Mountain Biking Vernal
Ride Through Deep TimeDiscover Utah’s premier destination for uncrowded singletrack and prehistoric vistas. Vernal and the Uinta Basin offer a world-class trail network that carves through million-year-old geological formations, high-desert mesas, and cool alpine forests. From family-friendly rollers to technical slickrock that tests your limits, Dinosaurland offers a riding experience found nowhere else on earth.
The High Desert & Alpine Epicenter
Vernal is Utah’s most diverse riding destination. Within 30 minutes of downtown, you can transition from high-speed desert mesas and technical slickrock to high-altitude alpine loams. With over 120 miles of trail, the Uinta Basin offers a lifetime of dirt for those who want to escape the crowds and ride through history.
McCoy Flats
Located 7 miles west of Vernal, this is a purpose-built, stacked-loop system designed for maximum flow and high-speed cornering.
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Got Milk? & Cookies (6.7 mi | Beginner/Intermediate): The essential warm-up. Fast, buffed-out singletrack with small, fun rollers.
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Retail Sale (8 mi | Intermediate): The most popular loop in the basin. Rhythmic climbing followed by a fast, grin-inducing descent.
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Jackalope (7 mi | Intermediate): A steady climb to the mesa’s edge with massive views of the basin before a long ridgeline descent.
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Slippery When Wet (4.9 mi | Advanced): Tight, off-camber lines and technical rock gardens for those who like it spicy.
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High Rollas (8.2 mi | Advanced): A physical ride that takes you to the furthest reaches of the system.
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Fire Sale (2.3 mi | Advanced): Short, punchy, and technical—perfect for riders who want to test their technical rock moves.
Red Fleet
North of town, the terrain turns into a "geological playground." Expect punchy climbs, technical features, and stunning views of the red-rock-lined reservoir.
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Jazz-Chrome Molly (5.8 mi | Intermediate): A fast-paced "roller coaster" ride that carves through pinyon and juniper forests.
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Handsome Cabin Boy (HCB) (2.5 mi | Advanced): Technical, rocky, and features a brutal slickrock climb. A Vernal classic.
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J-Boy (2.6 mi | Advanced): A technical downhill track that follows a sheer rock wall. Features include drops, ledges, and tight lines.
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Three Amigos (6 mi | Intermediate): A newer addition that offers great flow and serves as a perfect connector between HCB and J-Boy.
The High Country & Dry Fork Canyon
When the desert heats up, head north into the Uinta Mountains. These trails offer shade, water, and elevation.
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The Flume Trail (20 mi | Intermediate/Advanced): A scenic epic in Dry Fork Canyon. It follows an old logging flume through aspens and pines. Can be ridden as an out-and-back or a point-to-point.
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Red Canyon Rim Trail (9.6 mi | Intermediate): Located at Flaming Gorge. Ride the edge of a 1,700-foot drop into the emerald Green River.
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Dowd Mountain (10.5 mi | Intermediate): A classic loop with a mix of doubletrack and singletrack, leading to one of the best overlooks in the Western US.
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Elk Park (18 mi | Advanced): A remote, rugged backcountry loop for riders who want to get away from everything.
Lapoint & Red Mountain
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The Racetrack (Lapoint) (6.8 mi | Easy/Intermediate): Fast, smooth, and designed for pure speed.
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Corkscrew (Lapoint) (9.8 mi | Intermediate): Winding, engaging singletrack that follows the natural contours of the desert washes.
- Rojo / "Carnage" (6 mi | Expert): The ultimate technical challenge. Rojo is a masterclass in tilted slickrock riding with massive drops and craters. It is rugged, remote, and requires expert-level bike handling.
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Red Mountain DH (4.9 mi | Advanced): A raw, rugged downhill descent with a significant vertical drop. Recommended for experienced riders only.
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Can You Moo? (11.5 mi | Intermediate): A quirky, fun system located near the mouth of Dry Fork Canyon.
 PRO TIP: The trails on Red Mountain (Rojo and Red Mountain DH) are notoriously difficult to navigate and very technical. We highly recommend using a GPS (like Trailforks) and riding with a partner.
Find Your Next Biking Trail
Find trails for every kind of rider—from red rock arches and desert canyons to dinosaur fossil paths.
Safety & Trail Etiquette
Know Your Limits:
Assumption of Risk:
Protect the Trails
Ready to Ride Through History?
Whether you’re pinning it down the Red Fleet slickrock or cruising the desert flow at McCoy Flats, you’re riding through millions of years of geological wonder. Don’t just take our word for it—come experience why the Uinta Basin is Utah’s best-kept mountain biking secret.
There is no shortage of things to do in Vernal Utah. Check out our Travel Guide to Dinosaurland and start planning your adventure today!