View north from the dike. Photos and review by Bruce on November 13, 2022.
View north from the dike. Photos and review by Bruce on November 13, 2022.
Jackson Flat Reservoir Paved Bike Trail

Just south of Kanab, there's a paved trail that circles completely around Jackson Flat Reservoir. The trail is popular with road bikers, biking families, hikers, and dog-walkers.

The loop is 3.6 miles around. The riding surface is asphalt around 8 feet in width. Most of the trail is flat, but there's a bit of a hill on the southern end. Kids with riding experience should be able to handle the slopes.
On the east side of the lake, riding counterclockwise.
On the east side of the lake, riding counterclockwise.
Getting to the trail
Bathrooms and picnic facilities at the Jackson Flat Reservoir park.
Bathrooms and picnic facilities at the Jackson Flat Reservoir park.
(1) Jackson Flat Reservoir park trailhead. Go 2.7 miles south from the US 89-89A split on 89A, turn left on the reservoir road, then left again in 1/3 mile for the road to the park. Here you find the main parking area with water and bathrooms, shaded picnic area, and a sandy play zone.
(2) Reservoir Road parking. A gravel road forms a semi-circle on the east and northern sides of the lake. The entrance is 0.9 miles from US-89 if you keep straight at the road fork to the park.  On the gravel road there are occasional parking strips with port-a-potties. You can step across to the trail.
(3) Paved access trail. There's a 1.2 mile paved trail from 1000 East in Kanab that joins the northern end of the loop around the lake. There's some primitive gravel parking at the northern end of the paved trail.
Jackson Flat Reservoir Bike Trail
At the loops northeast corner, were enjoying the views of Kanabs sandstone cliff...
At the loop's northeast corner, we're enjoying the views of Kanab's sandstone cliffs.
From inside the main parking lot, find the paved trail that circles on the outside. West takes you immediately onto the dam, while east takes you over a low hill to the eastern side of the lake.
The lake is visible for almost all of the 3.6 miles. On my ride, I saw several herons and lots of coots, grebes, and ducks.
Crossing the dike while riding clockwise.
Crossing the dike while riding clockwise.
Looking north (toward Kanab) on the connector trail. If youre heading to the pav...
Looking north (toward Kanab) on the connector trail. If you're heading to the paved loop by bike, this is a better option than playing with the traffic on US-89A.
There's one out-and-back spur to a scenic point on the northern side of the lake, and a shortcut on the eastern side that bypasses a meander of the trail. See the map.

The other trail fork is the junction with the paved connector trail at the northeastern corner of the loop. The connector goes 1.2 miles north to end on city streets. Getting to the top of the connector from Kanab's streets isn't straightforward. Use your map app to look for 1000 East 1100 South to find your way there.

Bottom Line!
Very pretty ride. Lots of fun for families with biking kids. Excellent facilities (including regular doggie-bag dispensers), and the area seems well cared-for. It's worth doing if you're staying in Kanab with a bike.
Looking west over the lake.
Looking west over the lake.
Map of the reservoir area
Map of the reservoir area
Getting there: In Kanab, head southbound on US 89A. After 2.7 miles, turn left (east) on the Jackson Flat Reservoir road (also called Landfill Road). After 0.4 miles, turn left again and follow the larger paved road to the right when it splits from Landfill Road at a T intersection. The road will arrive at a large parking area, with boat ramp, bathrooms, picnic area, and recreation facilities. The paved Jackson Flat bike trail circles around the parking lot -- you drove across it as you entered.

Alternate parking: As you turn onto the reservoir road from 89A, continue up Kaneplex Drive to mile 0.9 and turn left at the Reservoir Road sign. This gravel road circles around to the north side of the reservoir, with several spots offering parking with port-a-potties and a hike-a-bike route to the paved trail.

City connector paved trail:  Route #1. On US-89 eastbound, 0.5 miles east of where 89A splits off, turn right onto Chinle Drive (old US 89). Turn right again on 1000 East and find the trailhead on the left side of the road after around 1/10th mile.
Route #2. Get onto US-89A southbound. Drive 0.7 miles and turn left onto 1100 South. Drive 0.8 miles and turn left on 1000 East. After around 1/10th mile, turn right into a gravel parking area.

Riding resources:
Kanab area multi-track GPX file