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Trails for Scout Bike Trips   (and other groups)  
Arbitrary Suggestions!  Criteria: Not too crowded. Passing is easy for other riders. OK for different ability levels. Bathrooms somewhere nearby. (Some of your favorite trails are NOT included here, because a troop of unskilled scouts on a popular crowded trail on a Saturday will be a nightmare.) Includes Day Trips, Camp-and-Ride, Multi-day.

Day Trips - some quick picks

Northern Wasatch
Antelope Island. East Shore singletrack; Shoreline Trail singletrack; Whiterock Bay and Split Rock Bay doubletracks -- Antelope Island offers a lot of options. Intermediate technical, with some climbing on Whiterock and Split Rock. Lots of lake views. Bathrooms, picnic area, educational visitors center. Fee to enter island. Mosquito and biting fly problem - pack DEET! Season year-round.
Bonneville Shoreline - Kaysville. Easier "starter" ride for first-time checkouts. Nice broad singletrack in foothills of Kaysville. Intermediate technical, some mild climbing. Hot in summer afternoons. Season March through November. No water.
Wheeler Trail. Cindered doubletrack near Pineview Reservoir dam joins Maples (Wheeler Creek) singletrack trail to climb to Maples Campground. Intermediate technical, moderate climb. Season mid-May through September, lower section April through November. Bathroom at Art Nord TH (southern end). Good beginner route.
Maples Loop. Singletrack for a more advanced group. Intermediate-technical 11-mile loop, or shorter Middle Fork loop at the base of Mount Ogden, includes Wheeler Creek, East Fork, Green Pond, and Snowbasin Resort's Strawberry Express trails. Moderate climbing. Pretty forested ride. Season June through October. Bathroom and water at Art Nord Trailhead.
Farmington Flats Loop. Good first-time group ride. Easy. Dirt road looping around beautiful valley at 7500 feet, at the top of Farmington Canyon. Easy technical, fairly short, some light climbing. Option of combining with climb from bottom of canyon for brutal hillclimb! Season late June through September.
Logan Area
Logan River Trail. Broad cindered path along the Logan River in lower Logan Canyon. Easy technical lower half, singletrack intermediate-technical upper half. Mild climb. Season March through November.

Green Canyon.  This is a favorite of the local riders. The Green Canyon trail starts right at the edge of northeast Logan. It's a gentle climb on smooth fun trail. Most riders do 4 miles to the fence, or you can ride another 1.7 miles up narrower singletrack before turning back at the (unmarked) wilderness border. Season mid-May through October
Beaver Creek. Smooth dirt-road with gentle climbing pitch follows meandering stream with beaver dams galore. Shorter or longer, or downhill-only. Road usually easily passable with family car for "support vehicle." Up to 9 miles (or more) each way. Camping in area. Bathroom at trailhead. No water. Season June through October.
Middle Wasatch
Mormon Pioneer Trail (Parleys Canyon). Also called Donner Trail. Singletrack climbs from Mountain Dell in Parley's Canyon to Big Mountain pass. Intermediate technical, moderate climb. For groups that are a little further along. Out-and-back, so tired riders can turn around. Season May through October. Bathrooms top and bottom.
Corner Canyon (Draper). A nice ride close to civilization. Multiple different ride options. Lower altitude short loop, bigger climbs on Clarks, Ghost Falls, Canyon Hollow for more advanced scouts. Winter loop can be ridden in light snow (2.8 miles, 350 feet elevation gain). Bathroom and water at Equestrian Trailhead, Bathroom and table at Bonneville Shoreline TH, upper Ghost Falls TH.
Southern Wasatch
Lambert Park (Alpine). 11 miles of singletrack loops on Alpine City land on foothills. As short or long as you like, climbing or cruising. Views of Lone Peak and Dry Creek Canyon. Upper-intermediate technical, some loops involve a bit of climbing. Season March through early December. Almost no thorns. Pavilion. Water. Bathrooms. Season April through November.
Bonneville Shoreline - Orem to Pleasant Grove (Orem, Pleasant Grove). 4.5 miles out-and-back, with around 600 feet of climbing each way. Option of loop ride via road return. Foothill area with views over Utah Valley. Season April through November.
Big Spring Hollow.  Short-but-sweet singletrack loop in the South Fork of Provo Canyon. Meadows, forested riding, a few views of the mountains. Mild climbing, low-intermediate technical. Season May through October. Bathrooms, pavilion, water at trailhead.
Deer Creek Parkway (northern end, Provo River Parkway).  Broad gravel "road" for non-motorized travel, runs the length of Deer Creek Reservoir along the northern shore. Good for a first-time checkout ride; not too exciting. No water or bathroom at trailhead. Fair family ride, but gravel makes tiny-tire travel difficult. Length 7.5 miles one-way. Season March through December.
Jones Ranch Trail. A Must-Ride!  Easier singletrack trail in Payson Canyon. Options of out-and-back, loop with pavement, loop with a portion of Blackhawk Trail, or DH with shuttle. Season June to October. Mild climbing, a quick ride. No facilities at trailhead.
Park City and Heber area
Round Valley. Easy but long loop ride, also good singletrack out-and-back, located just northeast of Park City. Lower altitude --  probably the earliest trail completely free of snow in Park City in the spring. Mild climbing, some gentle switchbacks. Singletrack is easier-intermediate technical. Season late May through October. No facilities at trailhead.
Rail Trail. Broad, cindered trail over the old Union Pacific railroad route, 30 miles with multiple trailheads. Some areas flat, Wanship to Park City is moderate climb. Very easy technical. Developed camping near Echo Reservoir. Season April through November.
Dutch Hollow. Excellent singletrack system, with multiple interconnected loops in oak-maple hilly area of Dutchman Hollow (Dutch Canyon) near Midway (west of Heber). Depending out route selected, easy technical to advanced skills. A bit tougher ride. Season early-May through mid-November. Bathroom at trailhead.
Deer Creek Parkway (northern end, Provo River Parkway).  Broad gravel "road" for non-motorized travel, runs the length of Deer Creek Reservoir along the northern shore. Good for a first-time checkout ride; not too exciting. No water or bathroom at trailhead. Fair family ride, but gravel makes tiny-tire travel difficult. Length 7.5 miles one-way. Season March through December.
Willow Creek 001.  This beautiful singletrack trail is located near Strawberry Reservoir at 8000 feet. It can be ridden as a 4-mile out-and-back with gentle climbing, or as part of a longer 14-mile ride described in our guide. Suitable for beginners. Bathroom just off highway before start of ride. Season June through mid-October.
Moab

Dead Horse Point  Three riding options of different lengths. Fun and satisfying for experienced riders, yet non-threatening and non-brutal for beginners. At 6000 feet, it's much cooler than Moab. Located in the state park, entry fee required. Open year round; recommended riding season mid-March through November. 
Bar M Loop. Easy technical trail, good for families, on doubletrack north of Moab. Great views. 7 miles, about 300 feet of climbing. Access to the other Moab "Brand Trails": Circle O, Rockin A, Bar B.  Season February through November. Bathroom at trailhead, no water.

Camp-and-ride  (leave from campground, single-day ride)

Blackhawk Loop Trail.  NOTE: some fire damage recently! Singletrack loop in Payson Canyon rides the Nebo Loop area. Aspen and pine, occasional views. Includes Rock Springs Trail. Longer ride with moderate climbing, intermediate technical. Shorter loop options available. Camping at Blackhawk Campground. Season June through September.

Dead Horse Point  Three riding options of different lengths. Fun and satisfying for experienced riders, yet non-threatening and non-brutal for beginners. At 6000 feet, it's much cooler than Moab. Located in the state park, entry fee required. Open year round; recommended riding season mid-March through November. 

Ephraim Canyon singletrack system.  High recommendation! Easier non-technical riding in Ephraim Canyon, great views, multiple ride options. Both primitive and developed camping options above the trail system. Season June through October.
Jones Ranch Trail. Easier singletrack trail in Payson Canyon. Options of out-and-back, loop with pavement, loop with a portion of Blackhawk Trail, or DH with shuttle. Season June to October. Mild climbing, a quick ride. Camp at Payson Lakes, spur takes you to Jones Ranch Trail, with connections to Rock Springs and other trails..
Klonzo Trails.  Vary from upper-intermediate to very easy (suitable for young children and out-of-shape true beginners). Season March through November. Primitive camping or smaller groups along Willow Springs road. Season March through November.
Pot Hollow (Little Deer Creek Loop). Recommended! 2.5-mile singletrack downhill from Pole Line Pass near Cascade Springs. Developed campground above Cascade Springs. Ride as shuttled DH or as 12-mile loop climbing on gravel/dirt road. Substantial but non-technical climbing. Descent upper-intermediate technical. Season late June through October.
Rail Trail. Broad, cindered trail over the old Union Pacific railroad route, 30 miles with multiple trailheads. Some areas flat, Wanship to Park City is moderate climb. Very easy technical. Developed camping near Echo Reservoir. Season April through November.
Red Canyon Rim (The Rim Trail). Nice singletrack, with some tech sections, along the rim of Red Canyon at Flaming Gorge. 9.6-mile out-and-back, a little climbing. Optional add-on dirt-road Swett Ranch Loop. Camping at developed campgrounds (water, bathrooms) near the visitor's center. Fee. Great views.

Strawberry Narrows. High recommendation! This is a high-voltage scenic ride. To do the whole thing as an out-and-back is 24 miles, but there's a nice 16-miler from the eastern end that hits all the stuff you want to ride. Camp at the eastern end at Aspen Grove (developed campground). Ride what you want, then turn back. The trail rolls up and down, for about 2400 total climbing for the whole 24 miles.
White Reef (Red Cliffs Recreation Area). Very easy singletrack running north-south through red dirt. Easy both aerobically and technically. Fee per car. Season year-round. (Red Cliffs Recreation Area). Very easy singletrack running north-south through red dirt. Easy both aerobically and technically. Fee per car. Camping in developed Red Cliffs Campground. Also offers wilderness hiking-only trails. Season year-round.
Willow Creek 001.  This beautiful singletrack trail is located near Strawberry Reservoir at 8000 feet. It can be ridden as a 4-mile out-and-back with gentle climbing, or as part of a longer 14-mile ride described in our guide. Suitable for beginners. Bathroom just off highway before start of ride. Primitive camping spots along dirt road. Season June through mid-October.

Multi-day (camp-to-camp)

 Kokopelli Trail.   Porcupine Section.  Onion Creek Section.  Top of the World Section.  Westwater Section.  Fruita.  The Kokopelli is a series of doubletrack or dirt-road trails extending 142 miles from Fruita Colorado to Moab. Multi-day camping ride of the entire length but not all camping sites have vehicle access, hut system available. For strong and skilled riders only. Season March through November.

Skyline Drive (Fairview to Salina). This is a dirt road stretching 75 dirt miles at 10,000 feet. The Skyline Drive is the alpine equivalent of the White Rim Trail -- a multi-day bike ride on dirt road with incredible views. Perfect for a scout troop to ride their bikes to the next camping spot on a 3 or 4 day trip. It's possible to ride the whole thing in one day, but certainly not easy. You'll need a support vehicle, strong lungs, and iron legs.
White Rim Trail.  4-wheel drive road through Canyonlands National Park forms a 100-mile loop for multi-day rides. Hammerheads do a brutal one-day version. Permit required to camp. Significant climbing, easier technical. Must reserve campsites LONG in advance. No off-road riding! Year-round.

  
Some things you’ll learn the hard way:

  1. No matter what you do, how many times you hold a "scout bike checkup night," scouts will show up to the ride with bikes that won’t go. Allow extra time before the ride must start; recruit an extra adult who can fix stuff.
  2. The plumper the scout, the worse the bike. Pay extra attention to your less-fit scouts. Always include a "sag-wagon" to provide a ride uphill on those road climbs. See if you can find a good-quality spare bike. On trail, have a “sweeper” follow the scouts to assist (and carry items for) slow scouts.
  3. Low-altitude rides are flat-a-thons due to goathead thorns. Encourage everyone to use tire liners or sealant. Bring sealant, a spare set of tire liners, and plenty of patches. Allow extra time because you'll be fixing flats.
  4. Don’t plan on moving faster than you can walk the same distance. Good rule of thumb for deciding how long a ride will take.
  5. Plan on fixing, fixing, fixing. Your own on-trail tool kit should include tools to fix older department-store bikes. Piece Of Crap bikes require constant jiggering.