FATMAP by Strava

Zion Curtain

Fruita

A demanding ride that will reward the technically-adept moto rider.

Dirt Biking Severe

Distance
27 km
Ascent
633 m
Descent
632 m
Low Point
1.4 km
High Point
1.7 km
Gradient
Zion Curtain Map

The Rabbit Valley area is gaining ever greater acclaim for its moto-legal trails, especially as riders try ever harder to avoid the congestion found in Moab. If you’re looking for a technical route with little traffic and epic views, Zion Curtain should be on your list.

Description

Located just across the Utah state line from Fruita, and immediately off of I-70, the Zion Curtain trail actually spends some time traversing right along the barbed wire fence that delineates the state border, providing a unique ride location. And despite being located right off the interstate, as you drop into the basin and traverse the rim, you will suddenly feel like you are actually in the middle of absolutely freaking nowhere... which is an entirely accurate analysis.

While of course Zion Curtain can be combined with numerous other trails in the area, including Western Rim, the route mapped here offers a quick hit option to charge some gnar and soak in the views.

The beginning of the loop offers relatively easy riding, with some short, steep sections and rock gardens to navigate.

Once you make it onto the rim, the views are simply breathtaking and require you to stop and stare for a moment. Down below you, you’ll see the road and trails that run to the Western Rim—another decent ride in this area, even if the caliber of the trail doesn’t compare with that of the singletrack you’re presently riding.

Continuing along the rim, the trail tread gets progressively more technical, with rocky climbing required to reach the top of the rim. When the track turns downhill, hang on tight, because the trail is about to get raucous in a hurry! Downhill rippled slickrock combines with brutal rock gardens, ledge drops, and one of the steepest fall line singletrack chutes that you may ever ride.

Once off the rim, the gnar is mostly over… except for a couple of technical ledges to power up, some measuring about 7-8 feet high.

Make no bones about it: Zion Curtain is a demanding, brutal ride, but for those who are up to the task of powering up the ledges and ripping into the descents, Zion Curtain will leave a lasting impression!

Difficulty

Severe

High Exposure

3 out of 4

Some trail sections have exposed ledges or steep ascents/descents where falling could cause serious injury.

Remoteness

2 out of 4

Away from help but easily accessed.

Best time to visit

between March and November

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