Mountain Biking Moab, Utah: An Intermediate Rider's Perspective
My favorite trails, slickrock, a little technical riding, and why I keep coming back to Moab.
Words by Michele Underwood | Photos by Michele
Welcome to Moab, Utah. One of my favorite places to mountain bike.Moab is one of my favorite places to mountain bike. I've spent quite a bit of time here, and no matter how many times I visit, there's always another trail I want to ride. I love the red rock landscape, the desert, and how different the riding is from anywhere else I've been.
Moab also has a reputation for some pretty serious mountain biking. Slickrock, steep rock rolls, technical climbs, and trails where making a mistake can have some big consequences. And while all of that exists, there's also plenty of riding for those of us who aren't expert mountain bikers.
I'm an intermediate rider. I love a good flow trail, enjoy some technical riding, and don't mind working for a climb. I want to keep improving, but I also want to have fun.
I've ridden several of Moab's trail systems, and some of my favorites are at Navajo Rocks and the Moab Brand Trails. They're different from each other, which is one of the things I love about riding here. You can spend one day on easier desert singletrack and the next riding across huge stretches of sandstone.
And the scenery never gets old. There have been plenty of times when I've stopped riding just to look around and take it all in.
What Mountain Biking in Moab Is Like for an Intermediate Rider
One thing I've learned about mountain biking in Moab is that a blue trail doesn't always feel like the blue trails I've ridden elsewhere. There's a lot of rock, and sometimes you have to figure out how to get your bike up, over, or down something rather than just follow the singletrack.
Slickrock is one of my favorite things about riding here. It's amazing how much traction your tires can get on sandstone. You can ride up sections that look way too steep, and then there's the fun of rolling down the other side. Of course, you still have to pick your line and watch what's ahead. If you're curious about the terrain, I wrote more about it in What Is Slickrock?.
Not everything is slickrock, either. Moab has plenty of dirt singletrack, sandy sections, and trails that mix the two. Some are fast and flowy, while others require a little more patience.
I also like that you can choose how challenging you want your day to be. The Moab Brand Trails are a great place to start, especially if you're getting used to desert riding. Navajo Rocks has more variety, with slickrock, climbing, and some beautiful views across the surrounding landscape.
I've included videos of my rides below so you can see what the trails look like. I always find it helpful to watch someone ride a trail before heading out, especially when I'm trying to decide whether it's something I'll enjoy.
My Favorite Intermediate Mountain Bike Trails in Moab
EZ & Lazy — Moab Brand Trails
If you're newer to mountain biking in Moab or want to get comfortable riding in the desert, EZ and Lazy are two trails I'd recommend.
They're part of the Moab Brand Trails, just north of town. What I like about this combination is that you're riding dirt singletrack with some rocky sections mixed in, rather than spending the entire ride figuring out how to get across slickrock.
It's a good place to get used to the terrain and how your bike handles the loose dirt and rocks. You still get a taste of Moab riding, but without jumping straight into one of the more technical trails.
And even after you've ridden some of the harder trails around Moab, there's nothing wrong with coming back to EZ and Lazy for a fun, more relaxed ride.
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North 40 — Moab Brand Trails
North 40 is another trail I rode at the Moab Brand Trails, and it's a step up from EZ and Lazy. It's a blue-rated loop with more rocks and technical riding mixed in.
I managed to ride it clockwise by mistake. I had planned to go counterclockwise, but somewhere along the way, I ended up going the other direction. Not exactly what I intended, but I still had a good ride.
And yes, counterclockwise is the recommended direction, although the trail can be ridden both ways. Apparently, I decided to find that out for myself.
The trail mixes dirt singletrack, climbing, and sections of broken sandstone where you have to choose your line. It's a good trail if you're looking to move beyond the easier riding at Moab Brand without getting into anything too intimidating.
I'd ride North 40 again. Counterclockwise next time.
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Middle Earth (and Coney Island) — Navajo Rocks
One of the rides I did at Navajo Rocks was Middle Earth into Coney Island. I enjoyed Middle Earth, with its mix of slickrock and dirt singletrack, but Coney Island wasn't one of my favorites.
That's something I've learned from riding in Moab. Just because a trail is popular or rated blue doesn't mean I'm necessarily going to love it. Everyone has different preferences, and Coney Island just wasn't my kind of ride.
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Big Mesa — Navajo Rocks
Big Mesa is another trail I enjoyed at Navajo Rocks, and this one stands out to me for the scenery.
I found Big Mesa a little less technical than some of the other trails I've ridden in Moab. There's still rock and changing terrain, but I liked having a ride where I could spend more time looking around and enjoying the desert.
The landscape is what I remember most. You're riding through this huge sandstone environment with open views of the surrounding mesas and rock formations. It's a pretty amazing place to be on a mountain bike.
If you're an intermediate rider exploring Navajo Rocks, I'd put Big Mesa on your list, especially if you enjoy the scenery as much as the riding.
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Ramblin' — Navajo Rocks
Ramblin' is probably my favorite trail at Navajo Rocks. I've ridden it more than once, and it's one I'd happily keep riding.
There's a mix of slickrock and dirt singletrack, along with some climbing and rocky sections that make you work a little. I love how the trail moves through the sandstone formations, and then, just when you're focused on the riding, the landscape opens up in front of you.
I filmed one of those moments on Ramblin'. I was riding along and then panned the camera to show this huge view across the desert. That's what I remember about this trail. You're riding through all this rock, and suddenly you look up and realize how beautiful everything around you is. You can see that moment in my video below.
It's the kind of ride that makes me want to go back and do it again. Not because I need to beat my time or ride every section perfectly, but because I enjoy being out there.
If I were heading back to Navajo Rocks tomorrow, Ramblin' would be one of the first trails I'd want to ride.
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Rocky Tops — Navajo Rocks
Rocky Tops was another trail at Navajo Rocks that I really enjoyed. This is more of the riding I love about Moab, spending time on sandstone with the red rock landscape all around me.
There's plenty of slickrock riding, with climbs and descents that make you think about your line. I like that kind of riding because it gives me a chance to work on my skills while still enjoying the trail.
Between Rocky Tops and Coney Island, I'd definitely choose Rocky Tops if I were heading back to Navajo Rocks.
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The Technical Riding and Knowing Your Limits
One thing about Moab is that you never quite know what you're going to find around the next corner. Sometimes it's a small rock ledge, sometimes it's a steep climb, and sometimes it's something that makes you stop and think about whether you want to ride it.
I'm perfectly happy getting off my bike and taking a look before deciding what to do. I've walked plenty of sections, and I'm sure I'll walk plenty more. I love improving my mountain biking skills, but I'm not interested in taking unnecessary risks.
Portal Trail is a good example of how serious some of Moab's riding can be. I went out to see the exposed section of Portal where the consequences of a mistake are pretty significant. I walked it, and seeing that trail in person gave me a whole new appreciation for the riders who tackle it.
I spent about two months in Moab over the winter and spring, and I could see how much my riding improved during that time. Trails and features that would have intimidated me before started feeling more manageable. I became more confident, started riding things I might have walked in the past, and found myself wanting to try more challenging trails.
That's one of the things I love about mountain biking in Moab. It's a place where you can really grow as a rider. There's so much different terrain to practice on, and once you get comfortable riding here, you feel like you can take on just about anything.
And there's plenty of room to challenge yourself without riding something you're not comfortable with.
Riding Moab from My Van
Watching the sunset from my van while camping near Navajo Rocks. One of my favorite spots in Moab.
I camped on BLM land right near Navajo Rocks with my friend Mike, and I loved this spot. We had these beautiful views of the surrounding red rocks, and the sunsets were amazing. I remember looking out from camp in the evening and thinking how lucky I was to be staying there.
Most of the people camping around us were mountain bikers, too. I loved that. Being around people who share the same passion for riding made it an even better place to camp. And having Navajo Rocks practically outside my van door wasn't bad either.
Spring and fall are my favorite times to ride Moab. Summer can be brutally hot, and there's very little shade on the trails. If it's warm, I try to get out early, and I always bring more water than I think I'll need.
Why I Keep Coming Back to Moab to Mountain Bike
My Specialized mountain bike at the entrance to Arches National Park in Moab, Utah. Two of my favorite things about this area: biking and exploring.I've ridden in Fruita, Hurricane, Crested Butte, and other places out West, and each has something different to offer. But there's something about Moab that keeps bringing me back.
I love the desert. The red rock, the sandstone formations, the wide-open landscape, and the fact that you can ride across terrain that looks like it belongs on another planet. There's nowhere else quite like it.
And while Moab is known for some pretty intimidating trails, there's so much here for intermediate mountain bikers. You don't have to ride The Whole Enchilada or Portal to enjoy mountain biking in Moab. There are plenty of trails that will challenge you, help you improve, and leave you wanting to come back for more.
I've spent a lot of time riding here, and there are still so many trails I want to explore. Navajo Rocks will always be one of my favorite areas, especially Ramblin', and I know I'll be riding the Moab Brand Trails again, too.
I'll definitely be back. Although, knowing me, probably sooner rather than later.
If you're wondering what I ride with, I've put all my mountain bike gear in one place in my Mountain Bike Kit.
I'm Michele, and I write Overland Girl, where I share firsthand travel experiences across the American West — from desert landscapes and national parks to small towns layered with history like Ouray. My work blends movement, place, and the stories that shape them.Some posts may include affiliate links to products or services I use on the road. If you choose to purchase through those links, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. It helps support continued travel and storytelling. I only link to items I personally use or would use myself.