Top 5 Places to Mountain Bike in Utah

Intro

It can be hard to find the best places to mountain bike in Utah, with so many great options. Utah offers world-class mountain biking with an abundance of trails that will challenge your skills and leave you feeling energized after each ride. This list is to provide you with a starting point when deciding where to get out and adventure on two wheels.

Summer and Spring in Utah are the most ideal times for mountain biking. With thousands of miles of singletrack trails that have dried out from the wet winter, it’s prime time to get out and explore these trails.

1. Wasatch Crest Trail

The Wasatch Crest Trail is one of Park City’s top summer activities and most beloved trails. Situated high atop Big Cottonwood Canyon and Park City, it provides breathtaking views of the Wasatch Mountains.

The Crest is renowned for its technical riding, especially “The Spine.” This section will test even experienced mountain bikers but offers stunning singletrack that’s fun and flowy.

Riders of the Wasatch Crest have several options for reaching its summit, such as pedaling up from Park City or taking a shuttle to Guardsman Pass. Riders may also descend from Desolation Lake and ride Mill D to Salt Lake City or drop into Big Cottonwood Canyon for an extended point-to-point route.

2. Bonneville Shoreline Trail

Utah’s Bonneville Shoreline Trail follows the shoreline of ancient Lake Bonneville as it winds its way through six counties in the Salt Lake Valley. At present, more than 90 miles of this regional multi-use concept trail have been constructed and it eventually plans to extend from Idaho’s border to Nephi, Utah – a total length of 280 miles.

However, small sections of overlapping Wilderness designations have restricted biking on part of the trail, impeding its potential as a shared-use pathway connecting hundreds of communities.

Senator Mitt Romney and Representative John Curtis recently reintroduced the Bonneville Shoreline Trail Advancement Act (BSTAA), to help address some of the obstacles that have been standing in the way of expanding this popular trail system. Under this bill, 326 acres of wilderness will be released over more than 20 locations for trail connections and sustainable trail development near population centers.

3. Quarry Trail

Utah boasts an outstanding mountain biking scene with world-class trails in numerous locations. Additionally, it provides ample hiking and climbing opportunities.

The Quarry Trail is an 8.7 mile out-and-back trail near Salt Lake City that offers a steady climb that’s great for training or getting acquainted with Little Cottonwood Canyon’s terrain.

This trail is perfect for families with small children, as there are several interpretive plaques that provide information about the quarry and its history, plus benches to rest on along the way.

4. Corner Canyon

Corner Canyon’s trail system is a top pick for mountain biking enthusiasts. It provides an abundance of trails and is conveniently situated close to many popular areas in Draper.

Furthermore, trails are usually well-kept and easy to follow, meaning that you can get in a workout without much hassle.

However, there are some challenges when using the trails in Corner Canyon. You should be aware that some of these paths double as roads; always stay to your right to prevent damage and injury.

If you’re planning to ride the trails at Corner Canyon, it is wise to watch their etiquette video for more information about what should be expected. Doing this will help guarantee a pleasant experience for all involved.

5. Slickrock Trail

For mountain biking in Moab, the Slickrock Trail is unbeatable. This world-renowned trail boasts some of Utah’s most breathtaking views and has become one of the state’s most popular trails for mountain biking in the Moab area.

Climbing this trail presents a real challenge, yet it is one of the most enjoyable and thrilling in Moab.

You can ride the entire trail or just a section. This trail is best suited for intermediate and experienced riders.

The “slick rock” is actually Navajo Sandstone, 200 million-year-old petrified sand dunes that have weathered over time. Due to its sticky properties for rubber tires on bicycle tires, this stone earned itself the name “slick rock”.

Final Thoughts

Utah is full of great places to mountain bike. There are trails all up and down the Wasatch front. And Moab is a mountain biking destination for mountain biking enthusiasts from all around the world.

This is a very short list of some easy places to access when looking for the best places to mountain bike in Utah. That being said, there are a ton of great places to mountain bike all over Utah. As mentioned above Corner Canyon is one of my favorite places, because it is easy to access from Salt Lake City.

And if you’re looking to test your downhill skills, you can also check out Park City, and Sundance resorts. At the resorts, you don’t even have to pedal up the hill.

So if you want some great mountain biking, Utah should definitely be on your list. And if you live here, check out one of the trail systems mentioned above.

If you’re coming from out of town, or just want to try out mountain biking for the first time, you can rent full-suspension bikes in most places with trails in Utah. My recommendation is Canyon Sports in downtown SLC if you’re going on the Wasatch front.