perfect for outdoor enthusiasts seeking to push their limits and experience the adventure of a lifetime.
With trails catering to all skill levels, you can discover the iconic beauty of Utah’s most renowned trail systems, including the breathtaking Arches National Park, Canyonlands National Park, and Dead Horse Point State Park. These awe-inspiring parks offer endless opportunities to explore the magnificent canyons and marvel at the stunning views.
Read on to learn more about mountain biking in Moab, Utah, and the best mtb trails this popular town has in store!
1. Dead Horse Point State Park Trails
Dead Horse State Park is a scenic park located in the high desert of Utah, just a few miles outside of Moab. The park offers incredible views, hiking trails, great biking trails and cross-country skiing opportunities. Some of the popular mountain biking trails here include:
Intrepid Trail System
The Intrepid Trail System consists of three interconnecting loops. The Big Chief Loop is the most technical and longest of these loops, which spans an impressive 13 kilometers and offers breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape.
Despite being considered one of the easiest mountain biking trails in the Moab area, it still presents enough challenges to keep advanced riders engaged. With an average completion time of 2 hours and 46 minutes, the Big Chief Loop is a favorite among hikers, birdwatchers, and mountain bikers.
The Great Pyramid Loop Trail
This is a 7.1-kilometer path located near the captivating town of Moab, Utah. Though the route is moderately challenging, it typically takes only 1 hour and 35 minutes to complete, making it an ideal choice for a quick adventure.
As a popular destination for hikers, mountain bikers, and runners, the Great Pyramid Loop Trail boasts stunning views of the natural landscape. The trail has all-year-round accessibility, allowing visitors to witness the area’s beauty in any season.
In addition to hiking, biking, and camping, Dead Horse State Park offers a variety of other outdoor activities, including rock climbing, wildlife viewing, and horseback riding. The park is home to various wildlife, including coyotes, mule deer, and desert bighorn sheep, making it a great spot for nature lovers.
Another key highlight of Dead Horse Point State Park is the breathtaking view of the Colorado River from the overlooks. You’ll enjoy the panoramic views of the river as it winds through the red-rock canyons.
2. The Klonzo Trail System
Located on the east side of the Sovereign/Salt Wash trail system and bordering Arches National Park, the Klonzo Trail System is a non-motorized singletrack designed for mountain biking. The trailhead is located on Willow Springs Road, just 10 miles north of the lively town of Moab.
Multiple interconnected loops allow riders to experience a variety of unique trails. If you want to enjoy the best of this trail system, try the northern section, which consists of some of Moab’s famous trails, including Dunestone trails, Boondocks, Borderline, Cross Canyon, Gravitron and many more.
Dunestone Trail
The Dunestone trail, for instance, is a 1 mile moderately popular blue singletrack that you can use in both directions or part of other loops in the Klonzo system. On average, it takes 8 minutes to complete this trail.
Ascending to the mesa above the lower Klonzo parking area, the trail offers a smooth ride that connects effortlessly to Boondocks. While generally smooth, prepare to navigate rougher terrain, particularly when crossing over the various bits of slickrock that pepper the landscape.
Cross Canyon Trail
The Cross Canyon trail is another popular trail of the Klonzo trail system. It starts off the Borderline trail at its lower end and runs for 1.3 miles up to the Wahoo trail. The trail is connected to other trails in the Klonzo Mountain Biking Area north of Moab, such as Dunestone, Secret Passage (twice), Snippet and Vertigo.
Overall, each segment in the Klonzo Trail System is relatively short, meaning you’ll rarely travel more than half a mile before reaching another trail fork. These multiple connections create endless opportunities for different riding experiences.
From pure undulating dirt singletrack, such as the Secret Passage, to nearly all rock trails, like the Dunestone, Klonzo Trail System has a mix of terrain for riders to enjoy. So, whether you’re looking to pedal around in circles or want to soak up the area’s beauty, the Klonzo Trail System has something for you.
3. Canyonlands National Park Trails
Exploring the breathtaking beauty of Canyonlands National Park, Moab, Utah, on a mountain bike is truly a unique experience. With its expansive red sandstone canyons, twisting rivers, and towering spires, Canyonlands National Park is an awe-inspiring place to explore, and mountain biking brings a whole new level of adventure.
There are a variety of trails to explore, ranging from gentle, sandy trails to technical, rocky descents. Beginners can take easier routes, discovering the fascinating geology, wildlife, and plants. Experienced bikers will surely revel in the challenge of the more technical options, such as the Lathrop Canyon trail.
Popular trails in the park include the White Rim Trail, the Shafer Trail, and the Lathrop Canyon Trail.
White Rim Trail
The White Rim Trail is a 100-mile loop that takes riders through some of the park’s most scenic areas. It’s a multi-day adventure that requires camping along the way, but the views and the sense of accomplishment are well worth it.
The Shafer Trail
This steep and technical descent takes riders from the top of the mesa down to the canyon floor. It’s not for the faint-hearted but a thrilling ride for experienced bikers. This challenging, singletrack trail is an unforgettable experience, offering spectacular canyon views and unique rock formations.
The Lathrop Canyon Trail
The Lathrop Canyon Trail takes you through a remote and rugged park area. The trail presents a moderate difficulty level, punctuated by a few challenging sections and steep areas when leaving the canyon.
Assuming that the sand conditions are favorable, embarking on this ride is worthwhile. Also, the canyon offers a diverse and beautiful landscape.
In addition to the designated trails, there are plenty of opportunities for off-trail riding in the park. However, it’s important to remember that the fragile desert ecosystem is easily damaged, so riders should always stay on designated trails and avoid cutting switchbacks or creating new trails.
Canyonlands National Park is open year-round, but the best time to visit for mountain biking is when temperatures are cooler.
4. Moab Brand Trails
The Moab Brand Trails are a collection of beginner, intermediate, and advanced trails in beautiful Moab, Utah. The trails offer stunning canyon views and are a great way to explore the area on foot or by bike. With over 14 miles of trails, there’s something for every skill level.
Beginners can enjoy easy trails with gentle terrain, such as the Bar M, Rusty Spur, and Lazy-EZ. On the other hand, advanced riders can take on technical trails with more challenging climbs and descents, such as the Deadman’s Ridge and Long branch,
The Bar M Loop
The Bar M Loop is a relatively easy ride in terms of technical difficulty, with a modest elevation change of around 300 feet. It’s a popular trail for families, as it accommodates baby trailers and trail-a-bikes.
The loop spans 7 miles and can be ridden in either direction, although most riders go counterclockwise.
Lazy E Loop
For those just getting their feet wet on singletrack, Lazy-EZ offers an easy 3-mile loop that starts from the ‘Short Loop’ cutoff of the Bar M. This lariat loop ride is great for novices but also provides an interesting challenge for expert riders as they head to the more technical trails at the southern end, connecting to Deadman’s Ridge.
Deadman’s Ridge
Following the Lazy-EZ loop southward, you can access the Deadman’s Ridge at the Bar M trailhead. It extends to the north, where the southern tip of the loop meets the Bar M trail, connecting to the north end of the Bar B loop.
As you traverse Deadman’s Ridge, you’ll be rewarded with stunning views of the surrounding landscape and some moderate technical challenges before arriving at the Bar B trail.
The beginner trails in the Moab Brand Trails system are perfect for those new to mountain biking or those looking for a more relaxed ride. They are relatively flat and offer easy riding with stunning views of the surrounding red rock formations. Experienced bikers also enjoy various challenging trails here that are sure to test their mountain biking skills.
5. Navajo Rocks Bike Trail System
The Navajo Rocks Bike Trail System in Moab, Utah, is a paradise for mountain biking enthusiasts. The trail system offers a range of routes catering to beginners and seasoned riders. Among the many trails available, the Big Mesa, Rocky Tops, and Ramblin are three of the most popular.
Big Mesa
The Big Mesa trail provides riders with stunning views of the red rock canyons and big mesas that define the area. The trail is thrilling, with a mix of slickrock, dirt, and sandy sections to keep riders on their toes.
Rocky Tops
Rocky Tops is another favorite trail that offers a mix of technical challenges and scenic beauty. The trail features a series of steep climbs and descents that will test the skills of even the most experienced riders. However, the stunning views of the surrounding area make an effort worthwhile.
Ramblin
Ramblin is a trail ideal for beginners, with gentle climbs and descents and wide-open spaces that allow riders to navigate the terrain comfortably. The trail also offers some fantastic views of the nearby mesas and canyons.
Overall, the Navajo Rocks Bike Trail System is a must-visit destination for mountain biking enthusiasts. The three popular trails mentioned above provide a taste of what the area offers, but there are many other trails to explore and conquer.
Final Thoughts
Moab, Utah, is a premier destination for mountain biking with its world-class trails and breathtaking landscapes. Moab offers various trails for riders of all skill levels, from the Dead Horse Point State Park Trails to the Klonzo Trail System.
The area’s popularity among mountain biking enthusiasts is well-deserved, and Moab should be at the top of the list if you’re looking to experience the thrill and adventure of mountain biking. There are so many great biking trails in Moab, Utah, and we hope this post has given you some ideas for your next trip!
