Beyond Zion: Finding Utah's Best Mountain Biking Trails.

Southern Utah is known for its world-class mountain biking trails. In fact, Red Bull Rampage, the most extreme mountain bike competition in the world, has made its home just outside of Zion National Park. Each October, some of the best riders in the world throw themselves off steep desert cliffs and across gaping canyons in feats of incredible skill, bravery, and just the right amount of insanity. 

While most of us aren’t Rampage-level riders, the desert surrounding Zion National Park is full of Utah’s best single track and slickrock riding that is suitable to all skill levels. From flowing slickrock trails and gnarly technical singletrack, there’s a ride here for everybody. Here are the best mountain bike trail systems around Zion National Park.

Grafton Mesa

• Distance from us: 3.4 miles

Grafton Mesa, located near the mouth of Zion Canyon, has some of the most diverse riding in the area and is home to the famous Grafton Road Gap. Here you’ll find everything from sandy single track to challenging rock gardens and impressive drops. While the trails here range in difficulty from intermediate to extremely difficult, you can use Grafton Mesa Road to set up your own shuttle and avoid tedious climbing. 

When you get to the top of Grafton Mesa itself, you’ll be rewarded with full 360° views of nearby Wire Mesa and the majestic entrance of Zion National Park to the northeast. When you’ve successfully shredded all 14 miles of trails here, be sure to stop by the Grafton Ghost Town on your way to a well-deserved meal in Springdale, just a few minutes up the road. 

Grafton Mesa Mountain Bike Trails

Wire Mesa

• Distance from us: 4.3 miles

As the easternmost trail system on our list, Wire Mesa has a unique view of Zion National Park. It also makes for a great sunrise ride, since it stays shaded and cool in the morning. Wire Mesa is Grafton Mesa’s calmer younger brother. The main trail here is an intermediate seven mile loop along the top of the mesa. Like its meaner older sister, Wire Mesa offers an exciting mix of slickrock and hard pack surfaces. The best part of the Wire Mesa trails is their flow and potential for exhilarating speed. 

Wire Mesa is relatively flat, with only about 500 feet of elevation change. Paired with its comparative lack of challenging technical features, you’re able to fly through the desert in the shadow of Zion’s monolithic walls. 

Wire Mesa Mountain Bike Trails

Guacamole

• Distance from us: 11.7 miles

No mountain biking trip in southwestern Utah would be complete without a taste of Guacamole. This trail system has a great mix of singletrack and pillowy slickrock. The Guacamole and Holy Guacamole loops are stacked next to each other, allowing you to run circuits of both trails for hours and hours of fun. 

The landscape here is unique – even by Zion’s standards. More than 22 miles of trails will take you through burnt forests, along the base of an extinct volcano, and through ancient sand dunes. Be sure to keep an eye out for petrified wood – it’s everywhere. As you ride through the slickrock, you can actually see what used to be logs and branches that have been petrified into the dunes. 

Guacamole Mountain Bike Trails 

Hurricane Cliffs

• Distance from us: 13.2 miles

Hurricane Cliffs sits just outside of Hurricane and La Verkin, with Gooseberry Mesa and Zion National Park looming to the east. This expansive trail system has more than 40 miles of mountain biking trails that range in difficulty from beginner to intermediate. If you’re new to mountain biking or trying to shake the rust off your skills, Hurricane Cliffs is a perfect place to start. 

With 36 interconnected trails, you have total freedom to explore the desert and soak in the incredible views. The terrain here is a balanced mix of hard-packed dirt, loose and shallow sand, and the occasional patch of slickrock. These well-maintained trails and ideal riding conditions make Hurricane Cliffs an essential part of your next mountain biking trip. 

Hurricane Cliffs Mountain Bike Trails 

Gooseberry Mesa

• Distance from us: 17.1 miles

Towering above the desert floor at 5,200 feet above sea level, the top of Gooseberry Mesa is a mountain biking playground. The trails here are a great mix of slickrock, hard pack, and singletrack, which gives Gooseberry a distinct style of riding that never gets old no matter how many times you ride it. 

The best part about Gooseberry Mesa is how the trails take you right to the very edge of the mesa, adding an exhilarating level of both thrill and beauty to your ride. The North Rim and South Rim trails don’t just offer the best views of Zion National Park in the area, but are an incredible spot to catch the sunset. 

Gooseberry Mesa Mountain Bike Trails

Start at the Tyler Inn at Zion

If you’re serious about riding as many of Utah’s best mountain biking trails as you can, then there’s no better place to call home than the Tyler Inn at Zion. Located practically across the street from some of the best trails in the country and only a few minutes from Zion National Park, the Tyler Inn at Zion provides the perfect base for your outdoor adventures. 

Start your days off right with our homemade breakfast served in our dining room with views of the cliffs and mesas you’re eager to explore. At the end of a long day, come back to our large and spacious rooms that feel like home. With soft, comfortable beds and luxurious on-suite bathrooms, our bed and breakfast is the perfect place to relax and unwind. 

Add a level of comfort and luxury to your mountain biking experience in Zion by booking a stay with us today!