![Good Water Rim Trail View near the trails beginning, overlooking the confluence of Good Water and the...](http://cdn1.utahmountainbiking.com/trails/images/pics-trails/GoodWater01.jpg)
This is one of the best rides in Utah. The 15 miles of singletrack follow the edge of Good Water Canyon. It's upper-intermediate level riding that seems to go on forever. Plus great views, coming so often you'll stop looking! As a loop, the entire ride is 21 miles. Intermediate riders can cut the loop in half for a shorter ride. There are no sustained climbs, but the trail has frequent little dips and endless twisting turns.
Overall, the ride has only about 300 feet of elevation difference between the south end (at the San Rafael gorge) and the lower north end where you curve around the tip of Good Water. Top elevation is 6250 feet.
![Looking east, this area of the San Rafael River is called The Little Grand Canyo... Looking east, this area of the San Rafael River is called The Little Grand Canyo...](http://cdn1.utahmountainbiking.com/trails/images/pics-trails/GoodWater02.jpg)
![My Cannondale Rush is loving the singletrack. Theres plenty of bumpy rock slabs,... My Cannondale Rush is loving the singletrack. Theres plenty of bumpy rock slabs,...](http://cdn1.utahmountainbiking.com/trails/images/pics-trails/GoodWater03.jpg)
Gut-busting climbs
Downhill that goes on forever
Challenging technical stunts
Smooth mindless pedaling
This trail offers none of the above. But if you like cross-country singletrack that's interesting to ride and also offers great views, this is your trail. For that type of riding, it might just be the best in Utah.
The ride starts at the Little Grand Canyon Overlook just east of The Wedge overlook. You can drive to the trailhead, or ride from one of the many campsites along the loop road.
![Looking down at a rincon, abandoned on a cliff ledge when the river changed cour... Looking down at a rincon, abandoned on a cliff ledge when the river changed cour...](http://cdn1.utahmountainbiking.com/trails/images/pics-trails/GoodWater04.jpg)
![Looking back toward the San Rafael gorge as we head north along the stellate edg... Looking back toward the San Rafael gorge as we head north along the stellate edg...](http://cdn1.utahmountainbiking.com/trails/images/pics-trails/GoodWater05.jpg)
At mile 6.8, you'll skirt another primitive campsite. Keep right, and don't be suckered into going to the main road.
![Near the main canyon, the side canyons deepen into deep slots. Near the main canyon, the side canyons deepen into deep slots.](http://cdn1.utahmountainbiking.com/trails/images/pics-trails/GoodWater06.jpg)
![Typical riding surface. Ledgy white rock and orange dirt. Typical riding surface. Ledgy white rock and orange dirt.](http://cdn1.utahmountainbiking.com/trails/images/pics-trails/GoodWater07.jpg)
The road at 8.2 is a good breakout-point for riders who're planning a short ride. To quit, go left until the campsite road hits the main road. Go left, then left again in 1/4 mile. You're now on the main road, and will be back at your car in 2.9 (uphill) miles.
The eastern half of the singletrack is about 1.5 miles shorter. When the trail brings you back to the Little Grand Canyon, you'll turn east for the last time. When you hit a row of big purple rocks, find the doubletrack heading east.
![About as far north as we can get, looking back south. About as far north as we can get, looking back south.](http://cdn1.utahmountainbiking.com/trails/images/pics-trails/GoodWater08.jpg)
![On the canyons east side, were looking southwest. The high point at upper right ... On the canyons east side, were looking southwest. The high point at upper right ...](http://cdn1.utahmountainbiking.com/trails/images/pics-trails/GoodWater09.jpg)
After 3.1 miles, you'll reach the Wedge kiosk and fork left for the final uphill 2.9-mile push back to the overlook.
from the Little Grand Canyon Overlook parking loop:
0.0 From the eastern overlook, north on DT N39 05.731 W110 44.937
0.9 You should be on ST now, watch cairns
4.9 Keep R N39 06.544 W110 45.370
6.8 Keep R N39 06.996 W110 45.305
8.2 R onto road, immediate L onto ST N39 07.524 W110 45.044
(Bailout option here: L on road)
15.0 East on DT N39 06.734 W110 44.029
15.9 Keep L (R=campsite and views) N39 07.080 W110 43.292
16.4 Keep L N39 07.400 W110 43.587
18.1 L on main road N39 07.377 W110 45.431
20.4 L along canyon edge N39 05.582 W110 45.537
21.0 At parking
![View west from the eastern side of Good Water as it meets the San Rafael. View west from the eastern side of Good Water as it meets the San Rafael.](http://cdn1.utahmountainbiking.com/trails/images/pics-trails/GoodWater10.jpg)
![map map](http://cdn1.utahmountainbiking.com/trails/maps/GoodWater-LRes.jpg)
West trailhead: Drive 7 miles south, staying on the main road. When the road hits a cliff edge, turn left and go another 1/2 mile to the Little Grand Canyon Overlook. Park here. Start your ride on the small doubletrack on the north end of the circle.
Main trailhead: Drive 4.4 miles, then turn left at a kiosk. Drive 1/3 mile east to the main trailhead. This trailhead lies in the middle of Good Water Rim.
East trailhead: At mile 4.4 of the Wedge Overlook road as above, turn left. Drive 3.1 miles to a camping area and trailhead at the far southeast end of Good Water Rim.
Printable
one-page
riding guide
GPS track files (right-click and "Save as..."):
GPX
Topo map for printing (includes Buckhorn):
View
Lodging, camping, shops:
Links to Price and San Rafael area resources
Water: bring your own
Camping: group sites around The Wedge
Bike services: Price