The easiest trails at Dead Horse Point State Park still yield incredible views!

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66

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66

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1

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Difficulty

FATMAP difficulty grade

Easy

Description

"Dead Horse Point State Park is one of Utah’s most spectacular state parks," according to DiscoverMoab.com.

"The view from Dead Horse Point is one of the most photographed scenic vistas in the world.

Towering 2,000 feet above the Colorado River, the overlook provides a breathtaking panorama of Canyonlands’ sculpted pinnacles and buttes." In addition to the iconic Dead Horse Point vista, this area is now home to some of the most beginner-friendly trails in Moab.

The trails themselves reach beautiful viewpoints along the rim of the gorge for a more immersive Dead Horse Point experience. These trails also serve as a great primer for beginner and early intermediate riders looking for a taste of Moab mountain biking.

With low slickrock slabs, flowy singletrack, and the occasional rock garden mixed in, this is still true desert mountain biking. The loop shown here doesn't cover all of the trails in the state park but instead, forms the easiest beginner-friendly ride in the network by combining Raven Roll and Great Pyramid.

The loop as mapped only covers 3.8 miles and 217 feet of climbing.

However, if you're looking for more mileage and are feeling peppy, you can easily add on the Big Chief trail. This easy loop features flowing, sandy singletrack punctuated by the occasional low slab of rock and a few small rock gardens.

While this is definitely an "easy" trail, the small rocks and the swoop and flow of the trail will remind you that, yes, you are indeed still mountain biking! The views will also drive that point home as well.

Even on this short loop, you will reach spectacular vistas of the Great Pyramid, from whence this trail gets its name, and the Colorado River far, far below.

Be sure to take some time to soak in these fantastic views—they are truly some of the best in the world! "Remember that non-riding spouse? This is a fine place to take him or her riding," writes John Fisch in an article on Singletracks.com.

"Making this route all the more amazing is that despite its low level of difficulty, my son and I, both advanced riders, had an excellent time as well," he concludes. Sources: http://discovermoab.com/mountainbiking/#dead-horse https://www.singletracks.com/blog/mtb-trails/the-best-moab-trails-for-beginners-and-casual-riders/2/ https://stateparks.utah.gov/parks/dead-horse/intrepid-trail/