Moab Happenings Archive
Return to home

Cycling HAPPENINGS September 2019


Article courtesy of Rim Tours Mountain Bike Adventures 1233 S. Hwy 191, 435-259-5223

Mountain Bike Singletracks in Arches and Canyonlands?
Where are they!

By Franklin Seal, Rim Tours Mountain Bike Adventures


Short Answer:
There are none.
Long Answer:

  • The National Park Service only allows bikes on paved or unpaved roads.
  • No bikes are allowed on hiking trails.
  • In Arches, you can bike the Willow Flats Road or the Salt Valley Road (but few people do it.)
  • In Canyonlands, you can ride:
    • The White Rim Trail (very many people do it, but it usually takes 3 to 4 days.)
    • The Maze (it is amazing, but it is very remote and takes 5 or 6 days.)
    • The Needles District (it is possible to ride many of the jeep roads but they can be quite sandy.)

If you are in Moab for only a few days and want to take in the national parks while riding your mountain bike, you have several options:

Canyonlands National Park Full-day

You can put together a full-day of riding that starts inside Canyonlands National Park and descends more than 1,000 feet down the famous Shafer Trail switchbacks. The route then continues down through Shafer Canyon, exiting the park boundary, traversing below Dead Horse Point State Park to Thelma and Louise Point, and finally winding down to the Colorado River via the Potash Road. This 18-mile ride on a popular jeep road can be done by self-shuttling with a vehicle left at the Potash Boat Ramp and another at the top of the Shafer Trail. Or, you can book a guided tour that includes bikes, helmets, souvenir water bottles, ground transportation, a trail-side gourmet lunch and support vehicle following behind you along the entire route.

This super scenic tour is a great way to experience mountain biking in Moab with vehicle support! There are spectacular views of Canyonlands National Park on this largely downhill route as we ride a small portion of the famous White Rim Trail. It has some challenging climbs, exciting descents, a trailside lunch at Thelma and Louise Point, and offers riders of differing abilities a way to enjoy a one-day biking experience that includes Canyonlands NP. Four person minimumrequired for this tour. Please call or email for availability.

Park-Adjacent Bike Trials

Though you won’t find bike trails inside the national parks, there are a number of them in areas immediately adjacent to the parks.

Moab Brands / Courthouse Loop


The Bar M Loop at the Moab Brands Trailhead is a great introduction to mountain biking in Moab, and is available as a half-day tour from Rim Tours. Spectacular views of Arches National Park and gently rolling terrain on wide, doubletrack make this ride perfect for beginners and families. Many riders are able to try the Rusty Spur Trail, just off the main loop, as their first foray into singletrack terrain. Whether you’re new to the sport or just looking for an easy cruise, our guides will be happy to help you improve your skills.  

Dead Horse Point State Park


Dead Horse Point is one of Utah’s most spectacular state parks and offers a great taste of what Moab mt biking is all about. It is approximately 1 mile outside the boundary of Canyonlands National Park but has sweeping views of much of the White Rim Trail area. Towering 2,000 feet above the Colorado River, the park provides a breathtaking panorama with sculpted pinnacles and buttes. This super fun introduction to singletrack has rolling terrain, mixed with some short climbs and lots of fun sections to cruise on. Some previous mountain bike experience is highly recommended.

Klondike Bluff


This is a classic Moab ride! You’ll gain elevation (approximately 700 ft.) as you “get your pedal on” up toward the boundary of Arches National Park. Having a good fitness base will help you enjoy this ride. Keep your eyes open for the dinosaur tracks embedded in sandstone along the way. Riders will experience a variety of Moab’s unique terrain including slickrock and short technical rocky sections. At the top of the climb, a short hike takes us into a remote area of the park and breathtaking views of the colorful bluffs below. Remember, the return ride is almost all downhill!

North Klondike Singletrack


Top riders from around the world proclaim the North Klondike trails as some of the best and most fun in Moab. Trails such as Alaska, Mega Steps and Dino Flow wind through narrow wedges in towering rock outcroppings, rip along buffed mesas and roll over perfectly designed drop-offs. There is plenty of climbing and descending to satisfy all types of riders and the variety of trails allows for moderate to more extreme experiences in the same area. Views directly down into the northern sections of Arches National Park are obtained from atop the ridge.


Return to Archive Index
return to home
 
Return to home