Be warned, that section is not ideal for beginners and better suited to intermediate riders. Jono also runs the Palo Alto MTB Club for hardcore enthusiasts who love custom builds. Captain Ahab is technical and demanding with just enough downhill at the end to forget all the rocky and rugged ups and downs. 122 trails with 585 photos By Cody Bradford — AMGA CERTIFIED ROCK GUIDE AND 57HOURS AMBASSADOR, Zion Rock Mountain Guides, Over the Edge Sports, Snow Canyon State Park Campground, Sand Hollow State Park. Did you know Park City is also the world’s first International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA) Gold Level cycling destination? Keep an eye out for large cairns past a pond to take a right onto the West Loop trail. This ride combines three different trail systems – the Hurricane Rim Trail, Goulds Rim and JEM Trail – and was lately featured as an IMBA Epic ride. Salt Lake City is enjoying a moment as people are flocking to the affordable city for its outdoor elements, as well as its dining, street art, live music, and even breweries. Expect to climb up a steady ascent from the access point at Popperton Park, with a few technical elements to keep you alert. You will need to do some climbing to get to the actual point, but it is well worth the extra effort. This out-and-back trail is a sweet spot for intermediate riders thanks to 1,900 feet of climb, speedy downhill with plenty of flow, and moderate technical elements. If you check out the various Utah online and printed mountain bike guides, you'll see that the Skyline Trail is considered "must ride" singletrack for its long, demanding climbs, wildflowers and unbelievable views as you ride the ridge between the Ogden metropolitan area to the west and lush Ogden Valley to the east. If you’re not accustomed to the elevation, Salt Lake provides plenty of activities for a day or two of acclamation. Lost Prospector is perfect for getting acclimated and familiar with a rental, Stay at an Airbnb or in Salt Lake City if you’re looking to save on lodging. Keep in mind that guides are available and that some of Utah's hiking trails are also great for biking. The trails are signed and marked so navigation should be a little easier. Thunder Mountain Trail. To make the ride a 7.8-mile loop, park at White Pine Touring. Traveling Bryce Canyon, St. George and Hurricane for Utah’s mountain biking trails, each area has equally enticing and compelling reasons to visit and ride. Like us on Facebook! Trailforks ranks trails with a … Login with Facebook. International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA) Gold Level, Moab for mountain biking to become a better rider, Moab is one of the best rock climbing destinations in the USA. Login with Facebook. Please try again or contact us at support@57hours.com and we’ll resolve the problem. It’s a great introduction to single-track mountain biking with only 600 vertical feet of climb. If there is one Park City mountain biking must-ride, it’s the Wasatch Crest trail starting at 9,800 feet elevation. It can still be tricky to nail down a spot in areas such as Moab or close to the park, so arrive early and plan ahead. OR. Finding accommodations in Park City won’t be a problem. The community here plays a strong role in Moab’s prominence on the circuit — it actively maintains and builds forgiving and not-so-forgiving routes. Over the past several years, Hurricane and its neighbor, St. George – they’re only 18 miles apart – have firmly established themselves as destinations for Utah mountain biking in their own right. It sounds spiky and painful, but it’s not, we promise. He’s known to swoop down on riders’ heads to try and say hello. Located in Moab’s Horsetheif area, Getaway Trail features slickrock, fun, smooth descents, and beautiful views over the valley. Utah offers a variety of trails for mountain biking. It’s just over 24 miles, and it’s a gem. Expect more incredible vistas, easy climbs and flowing descents in this link-up system. The drops are not terrifying but will provide a bit of a thrill, and there is a section for BMXs as well. Park City was the first mountain biking destination to receive the Gold-Level IMBA Ride Center. A perennial favorite, Slickrock is what put Moab on the mountain biking map. In the summer, high-altitude areas such as Park City can be a bit of a reprieve from the desert heat. Choose from countless miles of technical trail features, slickrock playgrounds, ripping flowing singletrack or just mellow and relaxing pedaling while soaking in the views. You can stick to the smooth parts if you’re more comfortable, but if you want a challenge, feel free to take advantage of the more technical sections and steeper descents. Begin your tour of Utah bike trails by clicking below on a map location or text link. Oh, and a good portion of trails in the southern part of the state are rideable year-round. Park City’s mountains offer more than 450 miles — and counting — of public trails (over 300 miles of singletrack!) Camping in area. A Southwest-Utah favorite, Jem Trail is perfect for beginners, with mostly flat terrain. View trail maps with detailed amenities, guidebook descriptions, reviews, photos, and directions. THE BEST ALL-AROUND ADVENTURE DESTINATION, Some of the best classic singletrack in the country, Moab offers plenty to do on and off the trail, Lodging and camping can be difficult to find, 450 miles of track mean you’ll never get bored, High-altitude trails with wide-open views, Very developed compared to other areas in Utah, Close to Zion, Vegas and the Grand Canyon, Easy access to trails from the city center. It is 11 miles long and so is pretty quick – if you want to try the hardest part of this route, choose to go right when you get to the first set of ridges. This aptly-named trail is perfect for beginners looking to gain a confidence boost or even intermediate or advanced bikers who want a more relaxing ride. Katherine Peach is a writer and content strategist for magazines, websites and purpose-driven businesses. Southern Utah also has so much to offer on and off the trail. The nearby Gooseberry Mesa trail network is a major draw because of its temperate weather in colder months. Brian Head Peak is formed of a pale, soft, volcanic rock, deposited during the last 20 million years in an area that is believed to be the bottom of a lake at one point. The scenery here is truly stunning, especially in fall with the leaves changing. The mountain biking season in Utah is long, depending on your tolerance to varying temperatures. Not many people associate mountain biking, hiking, or other outdoor physical activities aside from strolling along the canyon on a staged, guided tour. Share a Video . We start out on the new paved bike path in the Red Canyon and then climb to the top of Thunder Mountain on single track through pine forest. Pass through hoodoos, ride the mountain ridgeline and through pine forest on this 14.7 mile loop. Plus, the views over Jackson Hole make you forget about the grind for a moment. It feels like the middle of nowhere, which it technically is, but the mountain biking trails are well worth the detour if you’re in the area. Hurricane Rim Loop is another big trail that defines St. George mountain biking. With flat vistas, desert slickrock, classic single-track rock, and even some sand, Prospector Trail remains a fan favorite because it has something for riders of all skill levels. And please leave your dog at home. If you want an exciting ride, try this out. “What goes up, must come down” is the best description of Park City mountain biking. In the infancy of Moab mountain biking, Slickrock Trail was featured on the cover of the very first issue of Mountain Bike Action magazine and the town never looked back. Starting at either Park City or neighboring Deer Valley Resort, you’ll find lots of climbing, descending and riding through forests. On the other hand, if you’re looking to do Wasatch Crest or other high-altitude trails, I suggest you don’t go before mid-July, as there’s still a risk you’ll encounter some snow before the real summer starts. That said, it’s interesting enough that even more advanced riders find themselves returning to Jem to get a look at the stellar canyon terrain, a stark contrast to the woods and parks of other famous trails. You can rest your legs while doing some fly-fishing, go for a swim, rent a boat, jet ski, or paddleboard at the nearby Jordanelle Reservoir. December 10, 2017 By Jono (Last Updated On: April 29, 2019) When a non-resident thinks of Utah, they’re likely to think of the famous Salt Lake, the sweeping canyons, the Mormon-heavy history of the state, and not much else. The regular mountain biking season in Park City starts in late May. Create Account . Utah Mt. Intermediate riders should expect to walk in certain sections but worth the challenge. Add a Symbol . With uphill-only and downhill-only tracks, cross-country, enduro, freeride, downhill, lift-served and fat bike trails, you’ll be able to put your skills and courage to the test. I recommend riding the full loop to get the scenery and views, if you’re up for it. Even though you’re close to the city, it feels more remote riding through conifers and gamble oaks, not to mention climbing drainages and small canyons until you reach Rudy’s Flat. St. George Trails Trail Head: 37.051871, -113.62264. Dixie Mountain Bike Trails Association. Fun fact: the name will make sense after a few of the impressive banked berms seeing Salt Lake once hosted the Winter Olympics. I’ve included some of my favorites. Without further ado, here the best trails for mountain biking in five of Utah’s top MTB destinations: Moab’s mountain biking terrain, abundance of tracks, climate and adventure community are only four of the numerous reasons mountain bikers put this desert destination on their bucket list. Hurricane’s approached its trails with intention versus some other MTB destinations that developed over time in Utah. The mountain destination is also one of only seven in the entire world that get to claim that title. A member-supported nonprofit organization. It’s shocking at first that your tires will hold. You’ve heard about Utah’s featherlight snow, but Moab makes a strong case for the title of the greatest mountain biking around. Utah Mountain Bike Trails. Building, maintaining and protecting trails in Park City, Utah since 1992. Configuration: One-way. You don’t want to be that person in your group who goes home early due to the fact you thought you could wing it without a tuneup. If you must visit it in summer, plan to visit in the early morning. Head to Temple Square, climbing at Little Cottonwood or set out to find famous Spiral Jetty earthwork, You can only buy beer that caps at 5% alcohol content from anywhere other than a state-run liquor. Taking a trip to Moab to experience its world-renowned mountain bike trails? Moab is one of the best rock climbing destinations in the USA, so if you have the time, get out on the rocks. Make sure your bike is tuned. The up-and-coming Salt Lake provides plenty of restaurants, breweries, and art destinations, all with quick access to the mountains and to attractions in Park City. It is then another 1 400-foot climb to get to Burro Pass itself. The 6-mile trail is located near St. George, and is a great afternoon ride. Mountain Trails Foundation. This intermediate trail is good practice for those looking to improve, as well as a fun but safe challenge for those who just started out. Shorter or longer, or downhill-only. It has earned a double-black diamond rating for an excellent reason. Fortunately, you don’t need to move across the country to get your mountain biking fix. Mountain bike trails > United States > Utah > Park City > Park City Mountain Resort (PCMR) > Jenni's. 80 trails with 252 photos Did you know Park City is also the world’s first We send bi-weekly updates on new stories and trip discounts, 57hours mobile app is the easiest way to book a guide. This could very well be it. The trail sits atop the Park City ridgeline giving you a 360-degree view of the Wasatch Mountain range It is not for the faint of heart, as it’s 12.5 miles long trail with an uphill section of 4,000 or 1,600 feet vertical climb, depending on if you want to take the Crescent Lift or the heel-toe express. You can also ride from the upper trailhead to the lower trailhead, with a car shuttle back to avoid several uphill sections that are a pain. HTML. BLM land can be found on apps such as iOverlander. Plan ahead and arrive on Thursday morning if spots are first come first served. Welcome to some serious downhill through gobstopping history. Trails can be filtered based on activity, difficulty, and distance. Captain Ahab is located in the Amassa Back Area via Hymasa trail. Build. Moab Brand Trails. Stay up-to-date with the latest outdoor adventure stories and get exclusive offers delivered straight to your inbox. Access the track from the Bonneville Shoreline Trail. The open slickrock and singletrack rewards all takers with stunning views of the Pine Valley Mountains and Gooseberry Mesa from the rim. It’s beginner-friendly and doesn’t take too hard a toll on your endurance. Moab is situated between Arches National Park to the north and Canyonlands National Park to the southwest, so there’s plenty to explore when your body needs a break. Once you realize how many trail options there are for all skill levels, you’ll understand why Park City is on so many mountain bikers’ bucket lists. I love the airport for its simplicity, amenities, and ease from which you can get from the terminal to all over the city. You’ll head east to Panguitch Lake on a thrilling 3,000 feet descent. Standing at 8,000 feet for the full duration makes this a super fun intermediate trail. Find LODGING or RV CAMPING LOCATIONS in Sanpete, Utah! The majesty of the area with Zion’s impressive red sandstone cliffs towering above combined with mountain and desert scenery is nothing short of spectacular. Head to town to walk the strip. Configuration: Network. And at the top of the mountain, there’s rumored to be not a flying dog but a brush pigeon named Sebastian. Running through Park City and Little Cottonwood Canyon, the Crest eventually descends into Millcreek Canyon. In addition, the views of Zion and the Kolob and Canaan Mountains from Gooseberry Mesa are astounding. The single-track trail leads you along creekbeds, up to a fire tower, and more, all while amongst the beautiful Utah wildlife. You can find plenty of options in Moab for mountain biking to become a better rider. Season July through September. Littered with loose rock on the descent, you’ll get a payoff from the quick banked turns that follow through the trees. Always bring more water than you need, extra tubes, tools and a map. You can mountain bike across Utah, with trails concentrated in pockets all over the state. Looking for something to ease into your trip? 7 Up. Moab is also known for its sky diving with full panoramas of the desert! The Dixie Mountain Bike Trails Association is an IMBA Chapter in Southern Utah. Respect. You’ll find over 900 miles of Moab MTB trails. 67 trails with 116 photos Overall, get ready for a really doable ascent. Park City also offers a rather charming downtown scene with plenty of Western flavor. Level: Intermediate. The up-and-coming Salt Lake provides plenty of restaurants, breweries, and art destinations, all with quick access to the mountains and to attractions in Park City. If you don’t want to stay at the resort, you can choose Salt Lake City instead, as there are plenty of lodging options there as well. See all photos (4) × User Today | Rate it: Tags: × Share this photo. New riders don’t have to be left out. Ancestral Puebloans inhabited the Moab area as early as 10,000 years ago, developing farming lands and sacred spaces in the mountains as the backdrop. Due to its easy access and views, Quarry Trail draws crowds on weekends and as part of the afterwork set. Let’s just say I was hooked. Be sure to come back in the winter for some of the best backcountry skiing in Utah. For the scenery alone, the Bunker Creek Trail is worth a trip. Two for one! This 16-mile trail is more of an intermediate one when it comes to difficulty, but the views are out of this world. Smooth dirt-road with gentle climbing pitch follows meandering stream with beaver dams galore. Green Valley Mountain Biking Trail. 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