A Mountain Biker’s Guide to Moab, Utah

I stayed in early March, and the temperatures were moderate during the day, ranging from the high 50s to 60s, and dropped to the low 40s / high 30s at night. I stayed in the Sand Flats Campground with an RV for the weekend and was impressed with the trail access to Slickrock and Above Abyss on the first day. On my last full day, I pedaled up from camp to Porcupine Rim and the Raptor Route.

Sand Flats ($15)

Located just outside of town and the gateway to Porcupine Rim, Raptor Route, and Slickrock, this is a great place to park the car and pitch a tent if you want to ride from camp during your visit. This campground is relatively primitive, featuring vault toilets and lacking potable water. Campsites operate on a first-come, first-served basis.

Big Bend ($15)

Located about 20 minutes from Moab, Big Bend campground can be found along Hwy 128. It sits on the banks of the Colorado River, offering great spots for kicking back at the end of a long day of riding. The Porcupine Rim trailhead is just a few miles away, so you can ride back to camp after shuttling or climbing up to the top. This campground is relatively primitive, featuring vault toilets and lacking potable water. Campsites operate on a first-come, first-served basis.

Klondike Bluffs ($15)

Enjoy great views of Arches National Park and Klondike Bluffs trails from this spot. Cell service is spotty at best, so don’t expect to be scrolling TikTok while out here. Klondike Bluffs Road is about 15 miles from Arches National Park and slightly further to Moab. The road has rocky sections but is passable by most vehicles. It has numerous camping areas, with the first eight spots having space for larger RVs and trailers. Another primitive site features vault toilets, lacks potable water, and operates on a first-come, first-served basis or reservations for group spots.

Willow Springs ($15)

Recently incorporated into the Utahraptor State Park, this rustic site will blow your mind with views and access to the Klonzo trail system right up the road. There is a lot of space for RVs and bigger vehicles here, but there is a lack of amenities, and you will find pit toilets and no potable water.

What Trails You Should Ride in Moab

Moab is saturated with great trails, and many of them can be exceptionally technical, especially for beginner riders, but there are still plenty of trails that can be fun for all skill levels. These are some of the most popular trails in the Moab area that you should aim to ride while in town but I implore anyone to explore the massive trail maps for themselves to find all the hidden gems in the area.

Porcupine Rim (Difficult)

One of the many great things about Moab is how much camping there is. Most of it is pretty private and much cheaper than staying in a hotel. Thanks to the abundance of public lands near Moab, there are plenty of free options, and if you don’t mind dispersed camping, this is a great option. If you want to have a few amenities, there are some great BLM campgrounds or National Park options. If you choose a BLM campground, bring plenty of extra water to cook and stay hydrated.

One of the most iconic trails in the area is full of technical moves and mind-blowing views. Porcupine Rim descends for 11 miles and ticks off just over 3,000 feet of elevation drop. There are plenty of shuttle options for this iconic trail, and most shops in Moab will offer weekday and weekend shuttles. You can also make a big day of it and pedal up for the Whole Enchilada route, or you can pedal up Sand Flats Road.

Captain Ahab (Difficult/Extreme)

One of the many great things about Moab is how much camping there is. Most of it is pretty private and much cheaper than staying in a hotel. Thanks to the abundance of public lands near Moab, there are plenty of free options, and if you don’t mind dispersed camping, this is a great option. If you want to have a few amenities, there are some great BLM campgrounds or National Park options. If you choose a BLM campground, bring plenty of extra water to cook and stay hydrated.

Split into two sections, Upper and Lower Ahab are located in the Amasa Back area, just outside of town. Both trails are exceptionally technical, with the lower section being the real test of skill and technical ability for advanced riders. If you want to take the mellow route, HyMasa gets you down with fewer heart-stopping features. Each section is about 2 miles in length, and if you combine them, you are looking at a 4-mile journey that drops almost 1,400 feet.

Slickrock (Difficult)

This is one of the most popular trails in the area. It takes you through a range of different features above the city of Moab and is an excellent introduction to riding in Moab. Approximately 10 miles and nearly 1,000 feet of up and down throughout, this is a great way to see what riding the area’s rocks is all about. Get ready for steep and punchy climbs, lots of exposure, and beautiful views.

Raptor Route (Moderate)

What could be considered the easy alternative to Porcupine Rim, this route connects four moderate trails, making for a 12-mile ride back to Sand Flats road and Moab proper. Shuttling this will get you almost 2,800 feet of descending with a few quick, technical climbs sprinkled in to keep you on your toes.