Salt Lake City is a fantastic place for a huge number of reasons. Two of our favorite reasons for visiting this magical place? RVing and mountain biking. You see, the city is a hub for both of these things, and when done right, the activities can go hand-in-hand, providing an amazing time for all of the adventure-loving outdoorsy folks out there.
Not sure how to begin planning a Salt Lake City mountain biking RV trip? You’ve come to the right place! In this article, we will discuss the best mountain biking trails in and around the city, as well as the best places to park an RV as you explore these trails. Let’s dive in!
Exploring Salt Lake City’s Mountain Biking Scene
Wondering why Salt Lake City is such an amazing place for mountain biking? Well, the number and variety of trails found here is astounding. You’ll find all kinds of terrain and trails for all skill levels. On top of that, the natural beauty of the area really can’t be beat.
Beginner Friendly Trails
Let’s start by talking about a few of the beginner-friendly trails out there. These trails can definitely be tackled by first timers and are even doable for kids. If it’s your first time to go mountain biking, we recommend choosing from this list. We also recommend taking someone more experienced along if at all possible.
Bob’s Basin — There is a cluster of trails in Bob’s Basin that are ideal for new bicyclists. The mile-long Dropout Trail is the most popular of these trails, but pretty much all of them are good for practicing your skills and enjoying some gorgeous views while you’re at it.
Quarry Trail — The 6.7-mile Quarry Trail begins at the base of Little Cottonwood Canyon. This is the site where the granite used to construct Salt Lake Temple was found, so it’s a cool thing to see. We love that while the trail has you doing a lot of climbing, there is plenty of shade to keep you cool. Keep an eye out because you might just see a mountain goat!
Intermediate Trails
Have a bit of experience under your belt? Want something with a bit of challenge to it but not too terribly difficult? These intermediate trails are for you. These trails are lots of fun and we really like the balance of challenging bits and excitement they offer. These would be a good pick if you are newer to riding and looking to improve your skills.
Glenwild Loop Trail — Offering incredible panoramic views of Park City, the 8.5-mile Glenwild Loop Trail features a 1.2-mile climb, which allows you to witness a really cool ecosystem change. You’ll find tight turns and rock gardens along the way, so make sure your skills are up to par.
Mueller Park — Just north of Salt Lake City, you’ll find the town of Bountiful and the Mueller Park Trail. This trail is a smooth, 12.5-mile singletrack that is ideal for intermediate mountain bikers. You’ll start with a moderately challenging climb and be rewarded with a smooth downhill ride with some fast and flowy turns.
Advanced Trails
Finally, there are the advanced trails. These trails are incredibly challenging and should really only be attempted if you are an experienced mountain biker. They include lots of technical bits and can be downright dangerous if you don’t know what you’re doing. That said, they are also loads of fun for the experienced riders out there!
Terror Ridge — Best ridden in the spring or the fall when there is a bit of rain, Terror Ridge is a challenging one-mile trail that offers amazing views of Salt Lake City. It boasts a very steep downhill ride along the ridgeline of a hill, with plenty of rock gardens to navigate at the bottom.
Deer Valley Downhill Trails — Featuring lifts to take cyclists to trailheads, Deer Valley Resort is the perfect place to get your heart pumping as you speed downhill. This resort features nearly 60 miles of trails for intermediate and advanced riders, meaning you won’t get bored while exploring this amazing spot.
Must-Visit Mountain Biking Trails
All of the trails mentioned above are incredible. That said, there are a handful of trails in the Salt Lake City area that stand out as must-visit spots. Add at least one of these trails to your list and you’re sure to have a memorable mountain biking adventure.
Bonneville Shoreline Trail
Beginner–Intermediate
15 miles one way (many access points)
A super accessible singletrack packed dirt trail, Bonneville Shoreline Trail is the backbone of the Salt Lake City trail system. It is the perfect place to go for a quick ride, and is a must-do if you are a beginner mountain biker. The trail offers gorgeous views of the gorgeous (and enormous) Lake Bonneville, meaning you are rewarded with spectacular scenery without putting forth a whole lot of effort.
Note: There are several smaller trails that branch off from this trail. Not all are beginner friendly, so you will want to make sure you know what you’re getting into before you branch off.
Bobsled Trail
Intermediate-Expert
1.6 miles
A super challenging trail that is perfect for thrill seekers, the Bobsled Trail branches off of the Bonneville Shoreline Trail and is a great way to turn a ride on the relatively tame trail into a more exciting one. The ride does take you downhill around banked turns and on loose gravel, which is a lot of fun but technically challenging. Make sure you are comfortable with quick turns and loose rock before hitting this trail, and you’re sure to have a blast!
Note: You absolutely can use the junked cars at the bottom for jumps and drops, but this is optional, so if you don’t feel comfortable with that portion, just ride around.
Wasatch Crest Trail
Advanced
13+ miles
Finally, there is Wasatch Crest Trail, which is located about an hour outside of Salt Lake City. For the most part, this trail features intermediate-level technical portions. However, there is one extreme-level portion (walkable) as well as a couple of advanced technical stretches. The trail starts at the top of Big Cottonwood Canyon (where you can take in some awesome views) and takes you down into Mill Creek Canyon. The initial climb is tough, but the downhill cruise is incredible!
Note: Most people choose to take a shuttle to begin this ride. This makes the ride about 13 miles long. If you choose to ride uphill, know that it is incredibly hard work and will make the ride a lot longer.
RVing: The Perfect Accommodation for Mountain Biking
Obviously, you will need a place to stay between rides. The best lodging option? An RV, of course. As mentioned above, RVing and mountain biking go hand-in-hand, really.
Staying in an RV means you can park close to nature and the awesome trails that tend to come along with natural areas. An RV will also allow you to tote your bike and your gear around easily, meaning you can hop from one place to another. We also love that an RV provides all the comforts of home, meaning you can clean up with the outdoor shower, cook your favorite meal, curl up into a cozy bed, and feel right at home no matter where you happen to be parked. This is especially fantastic when you’re parked right by the trailhead!
Don’t have an RV of your own? You can always pick a Salt Lake City RV rental! Just be sure you choose one with room for your bike.
RV Parks and Campgrounds in Salt Lake City
Not sure where to park your RV while in Salt Lake City? Fortunately, there are lots of places to camp in the Salt Lake City area. Whether you’re looking for a luxury RV park or inexpensive dry camping, there is something for you.
Here are a few of our favorite RV camp spots in and around Salt Lake City.
Salt Lake City KOA
Located in the middle of Salt Lake City, the aptly named Salt Lake City KOA is a lovely campground with everything you need for a comfortable stay. Clean, level, full-hookup sites are large enough that parking is a cinch, and the staff and fellow campers are polite and welcoming. Kids will love the playground and swimming pool, and adults will appreciate the hot tub.
Flight Park State Recreation Area
If you’re looking for a camping adventure, consider heading to Flight Park State Recreation Area. This isn’t a full-service campground, but it does have plenty of RV parking and vault toilets, and the fee to stay is just $15 a night. The cool thing about this camping spot? You can watch paragliders from your window!
Nunn’s Park Campground
Another inexpensive dry camping option in the area, Nunn’s Park Campground is a wonderfully green little campground in a park. It isn’t made for big rigs, but smaller RVs should have no trouble getting into one of the many sites. The river runs right by the campground and is absolutely beautiful, and the spot gives you easy access to everything the city has to offer. There are restrooms onsite, but we didn’t find any showers.
Sun Outdoors Salt Lake City
Last on our list is Sun Outdoors Salt Lake City. Like the KOA above, this campground is located right in the middle of the action. Sites are large and level and offer concrete pads and full hookups. Big rigs are welcome here, and the cable TV, sports courts, playground, and swimming pool help ensure you enjoy your stay.
Planning Your RV Mountain Biking Adventure
While it’s good to go into any RV trip with some flexibility, we do recommend having a loose plan in place in order to make sure you have a place to stay and get to experience all the things you want to check out. Be sure to follow the steps below to ensure your trip goes smoothly so you can have an amazing time.
Reserving RV Rentals and Campsites in Advance
It’s always best to reserve your lodging in advance. This includes both your rental RV and a campsite to park it in. When searching for an RV, be sure you filter the results to include the options you hope to have, such as a bike rack (or a place to store the bike inside if necessary).
As far as campsites go, any of the options listed above will work well, but you will want to double check that you are booking a site that will fit your rental RV and provides all the amenities you need to be comfortable.
Packing Essential Gear and Equipment
Some rental RVs come equipped with a lot of camping equipment. Others are totally empty. Be sure you understand what is included with your rental and create a packing list that includes anything that isn’t included, as well as your cycling gear. Don’t forget your helmet, first aid kit, bike repair kit, and compass, and print off any trail maps you think you might need.
This packing list is a great place to start, but you will almost certainly have to change it up a bit to fit your needs.
Checking Weather Conditions and Trail Conditions
Weather can make or break a ride. Make sure you pay close attention to weather conditions to ensure you don’t get caught in a storm or extreme wind (which can happen in Salt Lake City). Download a couple of weather apps and turn on push notifications so you hear about any bad weather that may be rolling in.
On top of the weather forecast, you will also want to pay attention to trail conditions. Rain that happened days earlier can make a trail muddy and messy, and trail conditions can deteriorate over time if the trail is not well maintained.
AllTrails and Trailforks will often offer this info, but if you’re riding in a park, you might also be able to check their website or social media or give them a call to ask about conditions.
Creating an Itinerary
Lastly, you will want to create an itinerary to ensure you get to see and do it all. We recommend leaving lots of room for rest and relaxation between rides. This ensures you return from your getaway feeling rested, but it also helps add a bit of cushion in case you find a trail you want to add to your lineup, or you need to change the order of things due to weather.
Remember to keep the length of each trail in mind as you build your itinerary and give yourself more time than you think you need to finish each ride.
Safety and Precautions
Obviously, safety is key when enjoying any kind of outdoor recreation, and mountain biking is no exception. Dehydration, an injury, or getting lost would totally ruin a trip. Therefore, you will want to take steps to make sure you are safe while out bicycling.
Always, always wear a helmet while riding your bike. Carrying a first aid kit and emergency bicycle repair kit is also a good idea. Grab a trail map, pack a compass, and be sure your phone is charged in case you need to call for help. Of course, you’ll also want to bring plenty of water along in order to stay hydrated, and wear sunscreen to protect your skin. Besides all of that, make sure you stay on marked trails, respect nature (giving wild animals their space), and have an amazing time!
Clearly, Salt Lake City is an amazing place to go mountain biking. Ready to check out these awesome trails yourself? Why not book your RV and campsite today so you can hit the trails sooner rather than later?
