Klondike Bluffs: Ride Where Dinosaurs Walked
A sprawling network of stackable loops north of Moab where the singletrack crosses actual dinosaur tracks pressed into the stone. Klondike Bluffs pairs some of the area's friendliest flow trails with rowdier upper loops along the edge of Arches — and it might be the most underrated riding in Moab.
Browse Moab Mountain Biking ToursQuick Facts: Klondike Bluffs Trails
| Location | Off US-191 about 15 miles north of Moab, near the airport, bordering the northwest corner of Arches National Park |
|---|---|
| Layout | 20+ miles of stackable loops from multiple trailheads — build a ride from a quick hour to a full day |
| Difficulty | Genuinely all levels: smooth flow trails for newer riders up to ledgy, technical upper loops |
| Signature feature | Fossilized dinosaur tracks visible right beside (and on) the trail |
| Surface | Hard packed singletrack, slickrock slabs, and ledgy sandstone up high |
| Entry fee | None — free BLM trailheads with parking and vault toilets |
| Best seasons | Spring (March–May) and fall (September–November); early starts in summer |
Why Klondike Bluffs Deserves a Spot on Your Ride List
Every Moab trail sells scenery. Klondike Bluffs sells time travel. The slickrock slabs here preserve three toed theropod tracks laid down when this desert was a Jurassic mudflat, and the trail builders routed the singletrack right past them — in places you literally ride across stone a dinosaur walked first. Kids lose their minds over it, and plenty of adults do too.
The riding itself is the other reason locals keep recommending this network. Because the loops stack from mellow to technical, Klondike works for groups that would splinter anywhere else: newer riders lap the flow trails down low while stronger riders push into the ledgy upper loops along the boundary of Arches National Park, and everyone regroups at the trailhead with a different favorite. Add free parking, good signage, and smaller crowds than the marquee trails, and you get Moab's best value day on a bike. For the full area picture, start with our Moab mountain biking guide.
Local tip: The dinosaur tracks are protected — look, photograph, and ride the marked line, but never chip, cast, or pour anything on them. They've survived 150 million years; let's not be the generation that wrecks them.
Klondike Bluffs Trails by Skill Level
The network is built for mix and match riding. These are the marquee segments to plan around, roughly in order of difficulty.
Dino Flow
The gateway trail: hard packed, flowing, and gentle enough for fit new riders, with dinosaur track sites along the way. One of the best true beginner rides in the Moab area.
Baby Steps Loops
The heart of the network — rolling singletrack and slickrock sections you can ride as a shorter north loop, a longer full loop, or anything in between. Honest intermediate riding with constant scenery.
EKG
Named for what your heart rate graph looks like afterward. Short, steep moves and ledgy features that make a great step up from the Baby Steps loops.
The Upper Loops
The high country of the network climbs toward the bluffs themselves, with technical ledges, steep slickrock, and views into the back side of Arches. Strong riders can build a big day linking these with everything below.
Local tip: Multiple trailheads serve the network from the frontage road. Starting at a lower trailhead and warming up on Dino Flow before climbing into the loops is the classic progression — and keeps the group together longer.
Guided Rides for Every Rider in Your Group
Because Klondike spans every skill level, it's a natural fit for guided days — especially for families and mixed groups. Guides bring quality bikes and helmets, pick the loops that match each rider, and know exactly where the best track sites hide.
Beginner Mountain Bike Tour
First time on dirt or slickrock? This tour keeps it forgiving and teaches the basics of desert riding — the perfect confidence builder for terrain like Dino Flow.
Book the Beginner TourGuided Mountain Bike Tour
Ride Moab's signature terrain with local pros who match the route to your group's ability and know where the good lines hide.
Book the Guided TourPrivate Guided Mountain Bike Tour
The best option for families and mixed ability groups: a private guide builds the day around everyone, from first timers to the strong rider who wants the upper loops.
Book a Private TourComparing everything Moab offers? Browse all Moab mountain biking tours to find the right fit.
Local tip: Tours and rental fleets book out weeks ahead during spring and fall. Reserve the ride first, then build the rest of the trip around it.
Trailheads, Pairings, and What to Bring
Getting There & Around
- Trailheads: signed BLM lots off the frontage road along US-191, roughly 15 to 20 minutes north of downtown Moab. Free parking, vault toilets, no permits.
- Pair it with Arches: the network borders the park's quiet northwest corner — ride in the morning, then spend the afternoon among the arches. See our Arches guide to plan it.
- No shuttle needed: every ride here is a loop back to your car.
- Heads up on weather: parts of the network cross clay heavy soil that turns to peanut butter when wet. Skip it for a day after rain.
What to Bring
- 2 to 3 liters of water per rider — none at the trailheads
- Helmet, gloves, and sturdy shoes with grippy soles
- Snacks for a 2 to 5 hour ride depending on your loops
- Sunscreen and a sun layer — shade is scarce
- Multi tool, spare tube, and mini pump
- Offline map download — service fades away from the highway
Klondike Bluffs by Season
| Season | Conditions | Strategy |
|---|---|---|
| Spring (Mar–May) | Prime temperatures, lighter crowds than the marquee trails | Ideal — book tours and rentals ahead, then enjoy the elbow room |
| Summer (Jun–Aug) | Hot and exposed | Sunrise starts, shorter loops, extra water |
| Fall (Sep–Nov) | Prime temperatures and golden light return | Reserve everything early; weekends fill fast |
| Winter (Dec–Feb) | Cold mornings, quiet trails, mud after storms | Great in dry spells; avoid the clay sections when wet |
Dialing in dates? Our month by month Moab guides cover weather, crowds, and what's running year round.
Klondike Bluffs FAQs
Where are the dinosaur tracks at Klondike Bluffs?
Track sites sit right along the trail network, with the best known prints on the slickrock slabs — several are signed, and guides know exactly where to stop. Look for three toed theropod prints pressed into the stone, and please leave them untouched.
Is Klondike Bluffs good for beginners?
Yes — it's one of the friendliest networks in the Moab area. Dino Flow is a genuine beginner trail, and a guided beginner tour beforehand makes the first slickrock sections feel easy instead of intimidating.
Is there a fee to ride Klondike Bluffs?
No. The trailheads are free BLM parking areas off US-191, with no passes or permits required.
How hard are the upper loops?
Legitimately advanced — ledgy climbs, steep slickrock, and technical moves as you gain the bluffs. Strong intermediates can sample them; the full upper linkup is best left to experienced riders.
How long does a ride here take?
Anywhere from an hour on Dino Flow to a 4 or 5 hour day linking the Baby Steps loops with the upper trails. The stackable layout means you decide as you go.
Can you ride into Arches National Park from Klondike Bluffs?
No — bikes must stay on the BLM trail network outside the boundary, and off road cycling is not allowed inside the park. You can drive into Arches afterward; see our Arches National Park guide for what's allowed inside.
Ride Singletrack Through the Jurassic
Stackable loops for every rider in your crew, smaller crowds than the famous trails, and dinosaur tracks older than the Rocky Mountains. Klondike Bluffs is the Moab day nobody expects and everybody remembers.
Browse Moab Bike ToursMore Moab Riding & Nearby Stops
Navajo Rocks
Moab's benchmark intermediate system — the natural next stop once the Baby Steps loops feel dialed.
Read the Navajo Rocks GuideArches National Park
The trails border the park's quiet corner — pair a morning ride with an afternoon among 2,000 stone arches.
Plan Your VisitAll Moab Mountain Biking
Trails by skill level, rentals, shuttles, and every guided option — from the Slickrock Trail to the Whole Enchilada.
Explore the Trails