St. George, Utah, is located in Southwestern Utah on the Arizona border, and it is every mountain biker’s dream. With tons of sunny days, ideal trails, memorable views, and plenty of restaurants to eat after a long day’s ride, it’s no surprise that so many bike enthusiasts choose to explore St. George on a mountain bike.
Easy Trails
There are three recommended trails for beginners or riders looking for an easier bike ride through Utah terrain. The first is the Gooseberry Mesa loop trail, roughly an hour from the center of St. George, in Hurricane, Utah. It’s about 13 miles long and you can also opt to walk your bike for a bit. There’s also a 1.3-mile practice trail you can try out before embarking on your journey. Gooseberry doesn’t offer anywhere to refill your water bottle, so it’s best to bring plenty of water.
Snow Canyon Loop is another biking trail that’s enjoyed by novice riders. It’s located in Ivins inside the Snow Canyon State Park and requires an entrance fee. It’s an 18-mile, mostly paved loop that caters to bikers, hikers, and rollerbladers. There are a couple of steep sections where you can dismount your bike if you are uneasy about biking them.
Your third option for easy trails is the 11.2-mile Bearclaw Poppy Navajo Trailhead in St. George. It can be ridden as a loop or in a figure-eight form. Though there are some clearly marked difficult parts, it’s also considered the easiest of all three beginner biking trails. Expert riders are known to ride this trail.
Moderate Trails
The semi-technical Anasazi Trail follows the Santa Clara River for 6.5 miles of strenuous out-and-back mountain biking. Some sections of the trail are singletrack, while others are double. Along the path, you can enjoy the ancient petroglyph art figures seen on rocks. This trail is between St. George and Ivins, Utah.
In the Santa Clara River Preserve, you can ride the singletrack 1.7-mile trail known as Sidewinder. It offers a challenging climb and opportunities to catch nearby trails to make it a longer ride.
Barrel Roll connects to Sidewinder but can be ridden on its own or other trails. It’s a 5.6-mile singletrack path on quintessential Utah terrain with great views. There is a short technical section that requires advanced riding skills. Dismounting your bike is an option to get through this part, but be mindful of other riders.
Approximately 12 miles from the center of St. George is the Prospector mountain biking trail. This 7.2-mile singletrack path can be combined with Church Rocks or Dino Cliffs for a lengthier ride. It’s not surprising to find a few sandy sections on this trail.
Twenty-four miles from St. George is the 6.9-mile out-and-back J.E.M. Trail. It’s the ideal singletrack for those who want to ride fast and easy. With its laidback climb, smooth downhills, and rewarding views, it just might be a favorite. If you’re craving a longer ride, this one can be combined with Goulds Rim trail or the Hurricane Rim trail.
The Most Challenging Trails
First up is the Green Valley Race Course. Green Valley is a 6.4-mile trail that feels more like a maze with its constant intersections from other tracks. This, however, makes it easy to connect back to the course loop should you take a wrong turn.
With a name like Suicidal Tendencies, you should have an idea of what you’re up against. This Santa Clara 4-mile singletrack can be caught via Precipice Trail, Sidewinder Trail, or Barrel Roll Trail. Expect steep downgrades and upgrades, switchbacks, low-lying hanging rocks, narrow sections, and impressive views of St. George.
If you like riding on singletracks, dropping terrain, and slick rocks, then Zen Trail is the one for you. It’s a 5.7-mile path that not only tests your technical skills but offers you wonderful views. It’s the trail that has a little bit of everything.
Gearing up to Ride
Crucial pieces of mountain biking equipment include a good biking helmet, mountain biking attire, gloves, protective knee and elbow gear, sunglasses, mountain biking shoes, a bike flat tire kit, a multi-tool, and a backpack for other essentials.
Always have the proper gear when preparing for a mountain biking excursion, and make sure your equipment is in good riding condition. Be sure to know all rules of mountain biking in Utah and follow trail etiquette. It’s also smart to pack for unpredictable weather and emergencies.
Between the desert sky, sandstone cliffs, and endless stunning views, Utah is brimming with diverse mountain biking trails. A great place to start experiencing them is in St. George.