Some say it’s about the journey, not the destination. It’s fine when you’re alone and have time to explore, but when you’re riding with a six-year-old, wandering aimlessly isn’t an option. Or worse, choosing a path that is too advanced and can cause a tantrum in even the most patient child (and parent). Want to know the best mountain biking trails in Moab for kids.
Here are our top 4 “family” riding areas in Moab. These are beginner and lower intermediate rides and great places to take your kids mountain biking. And these are real trails, not jeep roads or dirt roads. A real mountain bike for your little rippers.
If you have a problem with gravity on your hands, go to 5 Best Rides in Moab page for more advanced options. If you need to offer your child a helmet, gloves, hydration bag or other equipment, check here for the best deals on children’s cycling equipment.
Trails of Horse Thieves / Mag 7
Trailhead: From Moab, head north on Hwy. 191 to the highway. 313. Turn left (west) onto Highway 313 and go 12 miles. You will see the campsite sign on the right. Turn onto the gravel road and you will see the campsite entrance on your left.
Rowdy/Wrangler Loop
Length: 1.5 miles
Note: Perfect short loop with several rescue options around the campsite. Ideal for true beginners and those with small legs.
rodeo
Length: 8.5 miles
Note: If the kids have mastered Wrangler and Rowdy, you can challenge them to Rodeo. This trail has a little bit of everything and is more technical.
I like 5
Length: 12-17 miles
Note: If you’re up for an adventure, book a shuttle with Hazard County Shuttle. They will pick you up from the Bar M trails and drop you off at the top of Mag 7. Take one of the 5 trails (we love Bull Rull and Great Escape) to Little Canyon. We leave early and leave a car there or you can all take Gemini Bridges Road back to Hwy 191 and Bar M.
Moab Brand Trails
Start of the trail: Take US 191 North approximately 8 miles to Bar-M Chuckwagon. Walk down to the new parking lot and trailhead to the north. Do not park in the Chuckwagon parking lot. There’s something for everyone here, including a little skill at trail entrances. Also, at the east end of the parking lot there is a fun little dirt track/pump track area.
Bar-M loop
Length:
8 miles
Note: Non-technical but a little long for the little ones. The total climb is 625 feet. Some steep roller coasters to climb at the north end. The average rating is around 3%. A gentle family ride on a dirt road with rocky passages. Shared motorized vehicles but we rarely encounter them except near the highway.
Rusty track
Length:
1.5 miles
Note: Easy loop with soft notes. Two livestock guards to power on and charge. Includes approximately 150 feet of climbing in both directions. The average rating is around 3%. Smooth and gentle ride on dirt and rocks. The trail begins and ends on the Moab Bike Path.
Lazy/EZ
Length:
1.5 miles to Lazy 1.25 EZ
Note: Moderate with some more difficult turns and climbs. You will ascend approximately 200 feet in either direction through the Lazy-EZ Loop. The average rating is around 3%. Turn right at the Lazy-EZ sign until you reach the intersection. To the left is Lazy and to the right is EZ. Go right.
North 40
Length:
4.0 miles
Note: This is a longer ride that starts easy but gets more difficult, so be careful with little ones. You will climb 600 feet, riding counterclockwise as it offers the lowest grades. The loop can be shortened by about a mile by turning around at the crossing point on the pipeline route. Average rating around 5%.
Klondike Cliffs Region
Start of the trail: Travel 17.5 miles north of Moab on Hwy 191 and turn right onto Klondike Bluffs Rd. Continue 3 miles to the trailhead.
Interior passage
Length:
0.4 mile from south parking area to intersection with Copper Ridge Road. From there you can connect with Jurassic. Skip this section and take the road if you want to ease into the ride.
Note: This is a fun ride through rocky terrain and a few large boulders to get around.
Jurassic
Length:
3 miles including the spur to Baby Steps Loop. The south end begins from Copper Ridge Rd. The north end begins in Jasper.
Note: The trail has a few ups and downs, but generally stays at the same elevation. Connect this trail from Inside Passage to Jasper. In Jasper, get back on the road, drive south a little and take Dino Flow back. Superb ride of 1 to 1.5 hours for beginners with some intermediate sections on Dino Flow.
Dinosaur feed
Length:
5.6 miles from Copper Ridge Rail Parking Lot to Klondike Bluff Road. Go through Mega Steps, Baby Steps Loop twice, Little Salty once and the ECG track.
Note: This trail travels over dirt and rock sheets between EKG and Copper Ridge Road. It is aimed at lower intermediate level riders, but beginners can ride it with caution. Despite its name, it’s not a traditional flow trail but it’s fun.
Agate Loop and Midway Trail
Length:
The loop is 1.8 miles and the center trail is 0.8 miles.
Note: This loop is ideal for families. The notes are soft. The west loop is easier than the east loop which follows the crest of a ridge. This is a good trail to get used to singletrack. It is wider at first but narrows a bit as you approach the junction with the central trail.
Jasper Loop
Length: The loop is 1.7 miles and the connectors to Copper Ridge Rd are both about 0.3 miles.
Note: This loop is slightly more difficult than the Agate loop, but still suitable for families because the notes are soft. The west loop is easier than the east loop. The south end has a short steep section that a child might need to navigate. Wide on the west side as it passes through gentle chert-covered hills. The trail narrows as it climbs the ridge overlooking Copper Ridge Road. Families may want to follow the west side of each loop, then return to the start on the Copper Ridge Road.
Dead Horse State Park – Intrepid Trail System
Start of the trail: Dead Horse Point State Park Visitor Center parking lot, located 32 miles west of Moab.
This system offers fun and moderate single track trails with views of Canyonlands, the Colorado River, Behind the Rocks, and the La Sal Mountains. Intrepid, Great Pyramid and the Great Chief loops have no major climbing or technical driving. Make a day of it and bring your lunch since it’s so far from town. It will cost $20 to enter the national park.
Check out our detailed guide on go mountain biking at Dead Horse.
Fearless Loop
Length:
1.1 miles
Note: Easy. Great family ride with breathtaking views of the Colorado River below. There are always tons of families going off the beaten path to enjoy the scenery.
Great Pyramid Loop
Length:
4.2 miles
Note: Easy driving but a longer extension of the Intrepid Trail offering more amazing views.
Grand Chef Loop
Length:
9.0 miles
Note: Beginner and intermediate riders will enjoy this longer loop. There are a few more climbs, rocks and a long straight to get you back to the parking lot. You’ll experience slickrock sections, singletrack, sand washes, and incredible views from cliffside overlooks.
Whip loop/twisted shaft
Length:
4 miles
Remarks : Whiptail is on the western edge, it’s a fun trail with views of Shafer Canyon below. Ride north to south to get the most out of the descent and the smooth, fast trail. Intersections with Twisted Tree and Prickly Pear allow further loops.
Bird of prey route
Raptor Route is Moab’s newest trail system and is a great option for intermediate to advanced kids and families. The entire course is 10 miles with mostly fast and flowing intermediate singletrack with some advanced sections. Raptor Route is actually made up of three trails: Eagle Eye, Hawk’s Glide, and Falcon Flow. Eagle Eye opened in 2021 and is the tallest of the trails and is 2.3 miles in length. Hawk’s Glide at 2 miles is the newest opening in 2022. It is more advanced with exposure, technical sections and sand. Falcon Flow is the lower section of Raptor Route and is 5.7 miles long. This is an intermediate trail that small wheels can ride, except for a few difficult sections.
Additional credit: White Rim Trail
Looking for something a little more epic for your family? If you plan ahead and arrange for vehicle assistance (either on your own or with a private company), you can hike the 100 miles on the White Rim Trail in Canyonlands National Park in 3 to 4 days . The Kid Project has two excellent articles on the White Rim: Planning Your Family White Rim Trip and a trip report called Cycling the Entire 100-Mile White Rim Trail. Check them out and see what’s possible!
What are your favorite trails for kids in Moab? Questions?