The Slickrock Bike Trail in Moab, Utah
Ten and a half miles of bare Navajo sandstone that grips your tires like sandpaper and climbs like nothing else on earth. Slickrock is the ride that made Moab the Mountain Bike Capital of the World — a bucket list loop of petrified dunes above the Colorado River. Here's everything you need to ride it right.
Ride Slickrock With a GuideQuick Facts: Slickrock Bike Trail
| Location | Sand Flats Recreation Area, about 5 minutes east of downtown Moab |
|---|---|
| Distance | 10.5 mile loop, plus a 2.3 mile practice loop near the trailhead |
| Difficulty | Advanced — steep grades, constant punchy climbs, real exposure in places |
| Surface | Almost entirely bare Navajo sandstone, marked with painted white dashes |
| Entry fee | Sand Flats vehicle pass: $10 for seven days, or $35 for an annual pass |
| Best seasons | Spring (March–May) and fall (September–November); sunrise starts in summer |
| Shade and water | None on the trail — carry everything you need |
Why Slickrock Is the World's Most Famous Mountain Bike Trail
Every sport has its cathedral, and for mountain biking it's a sweep of frozen sandstone dunes on the mesa above Moab. The Slickrock Bike Trail opened in 1969 — originally laid out for motorcycles, years before mountain bikes existed — and when fat tire pioneers discovered it in the 1980s, the sport found its mecca. The name is a misnomer inherited from pioneer wagon drivers whose iron shod horses slipped on the stone: under rubber tires, the rock is the grippiest surface you will ever ride.
That grip is what makes Slickrock unlike anywhere else. You can climb pitches that would be unthinkable on dirt, roll down bowls that look vertical from the top, and carve across a landscape of petrified dunes with the La Sal Mountains on one horizon and the canyons of the Colorado River on the other. It's also what makes the trail deceptively hard: the rock lets you attempt things your legs and lungs have to finish.
This guide covers the loop itself, the practice loop, fees and logistics, and how to decide between riding it solo or with a local guide. For the full picture of riding in town, start with our Moab mountain biking guide.
Local tip: Moab ratings run hot, and Slickrock is the trail that set the scale. Strong intermediate riders finish it, but almost everyone walks a few pitches — and there's no shame in it. Budget more time than the mileage suggests.
What Riding Slickrock Is Actually Like
Forget flowing singletrack. Slickrock is a painted dashed line across open rock, and the ride is a relentless rhythm of short, steep climbs and drops — hundreds of them. Almost nothing is flat. The full loop takes most riders 3 to 5 hours, and the sandstone reflects heat like an oven floor, so timing and water matter as much as fitness.
The Practice Loop
A shorter loop with the same surface and the same style of climbs in a lower consequence package. Locals genuinely recommend riding it before committing to the main loop — if the practice loop wrecks you, the full trail will bury you. It's also a worthy ride on its own for strong beginners who want a taste of the famous rock.
The Main Loop
A lollipop style loop across the petrified dunes, marked the whole way with white dashes. Expect steep rollers stacked back to back, a few sandy pockets between domes, and short sections near the rim where the exposure gets your full attention. The physical crux isn't any single move — it's the accumulation of punchy climbs with no recovery between them.
The Views
Overlooks along the loop take in the Colorado River gorge, the red rock skyline of Arches National Park, and the often snow capped La Sals. Build in stops — the scenery is half the reason this ride is on every rider's list.
Heads up: Slickrock is shared with motorcycles — it was built for them. Stay on the marked route, listen for engines near blind crests, and give riders coming uphill the right of way.
Guided Rides on Moab's Famous Slickrock
A guide changes the math on a trail like this. You get a quality bike and helmet without hauling gear to Moab, route pacing that keeps the punchy climbs from breaking you early, and coaching on the rock riding technique that makes steep sandstone feel secure instead of terrifying. For first trips to Moab, it's the difference between surviving the ride and loving it.
Guided Mountain Bike Tour
Ride Moab's world famous terrain with local pros who match the route to your group's ability — and know exactly where the good lines hide on the sandstone.
Book the Guided TourPrivate Guided Mountain Bike Tour
Want Slickrock specifically, or a skills session on the practice loop first? A private guide builds the day around exactly what your group wants to ride.
Book a Private TourMoab Mountain Biking Tours
Not sure Slickrock is the right first ride? Browse the full lineup of guided Moab rides, from mellow slickrock intros to classic desert singletrack.
See All ToursNewer to riding? The beginner mountain bike tour teaches slickrock technique on gentler terrain — the perfect warm up a day before you attempt the famous loop.
Local tip: Guided tours and rental fleets book out weeks ahead in spring and fall. If Slickrock is the centerpiece of your trip, reserve the ride before you book anything else.
Trailhead, Fees, and What to Bring
Getting There & Fees
- Trailhead: up Sand Flats Road on the mesa just east of downtown — about a 5 minute drive from Main Street. Parking, restrooms, and the practice loop are right at the lot.
- Entry fee: the Sand Flats Recreation Area charges $10 per vehicle for a seven day pass, or $35 for an annual pass. Pay at the entrance station.
- Same neighborhood: Sand Flats is also home to Hell's Revenge and Fins & Things — expect off road traffic on the access road.
- No shuttle needed: the trail is a loop from the parking lot.
What to Bring
- 3+ liters of water per rider — there is none on the trail
- Helmet, gloves, and sturdy shoes with grippy soles
- Snacks and electrolytes for a 3 to 5 hour effort
- Sunscreen and a sun layer — zero shade out there
- Multi tool, spare tube, and mini pump
- Offline map download — cell service is spotty on the mesa
Safety note: The sandstone is grippy when dry and treacherous when wet or icy, and summer surface temperatures are brutal. Check the forecast, start at sunrise in hot months, and turn around at the practice loop junction if the day is going sideways — the rock will still be there tomorrow.
Slickrock by Season
| Season | Conditions | Strategy |
|---|---|---|
| Spring (Mar–May) | Prime temperatures, busiest trailhead of the year | Start early; book tours and rentals weeks ahead |
| Summer (Jun–Aug) | Extreme heat radiating off the rock | Sunrise starts only, double your water, be off by late morning |
| Fall (Sep–Nov) | Prime temperatures return with golden light | Same playbook as spring — reserve everything early |
| Winter (Dec–Feb) | Cold mornings, quiet rock, occasional snow and ice | Midday rides on dry, sun exposed stone can be superb; skip it after storms |
Building a bigger trip around the ride? Our month by month Moab guides cover weather, crowds, and what's running year round.
Slickrock Trail FAQs
How hard is the Slickrock Bike Trail?
It's rated advanced, and the rating is honest. No single move is extreme, but the loop stacks hundreds of steep, punchy climbs and descents with almost no flat recovery. Strong intermediate riders finish it — usually with some walking — and fit advanced riders love it. Ride the practice loop first to calibrate.
How long does it take to ride Slickrock?
Most riders take 3 to 5 hours for the 10.5 mile main loop, including photo and rest stops. The 2.3 mile practice loop takes 30 to 60 minutes.
Can beginners ride Slickrock?
The main loop is too much for true beginners, but the practice loop gives newer riders a real taste of the famous sandstone. A guided beginner tour on gentler terrain is the smarter first day, with Slickrock as the graduation ride.
Is there a fee to ride Slickrock?
Yes. The trail sits in the Sand Flats Recreation Area, which charges $10 per vehicle for a seven day pass or $35 for an annual pass, paid at the entrance station on Sand Flats Road.
Are e-bikes and motorcycles allowed on Slickrock?
Yes. The trail was originally built for motorcycles in 1969 and remains open to them, and e-bikes are allowed as well. Expect to share the rock, especially on weekends.
Which direction should I ride the loop?
The loop is ridden in either direction and the painted dashes work both ways. Neither direction is dramatically easier — pick one, follow the dashes, and don't shortcut across unmarked rock.
Ride the Trail That Made Moab Famous
Every mountain biker should stand on that sandstone at least once. Lock in a guided ride with a quality bike included, or point your own front wheel at the white dashes — either way, Slickrock delivers a day you'll be retelling for years.
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