Moab’s desert singletrack is extremely fragile, and a single tire track off the established trail can become a permanent scar that lasts for years in this arid climate. Unlike wetter climates where rain and vegetation quickly erase tracks, Moab’s low humidity and sparse plant life mean that every deviation from the trail — every shortcut around an obstacle, every pull-off onto unmarked ground — creates a visible mark that attracts other riders to follow, eventually forming destructive “social trails” that damage the desert ecosystem. Keeping singletracks single is not just good etiquette; it is essential to preserving the landscape that makes Moab riding world-class.
Why Moab’s Desert Is Different
Most mountain bikers come from climates with moderate to high humidity and regular rainfall. In those environments, the ground is somewhat self-healing. Plant life grows quickly, covering disturbed soil. Rain flows over the land, erasing tire tracks and footprints within weeks or months.
Moab sits in an extremely dry desert where none of those recovery mechanisms operate at scale. Average annual rainfall is under 10 inches. Humidity regularly drops below 20%. Much of what appears to be plain sand or dirt between the rocks is actually biological soil crust (also called cryptobiotic soil), a living community of cyanobacteria, mosses, and lichens that takes decades to develop and stabilizes the desert soil against erosion.
A single footprint or tire track in biological soil crust can be visible for 15-25 years. That track attracts others who see it and assume it is a trail, creating a chain reaction that can permanently alter the landscape. This is why “keeping singletracks single” is such a critical ethic in the Moab riding community.
Choose Your Trail Wisely
The most common cause of trail-widening damage comes from riders who commit to trails above their skill level. When they encounter obstacles beyond their comfort zone, they ride around them, creating braided bypasses. When they become exhausted or stressed, their focus shifts from “ride clean” to “just survive,” and they cut corners, go off-trail, and create shortcuts.
The solution starts before you hit the trail:
- Be conservative with trail ratings. A “blue” (intermediate) trail in Moab is often a step or two harder than a blue trail in other mountain bike regions. The rock is more technical, the sand is more challenging, and the exposure can be intimidating. When in doubt, start with an easier trail and work up.
- Listen to local advice. Moab has many miles of relatively new singletrack, and locals have learned the best direction, timing, and approach for each system. If a shop employee or guide recommends a specific direction or starting point, take that advice seriously.
- Ride with a guide. On a guided tour with Rim Tours, your guide will match you with trails appropriate to your skill level and show you the correct lines through technical sections, eliminating the temptation to ride around obstacles.
Ride in the Preferred Direction
Many Moab trails have a “recommended” or “preferred” direction of travel, even if they are not strictly one-way. Riding in the preferred direction reduces head-on encounters with other riders, which means fewer situations where someone has to pull off the trail to let someone pass. Every pull-off is a potential spot where the trail edge gets widened or the surrounding soil gets disturbed.
Check trail signs at the trailhead, ask at a local bike shop, or consult Trailforks or MTB Project for recommended directions. On guided tours, your guide handles all route planning and direction decisions.
How to Pass Without Damaging the Trail
When you need to stop or pull over, whether to take a break, let faster riders pass, or yield to oncoming traffic, choose your pull-off spot carefully:
- Look for slickrock. A patch of exposed sandstone is the ideal place to dismount and stand. Zero impact on the ecosystem.
- Use dry washes. The sandy bottoms of dry streambeds are already disturbed by water flow and are durable surfaces for standing and walking.
- Pull to the trail edge, not off the trail. Lean your body away from the center of the trail to create space, but keep your tires on the trail surface.
- Announce yourself. When passing from behind, use your voice (“rider back,” “on your left”) with enough advance warning that the rider ahead can find a good spot to stop. Surprising someone at the last second forces a hasty pull-off that is more likely to damage the trail edge.
Walk Obstacles, Don’t Ride Around Them
This is the single most important rule for trail preservation. If you encounter an obstacle too challenging to ride, dismount and walk your bike through it. Do not ride around it.
Riding around an obstacle widens the trail, creating new braids. You might think of your alternate line as a minor improvement to the trail, but in reality, you are creating a problem that a volunteer trail crew will have to come back and repair. In Moab’s desert, those braided sections can persist for years, getting wider with each rider who follows the “easier” line.
The trail builder designed the route through that obstacle for a reason. Trust the design. If a section is beyond your skill level, walking through it is the responsible choice, and there is zero shame in it. “If you’re not hiking, you’re not mountain biking” is a genuine Moab ethos.
Viewpoints and Off-Trail Exploration
The temptation to ride or walk to a nearby viewpoint is strong in canyon country, where jaw-dropping vistas are around every corner. Here is how to explore responsibly:
- Leave your bike on the trail. Set it at the trail edge with wheels on the trail surface and handlebars out of the way of other riders. Do not wheel it off-trail.
- Walk on durable surfaces. Hike on exposed slickrock, dry streambeds, or the small winding rivulets where you can see that water has flowed. Avoid walking on undisturbed soil or biological crust.
- Retrace your steps. Come back the same way you went, following the same durable surfaces.
How Rim Tours Leads by Example
At Rim Tours, trail stewardship is woven into every guided ride. Our guides teach these principles actively on trail, pointing out biological soil crust, demonstrating proper pull-off technique, and walking obstacles with guests who need to dismount. We have been guiding in this landscape since the late 1980s, and we have seen firsthand the consequences of careless trail use and the positive impact of a well-educated riding community.
We also support local trail organizations like Moab Trail Mix, which coordinates trail maintenance, builds new sustainable trails, and advocates for responsible recreation in the Moab area.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is biological soil crust and why does it matter?
Biological soil crust (also called cryptobiotic soil) is a living layer of cyanobacteria, mosses, lichens, and fungi that covers much of the undisturbed desert floor in the Moab area. It stabilizes the soil against wind and water erosion, fixes nitrogen, and retains moisture. It takes 15-75 years to fully develop and can be destroyed by a single footstep. It appears as a dark, bumpy or crusty surface on the soil.
What should I do if I see someone riding off-trail?
A friendly, non-confrontational conversation can go a long way. Many off-trail riders simply do not know the impact they are having. Something like “Hey, the soil here is really fragile — sticking to the trail helps keep things pristine” is usually well received. If you witness deliberate, repeated trail damage, report it to the BLM Moab Field Office.
Are there trails in Moab for beginners that do not require riding around obstacles?
Yes. The Courthouse Loop is a gentle, wide double-track trail with no significant obstacles. Dead Horse Point is smooth, flowing singletrack with minimal technical features. Both are excellent beginner trails where you can enjoy Moab riding without encountering sections beyond your skill level.
How can I tell if a trail is one-way or has a preferred direction?
Check trailhead signage, ask at any Moab bike shop, or use the Trailforks or MTB Project apps, which list preferred or required directions for most Moab trails. On a Rim Tours guided tour, your guide handles all route planning including direction.