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Navajo Lake Loop Trail #32022

RECOMMENDED ROUTE
Intermediate Intermediate
 4.2 (29)
  1. Areas
  2. UT
  3. …Southwestern Utah
  4. …Dixie National Forest
  5. Navajo Lake
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“A beautiful trail around Navajo Lake in the Dixie National Forest. ”

Markk Knowles
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Map Key

11.2

Miles

18.0

KM

90%

Singletrack

9,409' 2,868 m

High

9,060' 2,761 m

Low

635' 194 m

Up

635' 194 m

Down

2%

Avg Grade (1°)

13%

Max Grade (7°)

Dogs Unknown

E-Bikes Unknown

Overview

Navajo Lake Loop is one of the best trails in the area and very popular with people looking to escape the desert heat. It is located near Brianhead Ski/MTB Resort in the Dixie National Forest. Camping is available nearby at the Te-ah campground and various free BLM campsites.

Need to Know

Check ahead for Trail conditions as tree fall sometimes isn't cleared until mid June from winter snows.

Description

The Navajo Lake Loop Trail is an intermediate technical and aerobic singletrack loop running around Navajo Lake near Brian Head. The trailhead starts at 9200' of altitude and climbs only to 9400'

The trail base is mostly packed dirt, a 1/4 mile section at the east end of the lake takes you through a lava field with crushed cinder on the trail. There is a very short challenging climb midway through the lava.

Most consider Navajo best to be ridden CCW which makes most of the climbing in the first mile and a half. You can view the lake from the entire length of the trail.

From the trailhead, ride west back on the dirt road. You'll ride a short paved section through a camp then on to singletrack for the rest of the ride. On the South side of the lake there are a couple options to join other trails including the Virgin River Rim Trail that can join back to the Navajo Loop further east.

While most of the climbing comes fairly early, there are still many small climbs along the way as you enjoy rolling through the many Pines and Aspens. Stop midway to grab a snack and just lay back and breath in the natural beauty.

Contacts

Local Club: Trail Alliance of Southern Utah (TASU)

Land Manager: USFS - Dixie National Forest Office

Shared By:

Markk Knowles
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  4.2 from 29 votes

#1

in Navajo Lake

#692

Overall
  4.2 from 29 votes
5 Star
31%
4 Star
55%
3 Star
14%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Recommended Route Rankings

#1

in Navajo Lake

#42

in Utah

#692

Overall
14 Views Last Month
13,825 Since Jun 24, 2013
Intermediate Intermediate
4%
21%
71%
4%
0%
0%
Add a Photo

Photos

Out of the woods and through the meadow to lava fields we go.....
Jun 24, 2013 near Parowan, UT
Navajo Lake looking east.
Jul 24, 2016 near Parowan, UT
Aspen–lined singletrack along the northshore.
Jul 24, 2016 near Parowan, UT
Through the Aspens and Firs on the southeast side of Navajo Lake
Jun 24, 2013 near Parowan, UT
Riding through the new growth Aspens
Jun 24, 2013 near Parowan, UT
Looking back to the lake from the lava flow. The lake experiences low water by late summer many years with the east side drained by lava tubes.
Jun 24, 2013 near Parowan, UT

4 Comments

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Weather

Current Trail Conditions

Unknown
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Check-Ins

Jun 20, 2023
Maurice Biddles
Few small patches of snow and may 2 dozen downed trees.
May 30, 2022
Z Zoldi
Fantastic loop but there were like 18 down trees on the south side. Still would do it again! 8mi — 1h 00m
Jul 10, 2021
Lisa Benham
11.2mi
Jun 25, 2021
Isaac Lloyd
Rode up from North Fork County Road. Trail was pretty dry and dusty, otherwise in very good condition. Had to wash my bike- and my lungs. 18mi — 1h 45m
Jun 3, 2021
Richard Gey
Cleared of all dead fall 4 day ago, excellent ride. 11.7mi — 1h 30m
Nov 4, 2020
Rachel Friedman
Awesome!!!!!
Sep 11, 2020
Alex Peterson
Did it CCW. I've added some photos to make it clearer for those that want to go in that direction (which is better). We started at the SW TH.
Jul 23, 2020
Pete Slaughter
Lot of up and down but a beautiful ride throughout. Lava beds, forest, lake and great views. All traffic on trail were very courteous. 11.2mi

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Stewarded By

Stewarded by Trail Alliance of Southern Utah (TASU)
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