The Guide to Salt Lake City Mountain Biking Trails

In the state of Utah, there are over 1,200 mountain biking trails to choose from, but you don’t have to go far from your Salt Lake City home or hotel to find some gems. Salt Lake City mountain biking trails offer a thrilling adventure catering to all levels–beginner to expert included. 

From challenging climbs and technical descents to scenic routes through picturesque valleys, Salt Lake City has something for everyone. The region is renowned for its diverse network of trails and its strong biking community. Whether you’re visiting from out of state or ready to play in your own backyard, you can read about some of the best mountain biking trails near Salt Lake City in our guide. We’ll walk you through the best bike parks and trails for beginners, intermediate riders, and experts. 

Bike Parks

Have you ever wondered what happens to ski resorts in the middle of summer? When it comes to Solitude and Deer Valley, these resorts open up to allow for lift-enabled mountain biking for a truly enjoyable experience.  

Solitude Bike Park

Located within the Solitude Mountain Resort, which is up Big Cottonwood Canyon and just thirty miles from SLC, Solitude Bike Park is a hidden gem for mountain biking enthusiasts. Phase 1 of the bike park opened up in 2023, so the available trails are a bit limited, but the resort plans to expand its offerings in the years to come. 

Solitude Bike Park offers four trails that range from green to black, making the park accessible for all levels. The park features well-maintained singletrack trails that wind through lush forests, meadows, and alpine terrain. The best part? The lift assistance means you can enjoy all the best parts of mountain biking (flying downhill) without the strenuous climb up. 

Deer Valley Bike Park

Deer Valley Bike Park, in operation since 1992, has a wide variety of mountain biking trails. Just 45 minutes from Salt Lake City up Parley’s Canyon, Deer Valley Resort is a premier destination for skiers in the winter, and mountain bikers in the summer. With over 60 miles of trails, the bike park provides blue and green trails for beginner to intermediate riders as well as a good variety of expert trails. Plus, many of the trails in the resort connect with Park City’s 400 miles of singletrack trails. 

For beginners, Holy Roller is a fun and simple trail that meanders through aspen trees with gentle switchbacks and berms and a wide trail. Intermediate riders should try out Tidal Wave, a winding trail with over 50 jumps and 9-foot berms. Finally, for expert mountain bikers, Tsunami is one of the most challenging Salt Lake City mountain biking trails in this guide. 

Salt Lake City Mountain Biking Trails for Beginners

Everyone has to start somewhere. For mountain bikers in Salt Lake, there are plenty of beginner trails to gain experience.

Bonneville Shoreline Trail

The Bonneville Shoreline Trail is a system of trails that goes from the Utah-Idaho border all the way down to Spanish Fork. The trail follows the shoreline of ancient Lake Bonneville and provides both hiking and mountain biking along its route. While the entirety of the trail isn’t fully developed, if you’re looking for mountain biking trails near Salt Lake City, the Bonneville Shoreline Trail is a great place to start. 

The easiest way to access this singletrack trail is near the Natural History Museum of Utah. From the museum, you’ll make your way south, looping around the mouth of Emigration Canyon. You can also start from the Hogle Zoo, but this includes an intense uphill battle at the start. There are tons to explore in this area, but perhaps the best part is the unadulterated view of Salt Lake City. 

Lost Prospector

With only 600 feet of elevation gain, Lost Prospector is perfect for beginners. Another of the mountain biking trails near Salt Lake City that takes you up into Park City, this trail comes with views of Old Town. You can choose between a 6-mile, out-and-back singletrack ride or a 7.8-mile loop that returns via the Rail Trail. The second option takes you on the pavement for some of the ride, making it the most accessible. 

The Lost Prospector Trail can be accessed from multiple points, but the easiest is by parking along Aerie Drive. Because this trail is so easy to reach, it can also become extra crowded on the weekends and is best enjoyed during the week.

Butterfield Canyon

If you’re looking for Salt Lake City mountain biking trails on the southwest side of the Salt Lake Valley, Butterfield Canyon provides over 13 miles of fresh flow trails perfect for beginners. Additionally, the trails have been tested by Wasatch Adaptive Sports and work well for adaptive bikers. Butterfield Trailhead Regional Park opened in 2023 and has plans to expand. The trailhead is located on Herriman Highway, just east of Butterfield Canyon Road. 

Bob’s Basin

Bob’s Basin, located in Park City, is a network of three main freeride trails–Crazy Eights, The Dropout, and Ants Farm–plus a return trail, Fink Again. The trails are rated a mix of green and blue, making this area a great option for beginner to intermediate riders. The trails have a mix of elevation up to the top and fun, downhill rides with easy berms and minimal jumps. Riders often take a couple of loops around Bob’s Basin, which can be done in about an hour. This area has no shade and is best enjoyed in the morning or evening during the summer. To access Bob’s Basin, you’ll want to park at the East Canyon Creek Trailhead. 

Dog Lake

Dog Lake, located up Millcreek Canyon, is one of the most fun mountain biking trails near Salt Lake City. The ascent is a bit of a challenge, but the payoff is a serene lake (which is really more of a pond) and a beautiful downhill ride through aspen trees. Millcreek Canyon is closed to mountain bikers on odd days, but if it’s an even day, you’ve got the green light to enjoy this trail. The trail has an elevation gain of 1,260 feet, but without many technical elements, it’s a great choice for beginners. 

You can access Dog Lake from the Soldier Fork parking lot. Take the Big Water Trail 4.4 miles up to Dog Lake, and enjoy a rest once you get there. The lake itself isn’t much, but it’s a nice place to cool off before you begin your descent.

Trails for Intermediate Riders

If you’ve gotten some mountain biking experience under your belt, these intermediate Salt Lake City mountain biking trails will give you a challenge without kicking your butt too hard. 

Armstrong Trail

Another one of the Salt Lake City mountain biking trails located in Park City, the Armstrong Trail is a great choice for riders with more experience. The one-way trail climbs 1,300 feet over 4 miles and features lots of twists and turns along the way. Once you reach the top, you can take another trail, such as Spriro or Mid Mountain Trail, to go downhill. Armstrong Trail features beautiful views of Park City below, with mining ruins along the side. 

There is no parking at the trailhead, so you’ll have to park at the Park City Mountain Resort and ride your bike west up Silver King Drive. From there, turn right onto Three Kings Drive, then take a left onto Crescent Drive. The singletrack trail is located next to the gravel road where Crescent Drive makes a left. 

Pipeline Trail

One of the most popular Salt Lake City mountain biking trails, Pipeline Trail is a fun ride with moderately technical aspects. Located up Millcreek Canyon, mountain bikers can only access the trail on even days. The trail is mostly flat, but with a section of switchbacks and a total elevation gain of 2500 feet, you’ll certainly get your heart pumping. The trail climbs up to a viewpoint that looks out over the Salt Lake Valley, then travels down Rattlesnake Gulch for a total of 10.6 miles. The Pipeline Trail can be accessed from the Rattlesnake Gulch parking lot, just a couple miles into Millcreek Canyon. 

19th Avenue

If you’re looking for Salt Lake City mountain biking trails on the shorter side, the 19th Avenue trail is a great choice for a 3.25-mile ride. Although technically part of the Bonneville Shoreline Trail, this small ride deserves its own section. It’s a downhill-only trail that can be accessed from 19th Avenue in the Avenues and drops down into City Creek Canyon. Although short, 19th Avenue has lots of twists and dips, making it best for intermediate riders. You can also make the ride longer by looping with connecting trails. 

Mueller Park

Mueller Park, located just north of Salt Lake City in Bountiful, is a classic ride loved by locals and visitors alike. This out-and-back trail features a singletrack climb with technical aspects on the second half once you reach Elephant Rock, which splits the trail. The first half is easy enough even for beginners, but past Elephant Rock, the trail features rocks and roots that can be a challenge to traverse. Mueller Park to Big Rock is 7 miles out and back, but if you complete the whole ride to Rudy’s Flat and back, the ride lasts 13 miles. 

To reach Mueller Park, you’ll want to take the 2600 South exit for Bountiful/Woods Cross and drive towards the mountains until the road becomes Orchard Drive. From there, turn right on 1800 South and follow this road for 2 miles. Park across from the trailhead on the right side of the road.   

Mid Mountain Trail

One of the most classic Salt Lake City mountain biking trails on this list is the Mid Mountain Trail in Park City. Many people reach it from the Armstrong Trail mentioned above, but Mid Mountain Trail deserves its own highlight. In fact, the International Mountain Bicycling Association, or IMBA, gives Mid Mountain an Epic rating. That’s because the views simply can’t be beat, with views of Park City and sprawling meadows. 

The ride offers a decent amount of climbing and winding, meaning you’ll want to be in good shape before embarking on the trail. There are also some fairly technical rocky sections to traverse. Plus, the ride is long, at around 23 miles. To reach Mid Mountain Trail, you’ll have to park at the Park City Mountain Resort and ride your bike west up Silver King Drive. From there, turn right onto Three Kings Drive, then take a left onto Crescent Drive. The singletrack trail is located next to the gravel road where Crescent Drive makes a left. You can take either the Spiro Trail or the Armstrong Trail up to reach Mid Mountain. Be prepared for a long ride, and bring lots of water to keep yourself hydrated. 

Corner Canyon Trail Network

The Corner Canyon Trail Network is located in Draper, which is south of Salt Lake City on the east side of the valley. This network of trails has some beginner rides, but most are intermediate or advanced. The trails run along the foothills of Draper, offering gorgeous views of the Salt Lake Valley. For a downhill-only trail with lots of jumps, Levitate is a particularly fun ride for more experienced riders.  

Because Corner Canyon is really a network of trails, there are a number of trailheads and access points. You’ll want to check out the Utah Mountain Biking website for specifics on where to park, depending on which ride you’re planning to do.

Mountain Biking Trails for Expert Riders

For the most experienced riders, these expert Salt Lake City mountain biking trails won’t disappoint. Just make sure you’re ready for an adventure. 

Wasatch Crest Trail

Considered by many the most iconic of all the mountain biking trails near Salt Lake City, the Wasatch Crest Trail is an experience of a lifetime. The ride comes with beautiful scenery, flowy sections, technical aspects, challenging climbs (including one infamous section called Puke Hill), and views of the Salt Lake Valley. The ride begins at the top of Big Cottonwood Canyon and flows down into Millcreek Canyon. Most of the trail is appropriate for intermediate riders, but several sections take this trail into the advanced/expert territory. Still, intermediate riders brave enough to give it a try can walk their bikes through the hard parts. 

To reach the Wasatch Crest Trail, you’ll want to book a shuttle up Millcreek Canyon to Guardsman Pass. You can also park at Bonanza Flat, about a mile away, but you’ll have to make your way to the trail from there. Since the Wasatch Crest Trail takes you into Millcreek Canyon, remember that bicyclists can only ride the canyon on even days. 

Bobsled

Another of the Salt Lake City mountain biking trails near the Avenues, Bobsled is an enjoyable, downhill route for experienced riders. The route is full of berms and turns with sections of loose gravel. Some old cars lying in the path serve as jumps, but you can always ride around them if needed. Bobsled is on the shorter side at 1.6 miles and many riders choose to loop the trail a few times. 

There are a few different ways to access Bobsled, but the most straightforward is by pedaling up 11th Avenue and turning right onto Terrace Hills Drive, followed by a fast left into the parking lot. Keep right at the fork and then climb the half mile to reach the top of Bobsled. 

Terror Ridge

Terror Ridge, a mile-long section that can be added to a longer loop, is the most difficult of the mountain biking trails near Salt Lake City. Aptly named, this downhill-only trail descends along a ridgeline with steep grades. While Terror Ridge doesn’t have mandatory jumps, it does have some technical rock sections at the bottom. The trail is best done during the spring or fall. In the summer, the trail dries out so much that the dirt is loose and much more difficult. 

To access Terror Ridge, you’ll want to park at Popperton Park and ride up the Bonneville Shoreline Trail to Terror Ridge. When you’ve made it down the steep descent, you can make your way up the Bonneville Shoreline Trail again to hit Bobsled, if you’re looking for more downhill fun. 

Gear Up for Your Best Mountain Biking Experience

Whether you’re new to mountain biking or an experienced rider, you can make the best of your Salt Lake City mountain biking by picking up the right gear. At General Army Navy Outdoor, we offer the best equipment at great prices. From Army Surplus to top outdoor brands, we have everything you need for an amazing ride. Check out our selection today.