Moab is considered ‘the mecca’ for mountain biking but how do you know what to ride? Use this guide to help plan your Moab mountain biking trip!
I’m going to get a lot of pushback for saying this, but I actually don’t love mountain biking in Moab. Sure, there’s some iconic riding and the views are amazing, but I much prefer the red rock of Sedona or the less crowded trails in Hurricane, Utah.
In my opinion, the Moab scene has become overwhelming over the past few years with National Park goers, off-road ATVers, mountain bikers, and hikers. The trails – although they were ahead of their time a decade ago – are overall good, but not the best.
But that’s all just my opinion. Mountain bikers love to flock to the red slickrock trails of Moab and it still remains a ‘mecca’ for many riders. Just visit on a weekend in October and you’ll see what I mean.
I’ve done a handful of trips to Moab and in this post, I share everything you need to know to plan your trip so you can decide for yourself if Moab mountain biking lives up to the hype!
Looking for the best trails? Download my checklist for the 10 best mountain bike trails in Moab.
Moab Mountain Biking Map
As you’ve probably guessed, there are A LOT of trails in Moab. These trails are spread out across 10 or so trail networks:
Phew, that’s a lot! The first time I visited Moab, I was pretty overwhelmed by where to start and what to ride. Hopefully, this guide will give you a better idea of what trails and trail networks you shouldn’t miss.
Moab Mountain Biking: What to love & what to not
So why is Moab so popular with mountain bikers? For one, Moab was really the first place that drew mountain bikers decades ago. The slickrock riding was different from any other mountain bike terrain around the country and the awesome scenery and good weather made it a great place to visit.
Moab was ‘the place’ for mountain bikers in the 80s and that status has kind of stuck, for better or worse.
And it’s true – Moab does have good riding if that’s your style. I’d call it cross-country on steroids. There are lots of punchy climbs, plenty of chundery rock gardens, not a whole lot of sustained elevation gain/loss (depending on which trails you’re riding or if you’re shuttling), and big views almost non-stop.
There’s a little bit of everything for every type of rider from novice to expert but just be prepared for old-school style trails with not a ton of flow.
Moab’s Trail Networks
Now let’s get into the fun stuff! The mountain biking in Moab can be broken down into ten different trail networks. Some of these networks are pretty isolated while others you can link together to create bigger rides.
I’ve listed them in order of relative difficulty with Moab Brand Trails being the ‘easiest’ and Amasa Back being the hardest.
1. Moab Brand Trails
The Moab Brand Trails are home to some of the oldest singletrack in Moab and it’s a great place to warm up to the riding in Moab or bring the family if everyone has different skill or fitness levels.
Many of these trails have a cross-country feel, some on slickrock (like Circle O), although you can definitely find some tech here as well.
If you find the Moab Brand Trails difficult, it’s best to stay on the more beginner and intermediate trails around Moab. This network also has some great views out over Arches National Park!
Need to know for the Moab Brand Trails
Planning your Moab Brand Trails ride
2. Dead Horse Point
The trail system at Dead Horse Point State Park is another great option for riders or families looking for a cross-country day out on the trails. There are several loops you can do ranging from just a few miles to a 12 or 15-mile day.
The Dead Horse Point trails are located high up on a mesa and they overlook Canyonlands National Park. It’s actually where the ending of the movie Thelma and Louisa was filmed! I love riding here because it has some of the best views out of all the trail networks in Moab.
There is some exposure here, but you really have to get off the trail and walk to the edge to be in any kind of danger.
Need to know for Dead Horse State Park
Planning your Dead Horse State Park ride
3. Klonzo
I feel like the Klonzo trail network falls a bit under the radar for Moab mountain biking, but it’s one of my favorite places to ride. I actually think there’s more flow here than most other networks in Moab. It’s also a great place to head if there are lots of people in town and you want to get away from trail traffic.
You can expect a little bit of everything here from cross-country climbing to flowy descents, rock features, and great views.
Gravitron is my favorite trail here – it’s kind of a hidden gem. You’ll also want to check out the trails on the other side of the road. The Red Hot to The Edge is an awesome downhill and Topspin and Rollercoaster are worth checking out as well.
Need to know for Klonzo
Planning your Klonzo ride
4. Navajo Rocks
Navajo Rocks is probably my favorite place to mountain bike in Moab. The trails aren’t too techy to be utteraly exhausting, but they still have some of Moab’s iconic punchiness. The majority of these loops are also on slickrock, so you really get the Moab experience. Plus, the views are epic! Navajo Rocks really has it all.
There are two loops you can do here, or if you’re feeling frisky, you can combine them into one really big loop. Whatever you decide, expect lots of rock riding, punchy ups, great views, and fast-rolling slickrock descents that aren’t nearly long enough.
Need to know for Navajo Rocks
Planning your Navajo Rocks ride
5. Klondike Bluffs
If you like techy climbing, Klondike Bluffs is the place for you! These trails are built on a low bluff (hence the name) and to get to the top of the bluff is… a bit of a grunt. Of course, techy climbing means techy descents as well.
I’ve ridden here a few times and while I wouldn’t call it my favorite place to mountain bike in Moab, it is worth checking out if you have the time. There’s a lot of slickrock riding, rolling (and oftentimes technical) traverses, and well-built downhill runs with some great flow.
Note: I’m not as familiar with the south side of Klondike Bluffs. The trails get decent reviews, but if it’s your first time to Klondike and you only have a day to ride there, I recommend riding the north side trails like Alaska and Homer.
Need to know for Klondike Bluffs
Planning your Klondike Bluffs ride
6. Sand Flats
The Sand Flats Recreation Area has been the focus of a lot of new trail building over the last few years. The Raptor-themed trails (Falcon Flow, Eagle Eye, Hawks Glide, etc…) offer a mellower finish to The Whole Enchilada (see the La Sals section below) and they make for a great loop – or shuttle – in and of themselves.
Sands Flats is also home to the iconic Slickrock Trail. It was once a moto trials trail and was one of the first trails mountain bikers adopted in Moab. That being said, I don’t think the full Slickrock Trail is worth it. It’s exhausting with all the steep ups and downs and there are way better trails to spend your energy on. That being said, it would be a blast on an e-bike – the Slickrock Trail is one of the few mountain bike trails in Moab that is open to e-bikers.
Need to know for Sand Flats
Planning your Sand Flats ride
7. La Sal Mountains
The La Sal Mountains are the tall, 12,000+ foot and often snow-capped peaks that rise up behind Moab. They are also the starting point for one of Moab’s most infamous descents, The Whole Enchilada, as well as Porcupine Rim, one of Moab’s most popular trails.
There’s really not too much reason to head up into the La Sals unless you’re doing The Whole Enchilada, in which case you can read my TWE full trail guide here. You can also get a shuttle to the end of Sand Flats Road where you can access UPS and just do the final 15 miles of The Whole Enchilada, which I will argue is the best part.
8. Horsethief & Mag 7
I grouped these two trail networks together because most riders will either just do Horsethief or do both Horsethief and Mag 7 as a shuttled ride. If you’re only riding Mag 7 you probably aren’t reading this post because you know what you’re doing.
In my opinion, Horsethief is just ok…. I don’t think it flows as well as other trail networks. But that being said, some riders love it. Horsethief connects into the Mag 7 trails (the iconic and expert-only Gold Bar Rim and Portal trail), which are bike-it list rides for many mountain bikers heading to Moab. So, I don’t want to discourage you from checking this area out.
The upper Horsethief trails are a mix of cross-country and moderate tech with lots of punchy rock slab climbs. It’s the kind of trail system that makes you feel like you’re pedaling the entire time.
The lower Mag 7 trails are extremely technical and have massive exposure in some places. These should only be ridden by very experienced, confident riders. Mountain bikers have died on these trails.
To be fully transparent, I’ve only done a few rides at Horsethief (including the route I recommend below), so I’m not super familiar with all the trails here.
Need to know for Horsethief/Mag 7
Planning your Horsethief/Mag 7 ride
10. Amasa Back
Lastly, we have Amasa Back, which is where Captain Ahab and several other advanced mountain bike trails are. This area is pretty iconic – it’s where a lot of the early Moab mountain bikers hung out to ride slickrock back in the day.
Nowadays, most people head to Amasa Back for Captain Ahab, but there are a few other trails and route options as well. It’s important to point out, though, that these trails are for strong intermediates at the very least.
Need to know for Amasa Back
Planning your Amasa Back
Sample Moab Itineraries
There is SO much riding in Moab that it can be hard to even know where to start. Below are two rough itineraries to help you plan your trip. If you want more tips and details, let’s chat over Zoom!
3-Day Intermediate Moab Itinerary
3-Day Advanced Moab Itinerary
FAQs & Facts about mountain biking in Moab
Q: When is the best time of year to mountain bike in Moab?
The best time to plan a mountain bike trip to Moab is during the shoulder seasons. April/May and September/October are prime for the best weather and temperatures. Summers get brutally hot and winters can be cold and snowy.
Since there is a short window of tolerable weather, Moab does get extremely busy during the spring and fall months, though, so expect to share the trails with a lot of other mountain bikers and off-road ATVers.
If you want a chance of avoiding the crowds, March and November can be great months to visit. Just be prepared for some colder days and nights and maybe rain or snow.
Q: What’s the best bike shop in Moab?
I don’t have a favorite, but here are some bike shops in town that offer rentals, services, and even guided tours:
– Poison Spider Bicycles
– Chile Pepper Bike Shop
– Rim Cyclery
– Double Down Bike Shop
– Moab Cyclery
– Moab Bike Fiend
Q: Who can I book a mountain bike shuttle with in Moab?
There are several shuttle companies in Moab that offer mountain bike shuttles to three main trails and networks: [1] The Whole Enchilada (Burro Pass or Hazard County), [2] the Raptor Trails, and [3] Horsethief & Mag7.
I personally use Porcupine Shuttles, but Coyote Shuttles, Moab Cyclery, Poison Spider Bicycles, and Hazard Country Shuttles are also great.
Q: Can I book a Moab mountain bike tour?
Yeah! If you want a tour guide to show you around, Rim Tours and Moab Cyclery both offer day and multi-day tours around Moab.
Q: What are some good restaurants in Moab for post-ride food?
Moab is packed with some really great restaurants. Here are a few of my favorites:
Moab Garage: This is by far my favorite place to eat in Moab. They serve amazing breakfasts and lunches and they have all sorts of delicious and healthy(ish) things to choose from. Get a donut!!!!
98 Center: A Vietnamese restaurant serving authentic and tasty dishes
Sabaku Sushi: Surprisingly good sushi for the middle of the desert. They also have a nice outdoor patio in the back
Antica Forma: Good wood-fired pizza. The outdoor patio is really nice. This place can get busy, though!
Miguel’s Baja Grill: Pretty decent Baja-style Mexican food with big servings
Moab Food Truck Park: The only food truck I’ve tried is the Quesadilla Mobilla which serves really good and hearty quesadillas. There are usually a few other food trucks around as well
The Trailhead Public House & Eatery: Good place to get a burger
Q: Are e-bikes allowed?
No, e-bikes are not allowed on most trails in Moab. Please respect this. It’s not that the land use managers are being dicks, it’s because most of the trails around Moab were built with funding that requires the trails to be for non-motorized use only. And yes, e-bikes are (currently) considered motorized. They have a motor.
Q: How hard are the mountain bike trails in Moab?
Moab is definitely not the best place for beginner mountain bikers or those new to technical terrain. There are lots of punchy climbs, challenging rock gardens, and high-stakes exposure. Some of the networks, like the Moab Brand Trails and Klonzo, have entry-level options, but for the most part, Moab is better suited for more experienced riders.
Where to stay
Moab camping
Moab used to have a ton of places for dispersed camping, but in recent years land-use authorities have really cracked down on where you can camp outside of town.
There are still a few places where you can camp for free. Check out:
- Willow Springs Rd.
- Cotter Mine Rd.
- Klondike Bluffs
- Dubinky Well Rd.
The road conditions can vary pretty extensively – a 4×4 vehicle is recommended, but we have been able to get our 2WD low-clearance van into some spots.
If you’re looking for paid campgrounds, there are a number of options. Be sure to book ahead of time as Moab gets really busy during the peak season and campgrounds fill up fast.
Moab Hotels & Rentals
Note: This blog post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I get a small commission at no cost to you. I stand by the products I recommend and greatly appreciate your support!
There are a lot of hotel options in Moab, many of them generic (think La Quinta, Hampton Inn, Holiday Inn, etc…)
But if you want a less generic option, here are a few cool hotels and rentals to check out:
- Field Station Moab: This is a really cool hotel that caters to adventurers. They have in-room bike storage, a gear shop on site, a coffee shop, and an activity concierge. They also have van spots with hookups and all the amenities.
- Creekside Guest Cottage: You won’t feel like you’re in the desert in this super cute cottage! It also comes with a hot tub.
- Gonzo Inn: A fun and funky hotel within walking distance of downtown. They have a bike wash station and secure bike storage.
- Moab Springs Ranch: A splurge, but would make for a great basecamp for a few days of riding!
- The Finca: A super cute 3-bedroom house within walking distance to downtown.
Read next
Looking for more great riding in Utah? Check out these related posts:
What questions do you still have about mountain biking in Moab? Have you ridden there? What trails or routes do you recommend? Leave a comment below! And don’t forget to download the 10 best mountain bike trails in Moab!
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Thanks for the great summaries! I just finished up two days riding as I passed thru Moab from Santa Fe back home to WA state. Was my first time riding there, and with your notes and comments from others I went with Navajo Rocks to start with (also a good choice as I stayed at a campground a few miles down the road). Felt good and started the east loop early morning.
After about a mile, I realized that I didn’t really enjoy the slickrock riding. I kept going and did the full east loop, but had no interest in trying the west side. I can handle the bit of tech, and the punchy bits, it just… wasn’t fun. The views just about made it worth it.
So for day two I headed up to Klonzo, which is also on the way out of town, so that helped in deciding. Driving in with my ProMaster van was okay, but the few hundred feet of sandy creek ‘road’ was a bit sketchy; kept the speed up and made it. As for the trails, that was the place to go for me. Loved it. Just a hint of slickrock sections here and there. And you’re right, Gravitron was a blast. Thought about trying Zoltar down to Houdini, but realized that was likely all slickrock, so stuck with your route and did the south side. Rollercoaster was quite fun, along with Topspin.
Now on to Cave Lake at Ely tomorrow on my way home. Rode that one last year and loved it.
I might stop in Moab again if I’m “passing thru”, but now I know that the slickrock stuff just isn’t worth it for me.
Moab’s slickrock is definitely unique! And not for everyone. It’s good that you started with only one of the Navajo Rocks loop instead of committing to a bigger slickrock ride. I think Klonzo is way underrated – it’s one of my favorite networks in Moab. Glad you loved Gravitron!
Thank you for this. However, I thought that e-bikes are allowed on the trails in Dead Horse Canyon State Park?
They are, sorry for that! I just updated it.
Wow! I’m so glad I found your blog! This is so well-written with so much great info. Thank you! I’m in California and want to do some travel to the Southwest at some point. I’m curious … I’m actually in the market for a new bike right now and thought I’d ask for your input. I’m currently riding a 2012 Rocky Mountain Element 30 and it feels like all the bike I need to do the sort of riding I want to do – mostly cross country – some technical, no jumps or anything wild. But I’m looking for a lighter bike, so am considering bikes like the Juliana Wilder TR… do you think that would be an appropriate bike for the type of rides above and similar in Sedona? I was actually fine on my old GT hardtail until I started trying slightly harder (easy black diamond) trails. Anyway – so you are a coach – do you ever hold clinics in CA? I’d love to do a clinic with a woman instructor! Thank you – Jodi