Navajo Rocks: Moab's Best Intermediate Riding
Rolling sandstone, swooping singletrack, and views that stretch from the La Sal Mountains to the buttes of Highway 313 — without the punishing difficulty of Moab's expert icons. Navajo Rocks is the trail system locals send friends to for the classic Moab feel, and this guide covers every loop in it.
Ride It With a GuideQuick Facts: Navajo Rocks Trail System
| Location | Along Highway 313, about 20 minutes northwest of Moab on the road toward Dead Horse Point and Canyonlands |
|---|---|
| Layout | Two stacked loops on either side of the highway, ridden separately or linked as a big figure eight |
| Distance | 17+ miles of trail; individual loops run roughly 8 to 9 miles each |
| Difficulty | Intermediate — honest climbs and slickrock features without extreme moves or serious exposure |
| Surface | A signature Moab mix: rolling slickrock, ledgy sandstone, and sandy singletrack |
| Entry fee | None — free BLM trailheads with parking along Highway 313 |
| Best seasons | Spring (March–May) and fall (September–November); sunrise starts in summer |
Why Navajo Rocks Is the Perfect "Real Moab" Ride
Moab has a reputation problem for visiting riders: the famous trails are famously brutal. Slickrock stacks relentless steep rollers, the Whole Enchilada demands expert skills, and even the "moderate" classics run hot by hometown standards. Navajo Rocks is the answer. It serves everything people come to Moab to ride — bare sandstone domes, ledgy moves, ribbon singletrack through red rock and juniper — at a difficulty that strong intermediate riders can actually enjoy rather than survive.
The system sits along Highway 313, the scenic road that climbs toward Dead Horse Point State Park and the Island in the Sky district of Canyonlands, which makes it easy to pair a morning ride with an afternoon of overlooks. Trails are well marked, loops are stackable, and bail out points at the highway mean you're never committed to more day than you want. It's no accident the Moab riding scene treats this as the default recommendation for first trips.
Local tip: "Intermediate" in Moab still means real riding. If your home trails are smooth flow lines, expect the sandstone ledges here to feel like a step up — a fun one. Start with a single loop and see how the rock treats you.
The Navajo Rocks Loops, Trail by Trail
The system splits into two main loops, one on each side of Highway 313, with trailheads and crossings that let you ride them solo or link the whole thing into one big day.
Chaco Loop Side
The south side loop strings together Ramblin's rolling slickrock, Coney Island's playful sandstone humps, and Big Lonely's quieter stretches with huge views toward the La Sals. A great first serving of the system, with climbs that work you honestly and descents that pay it all back.
Big Mesa Side
The north side loop climbs onto Big Mesa for rim riding and long sightlines, then rolls through Rocky Tops' ledgy sandstone playground — many riders' favorite trail in the whole system — before Middle Earth winds back through juniper and rock gardens.
The Full Figure Eight
Link both loops across the highway for the complete tour — a half day out that samples every flavor of Moab riding short of the extreme stuff. Carry plenty of water; there's none out there and shade is scarce.
Local tip: Trails ride well in both directions, and signage at the junctions is good — but download an offline map anyway. Cell service along Highway 313 is patchy at best.
Guided Rides on Moab's Intermediate Classics
Navajo Rocks is exactly the terrain Moab guides love taking visitors to: technical enough to teach real slickrock skills, forgiving enough that everyone ends the day grinning. A guided ride includes a quality bike and helmet, and turns "following a map" into actually learning to ride sandstone.
Guided Mountain Bike Tour
Ride Moab's signature terrain with local pros who match the route to your group — intermediate classics like this system are their home turf.
Book the Guided TourPrivate Guided Mountain Bike Tour
Want a big day on the intermediate classics at your own pace? A private guide builds the ride around your group and coaches skills along the way.
Book a Private TourBeginner Mountain Bike Tour
Not quite ready for intermediate ledges? Learn the basics of desert riding on forgiving terrain first — Navajo Rocks makes a perfect day two.
Book the Beginner TourStill comparing options? Browse every Moab mountain biking tour to find the ride that fits your trip.
Local tip: Guided tours and rental fleets book out weeks ahead in spring and fall. Lock in your ride before you sort out the rest of the trip.
Trailheads, Pairings, and What to Bring
Getting There & Around
- Trailheads: signed BLM parking areas along Highway 313, about 20 minutes from downtown Moab. No fees, no permits.
- Make it a full day: the same highway leads to Dead Horse Point and the Island in the Sky overlooks in Canyonlands — ride in the morning, sightsee in the afternoon.
- No shuttle needed: everything here is a loop from the parking lot.
- Facilities: essentially none. Fuel up in town and bring everything with you.
What to Bring
- 2 to 3 liters of water per rider — none available on the trails
- Helmet, gloves, and sturdy shoes with grippy soles
- Snacks for a 2 to 5 hour ride depending on your loop
- Sunscreen and a sun layer — shade is rare out there
- Multi tool, spare tube, and mini pump
- Offline map download before leaving town
Safety note: The sandstone turns slick and the sandy sections turn to glue after rain, and desert storms move in fast. Check the forecast, and give the trails a day to dry after heavy weather — riding wet trails damages them for everyone.
Navajo Rocks by Season
| Season | Conditions | Strategy |
|---|---|---|
| Spring (Mar–May) | Prime temperatures, popular but rarely crowded | The sweet spot — book tours and rentals ahead, then enjoy elbow room |
| Summer (Jun–Aug) | Hot, exposed, very little shade | Sunrise starts, single loop days, double the water |
| Fall (Sep–Nov) | Prime temperatures return with golden light | As good as desert riding gets — reserve everything early |
| Winter (Dec–Feb) | Cold mornings, quiet trails, occasional snow and mud | Midday rides in dry spells are a hidden gem; skip it after storms |
Planning around the calendar? Our month by month Moab guides break down weather, crowds, and what's running year round.
Navajo Rocks FAQs
How hard is Navajo Rocks?
It's Moab's benchmark intermediate system: honest climbs, rolling slickrock, and ledgy features without extreme moves or serious exposure. Strong intermediates thrive here, and advanced riders still have plenty of fun lines to play on.
Is there a fee to ride Navajo Rocks?
No. The trailheads are free BLM parking areas along Highway 313 — no passes or permits required.
Which loop should I ride first?
Either works, and both run roughly 8 to 9 miles. Many riders start on the Chaco Loop side for a classic sampler, then come back for the Big Mesa side — Rocky Tops alone is worth the second trip.
Is Navajo Rocks good for beginners?
True beginners will find it a stretch — gentler networks and a guided beginner tour are better first days. Fit new riders with some dirt experience can enjoy it, especially with a guide picking the lines.
How long does it take to ride?
A single loop takes most riders 1.5 to 3 hours. Linking both loops into the full figure eight makes a half day ride of roughly 3 to 5 hours.
Are e-bikes allowed at Navajo Rocks?
E-bike rules on Moab area BLM trails vary and have changed over time, so check current signage at the trailhead or ask a local bike shop before riding one here.
Get the Classic Moab Feel, No Suffering Required
Rolling sandstone, big desert views, and trails that leave you wanting more instead of begging for mercy. Ride Navajo Rocks with a local guide and it becomes a skills clinic with world class scenery.
Book Your Guided RideMore Moab Riding & Nearby Stops
Slickrock Bike Trail
Ready to graduate? The 10.5 mile sandstone icon that made Moab famous is the classic next step up.
Read the Slickrock GuideDead Horse Point State Park
Twenty minutes up the same highway: one of the most photographed overlooks in the West, plus its own easy singletrack network.
Plan Your VisitAll Moab Mountain Biking
Trails by skill level, rentals, shuttles, and every guided option — including the shuttle served epic of the Whole Enchilada.
Explore the Trails