Best Mountain Bike Trails in Moab for Kids

Some say it’s about the journey not the destination. That’s great when you’re alone and have time to explore, but when you are riding with a six year old wandering aimlessly is not an option. Or worse, choosing a trail that is too advanced which can cause a tantrum in even the most patient kid (and parent). You want to know the best mountain bike trails in Moab for kids.

These are our top 4 ‘family friendly’ riding areas in Moab. These are beginner and lower intermediate rides and great places to take your kids mountain biking. And these are actual trails, not jeep roads or dirt paths. Real mountain biking for your little rippers.

If you have a gravity grom on your hands head over to the 5 Best Rides in Moab page for more advanced options. If you need to get your kid a helmet, gloves, hydration pack or other gear, check here for the best deals on kids cycling gear.

Horsethief Trails / Mag 7

Trailhead: From Moab head north on Hwy. 191 to Hwy. 313. Turn left (west) on Hwy 313 and drive 12 miles. You will see the campground sign on the right. Turn on the gravel road and you will see the campground entrance on your left.

Rowdy/Wrangler Loop

Length: 1.5 miles
Note: Perfect short loop with multiple bail-out options around the campground. Great for true beginners and those with little legs.

Rodeo

Length: 8.5 miles
Note: If the kids have mastered Wrangler and Rowdy you can challenge them on Rodeo. This trail has a bit of everything and is more technical.

Mag 5

Length: 12-17 miles

Note: If you’re up for an adventure, book at shuttle with Hazard County Shuttle. They’ll pick you up at Bar M trails and drop you off at the top of Mag 7. Take any of the 5 trails (we love Bull Rull and Great Escape) to Little Canyon. We go early and leave a car there or you can all ride out Gemini Bridges road back to HWY 191 and Bar M.

Moab Brand Trails

Trailhead: Take U.S. 191 North about 8 miles to the Bar-M Chuckwagon. Drive down to the new parking lot and trailhead to the north. Do not park in the Chuckwagon parking lot.  There is something here for everyone in the family including a short little skill at the entrance to the trails. In addition, at the east end of the parking lot there is a fun little dirt/pump track area.

Bar-M Loop

Length:
8 miles

Note: Non-technical but somewhat long for little ones. Total climb is 625 feet. Some steep roller coaster hills to climb at the north end. Average grade is around 3%. A mellow family ride on a dirt road with rocky sections.  Shared motorized but they are rarely encountered except near the highway.

Rusty Spur

Length:
1.5 miles

Note: Easy loop with gentle grades. Two cattle guards to power up and over. Includes about 150 feet of climb in either direction. Average grade is about 3%. Smooth mellow ride on dirt and rock. The trail begins and ends at the Moab bike path.

Lazy/EZ

Length:
1.5 miles for Lazy 1.25 EZ

Note: Moderate with a few more difficult turns and climbs. You will climb about 200 feet in either direction through the Lazy-EZ loop. Average grade is around 3%. Turn right at the Lazy-EZ sign until you reach the junction. 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 becomes more challenging so beware with little ones. You will climb 600 feet, ride counterclockwise as it offers the lower uphill grades.  The loop can be shortened by about a mile by turning around at the crossover point at the pipeline road. Average grade around 5%.

Klondike Bluffs Area

Trailhead: Drive 17.5 miles north of Moab on Hwy 191 and turn right on Klondike Bluffs Rd. Proceed 3 miles to trailhead.

Inside Passage

Length:
0.4 miles from the south parking area to the intersection with the Copper Ridge road. From there you can connect with Jurassic. Skip this section and ride the road if you want to ease into the ride.

Note: This is a fun ride thru some rocky terrain, and some large boulders to maneuver around.

Jurassic

Length:
3 miles including spur to Baby Steps Loop. South end starts off of Copper Ridge Rd. North end starts off of Jasper.

Note: The trail has a few ups and downs, but mostly stays at the same elevation. Connect this trail from Inside Passage up to Jasper. At Jasper connect back to road, ride south for a bit and take Dino Flow back. Great 1 – 1.5 hour ride for beginners with some intermediate sections on Dino Flow.

Dino-Flow

Length:
5.6 miles connecting the parking lot for the Copper Ridge trackway with the Klondike Bluff Road. Crosses Mega Steps, Baby Steps Loop twice, Little Salty once, and EKG trail.

Note: This trail wanders along the dirt and slickrock between EKG and the Copper Ridge Road. It is for lower intermediate riders, but beginners can ride this with caution. Despite the name it’s not a traditional flow trail but it is fun.

Agate Loop and Midline Trail

Length:
The loop is 1.8 miles and the centerline trail is 0.8 miles.

Note: This loop is great for families. The grades are gentle. The west loop is easier than the east loop that follows the crest of a ridge.This is a good trail to get used to riding singletrack. It is wider in the beginning but narrows a bit as it approaches the junction with centerline 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 challenging than the Agate Loop, but still okay for families as the grades are gentle. The west loop is easier than the east loop. The south end has one short steep section that a child might have to walk.  Wide on the west side as it flows through gentle rolling hills covered with chert. The trail narrows as it ascends onto the ridge overlooking the Copper Ridge road. Families might 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

Trailhead: Dead Horse Point State Park visitor center parking lot which is 32 miles west of Moab.

This system features fun moderate singletrack trail riding with views of Canyonlands, the Colorado River, Behind the Rocks, and the La Sal mountains.  Intrepid, Great Pyramid and the Big Chief loops have no major climbing or technical riding. Make a day of it and bring lunch since it’s so far from town. It will cost $20 to enter the State Park.

Check out our in-depth guide to mountain biking at Dead Horse.

Intrepid Loop

Length:
1.1 miles

Note: Easy. Great family ride with amazing views of the Colorado River below. Always tons of families getting off the beaten path to enjoy the scenery.

Great Pyramid Loop

Length:
4.2 miles

Note: Easy riding but a longer extension of the Intrepid trail offering more amazing views.

Big Chief Loop

Length:
9.0 miles

Note: Beginners and intermediate riders will enjoy this longer loop. It has a few more climbs, rocks, and a long straight-away to take you back to the parking lot. You’ll experience slickrock sections, singletrack, sandy washes, and incredible views from the cliff-side overlooks.

Whiptail/Twisted Tree Loop

Length:
4 miles

Notes: Whiptail is on the western boundary, it’s a fun track that hosts an overlook into Shafer Canyon below. Ride from north to south to get the most out of the downhill and the smooth, fast paced trail. Intersections with Twisted Tree and Prickly Pear allow for a other loops.

Raptor Route

Raptor Route is Moab’s newest trail system and a great option for intermediate to advanced kids and families. The full route is 10 miles with mostly fast, and flowy intermediate singletrack with some advanced sections. Raptor Route is actually three trails: Eagle Eye, Hawk’s Glide, and Falcon Flow. Eagle Eye opened in 2021 and is the highest of the trails and 2.3 miles in length. Hawk’s Glide at 2 miles is the newest opening in 2022. It is more advanced with exposure, tech sections, and sand. Falcon Flow is the lower section of Raptor Route and is 5.7 miles. This is an intermediate trail that little wheels can handle except for a few challenging sections.

Extra Credit: White Rim Trail

Looking for something a little more epic for your family? If you plan in advance and arrange vehicle support (either on your own or with a private company) you can all ride 100 miles on the White Rim trail in Canyonlands National Park in 3-4 days. The Kid Project has two great posts on the White Rim: Planning Your White Rim Family Trip and a trip report called Biking the Entire 100 mile White Rim Trail. Check them out and see what’s possible!

What are your favorite trails for kids in Moab? Any questions?