Slickrock National Recreation Trail

This 10.5-mile loop crosses a scenic and rugged expanse of rolling Navajo Sandstone, the remnant of an ancient desert environment of wind blown sand dunes. Originally established in 1969 by Richard R. Wilson for use by Honda Trail 90s, the trail has become a popular destination for mountain bikes. This ain’t your local park loop — it’s the trail that put Moab on the world map.

The slickrock surface throws you curveballs every turn. The sandstone has a surface much like sandpaper, making it really grippable by the rubber tires of a mountain bike or off-road motorcycle. You’ll climb grades that look impossible until your tires hit that tacky surface. Then you’ll drop into descents that’ll make your brake pads smoke. The Hell’s Revenge 4×4 Trail also crosses the Slickrock Bike Trail six times — watch for jeeps when you’re hammering through the intersections.

The main loop delivers relentless ups and downs — the Natural Selection viewpoint at 7 miles is really cool, and a great place for a rest before you head back to the west and south to complete the loop. Mountain bikers rate the Slickrock Trail as one of the more difficult rides in the Moab area, both technically and cardiovascularly. There’s also a 2.3-mile practice loop, but don’t let the name fool you — it’s nearly as demanding as the main event.

The rock is Navajo Sandstone: 200 million year old petrified sand dunes from the Jurassic Period. You’re riding across ancient history, with views stretching to the La Sal Mountains and Colorado River canyon. This is why people travel across continents to get their tires dirty.