Quick Tips for Riding Gooseberry Mesa
Gooseberry Mesa is one of my all-time favorite places to ride. Imagine a sprawling slickrock playground with fun rock rollers, punchy climbs, and some hair-raising exposure to make you feel, well, alive. Add in the jaw-dropping views of Zion National Park and you’ve got a riding experience that is hard to beat. Every time I return to Hurricane, Utah, and hit the trails at Gooseberry Mesa, I’m reminded of why it holds such a special place in my mountain biker heart. It’s epic!
But as incredible as this area is, it’s important to know a few things before you head out to make the most of your adventure (and stay safe). In this post, I share everything you need to know to tackle Gooseberry Mesa on a mountain bike, including trail tips, route recommendations, and advice to ensure you have an unforgettable experience. Let’s dive in!
4-Day Hurricane Mountain Biking Itinerary
Download my 4-day mountain biking itinerary to Hurricane! This is your ultimate guide to epic trails and the best route recommendations. It’s packed with tips, links, and local secrets. Grab it now and start planning your trip to Slickrock country!
So What is Gooseberry Mesa?
Gooseberry Mesa is a slickrock mesa up above the town of Hurricane, Utah, and it’s a mountain biking hotspot for good reason. Perched at about 5,200 feet, it’s surrounded by incredible views of Zion National Park, the Pine Valley Mountains, and the vast desert beyond. The trails here are a mix of slickrock, dirt, and sand, with plenty of technical features to keep things interesting, plus some flowy sections to let loose.
One of the reasons I love Gooseberry so much is because the mesa feels remote and a bit wild, giving me that “middle-of-nowhere” vibe yet still being pretty accessible. I also love the diversity of trails here. You’ll find everything from twisty singletrack weaving through juniper trees to wide-open slickrock slabs that lets you pick your own line (some definitely better than others!).
While the trails on Gooseberry definitely cater to the more advanced and experienced mountain bikers, there are some ride options that link up intermediate trails. But the biggest thing to note about Gooseberry Mesa is the exposure – it is real! And potentially life-ending… More on that below.
Are e-bikes allowed? Yes, e-bikes, up to class 1, are allowed at Gooseberry Mesa. Watch your speed and stay in control, though! (i.e. don’t zoom off the cliff edge).
Gooseberry Mesa Map
Here is the TrailForks map of Gooseberry Mesa. Most of the trails on Gooseberry Mesa are pretty well marked with signs and/or paint on the rocks, but since there is so much slickrock riding the trail can be elusive in some places. I’ve definitely gotten turned around. It’s a good idea to have TrailForks or MTB Project downloaded on your phone just in case you get off-route, especially on the slickrock trails.
6 Quick Tips For Mountain Biking on Gooseberry Mesa
Respect the Exposure
The biggest thing to know about mountain biking on Gooseberry Mesa is that there is massive exposure in places. Many of the trails hug the edges of the mesa with steep drop-offs just a few feet away. While most of the exposed sections are manageable with a little focus, they can definitely be a little (or a lot) unnerving. Stay in control and know your limits. If you don’t feel comfortable, it’s better to walk a section or two than risk your life. (And yes, mountain bikers have died here).
Gooseberry Mesa Point is a must
Whichever trails you decide to ride, a pedal out to Gooseberry Mesa Point is a must. It’s a triangular piece of rock with 360° degree views of mountains, valleys, red rock, and rivers. It’s stunning! The lookout is also surrounded by 200+ foot cliffs, though, so keep your eyes on the trail and get off your bike if you need to walk. (NOTE: Gooseberry Mesa Point is rated a double-black proline on TrailForks, but that’s because of the exposure. If you stay on the trail and walk one or two sections, you’ll be fine).
Skip Secret Trail
It may be tempting to tack on Secret Trail to your ride, but trust me, it’s not worth it. It doesn’t get ridden much and it’s pretty overgrown and hard to follow in places. Plus, adding on another few miles may not seem like a big deal, but miles are hard-won on Gooseberry Mesa. Which leads me to my next tip…
Prepare for a leg bootcamp
Mountain biking on Gooseberry Mesa is tiring. Be prepared for a hefty leg workout. While the terrain doesn’t look hilly or mountainous, there is a lot of elevation gain and loss via quick punchy ups and short, steep descents. Even 6 miles – which is roughly what it is to get out to Gooseberry Point – will leave your legs feeling worked. The first time I visited Gooseberry Mesa I made the mistake of wanting to ‘ride it all’. I’ve never been so sore in my life!
It’s not very beginner-friendly
Gooseberry Mesa is not very beginner-friendly. Because of the exposure and punchy ups and downs, riding here could be frustrating and a bit scary for those just starting out. Give Wire Mesa a go first and if that’s ok, then you can head to Gooseberry. See my route recommendations below for a good intermediate ride.
Don’t attempt to drive into Gooseberry Mesa after a rain
DO NOT attempt to drive into Gooseberry Mesa after or during a heavy (or even a light rain for that matter). The red clay soil that makes up this area turns into a thick, slick, mayonnaise that sucks tires deep into the ground. Maybe if you have a 4×4 vehicle with knobby tires you’d be ok, but I wouldn’t risk it. Let the road dry out for a day or two and then head in to ride. If you think you’ll be fine, watch this video and don’t tell me I didn’t warn you.
How to ride Gooseberry Mesa: My route recommendations
Now that you’ve been warned about the exposure and have a good idea of what to expect, let’s get you on the trails! I’ve ridden Gooseberry Mesa a number of ways and here are my two top recommendations for rides:
Gooseberry Mesa Camping
There are a number of free campsites scattered along the access road that leads into Gooseberry Mesa. They are all first-come-first-serve, so cross your fingers that you’ll score a good one! I didn’t count how many campsites there are, but I’d say at least a dozen. Most of them have a fire pit and a few have awesome views that look out over Apple Valley below.
Please pack out all of your trash and leave the campsites cleaner than you arrived.
This TrailForks map shows several of the free dispersed campsite locations:
I hope this guide gives you the info and confidence to head out to Gooseberry Mesa! It’s one of my all-time favorite places to ride and I think you’ll love it, too. The views, the slickrock, the challenge, the free camping, etc… all make it a pretty epic experience. But also be prepared for serious exposure and some technical riding. If all that sounds up your alley, though, you’ll have a blast!
Read next
Planning a mountain bike trip to southern Utah? Check out these posts for inspiration and details:
Have you mountain biked on Gooseberry Mesa? What did you think? Are there any other tips you would include? Let me know in the comments!
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!
First of all, thanks for the tips! I am planning a vacation over there around the end of April and I was wondering IF and WHERE I can rent a MTB for a day or two… bringing mine all the way from Italy it’s quite…. complicated 😀
Exciting! You’ll love Hurricane and Gooseberry. There’s a great bike shop in Hurricane called Over The Edge Sports. Have fun!
Hey, I just want to thank you for the help… I was actually able to pass couple of days around St.George and Hurricane, riding Dead Ringer and Goosebumps, Wire Mesa and finally North and South Rim. Absolutely awesome views.
I also had my DJI Mini4 following me, and I was able to take some cool footage I will post on Trailfork… as soon as I have some time to edit everything. Thanks again!!
I bet the footage will be awesome – the views at Gooseberry are amazing!
That is my GO-TO MTB riding destination. Been there dozens of times and it never fails to impress. I’d recommend trying Guacamole across the north road into Zion for some killer diversity and an ancient volcanic cinder cone.
Agreed, Gooseberry is awesome 🙂 Guacamole is actually my favorite network, though. I wrote it up in my Hurricane guide.
Riding there is so much fun. Bring firewood as little on the Mesa. There is a bathroom. Don’t miss nearby Little Creek Mountain.
Thanks for the tips. I’ve ridden Little Creek only once. I need to get back there again
Been riding at Gooseberry twice and it is a great place to have a ton of fun. If I didn’t live so far away I’d be visiting there all the time.