Fantasy Island North Singletrack (FINS): Phoenix’s Quirky Trail Network

mountain biker riding up scenic ridge trail at Fantasy Island North Singletrack in Phoenix

A lot of mountain bikers know about the popular Fantasy Island mountain bike trail network down in Tucson, but few realize there’s a Phoenix counterpart: Fantasy Island North Singletrack — better known as FINS. And honestly? It’s worth a spin.

FINS is the oddball of Phoenix riding in the best possible way. It’s quirky, it’s unique, and if you accidentally drop into the wrong trail, it will likely punish you for it.

But that’s exactly why I love it. FINS has this locals-only, slightly bootleg vibe that keeps you on your toes. Whether you’re struggling up Exposure Grunt (ugh, but worth it!), trying to figure out where you are (it’s legitimately a maze), or unexpectedly finding yourself on the Boneyard rock garden, FINS is a cool place to check out for a day.

I’ve ridden every trail at Fantasy Island North Singletrack, and this guide covers everything you need to know before heading out.

Quick Tips

For mountain biking at FINS in Phoenix

The trails are in varying states of wear and tear. Don’t expect smooth, buff singletrack.
Some trails are downhill only or better in one-direction. See below for tips on how to ride those trails.
It’s very hard to follow a pre-planned route. The trails are short and there are a lot of twists and turns.
It’s worth going to the lookout on Northstar. The climb up Exposure Grunt is steep, loose, and technical, but it is worth getting yourself up there and taking a break at the lookout at the end of Northstar Trail.
There are signs, but… you’ll probably get lost. FINS isn’t that big, though, so you’ll be fine 🙂

TWW Take

Please note that these are my personal opinions – you may argue otherwise! And if so, state your case (politely) in the comments 🙂

Fun-ness Factor

Trail Variety

Average Difficulty

Mountain biker riding on wooden ramp on desert trail in Phoenix, Arizona

Mountain bike propped up against rocks at lookout at Fantasy Island North Singletrack riding area in Phoenix

Homemade wooded trail sign that says "wear a helmet, use your head"

Mountain biker riding bike on desert trail wearing a hydration backpack

Mountain biker riding down rocky section of trail at Fant

Should You Ride FINS?

What I like

It doesn’t get crowded. You’ll be lucky to see anyone.
It’s quirky with fun trail signs and trailside ‘art’.
The viewpoint on Northstar is awesome.
You can cover most of the trails in one ride.

What I don’t

The trail conditions can be pretty rough.
Exposure Grunt. Ugh. But worth it to get to the viewpoint.
It’s easy to get turned around. You won’t get lost, but you might get frustrated.
FINS is not a place for newer riders.

Planning your FINS rides

Best trails to hit

Fit and experienced riders can hit all – or most – of the trails in on one big ride, but if you’re just looking for the cream of the crop, here are (what I consider to be) the best trails at FINS:

INTERMEDIATE

Harv’s Howl – a short, fun downhill that can easily be lapped by climbing back up Kim’s Climb.
Kimurel’s Hurl – probably the most popular trail at FINS. It says ‘expert-only’, but it’s a solid intermediate trail with some wood bridges, dodgy jumps, and bermed turns.
Muriel’s Mile – A nice cross-country pedal.

ADVANCED

Northstar – A beautiful ridge line trail that takes you to a nice lookout.
Boneyard – My favorite trail at FINS. It’s short, but packs a lot in!
Tiki Man – A moderately fun descent with tight switchbacks.

Tip: The only trail I don’t recommend riding is Exposure (Grunt). It’s loose, steep, and frustrating.

Route recommendation

FINS Greatest Hits (intermediate) – This route hits most of the trails at FINS in the ‘best’ direction. If you want get to the lookout, do an out-and-back on Jen’s Star Pass to North Star before heading down Kimurel’s Hurl.

FINS Trail Map

Mountain biker on bike looking out over desert view from Fantasy Island North trail network in Phoenix

FAQs & Planning Tips

🚗 Getting there: Fantasy Island North is located in southwest Phoenix, technically in the ‘city’ of Goodyear. It’s set in the middle of a housing development. The first time I visited, I was a little worried that FINS would get shut down and the available space be turned into cookie-cutter houses, but I think that Estrella Regional Park has adopted the trails and that they are here to stay (yay!).

🅿️ Parking: The main parking area at FINS is off of W. Westar Dr. This is the only place I’ve parked, although TrailForks does have a parking marker over on the west side off of West Way Rd. The parking and riding at FINS is free, no fees are required.

🗺️ Navigating the trails: FINS is tricky to navigate… there are trail signs and trail maps at some intersections, but the trails are short and there are a lot of intersections. I highly recommend having TrailForks downloaded to your phone.

💧 Water: There is no water at the trailheads or on the trails. Bring all that you need with you and your pack essentials.

📅 How many days: You really only need one day at FINS.

☀️ When to go: Winter (November through March) is ideal for mountain biking in Phoenix.

🚲 What type of bike to bring: A short or mid-travel full-suspension bike would be best.

⚡️ E-bikes: I’m not sure, but I’m guessing yes.

🏕️ Camping: The closest campground is Estrella Park. Check out the Maricopa County Website for more info on camping in Phoenix.

Need gear recs?

Head over to my gear closet! I’m always testing out new pieces of bike gear and if I really like them, they earn a place on this page.

See my gear favorites

Ready to tackle FINS? I hope this post gives you all the info you need to head out to Goodyear for a fun day at Fantasy Island North Singletrack.

It’s a unique place to ride with a local’s vibe and some fun trails to explore. I hope you like it as much as I do!

Have you checked out the trails at FINS? What did you think? Are they worth spending a day at? Leave a comment below!

Fantasy Island North Singletrack (FINS): Phoenix’s Quirky Trail Network

Quick Tips

TWW Take