Kanab, Utah

Mountain Biking in Kanab

Kanab sits on slickrock and sand, which means fast-drying trails and a riding season that runs when Moab and St. George are too hot or too cold. Here is what is actually rideable from the driveway, and what is worth the short drive.

When to Ride

Spring (Mar–May)
The sweet spot. Warm days, cool mornings, and everything is open. Also the busiest season for permits and lodging.
Fall (Sep–Nov)
Arguably better than spring. Fewer crowds, stable weather, and long golden evenings on the mesa.
Summer (Jun–Aug)
Rideable if you start at sunrise. Afternoons regularly exceed 100°F with almost no shade — treat midday as pool-and-hot-tub time.
Winter (Dec–Feb)
Often perfectly rideable. Kanab sits near 5,000 ft, so you get cold mornings but frequent dry, sunny afternoons.

Rides Close to the House

These start in or just outside Kanab — no trailer, no shuttle, no long drive. Distances and elevation are as listed on Trailforks; conditions change, so check there before heading out.

TrailDistanceClimbGood for
Jackson Flat Reservoir4 mi~66 ftFlat loop right in town. Easiest ride here and the best option with kids or on a rest day.
Pugh Canyon2 mi~212 ftShort canyon climb just north of town. A quick evening spin.
Tom’s Canyon2 mi~344 ftSteepest of the in-town options. Punchy climb, quick payoff.
Roadrunner2,862 ft~102 ftShort, flowy connector. Often paired with Raven and Squaw for a longer loop.
Raven3,086 ft~150 ftRolling singletrack, links naturally with Roadrunner.
Squaw1,035 ft~38 ftVery short link segment — useful for stitching a loop together.
The Nautilus2,238 ft~13 ftFlat and fast. Nearby slickrock formation of the same name is worth the stop.

Live Trail Map

Pan and zoom to see the trail network around town. Trailforks carries current conditions and rider reports — worth checking after any rain.

Full Kanab trail directory on Trailforks →

Tilted Mesa: The Bigger Day

The largest concentration of purpose-built singletrack in the area sits in the Tilted Mesa network. Plan a half or full day rather than squeezing it in around dinner.

Western Legend
4,951 ft · ~186 ft descent
The signature run. Broken into Upper, Middle, and Lower if you want to sample a section.
Middle Earth
Upper / Middle / Lower
Three linked segments, roughly 1,385–2,369 ft each. The Middle section carries the most descent.
Morning Glory
East and West
East drops ~258 ft; West climbs ~230 ft. Ride the pair as a loop.
Chocolate Canyon DH
Upper & Lower, ~1,500 ft each
The downhill-oriented option, with a dedicated uphill route so you are not climbing the descent.
Oh My Heck
4,111 ft · ~163 ft climb
Long, sustained, and exactly as advertised by the name.
Second Breakfast
2 mi · ~237 ft descent
Longer flow segment. Pairs well with Shinabump for a fuller loop.

Around 42 trails are catalogued across the Kanab region — the full list, with current status, lives on Trailforks →

Applecross: Worth the Drive

About 45 minutes west near Zion, the Applecross network adds 25+ miles of smooth, flowy singletrack built by Zion Mountain Ranch on private land open to the public. It skews friendlier than Tilted Mesa — long flow descents, berms, and jumps — and is worth the drive if you want big mileage without the sand.

Magic Carpet
3 MI · ~166 FT DESCENT
The most remote trail in the system, winding through the woods to one of the highest points. Highest-rated trail in the network.
Elliptical
2 MI · ~404 FT CLIMB
The main spine climbing trail for the upper part of the park. Pairs with any of the downhill runs below.
Duck Duck Goose
1 MI · ~52 FT DESCENT
A long, popular downhill run with flowy berms.
Ring Around the Rosie
CLIMB & DESCENT LOOP
A remote loop route: climb one side, descend the other.
Stair Master
4,862 FT · ~307 FT CLIMB
A more challenging climbing alternative for when you want extra vert.
Maestro
4,117 FT DESCENT
Long downhill ride. Combine with Ring Around the Rosie for a fuller loop.

Things Worth Knowing First

Sand is the local hazard
Not rocks. After dry spells the washes turn loose and deep. Wider tires and lower pressure help more here than suspension does.
Do not ride slickrock wet
Slickrock and sandstone are fine damp but fragile when saturated, and riding wet clay routes leaves ruts that last for years.
Carry more water than feels sensible
There is no water on any of these trails and almost no shade. Two litres for a short ride is not overkill in summer.
Download the map before you go
Cell coverage drops off fast outside town. Save the Trailforks area offline while you are on the house fiber.
Storage at the house
The garage takes bikes and gear, so nothing lives in the truck bed overnight, and there is a hose for the inevitable sand.
Afternoon storms in monsoon season
Late summer brings fast-building thunderstorms. Washes flood quickly — if the sky darkens, get out of the drainage.

Ride, Hot Tub, Repeat

Garage storage for the bikes, a private hot tub for afterward, and Jackson Flat is a few minutes from the door.

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