Family Rides

Css Menu Javascript by Vista-Buttons.com v4.3.0

QUICK PICKS!
Beginner Trails and Family Rides with young children

Editor's selection
of easy rides by region

Logan Area

	Beaver Creek Family - Beginner 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. Season June through October.
	Beaver Mountain Bjorr Loop Beginner Two-mile easy loop in beautiful forest with second intermediate-level loop. Season June through October.
	Green Canyon Beginner 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
	Mantua Eagles Rise Main Loop Beginner - older children This is a short singletrack loop on the hillside east of Mantua Reservoir, with options of more-difficult loops on the north and south. Season May through October
	Logan River Trail Family - Beginner PAVED 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.
	Mantua Dike Trail Family - Beginner partially PAVED Mantua Reservoir. Broad cinder path around perimeter of Mantua Reservoir, 4 miles total, zero climbing. Suitable for kiddie trailers or even training wheels. Three bathrooms around perimeter, picnic tables, fishing, boating. Season April through November.

Ogden Area

	365 Trail Beginner - older children Easy trail in North Fork Park, forms a loop with Pipeline trail. Can be linked to Mule Loop (see below). Season May through November.
	Brim Trail Beginner Editor's Pick as a Must-Ride! Highly scenic 6-mile loop at 8600 feet at Powder Mountain Resort. Easy-intermediate technical, gentle climbing. Season late June through September.
	East Mountain Wilderness Park Beginner - older children Kaysville. Around 4 miles of nice singletrack trails within the park, mostly quite easy to ride. Season mid-April through November.
	Farmington Bay Family - Beginner (THORN CAUTION!) Broad smooth cinder roadways on dikes in the waterfowl management area. CLOSED to everybody from April through July to let ducks nest. Easy technical, no climbing. Caution: goathead thorns in some areas -- puncture-proof liner or sealant recommended. Season August 1 through March 31.


	Farmington Flats Loop Beginner - older children 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 canyon ride for brutal hillclimb! Season late June through September.
	Foothill Bike Trail Ogden. Beginner - older children Short and easy trail from 36th to 29th Street trailheads. Season May through November.

	Fruit Loops Main Loop Beginner - older children Fruit Heights trail system. Loops with options for easy, intermediate, and very technical. Connects to Bonneville Shoreline trail. Season late March through November.
	Pineview Trail Family - Beginner Short (3.2 mile) fairly flat singletrack trail between two trailheads on the western shore of Pineview Reservoir. Suitable for beginners and children. Season late April through November.

	Wheeler Trail Beginner - older children 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.
	Wild Rose Trails Beginner North Salt Lake (just south of Bountiful). Short singletrack loop with moderate climbing, easy technical. Short DH trail; optional tough connections to ridgeline trails. Season May through October.

Salt Lake City Area

	Albion Basin Beginner - older children At Alta ski resort, a broad gravel road climbs Albion Basin. Climbing is mild, but may be taxing due to the altitude. Beautiful, good for family rides and beginners. Season July through September.
	Aqueduct Beginner - older children Doubletrack traversing hillside east of Draper, 2.5 miles, recommend access via Hidden Valley for families. Multiple trail connections, page also discusses Hidden Valley and Gasline singletracks. Season April through November.
	Blackridge "Snake Loop" trails Beginner - older children (Herriman) Trails from Blackridge Pond for loop or out-and-back riding. Trails vary from beginner to intermediate. Season mid spring to late fall.
	Canyon Hollow Trail Strong Beginners (Draper). Trail among several other riding options in Corner Canyon, climbs from Silica Pit to Corner Canyon Road. Two different loop rides described, 5 and 7 miles. Also option of adding Jacobs Ladder. Season May through November.
	Dog Lake Strong Beginners (Big Water Trail, Mill Creek Canyon). A Must-Ride Classic! Classic canyon climb, suitable for newcomers, from upper Mill Creek Canyon to Dog Lake. Moderate climb on singletrack, intermediate technical, not too long. Forested switchbacks. Season July through September.
	Draper Bike Park older children Corner Canyon. Fun two miles of XC trails with cyclocross features, plus pump track, skills area, jump loops and downhill flow trails. Season March through November.

	Germania Dirt Trail Family - Beginner This little dirt loop is (as far as I know) the only official dirt singletrack on the floor of Salt Lake Valley. So what's it good for? Winter riding. Family rides. Beginners. Cyclocross practice. The trail is accessed from the Jordan River Parkway in Murray. Season year-round, winter depends on snow depth and thaws.
	Little Valley Beginner System Family - Beginner Located just off the Traverse Ridge Road in Draper, these short and easy trails were designed for beginners and kids. At the Little Valley trailhead is a system of short easy loops just off the main Little Valley Trail, designed as a learning tool. Season April through November.
	Mill Creek Pipeline Beginner - older children (Mill Creek Canyon). Popular beginner-level trail! Singletrack follows the old pipeline route in Mill Creek, mostly flat riding with one section of switchbacks having about 600 ft altitude change. Goes to viewpoint overlooking SLC. Suitable for newcomers, easy to intermediate technical. Season March through November.
	Popperton Park Beginner - older children (SLC Avenues). Very short and easy singletrack loop with two downhill options. Makes a good first-ever ride. Season May through November.
	Potato Hill Trail and Red Potato Loop Beginner - older children (Draper). Trailhead on Traverse Mountain Road. Short trail, non-technical as out-and-back. Loop with Bonneville Shoreline and Red Potato is an excellent beginner ride. Season May through November.
	Wild Rose Trails Beginner North Salt Lake (just south of Bountiful). Short singletrack loop with moderate climbing, easy technical. Short DH trail; optional tough connections to ridgeline trails. Season May through October.
	Yellow Fork access doubletrack Family - Beginner Two-mile doubletrack for family rides. Connecting singletrack loop through the southern Oquirrh foothills starting in Rose Canyon. Forested climb to view of copper tailings and SL valley. Intermediate technical, but with some stiff climbing. Season late April through November.

Park City to Heber Area

	Dutch Hollow Cottontail Loop Beginner - older children Midway. Excellent singletrack system, with multiple interconnected loops in oak-maple hilly area of Dutchman Hollow (Dutch Canyon) near Midway (west of Heber). State park fee required. Depending out route selected, easy technical to advanced skills. Season early-May through mid-November.
	Freemason Beginner - older children Park City. Connects Rail Trail to the southwest end of Lost Prospector. Easier intermediate, gentle climbing or descending. Season late May through October.
	Glenwild Loop Strong Beginners This loop lies across the freeway from Park City. Easier technical, moderate climbing. One of the earliest trails to open in Park City in the spring. Variable ecosystems. Season mid-May through October.
	High Star trail system Strong Beginners 10 miles of trail on mountain east of Kamas, easy to intermediate in tech requirement. Many one-way flow trails. Season mid-May through October.
	Isengard Skills. All levels Skills trail and drops session loop, beginner loop, intermediate rides and connecting expert trails in Coyote Loop/Riverview riding area north of Heber. Season June through October.
	Jordanelle Perimeter Beginner - older children Follows shoreline of Jordanelle Reservoir around the north end, from Hailstone on the west to the Nature Center at the east end. Some up-and-down, easier technical, but a longer ride. Season mid-April through October.
	Mid Mountain Trail southern section from Deer Valley Beginner Great Beginner ride! This route uses the smoothest 5 miles of the Midmountain Trail, flat and easy, then offers a little more challenge in the return via Johns99 and Little Chief. Suitable for experienced beginners. Season mid-June through September.
	Rail Trail Family - Beginner partially paved 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. Season April through November.
	Riverview, Lower Beginner Heber. Trails include singletrack in sage and scrub, climbing/descending loops and doubletrack along US-40 northeast of Heber. Easy to upper-intermediate technical. Options for earlier season riding. Season April through November.
	Ross Creek (Wada Way and Keetley) Beginner - older children Easy (beginner or early-intermediate) singletrack at the Ross Creek Jordanelle trailhead. Season May through October.
	Round Valley Family - Beginner Trail system located between Park City and US-40. Over 30 named trails including easy cindered doubletrack for family rides. Lower altitude -- probably the earliest trail completely free of snow in Park City in the spring. Singletrack is easier-intermediate technical. Season late May through October.
	RTS loop at Olympic Park Beginner - older children Easy loop (RTS) suitable for beginners and kids, located just north of the winter olympic facilities. Quick access from I-80. Season June through mid-October.

Uintas Area

	Bear River Nature Trails. Family - Beginner partially PAVED Paved plus gravel-reinforced trails at Bear River State Park in Evanston, Wyoming. Season mid-May through October.
	Beaver Creek Beginner - older children Combo singletrack and ATV trail in the Uinta Mountains, follows the creek. Easy-moderate technical, gentle climbing. Joins White Pine, North Fork Scenic Byway. Season June through September.
	Big Pole Canyon Beginner Trail system 5 miles east of Heber. Easy technical riding, mild climbing. Season June through October.
	Lily Lake at Wolverine Ridge Family - Beginner Forested ATV trail system on the north slope of the Uinta Mountains, near the Bear River. Rides vary from short-and-easy to long-and-brutal. Lily Lake is a nice ride for families; Wolverine Loop is for advanced riders. Season June through September.
	North Fork Scenic Byway Family - Beginner Cindered broad trail above the Provo River in the Uintas. Short, but can connect to Beaver Creek or White Pine for longer ride. Easy technical, light climb. Season June through September.

	Oakley Trail Park Beginner Trail system includes downhill-only for beginners, intermediates, and experts. Connects to Oakley and Seymour Canyon trails. Season June through November.
	Rio Oso trail system Beginner 10 trails along the Bear River in Evanston, access through Bear River State Park. Season mid-May through early November.
	Rockport Lakeview Trail Beginner - older children Easy trail on the east side of Rockport Reservoir. Requires state park entry fee. Very easy technical, suitable for beginners and families. Season May through early November.
	Willow Creek Beginner - older children 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. Recommended for stronger children with significant riding experience. Season June through mid-October.

Utah County Area

	Big Spring Hollow Family - Beginner A Must-Ride Classic! 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.
	Bonneville Shoreline - Provo City Family - Beginner Broad trail, usually doubletrack, contouring along the mountains above Provo from Rock Canyon to Slate Canyon. Follows the shoreline of prehistoric Lake Bonneville. Easier technical, a little climbing, lower altitude. Hot in afternoons. Season March through November, often open in winter.
	Eagle Crest Beginner (Suncrest southside singletrack) Singletrack hugs the oak-brush hillsides below the southern edge of the Suncrest homes atop Traverse Ridge. Eagle Crest trail is 2.5 miles, easy- intermediate technical, and can be done as an out-and-back. Option of advanced loops. Season May through November.
	Eagle Mountain Hickman Hill Trails Family - Beginners Easier loop trails with three downhill options of varying skill level. Season March through November, often open in winter.
	Eagle Mountain Race Loop Strong Beginners (Hidden Canyon south of Eagle Mountain). Includes singletracks Jackrabbit, Road Runner, and Deadwood. Page also describes access singletracks Hidden Canyon and Cow Tracks. Season March through November, often open in winter.
	Farm Trail Beginner (Eagle Mountain) Singletrack loop on gently-sloping sagebrush area below Lake Mountain. Easy and quick ride, suitable for beginners and kids. Season March through November.
	Four Bay riding area (lower Payson Canyon) Strong Beginners Interconnected singletrack loops and lariats offer a variety of riding options. Easier-intermediate technical with option of more advanced trails. Season May to November.
	Highland Hollow Beginner - older children Multiple wandering and crossing loops in the big gulch of Dry Creek in northwest Highland. Range from easy to expert. Access via the Murdock Canal trail. Season late March through December.
	Hobble Creek trail Family - Beginner PAVED Wide paved trail climbs lower Hobble Creek canyon, beginning in town and extending past the golf course to Rotary Park. 4.5 miles, 350 feet of climbing. Very easy ride, suitable for families with small children. Season March-December.
	Jordan River Parkway Family - Beginner PAVED Paved foot, bike, and rollerblade trail along the Jordan River, from Utah Lake to the Jordan Narrows. Park for family picnics. Not crowded. Easy easy easy technical. Season March through November, but often clear of snow in winter.

	Lambert Park Beginner - older children (Alpine). A Must-Ride! 11 miles of singletrack loops on Alpine City land at the base of East Mountain. Views of Lone Peak and Dry Creek Canyon. Upper-intermediate technical, some loops involve a bit of climbing. Season March through early December. Some portions may be open in winter.
	Murdock Canal Trail Family - Beginner PAVED (Orem, Linden, Pleasant Grove, American Fork, Highland, Lehi). Paved trail follows route of enclosed Murdock Canal for 17 miles from the mouth of Provo Canyon to Thanksgiving Point at the north end of the valley. Connections to local paved trails. Season year-round as snow allows.

	Provo River Parkway Family - Beginner PAVED Paved foot, bike, and rollerblade trail extends from downtown Provo up Provo Canyon past Bridal Veil Falls. Mostly shaded, good views of canyon walls. Easy technical, but good bike control required for youngsters to avoid collisions with multiple trail users. Season March through November.
	Sensei (Traverse Mountain) Beginner - older children Trail on western Traverse Mountain, first of Lehi's planned trail system. Easy technical, mild climbing. Season April through November.
	Spanish Fork River Paved Trail. Family - Beginner PAVED 7 mile paved trail from the mouth of Spanish Fork Canyon to the middle of town. Season late February through December.
	Valley Vista Beginner - older children (Pleasant Grove). Series of interconnected loops in the foothills of Pleasant Grove, reached via the Murdock Canal Trail. Season March through November.

Central Region

	Big Rock Candy Mountain (Candy Mountain Express) Family - Beginner PAVED Recommended! Easy 7-mile paved bike path on old railroad route up Sevier Canyon. Great family ride. Season May through October.
	Black Dragon Wash. Doubletrack long downhill with shuttle, terminating in impressive ride through narrows of Black Dragon Canyon. Option of out-and-back from lower trailhead through best area of ride. Large slickrock area with view deep into canyon. Easy-intermediate technical. Season late April through November. Beginner Doubletrack long downhill with shuttle, terminating in impressive ride through narrows of Black Dragon Canyon. Option of out-and-back from lower trailhead through best area of ride. Large slickrock area with view deep into canyon. Easy-intermediate technical. Season late April through November.
	Buckhorn Wash Beginner - older children Very easy dirt-road ride through a scenic canyon. Gentle climb, graded improved road surface. Native American rock art. Good family ride. Season May through November.
	Goblin Valley (Wild Horse) Beginner - older children Trail complex in Goblin Valley State Park, 7 miles of interconnected loops. Open year round, recommended riding season mid-March through mid-December.
	Good Water Rim Strong Beginners Editor's Pick!!! Absolutely fabulous 15-mile singletrack in the San Rafael 40 miles south of Price. Ride a little, or a lot. Fairly flat and easy. Loop w dirt road 21 miles. Killer views. One of Utah's best rides. Season late May through October.
	Luke's Trail loop with Smo' Joes and Knott Pete's Beginner Twisting singletrack through pinion and juniper in the Book Cliff area just outside of Price. Fun trail, some nice views. Intermediate technical. Fairly flat, few wash crossings. Good choice for a first ride in the Price area, fun for differing ability levels. Season March through November.
	Solis Way (Luke's Area). Family - Beginner Twisting singletrack through pinion and juniper in the Book Cliff area just outside of Price. Fun trail, some nice views. Intermediate technical. Fairly flat, few wash crossings. Good choice for a first ride in the Price area, fun for differing ability levels. Season March through November.
	Nine Mile Canyon Beginner - older children Dirt road through scenic canyon, very gradual slope. Excellent for family rides. Indian rock-art, pioneer homestead ruins, banded sandstone cliffs. Ride as long out-and-back (46 miles or more), point-to-point with support vehicle accompanying bikes 6 to 23 miles), or park-and-explore. Season late April through November.

Moab Area

	Agate Loop Family - Beginner Short and very easy loop in the Klondike Bluffs riding area. In gentle clay west of Copper Ridge Road. Can be combined with attached Jasper Loop. Season March through November.
	Bar M Loop Beginner - older children Easy technical trail, good for families, on doubletrack north of Moab. Great views. 7 miles, about 300 feet of climbing. Season February through November.
	Chilkoot Pass Family - Beginner Very easy short lariat loop trail in the northwest corner of the Klondike Bluffs riding area. Connects to Agate Loop. Season year-round except immediately after snowstorms.
	Chisholm Strong Beginners 7.2-mile trail linking the Mustang Loop to the Navajo Rocks loop. Out-and-back of part of a multi-trail loop ride. Intermediate technical. Season March through November.
	Dead Horse Point Beginner - older children Three riding options of different lengths. Fun and satisfying for experienced riders, yet non-threatening and non-brutal for beginners. Fairly flat terrain, so it's possible to ride with a single-gear bike. 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.
	Dino Flow Strong Beginners This is an easy 4.5-mile singletrack within the Klondike Bluffs (Baby Steps) Trails system. It traverses the lower slopes below the EKG trail, crossing Baby Steps South, Salt Wash, Baby Steps North, and ending on Mega Steps. Riding season March through November.
	Hurrah Pass Beginner Easier ride, 9 miles out-and-back but with shorter or longer options, on dirt road. First 6 miles are gravel, rideable even in snow. Great views, nice "date ride" or family ride. Moderate climbing. Season year-round.
	Klonzo Beginner Slickrock (Carousel) Family - Beginner Slickrock and easy dirt singletrack suitable for young children and true beginners. Little slope; suitable for single-gear and small-wheeled bikes. Season March through November.. Slickrock and easy dirt singletrack suitable for young children and true beginners. Little slope; suitable for single-gear and small-wheeled bikes. Season March through November.
	Lazy-EZ Loop Beginner - older children This is a very easy singletrack loop located in side the Bar M loop of the Brand Trails north of Moab. Season March through November.
	Old 191 paved bike path Family - Beginner PAVED This smooth paved bike path follows the route of the former highway 191 from the Colorado River on the outskirts of Moab all the way to Highway 313 (the road to Canyonlands and Dead Horse Point). Season year-round with the exception of heavy-snow days.
	Rusty Spur Family - Beginner Very easy and short singletrack trail located just off the Old 191 paved bike trail in the Brand (Bar M) Trails area north of Moab. Season March through November.
	Wrangler and Rowdy loops Family - Beginner Tiny (very easy loop rides at the Horsethief Campground; connects to the Horsethief area trail system. Easier technical with almost no climbing. Season March through November.

Southern Plateau

	Big Rock Candy Mountain (Candy Mountain Express) Family - Beginner PAVED Easy 7-mile paved bike path on old railroad route up Sevier Canyon. Great family ride. Season May through October.
	Cedar City paved bike paths Family - Beginner PAVED Coal Creek paved trail runs from northern Cedar City up into the canyon along Highway 14; East Bench Trail runs from SR 14 skirting the southeastern side of the city to the south freeway exit. Season year-round, snow permitting.
	Lichen It to Iron Giant loop Beginner - older children (Iron Hills, Cedar City). Iron Giant is an easier two-mile downhill-only flow trail at the top of the Lichen It trail, with options for shorter rides via connectors. Season May through October.
	Navajo Lake Loop Strong Beginners Singletrack loop around Navajo Lake, links to the Virgin River Rim Trail. A little climbing, easy-intermediate technical. Season June through September.
	Red Canyon Family - Beginner PAVED Smooth paved trail up scenic Red Canyon, near Bryce Canyon. Mild climbing. Beautiful surroundings. Good family trail. Season late April through mid-November.
	Richfield Race Loop at Glenwood Hills. Richfield. Five mile loop on a bench area just east of Richfield. Easier-intermediate, minimal climbing. Season April through November. Experienced Beginners Richfield. Five mile loop on a bench area just east of Richfield. Easier-intermediate, minimal climbing. Season April through November.
	Three Peaks Practice Loop Beginner - older children Series of connected loops located on granite mountains west of Cedar City. Three loops vary from 5 miles upper-beginner to 10 miles advanced. Rock in picnic-camping area open to riding for stunts, drops, tech challenges. Season April through early November.

St. George Area

	Anasazi West Family - Beginner Trail complex within the Santa Clara River Preserve. From Anasazi Valley Tailhead, easy family ride on improved road-base trail 1.3 miles to native American farm site and rock art, gentle rate of climb. Season year-round.
	Bloomington to Bearclaw Poppy loop Beginner - older children A Must-Ride Classic! From the Bearclaw Bloomington trailhead, a short of loop up Bearclaw Up (Bloomington Microloop) and down Bearclaw will be a big hit! Season year-round.
	Desert Canyons Beginner - older children Trails just off the southern parkway near the Desert Canyons subdivision. Two loops of easier-intermediate riding. Also suitable for beginners. Desert Canyons lariat loop is 3 miles, minimal climbing. Second loop under construction. (See also Pushing Tin for nearby ride.) Season year-round.
	Dino Cliffs Trail, eastern end Beginner - older children Starting at Grapevine trailhead at Washington Parkway, doubletrack 1 mile to Dino Cliffs trail on open rock. First half-mile on the slickrock is fun and easy, turn around when you've had enough, or when the riding gets harder. Season year-round.
	Gooseberry Mesa White Trail Family - Beginner Good family ride. Easy technical, tiny bit of climbing on double-track (jeep road) that runs the length of Gooseberry Mesa. Around three miles, with options for longer rides, including combination with short sections of singletrack trail. Great views. Season February through mid-December.
	Snow West Canyon Trail Family - Beginner Graded roadway climbs up West Canyon from the bottom of Snow Canyon, north of Ivins. Easy technical, light climb. Season year-round.

Snow Canyon Loop Family - Beginner PAVED
Paved bike trail that loops from the northwest corner of St. George, through Ivins, and Snow Canyon. (A short stretch in upper Snow Canyon requires use of the road.) Easy technical, but a moderate climb. Season year-round.

St. George Paved Trails Family - Beginner PAVED
Photos and map of paved trails in West St. George: Lava Flow, Halfway Wash, Sand Hollow. Plus trail summary and links to Snow Canyon Loop (above) and Virgin River Parkway (from Bloomington into St. George, following the Virgin River). Easy technical. No significant climbing. Season year-round.

Zion Canyon and Pa'rus Trail Family - Beginner
Bike trail in lower Zion Canyon connects to road up Zion Canyon to the mouth of the narrows. Light but steady climb, easy technical. Cars can be a problem when the shuttle buses aren't running. Season mid-February through mid-December.

Help us out! If you've found a great family trail, other families would like to know about it. Email Bruce@UtahMountainBiking.com, and he'll arrange to get some kids on the trail to check it out. If they don't think it sucks too bad, it will be added to our family ride section.

Jessica at the Jordan River in Utah County. Photo May, 2000.

Jessica - the white tire girl