There are no singletrack mountain bike trails inside Arches or Canyonlands National Parks. The National Park Service only allows bikes on paved or unpaved roads — never on hiking trails. However, some of the best mountain biking in the world exists immediately adjacent to both parks, and you can ride jeep roads inside Canyonlands like the legendary White Rim Trail. Rim Tours has been guiding riders to these park-adjacent trails since the late 1980s, and there’s no shortage of world-class riding with national park scenery.
Why No Singletrack in the National Parks?
The NPS prohibits bicycles on hiking trails across virtually all national parks, and Arches and Canyonlands are no exception. Inside Arches, you can technically bike the Willow Flats Road or Salt Valley Road, but few people do — these are rough jeep roads without much appeal for mountain bikers. Inside Canyonlands, the options are more compelling:
- White Rim Trail: The most popular multi-day mountain bike route in the park, a 100-mile loop that typically takes 3 to 4 days. It’s an iconic ride through the Island in the Sky district.
- The Maze: An incredible but extremely remote 5 to 6 day expedition in Canyonlands’ most isolated district.
- Needles District: Several jeep roads are rideable, though they can be quite sandy.
Best Option for a Day Ride in Canyonlands
If you’re visiting Moab for just a few days and want to ride your mountain bike inside a national park, the best single-day option starts inside Canyonlands and descends more than 1,000 feet down the famous Shafer Trail switchbacks. This 18-mile route continues through Shafer Canyon, exits the park, traverses a bench below Dead Horse Point State Park to Thelma and Louise Point, and finishes by winding down to the Colorado River via the Potash Road.
You can self-shuttle this ride by leaving one vehicle at the Potash Boat Ramp and another at the top of the Shafer Trail. Or you can book a guided Canyonlands tour that includes bikes, helmets, a gourmet trailside lunch, ground transportation, and a support vehicle following the entire route. This is a spectacular way to experience mountain biking with Canyonlands scenery — largely downhill with some challenging climbs and a lunch stop at Thelma and Louise Point. A four-person minimum is required.
Park-Adjacent Singletrack Trails
The real singletrack riding near the national parks happens just outside their boundaries. These trails deliver park-quality scenery with purpose-built mountain bike terrain.
Moab Brands / Courthouse Loop
The Bar M Loop at the Moab Brands Trailhead is a perfect introduction to Moab mountain biking. Spectacular views of Arches National Park and gently rolling doubletrack make this ride ideal for beginners and families. Many riders try the Rusty Spur Trail as their first foray into singletrack. Rim Tours offers this as a half-day Courthouse Loop tour with bikes, helmets, transportation, and expert guide instruction.
Dead Horse Point State Park
Dead Horse Point sits approximately one mile outside the Canyonlands boundary but delivers sweeping views of the White Rim Trail area. Towering 2,000 feet above the Colorado River, the park offers fun, flowy singletrack with rolling terrain, short climbs, and plenty of scenic cruising. This is a super-fun introduction to Moab singletrack, though some previous mountain bike experience is recommended.
Klondike Bluff
A classic Moab ride that climbs approximately 700 feet toward the boundary of Arches National Park. The route includes slickrock, short technical rocky sections, and dinosaur tracks embedded in sandstone. At the top, a short hike leads into a remote area of the park with breathtaking views of the colorful bluffs below. The return ride is almost entirely downhill.
North Klondike Singletrack
Top riders from around the world call the North Klondike trails some of the best and most fun in Moab. Trails like Alaska, Mega Steps, and Dino Flow wind through narrow gaps in towering rock outcroppings, rip along buffed mesas, and roll over perfectly designed drop-offs. Views from atop the ridge look directly down into the northern sections of Arches National Park. This area accommodates moderate to extreme riding experiences depending on which trails you choose.
Planning Your Ride
For riders visiting Moab specifically to experience the national parks by bike, the best strategy is to combine a day ride through Canyonlands (via the Shafer Trail route) with one or two days on the park-adjacent singletrack trails. Dead Horse Point and North Klondike both deliver national park views from world-class purpose-built trails.
If you have more time, the White Rim 4-Day is one of the premier multi-day mountain bike experiences in the American West — a camping-based expedition through the heart of Canyonlands with guide-prepared gourmet meals and full logistical support.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you ride a mountain bike inside Arches National Park?
Technically yes, but only on unpaved roads like Willow Flats Road and Salt Valley Road. There are no singletrack trails open to bikes inside Arches. For riding with Arches views, the park-adjacent Klondike Bluff and North Klondike trails are far better options.
What is the best beginner-friendly ride near the national parks?
The Courthouse Loop / Bar M trail at the Moab Brands Trailhead is the most beginner-friendly option, with gentle doubletrack and panoramic views of Arches. Rim Tours runs guided half-day tours here that include everything — bikes, helmets, water bottles, transportation, and riding instruction.
Do I need a permit to ride the White Rim Trail?
Yes. The White Rim Trail in Canyonlands requires a backcountry permit from the NPS, and campsites book months in advance. Booking a guided White Rim tour with an outfitter like Rim Tours eliminates the permit hassle — we hold commercial use permits and handle all logistics.
Are e-bikes allowed on trails near Arches and Canyonlands?
E-bikes are classified as motorized vehicles by most land management agencies (BLM, USFS, NPS), so they’re not permitted on most singletrack trails. However, e-bikes are allowed on jeep roads throughout the Moab area, including the Slickrock Trail. Check the Discover Moab e-bike guide for current access details.
What is the closest singletrack to Canyonlands National Park?
Dead Horse Point State Park is approximately one mile from the Canyonlands boundary and offers excellent singletrack with views directly into the park. It’s the closest true singletrack experience to Canyonlands.