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Moab

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Overview

Moab has several attributes that make it an incredibly popular destination. First, the climate in Moab complements that of Salt Lake City, the Utah mountains, and Colorado front range and mountainous areas in that it's generally dry with mild temperatures when Utah and Colorado locations are too cold, muddy, or snowy.

Moab has focused a ton of effort and resources over the past several years into creating more trails and making the area more friendly for a range of activities. There are now more beginner-friendly trails than ever, and plenty of trails to keep everyone entertained for a long weekend or more.

For those reasons, people come from all over Utah and from Colorado's front range, and many other places, driving 5 or more hours to take advantage of trails. It's worth a trip to experience scenery like you've never seen before.

Other user groups frequent Moab as well - notably offroad Jeep and motorcycle enthusiasts. It's definitely a motorhead town - the wide open landscape and lax restrictions on land use make it a mecca for all types of offroad vehicles. The different user groups seem to play fairly well together though - it's rare to be annoyed when you're out on the trail, and it can be nice to have company in the raw desert conditions that define Moab.

The town itself is not flashy. It started out as a uranium mining town and has stayed very close to its working class mining roots over time. There are plenty of great bike shops, and all the necessities, including several good, but not great options for places to eat.

Discover Moab seems to have good information about the area.

Local Info

Moab has some of the most interesting and unique terrain of any mountain biking destination. The riding here tends to lean towards challenging to extremely challenging with big descents, rocky trails with big technical moves, and many long epic rides to choose from. A classic example is the famous Slickrock trail is a multiple hour mountain bike ride ENTIRELY on smooth rock that makes you feel as if you're riding on the moon!

There are a few groups that offer guided mountain bike tours, which can be a good way to take a bit of risk and logistics out of your journey.

Western Spirit Cycling
Chasing Epic
Rim Tours 

There are several good options for bike shops in town. A few that seem to be popular are: 

Poison Spider ( poisonspiderbicycles.com
Chile Pepper Bike Shop ( chilebikes.com
Rim Cyclery ( rimcyclery.com 
Moab Cyclery ( moabcyclery.com)

It is important to stay on the trail. Our trails are surrounded by living soil called Biocrust. Off-trail riding damages the deserts delicate ecosystem for decades after. Find out more about our soil from local non-profit: sciencemoab.org/radio/ 

Portable toilet systems are required in Grand County. Be prepared to carry human waste out on the trail. Human waste takes over a year to decompose in the desert. This keeps it clean for everyone riding after you. Buy one at any of our local gear shops before your ride.

Temperatures can reach upwards of 100 degrees on the trail. Exposure to the sun is extreme. Always ride with enough water and electrolytes for the length of your ride and the temperature of the season. It is important to have more water than you might expect.

Always let someone know where you are and when you expect to be back. Cell service is limited. Always stay found. If lost, stay where you are. Wandering makes it difficult for Search and Rescue to find you.

Ride within your limits. There are few access points for Search and Rescue. It will take Search and Rescue time to get to injured individuals on the trail.

Visiting Tips

The sweet spots for Moab are spring and fall, when the temperatures are cooler, and other destinations within driving distance are inaccessible due to mud or snow. Because it's the desert, early spring is very doable here - it's quite cold at night (often below freezing) but easily rises to mid-60's during the day.

The most crowded season seems to be early spring through mid-April. These are times when the mountains of Colorado are no longer skiable. It's also when the offroad crowd emerges from their garages after a winter of tinkering with their machines. It's a great time to come, but can be difficult to find camping on the weekends, unless you can take Friday off and arrive Thursday evening.

Generally, avoid mid-summer unless you're very experienced, or willing to head out in the early mornings or late evenings. It's simply too hot in the summer to be safe in the middle of the day.

Camping & Lodging

There's plenty of camping, and it's probably the most common sleeping arrangement for many people who visit the area. The largest and most common place to camp is up at Sand Flats, a 10-minute drive up above town. Sand Flats road is the home of the Slickrock trail, and Porcupine Rim, two of the most popular trails in Moab. Sand Flats has over 120 campsites up and down the dirt road that runs through the recreation area. Campsites have pit toilets but no water. There's a fee to use the recreation area, and you pay at an entrance gate as you drive into the area.

The town of Moab is camper-friendly, with all the supplies you'd need, including a pharmacy and full grocery store. There are also several places to take showers, including some of the local bike shops.

There are also a number of commercial campgrounds in the area, and RV areas with full facilities. Some are right in the middle of town, making it convenient for families. 

There are hotels and motels as well, and many condos available for rent through VRBO or other sources. Nothing is particularly fancy here, so don't come expecting the Four Seasons! That said, it can be a family-friendly town, and there are plenty of nice spots you can find for a weekend that's a bit more civilized than a typical guys' weekend.

Food & Drink

Don't go expecting a culinary experience - expect pubs and pizza places you can wear your camping clothes to. There's a central main street that is packed every evening, and you can simply drive up and down until you find a place you want to stop.

Places like Eddie McStiff's, the Moab Brewery and the Moab Diner are popular. Pasta Jay's offers a basic Italian dinner with huge portions if that's what you're in the mood for.

Outfitters, Tours, & Shuttles

Moab riding is bucket list worthy, and if you're looking for advice or support for a bike trip here, definitely contact Western Spirit Cycling. Their guides have these trails dialed, plus they will get their massive support truck to camp, whip up amazing food, and keep the beer cold.

Moab's #1 choice for Mag-7 and The Whole Enchilada lower section shuttles, Hazard County Shuttle (435-210-8082) located at 94 W 100 N, Moab UT 84532 or check out Hazard County Shuttle online here: hazardcountyshuttle.com/.

Other Activities

Moab is nearby to some incredible attractions. Definitely check out Arches National Park and Canyonlands National Park on your rest days.

There are also a couple of wineries, museums, climbing destinations, and tons of great hikes in the area.

Recommended Routes in Moab - 33

MTB Project is built by riders like you. Add Your Recommended Routes

Favorite The slickrock on Navajo Rocks is as fun as it gets!
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult

Navajo Rocks Loop

17.5 mi 28.2 km 1,342' Up 408.96 m Up 1,336' Down 407.2 m Down

Moab, UT
Explore in 3D
Favorite The Whole Enchilada....
Difficult Difficult

Porcupine Rim

14.7 mi 23.6 km 1,195' Up 364.3 m Up 2,962' Down 902.88 m Down

Moab, UT
Explore in 3D
Favorite Dare devil ripping some Golden Spike
Difficult Difficult

Mag 7

21.2 mi 34.0 km 1,294' Up 394.4 m Up 3,331' Down 1015.44 m Down

Moab, UT
Explore in 3D
Favorite Great trail for all to enjoy. Oh yeah, there are great views as well!
Intermediate Intermediate

Dead Horse Point Tour

14.4 mi 23.1 km 644' Up 196.39 m Up 645' Down 196.64 m Down

Moab, UT
Explore in 3D
Favorite You can see the last section of the Porcupine Rim trail in the background. Wheelies are fun.
Difficult Difficult

Slickrock Complete Ride

11.0 mi 17.7 km 758' Up 231.06 m Up 758' Down 231.15 m Down

Moab, UT
Explore in 3D
Favorite Captain Ahab has some amazing views west towards Canyonlands.
Difficult Difficult

HyMasa/Captain Ahab

9.0 mi 14.5 km 1,216' Up 370.51 m Up 1,213' Down 369.69 m Down

Moab, UT
Explore in 3D
Favorite Cruising at sunset on the UFO trail.
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult

Klondike Bluff Outer Loop

14.6 mi 23.5 km 1,213' Up 369.86 m Up 1,214' Down 369.89 m Down

Moab, UT
Explore in 3D
Favorite Lazy, part of the Moab Brand trails, has plenty of good fun and great views
Intermediate Intermediate

Moab Brand Trails - Lazy/EZ Loop

3.7 mi 6.0 km 181' Up 55.1 m Up 181' Down 55.2 m Down

Moab, UT
Explore in 3D
Favorite Ez Trail.
Intermediate Intermediate

Bar M Loops

10.9 mi 17.6 km 720' Up 219.4 m Up 719' Down 219.28 m Down

Moab, UT
Explore in 3D

Moab Biking

  • 586 Miles 943 Kilometers of Trail
  • 33 Recommended Routes
  • 43 Easy Trails Easy Trails
  • 133 Intermediate Trails Intermediate Trails
  • 69 Difficult Trails Difficult Trails
MTB Project is built by riders like you. Share what you know about this area!

Areas Within Moab

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Trails in Moab - 212

MTB Project is built by riders like you. Add Your Trails

4.2 mi 6.7 km #1Captain Ahab
Difficult Difficult
Moab, UT
Difficult Difficult
Moab, UT 159 
3.3 mi 5.4 km #2Ramblin'
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
Moab, UT
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
Moab, UT 112 
5.5 mi 8.8 km #3Falcon Flow
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
Moab, UT
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
Moab, UT 92 
3.4 mi 5.4 km #4Big Mesa
Intermediate Intermediate
Moab, UT
Intermediate Intermediate
Moab, UT 92 
5.5 mi 8.9 km #5Bull Run
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
Moab, UT
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
Moab, UT 136 
7.9 mi 12.7 km #6Getaway
Intermediate Intermediate
Moab, UT
Intermediate Intermediate
Moab, UT 88 
4.2 mi 6.8 km #7North 40
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
Moab, UT
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
Moab, UT 83 
9.0 mi 14.4 km #8Rodeo
Intermediate Intermediate
Moab, UT
Intermediate Intermediate
Moab, UT 85 
4.6 mi 7.4 km #9Rocky Tops
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
Moab, UT
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
Moab, UT 80 
5.6 mi 9.1 km #10Dino-Flow
Intermediate Intermediate
Moab, UT
Intermediate Intermediate
Moab, UT 98 

Photos of Moab - 1,062

MTB Project is built by riders like you. Add Your Photos

Shadows on slickrock in the evening light.
May 3, 2013 near Moab, UT
This Whole Enchilada video covers Burro Pass, Hazard, Kokopelli, Porcupine Singletrack, and Porcupine Rim.
Oct 9, 2013 near Moab, UT
Building (and riding!) Captain Ahab
Oct 17, 2013 near Moab, UT
The amazing Porcupine Rim.
Dec 20, 2013 near Moab, UT
Captain Ahab has some amazing views west towards Canyonlands.
Apr 1, 2015 near Moab, UT
Dare devil ripping some Golden Spike
May 26, 2015 near Moab, UT
The Whole Enchilada....
Aug 14, 2016 near Moab, UT
Get ready for another classic from Tec-Gnar: this time ripping up Porcupine Rim!
Jan 31, 2017 near Moab, UT

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