Spring Mountain Biking in Colorado and Utah
Spring is here, so it’s time to get back on the trails. We’ve compiled a list of lower-elevation trails that you can jump on this spring while you wait for the snow to melt on the higher-elevation routes. These trails offer amazing biking for all skills and abilities and many have great camping nearby!
Trails to Try
Browse our list of trails in Colorado and Utah that you can check out.
Buffalo Creek Big Loop in Pine, CO: This is a well-known 24.2-mile loop near Buffalo Creek, Colorado. It’s a moderately-challenging trail with stunning views.
Phil’s World in Cortez, CO: You’ll find Cortez west of Durango outside of the San Juan Mountains. It’s an intermediate-level, 26.8-mile rolling trail. Phil's World is known for its feature called the Rib Cage because it features a fast, rolling terrain. There’s plenty of other nearby loops to check out as well.
Evergreen Mountain Loop in Evergreen, CO: This moderate, 7.9 roundtrip loop is in Alderfer/Three Sisters Park. It’s part of a larger trail system, so you can ride more if you want to keep going. You’ll get views of the sweeping valley, wildflowers, wildlife and the iconic cliff faces referred to as the Three Sisters.
18 Road Trail system in Fruita, CO: Fruita is well known for its mountain biking meccas. The 18 Road Trail System features both flowy and technical trails so you can choose the intensity of your ride. Plus, it’s a great place to ride short laps to improve your skills. You’ll see bikers at all levels out here.
Lunch Loops, Grand Junction, CO: This difficult, technical 12.1-mile trail tests your technical riding skills. It’s near downtown, so it’s a convenient lunchtime ride for locals.
Hartman Rocks in Gunnison, CO: This trail system offers an intermediate/difficult loop on its 12-mile ride. It’s a popular trail among Gunnison residents, so be mindful of other folks on the trail.
Golden Gate Full Pull in Central City, CO: If you’re looking for a difficult Spring trail, this 24.2-mile route has you covered.
Hall Ranch in Lyons, CO: Hall Ranch offers 11 miles of trails for experienced and beginners. Check out the Rock Garden on the Bitterbrush Trail if you’re looking for a challenge.
Slickrock in Moab, Utah: This is a 12-mile challenging ride, but there’s also a 2.3-mile loop that can give you a taste of the terrain. Allow four hours to complete the ride and bring plenty of extra water.
Kokopelli Trail: Kokopelli Trail features six segments adding up to 143 miles of trails traveling from Loma, Colorado to Moab, Utah. The terrain varies from technical singletrack to pavement, and it’s classified as difficult. The majority of the trail is on old jeep roads.
White Rim Trail, Utah: An intermediate, 100-mile trail, the White Rim is a popular bike route in Canyonlands National Park. IT’s best to do the trail in 3-5 days with 4WD vehicle support. You can overnighting at designated campgrounds along the way. You’ll need a permit for day trips and to stay overnight.
The Palisade Plunge in Grand Mesa, CO (late spring): People are anxious for the Palisade Plunge to be complete. Phase I is nearly complete, and will be 17 miles of the lower half of the route. When complete, the Palisade Plunge will connect the top of the Grand Mesa to the Town of Palisade, CO.
Rabbit Valley in Western Colorado: This 19.7-mile trek travels from Rabbit Valley to Western Rim. It’s an intermediate route that winds around the rim above the Colorado River. The Western Rim trail is over 6 miles of fast, scenic singletrack. You’ll find some great dispersed camping spots in the area.
What to Bring
Your list of what to bring depends on how long you’ll ride. Here’s a general list:
Water
Phone
Snacks
Sunscreen and lip balm
First aid kit
Patch kit
Extra tubes
Tire pump
Multi-tool
Chain lube
Lightweight packable raincoat
Planning Resources
Hopefully this list gets you itching to hit the trails. Take a look at https://www.mtbproject.com/. It has detailed information on 155,000 miles of mountain bike trails. It’s a great resource to use!
Another great resource? TAC! TAC can help if you need help planning or want equipment for your mountain bike adventure. We offer a mountain bike package that provides all the gear you’ll need.
