While a stunning hike or two in Zion National Park is a must during your first visit to Southern Utah, it’s far from the only way to explore the region.
A scenic drive or an evening of stargazing are two great, relaxing ways to experience Southern Utah. But if you’re looking for something a little more exciting, and a bit more challenging, mountain biking is another good choice.
Southern Utah’s diverse landscapes make for some incredible and unique spots for hiking the trails on two wheels. Whether you’re an experienced rider or new to the sport, there’s a trail or two waiting for you. Keep reading to learn where to find some of the best.
Lava Flow in Cedar City
North of Hurricane and St. George, Utah, is Cedar City, a great town base for riding with easy access to the area’s ski resorts. Best known for its proximity to Brian Head, one of Southern Utah’s ski resort areas, Cedar City is an outdoor adventure paradise.
The Lava Flow mountain bike trail is part of the broader Iron Hills trail system, connecting with existing trails in the area. It’s a downhill flow trail with varied terrain, including jumps, drops, and other obstacles to explore. The landscape is full of vegetation, offering a nice alternative to desert trails, as well as some shade that you’ll welcome in the summer heat. It’s better suited to downhill riders than true beginners.
Over the course of just 1.8 miles, you’ll drop an elevation of more than 500 feet, so this trail is not the safest pick for new riders, even though it’s one of the area’s more iconic trails for skilled bikers.
Gooseberry Mesa in Hurricane
If you’re looking for great trails with some truly incredible views, head to this next mountain biking destination. Located in Hurricane in Southern Utah, Gooseberry Mesa offers standout terrain and stunning views of Zion National Park.
Gooseberry Mesa is part of a larger trail system with more than 30 miles of singletrack, with trails suited to stronger intermediate and advanced riders. The trails are better suited to moderate to advanced riders, with some of the trails featuring double-black-diamond sections that are best for experienced riders. If you’re planning a longer trip, camping is a popular option on and around the mesa, and Gooseberry Mesa is just one highlight within Washington County’s desert mountain biking paradise.
Keep in mind that temperatures can climb to triple digits during the day in the middle of the summer, and Gooseberry Mesa offers little in the way of shade. If you have the right gear, a night ride might be a better choice in the summer. Otherwise, plan a visit in the spring or fall instead, especially when recent rain leaves the dirt in better shape to enjoy Southern Utah’s fall magic and scenic drives.
Bearclaw Poppy in St. George
This popular trail is located in St. George, Utah. Bearclaw Poppy is the only true beginner trail in the city, and it’s pretty easy for newer mountain bikers while still appealing to more experienced riders, especially when paired with other food and adventure activities around Zion. This trail was carefully designed with fun in mind. For that reason, it forms a figure-eight shape and also allows riders to go uphill on one side and downhill on the other. It also offers great views of the surrounding area and town.
There is actually a maze of trails and routes to choose from, but the layout ensures that you’ll get to the end no matter which way you go. Keep in mind that this trail may get busy on nice days, particularly in the summer, so follow good trail etiquette and yield to hikers and other bikers. This trail, like many mountain biking trails, will get muddy and slick after rain, so avoid it following a rain shower, especially when the dirt is wet.
This mountain biking trail is actually named for a very rare flower that blooms in the area. The trail was created in part as an effort to preserve the flower, so be sure to stay on the trails to protect local plant life and maintain access.
Brian Head Bike Park in Brian Head
If you’re looking for a heart-pounding off-road adventure and a chance to test your skills, head to Brian Head Bike Park in Brian Head, Utah, which offers some of the state’s best trails for riders seeking lift-served riding. The park features hundreds of miles of backcountry, scenic trails, as well as technical single-track trails. It’s the largest bike park in the state.
There are even bike lifts in the park, making it easy to enjoy lift-served laps and access jump lines built for gravity-focused riding. The bike park has trails suited to beginners through advanced riders. Downhill riders can focus on jump lines, while others can choose mellower routes.
Many of the mountain bike trails in the park cross the ski and snowboarding trails covered in snow during the colder season. Hit the trails on two wheels in the summer, then come back for a winter adventure in Southern Utah on the same trails during the winter months!
Planning a Mountain Bike Adventure in Southern Utah
Whether you’re an experienced rider or looking to try the sport for the first time, Utah mountain biking is a great way to explore Southern Utah’s beautiful landscapes and varied terrain. For many visitors, this area is one of their favorite places, and Southern Utah continues to draw mountain bikers year after year.
When you stay at The Dwellings, you’ll have easy access to the region’s top rides and a convenient base for a multi-stop trip. St. George and Hurricane are both just a short drive away, while Cedar City is just under an hour away, Brian Head is about an hour and 15 minutes away, and other well-known hubs like Park City and Salt Lake City are farther north elsewhere in the state, making it easy to incorporate winter road-trip adventures in Southern Utah into a broader itinerary.
If you’re planning rides beyond Southern Utah, it’s common to compare Deer Valley with Mid Mountain Trail, weigh Wasatch Crest Trail against Corner Canyon, consider Antelope Island for something different, or save Porcupine Rim and the Whole Enchilada in Moab for another leg of the itinerary before you book—and you might even pair your trip with a stay in The Dwellings’ co-living tiny homes near Zion.
Book your stay at The Dwellings today and get ready to experience the beauty of Southern Utah on two wheels, with options ranging from pet-friendly accommodations to picking up stylish souvenirs at The Dwellings Store!
