Phoenix, Arizona is home to miles upon miles of amazing singletrack. Some of these trails are challenging with lots of climbing, rock gardens, and expert-only features, but there are also a lot of beginner mountain bike trails in Phoenix for riders like you!
The rolling terrain of Brown’s Ranch is one of my favorite networks to explore and the meandering pedal along Desert Classic is great for an out-and-back spin. Hawes, which is the trail network for serious mountain bikers even has some beginner-friendly trails as well.
And did I mention that Phoenix is absolutely beautiful? In fact, most of the ‘easy’ trails feature some of the most stunning landscapes!
As a beginner mountain biker, though, know it can be a bit challenging to know where to ride. In this post, I share my top easy mountain bike trails around Phoenix so you can get out and have some two-wheeled desert fun.
Before you set out
Before you set off to explore the best beginner mountain bike trails around Phoenix, it’s important to go over a few points to make sure you have a safe (and fun) ride.
Here are a couple of details and reminders to consider:
Looking for a new hydration pack?
Carry all your tools, water, and snacks for your ride. I know there are three camps when it comes to mountain bikers: the hydration backpackers, the hip packers, and the water bottlers.
I fall firmly in the hydration backpack club for a few reasons. I drink a lot of water, I eat a lot of snacks, and I like to be prepared with all the tools and spares I might need (especially when mountain biking alone).
The Osprey Raven (Raptor for the guys) is my favorite pack that I’ve tried. It has a ton of organization including its own tool roll, it’s comfortable, and it can carry a 3L water reservoir.
Best beginner-friendly trails & networks
Alright, let’s jump into the fun stuff! Here are the best beginner-friendly mountain bike trails and route recommendations around Phoenix.
Note: I use TrailForks for my recommended routes. It’s free on desktop or $30-something per year for the app. If you are a mountain biker and ride places outside your home trails, you should have TrailForks on your phone.
1. McDowell Mountain Regional Park
Ride it for:
- Best beginner mountain bike trails in Phoenix
- Great views
- Fast and flowy Sport Loop
Need to know:
- There are often races on the weekends
- There is a day-use fee
McDowell Mountain is by far the most beginner-friendly trail network around Phoenix. The majority of the trails are fast, smooth singletrack with very little tech and not a whole lot of elevation gain.
It’s a great place to build up your fitness or take the kiddos for an afternoon out on the trails.
The 15-mile Pemberton Loop is one of the most popular trails in the park, but if you’re not feeling up for 15 miles there are plenty of options for shorter routes (see my recommendations below).
Looking for more advanced trails? Head over to my guide on Mountain Biking in Phoenix for more trail network recommendations.
2. Brown’s Ranch
Ride it for:
- Good trails to improve technical skills – there are some fun rock sections
- Beautiful desert terrain
Need to know:
- Can be very busy with hikers
- Gates close at sunset – don’t get locked in!
Brown’s Ranch is one of my favorite places to ride because it offers a little bit of everything for all levels of riders. There are tons of mellow, smooth trails for novice riders but there are also a handful of more advanced trails with rock features for those who want to work on improving their technical skills.
One thing to note about Brown’s Ranch, though, is that it’s huge. You can easily get yourself into a 20+ mile ride if you’re not careful. The trails are well-signed, though.
3. Desert Classic at South Mountain
Ride it for:
- A classic Phoenix trail
- Rollercoaster ‘waves’ through washes
Need to know:
- It’s very popular with hikers & trail runners
- The full trail is 9 miles one-way!
Desert Classic is an iconic trail in Phoenix. It runs along the base of South Mountain and is a popular option for mountain bikers, hikers, joggers, and dog walkers.
It’s mostly flat aside from its numerous ‘rollercoaster’ washes that are kind of fun and unique.
You can do the full trail as an out-and-back, but keep in mind that that would be 18 miles! Instead, I recommend following the suggested route above, which is a bit more interesting than an out-and-back and hits the best parts of the trail.
If you have more advanced mountain bikers in your group, send them up National Trail.
4. San Tan Regional Park
Ride it for:
- Beautiful desert riding
- Fewer crowds
Need to know:
- There are some short steep-ish climbs on the San Tan Loop
- There is a day-use fee
To be honest, I wasn’t really aware of the mountain bike trails at San Tan Regional Park before doing the Queen’s Ransom bikepacking route, which cut through the preserve.
I thought it was just a small network of trails best left to the hikers and horseback riders. But I was wrong!
The San Tan Loop is really beautiful and surprisingly fun. It’s got a lot of flow, some minor tech, and a few short, punchy climbs to help boost fitness and skill.
Plus, San Tan is a bit under the radar, so you won’t find the crowds that descend on Brown’s or McDowell.
5. Hawes
Ride it for:
- Fun mountain biking vibes
- Amazing views over Red Mountain
- Fast, flowy desert singletrack
Need to know:
- e-bikes technical aren’t allowed, but they’re everywhere…
- The higher you go on the Hawes Trails, the harder they get
Hawes is the trail network for mountain bikers in Phoenix. Obviously, all the other trail networks I’ve listed are great for mountain biking, but Hawes has become the go-to place for serious riders.
That being said, there are still plenty of great beginner-friendly trails at Hawes like the Scorpion Trails and even Big Sister, which has some drops and features with go-arounds and is an absolute blast.
Hawes is a great place to meet and ride with other mountain bikers, especially on the weekends. Check out the Hawesaholics Facebook Page for group rides and other info.
I should note, though, that there are definitely expert-only trails at Hawes. The higher up the mountain you go, the harder the trails get. Know and ride within your skill level.
Phoenix Mountain Bike Tours
If you prefer not to head out into the desert alone, there are a number of mountain bike tours around Phoenix that are great for newer riders.
Here are some to check out:
Whether you’re a new rider, got a family in tow, or just want an easy day of riding, I hope this guide to the best beginner-friendly mountain bike trails in Phoenix helps you enjoy a fun day or two out on the trails.
Save this post to Pinterest
Read next
Looking for more fun riding around Arizona? Check out these posts:
What are your top recommendations for beginner mountain bike trails in Phoenix? Which ones have you ridden? Is Phoenix a place you’d like to visit? Leave a comment below!
Was this post helpful?
buy me a coffee!
I love writing about the places I’ve biked and inspiring you to get out and explore the world on your own two wheels. If this post has been helpful, consider showing your thanks with a small donation. It helps me keep TWW going. Thanks and keep your wheels spinning!
I love hearing from you and appreciate your comments! However, if you leave a rude, unconstructive, or spammy comment, it will be deleted. It’s cool to be kind. Have an awesome day!