One of our favorite places to go family camping and mountain biking is the Bookcliffs area of 18 Road Fruita. 18 Road has a series of easy to moderate singletrack loops that can get you back to your campsite/car within minutes if needed. Back in the day you could camp anywhere but now the area has been discovered and there are actual campsites at the top of road. If you go on the weekend in the Spring or Fall be prepared to share. I try to make it here on the weekdays as much as possible. Last week we had the trails to ourselves on a Tuesday and Thursday. Also, I have an opinion on which way certain trails should be ridden for maximum enjoyment and on the weekends you will encounter traffic in both directions.
Here are some of our favorite loops/rides off 18 road:
Family Friendly Mountain Bike Routes
Kessel Run: If camping we leave from the campground and ride the campground road(not 18 road) up to the top. This is my preference as I prefer to not encounter riders going up Kessel when I am going down. At the top, you ride Kessel back to the campground area or all the way down to the main parking area. For little ones this upper section is more technical than the lower section. You can also just jump on the lower section. Once at the main parking area cross the road and head back up on Prime cut…
Prime Cut: We always use Prime cut to climb to the top of 18 road(2.3 miles) but you will encounter other riders coming down so keep an eye out. Once you get to the top of Prime cut you have the option of taking Chutes and Ladders…
For more family friendly rides in Fruita check out our Fruita Best Mountain Bike Trails for Kids post.
Intermediate Mountain Bike Routes:
Chutes and Ladders: Is an intermediate trail about 7 miles long. There are steep climbs and a few technical/rocky sections. The last several miles of this trail is your reward. The best piece of singletrack I have ever been on! Chutes will dump you back at the lower parking lot. If you still want more, climb back up Prime cut over to the camping area and ride Joe’s Ridge.
Joe’s Ridge: Another one of my favorites. Smooth singletrack that climbs up to the ridge and the skirts along the top of the ridge with great views and steep descents. A roller coaster ride and icing on the cake when ridden with Prime Cut and Kessel Run. Sometimes I just ride this over and over. Good option if you need to come back frequently to check on little ones or switch off with your spouse often. Our six year old started riding this trail but I would still call it intermediate based on steep climbs and exposure.
For more rides in Fruita check out our Top 5 Fruita Mountain Bike Trails to Ride post.
To get to 18 road from Over the Edge bike shop in Fruita, proceed east on Aspen Avenue to Maple Street and go left. Continue on Maple as it becomes 17 1/2 Road. Take this four miles to N 3/10 and go right a quarter mile to 18 Road. Then go left on 18 Road and proceed for approximately 7 miles (as the road goes from pavement to dirt).
Interested in more Fruita info? Check out our Fruita Destination Guide.
Thanks for the info. We went there this last weekend and its definately the place to go for family mountain biking. The nearby camping and short loops makes it fun for everyone. Watching wildlife (eagle, collared lizards, snake, bunnies and prarie dogs) was almost as much a part of it as the fun twisties and rollers. Also try Vegetarian to Downsies and Upsies which makes a scenic kid-friendly loop.
I would say that the upper Kessel secion is easier for the little ones as it does not have the extreme steep rollers that can scare the little ones.
Those are great trails you mentioned! We especially love Rustlers.
Also when in the area check out Rustler’s Loop off I-70 at Loma Kokopelli trail. This one even includes interpreative signs that teach mountain biking techniques and ethics with very scenic views of the Colorado River.