Moab has over 150 miles of singletrack mountain bike trails within easy reach of town, with trail systems for every skill level from complete beginner to expert. Whether you’re planning your first mountain bike ride or your twentieth trip to Moab, you’ll find well-mapped trails with color-coded difficulty ratings, multiple bike shops and shuttle services, and guided tour options that include everything from bike rental to gourmet lunch. Here are the answers to the most common questions we hear at Rim Tours, where we’ve been guiding riders since the late 1980s.
Will I Run Out of Trails to Ride?
Not a chance. The average rider could spend an entire week in Moab and ride from a different trailhead each day without repeating a single trail. The trail network stretches from Klondike Bluff in the north, through Navajo Rocks and Dead Horse Point in the west, to the Slickrock Trail in the east.
Most trail systems are well-mapped with signs at major intersections showing your current location on an area map, with individual trails color-coded by skill level. You won’t get lost if you pay attention to the signage — but having a guide or a good trail app is always smart insurance.
Understanding Moab’s Trail Rating System
One critical thing to understand: Moab trails are often a degree more difficult than what you may be accustomed to elsewhere. Green, blue, and black ratings are relative grades. A green-rated trail in Moab may feel more like a blue trail back home, and a Moab blue can feel like a black at your local trail system. The combination of loose rock, sand, slickrock features, and desert exposure makes everything feel a notch harder. If you’re visiting for the first time, start one level below what you’d normally ride.
Riding with Kids in Moab
There’s no minimum age for mountain biking in Moab, but all riders need to be capable of safely operating their bike. Most bike shops require an adult to sign for minors’ rentals.
Best spot for kids: The Moab Brands Trailhead has a warm-up “corral” next to the parking lot and features the Bar M Loop, one of the easiest green-rated trails in the area — wider than most Moab singletracks and perfect for building confidence.
Guided half-day tours for beginners are an excellent option for families. At Rim Tours, your tour includes bike rental and insurance, helmet, a souvenir water bottle, ground transportation from Main Street to the trailhead and back, plus riding tips from your guide.
Moab also has a well-loved BMX Bike Park called Anonymous Park, located on 500 West. Built by the Moab Trail Alliance, it’s a great place for kids to practice skills. Helmets are a must and appropriate padding is encouraged.
E-Bikes in Moab
E-bike access in Moab is more restricted than many visitors expect. Most singletrack trails are designated non-motorized, and e-bikes are classified as “motorized” by the BLM, USFS, and NPS — the agencies that manage the trails. The singletrack trail systems were constructed using federal Non-Motorized Alternative Transportation Funds, which legally specify non-motorized use.
However, e-bikes are allowed on almost all of the amazing jeep roads and trails throughout the Moab area, including the renowned Slickrock Trail. The Moab Travel Council publishes an excellent e-bike access guide with current details. Rim Tours also offers e-bike specific tours on approved routes.
Shuttle Services for Mountain Bikers
Several professional shuttle services operate in Moab, primarily serving the Moab Brands, Magnificent 7, and Whole Enchilada/Porcupine Rim trailheads. Most also handle river and hiking shuttles.
- Coyote Shuttle: 435.260.2097
- Moab Cyclery: 435.259.7423
- Porcupine Shuttle: 435.260.0896
- Whole Enchilada Shuttle Co.: 435.260.2534
Shuttles are essential for point-to-point rides like the Whole Enchilada and Porcupine Rim, where you descend thousands of feet from the La Sal Mountains into the Moab valley.
Guided Mountain Bike Tours
Rim Tours offers 15 different half-day guided tours that include everything: bike rental and insurance, helmet, souvenir water bottle, ground transportation from Main Street to the trailhead and back, plus expert riding tips from your guide. Full-day tours include a delicious gourmet lunch and are offered during the spring and fall seasons.
For visitors who want more than a single day, our multi-day camping-based tours — like the White Rim 4-Day — include backcountry gourmet meals, support vehicles, and all camping gear.
What to Bring on a Moab Ride
Whether you’re going guided or self-guided, every Moab ride should include:
- Water: Minimum 2 liters for a half-day ride, 3+ liters for a full day. A hydration pack (CamelBak-style) is strongly recommended — the air is extremely dry with humidity often in the teens.
- Sun protection: Sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat or buff. UV exposure at 4,000 to 6,000 feet is intense.
- Layers: Desert temperatures can swing 30+ degrees between morning and afternoon, especially in spring and fall.
- Snacks: Energy bars, trail mix, or fruit — you’ll burn more calories than you expect.
Guided tours with Rim Tours include water bottles and all necessary gear, but bringing your own hydration pack is always a good idea.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best time of year to mountain bike in Moab?
Spring (March through May) and fall (September through November) are the prime seasons, with daytime temperatures typically between 55 and 85 degrees. Summer riding is possible with early morning starts — Rim Tours adjusts pickup times to beat the heat. Winter can offer surprisingly good riding on sunny days, though some trails may be muddy or icy.
Do I need my own bike to ride in Moab?
No. Rim Tours provides high-quality full-suspension rental bikes on all guided tours, and several bike shops in town offer daily rentals. If you bring your own bike, have it tuned up before your trip and bring appropriate tires for rocky desert terrain.
How fit do I need to be for mountain biking in Moab?
It depends on the trail. The Courthouse Loop is suitable for reasonably fit beginners, while the Whole Enchilada demands solid fitness and technical skill. For multi-day tours like the White Rim, we recommend being able to ride 4 to 6 hours per day over varied terrain. Our guides are skilled at matching riders to appropriate trails and providing coaching.
Can I mountain bike inside Arches or Canyonlands National Parks?
Bikes are only allowed on paved or unpaved roads in the national parks — no singletrack. In Canyonlands, you can ride the White Rim Trail (3-4 days) or do a day ride down the Shafer Trail. For park-adjacent singletrack with national park views, ride Dead Horse Point or Klondike Bluff.
How do I book a guided mountain bike tour in Moab?
Contact Rim Tours at 435.259.5223 or browse our full list of day tours and multi-day tours online. Half-day tours start most mornings with pickup from Main Street in Moab.