The Intrepid Trails at Dead Horse Point
Smooth singletrack rolling along the edge of a 2,000 foot canyon, with the Colorado River glinting far below. The Intrepid Trail System at Dead Horse Point State Park delivers the biggest scenery per pedal stroke in the Moab area — on trails gentle enough for families and first timers.
Start With a Beginner TourQuick Facts: Intrepid Trail System
| Location | Inside Dead Horse Point State Park, at the end of Highway 313 about 35 minutes from Moab |
|---|---|
| Layout | 16+ miles of stacked singletrack loops radiating from the visitor center area |
| Difficulty | Easy to moderate — the most beginner friendly real singletrack in the Moab area |
| Surface | Smooth hardpack with mellow slickrock sections and gentle rollers |
| Entry fee | State park day use fee per vehicle, paid at the entrance station — check current Utah State Parks rates before you go |
| Facilities | Visitor center, restrooms, water, and shade shelters — rare luxuries for Moab riding |
| Best seasons | Spring and fall are prime; the mesa top rides earlier and later in the day than the valley in summer |
Why the Intrepid Trails Are Moab's Best First Singletrack
Most Moab rides make you earn the views with ledges, exposure, or lung busting climbs. The Intrepid Trail System flips that deal. Built on the mesa top of Dead Horse Point State Park — home to one of the most photographed overlooks in the American West — these trails serve up rim edge panoramas of the Colorado River's gooseneck bends on smooth, flowing singletrack that new riders can genuinely enjoy.
That combination makes this the standard local answer to "where should my family ride?" The loops stack from a short introductory spin to a half day tour of the mesa, junctions are well signed, and the visitor center anchor means water, restrooms, and rangers are never far away. Riders chasing bigger challenges use it differently: as a warm up day, a recovery spin, or a golden hour ride when the light on the canyon turns unreal. Either way, it belongs on your Moab riding itinerary.
Local tip: The park sits at about 6,000 feet — noticeably cooler than town. In summer that's a gift; in spring and fall it means packing a layer you won't need down in Moab.
Riding the Intrepid System, Loop by Loop
The network is a stack of named loops that share trailheads near the visitor center, so you can commit to as little or as much as the day allows.
Intrepid Loop
The starter serving: a short, smooth loop that gives brand new riders a real singletrack experience with a first taste of the rim views. Perfect for kids finding their legs.
Great Pyramid Loop
The step up: more mileage, mellow rollers, and longer stretches along the mesa edge. Most families settle here for the main event.
Big Chief & Whiptail
The full mesa tour, reaching the most dramatic rim sections where the ground falls 2,000 feet to the river. A few rockier moments earn the moderate rating, but nothing close to Moab's technical classics.
Connectors: Crossroads, Twisted Tree & Raven Roll
Short connector trails stitch the loops together, letting you shortcut home or extend the ride on the fly. Grab the trail map at the visitor center and improvise.
Local tip: Ride the outer loops counterclockwise in the morning and the canyon light does the photography for you. And keep speed in check near the rim — the trails stay a safe distance back, but this is not the place to overshoot a corner.
Guided Rides for New Desert Riders
Terrain like this is exactly what beginner focused guides build their best days around: real singletrack, real scenery, zero terror. A guided ride includes a quality bike and helmet, plus the skills coaching that turns one good day into a new hobby.
Beginner Mountain Bike Tour
The ideal first desert ride: forgiving terrain, patient coaching, and the confidence to come back for the Intrepid loops on your own.
Book the Beginner TourPrivate Guided Mountain Bike Tour
Families and mixed groups get the most from a private guide who sets the pace around the newest rider and keeps the day fun for everyone.
Book a Private TourGuided Mountain Bike Tour
Ready for more after the mesa? A guided ride on Moab's signature terrain is the natural next step, matched to your group's growing skills.
Book the Guided TourWeighing every option? Browse all Moab mountain biking tours to compare rides for your trip.
Local tip: Tours and rental fleets book out weeks ahead in spring and fall — and rental shops in town can set kids and adults up with the right bikes for the Intrepid loops if you'd rather ride the park on your own.
Fees, Pairings, and What to Bring
Getting There & Fees
- Getting there: follow Highway 313 to its end, about 35 minutes from Moab. The trail system starts near the visitor center.
- Fees: the state park charges a day use fee per vehicle at the entrance station — check current rates on our Dead Horse Point guide before you go.
- Make it a double: the intermediate Navajo Rocks system sits along the same highway — mesa loops in the morning, sandstone in the afternoon.
- Don't skip the overlook: the famous Dead Horse Point viewpoint is minutes from the trailhead. Ride first, gawk after.
What to Bring
- 2 liters of water per rider — refill at the visitor center
- Helmet, gloves, and closed toe shoes
- Snacks and a picnic — the shade shelters are worth using
- Sunscreen and a layer for the cooler mesa top air
- Multi tool, spare tube, and mini pump
- The park trail map from the visitor center, plus an offline backup
Safety note: Stay on the trail near the rim, keep kids in front of you where you can see them, and give the edge the respect a 2,000 foot drop deserves. Storms on the exposed mesa bring lightning fast — head for the visitor center if skies build.
Dead Horse Point Riding by Season
| Season | Conditions | Strategy |
|---|---|---|
| Spring (Mar–May) | Prime temperatures on the mesa | The sweet spot — arrive early on weekends before the park fills |
| Summer (Jun–Aug) | Hot, but cooler than town at 6,000 feet | Morning and evening rides; watch for afternoon lightning |
| Fall (Sep–Nov) | Prime again, with the year's best light | Golden hour on the outer loops is unforgettable |
| Winter (Dec–Feb) | Cold, quiet, occasional snow on the mesa | Dry spells offer serene riding; check conditions after storms |
Planning the wider trip? Our month by month Moab guides cover weather, crowds, and what's running year round.
Intrepid Trail System FAQs
Are the Dead Horse Point trails really beginner friendly?
Yes — this is the most beginner friendly real singletrack in the Moab area. The inner loops are smooth and gentle, and even the moderate outer loops stay far tamer than Moab's famous trails. A guided beginner tour first makes it even easier.
Is there a fee to ride the Intrepid trails?
Yes. The trails sit inside Dead Horse Point State Park, so the standard day use fee per vehicle applies at the entrance station. Check current rates on our Dead Horse Point State Park guide.
How long does it take to ride?
The short Intrepid Loop takes well under an hour. The full outer tour of the system runs most riders 2 to 4 relaxed hours with photo stops — and there will be photo stops.
Can kids ride here?
Absolutely — it's the go to family riding recommendation near Moab. Kids comfortable on a bike handle the inner loops well; keep them close on the outer loops where the trail runs nearer the rim.
Are e-bikes allowed on the Intrepid trails?
The park has allowed class 1 e-bikes on the trail system, but rules can change — confirm current policy at the entrance station or visitor center when you arrive.
Are the trails scary or exposed?
No. The singletrack stays a respectful distance from the rim, with the big drops visible but not underfoot. You get the 2,000 foot views without the 2,000 foot consequences.
The Easiest Way to Fall in Love With Moab Riding
Smooth trails, a canyon rim horizon, and a whole family grinning at the same trailhead. Start with a guided beginner ride, then bring your new skills to the mesa above the Colorado.
Book the Beginner TourMore Riding & Nearby Stops
Dead Horse Point State Park
Everything else the park offers — the legendary overlook, hiking, camping, and visit planning details.
Plan Your VisitNavajo Rocks
The next step up: Moab's benchmark intermediate system, twenty minutes back down the same highway.
Read the Navajo Rocks GuideAll Moab Mountain Biking
Trails by skill level, rentals, shuttles, and every guided option — including icons like the Slickrock Trail and Klondike Bluffs.
Explore the Trails