Three Peaks Trail System Mountain Biking Trails

The Three Peaks Trail System near Cedar City offers a well-rounded mountain biking experience: easy loops to warm up, mid-length singletrack with climbs and descents, and fun technical features that make each loop enjoyable. It’s a great choice for intermediate riders, but also welcoming to beginners who want to expand their skills and experienced riders looking for classic desert cross-country riding.

Three Peaks is a great place to spend the afternoon exploring. It accommodates all riders. The main parking lot is surrounding with easy trails that are smooth buttery singletrack, a little sandy in places, but pretty easy riding. A few little bridge wash crossings and optional rocky or rooty lines, but great place for new riders, kids and scout groups to get some single track miles in.

To the south are a Whale Trails, which are difficult to navigate and require some good skill on the bike. Miles come really slow here, not great for getting in MTB merit badge mileage or XC training.

The big loop is great for the intermediate to advanced rider to get some serious XC miles and have fun with some technical areas and stiff climbs to train those legs for your next race.

The Three Peaks Trail System is part of the broader Three Peaks Recreation Area, a 6,000+-acre outdoor playground managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) about 10 miles northwest of Cedar City. Within this area, the Three Peaks Non-Motorized Trail System includes over ~30 miles of designated mountain bike trails ranging from easy practice loops to longer intermediate/advanced loops.

‍♂️ Trail Types & Riding Experience
Beginner & Warm-Up Trails

Practice Loop: A short, accessible loop right at the trailhead — perfect for beginners or as a warm-up before heading onto longer rides.

Intermediate Options

Race Loop: A classic intermediate singletrack route with a balance of climbing, fast sections, and some technical bits that keep the ride engaging for riders with some experience.

Big Hole Loop & Three Peaks Loop: Longer cross-country loops that introduce more distance, rolling hills, moderate climbs, and variable terrain — ideal for riders looking for a solid half-day ride.

⚫ Upper-Intermediate & Technical Options

The overall network connects a web of trails such as Lost World, Petrified Whales, Jumbled Jonah, Moby Dick, and Twilight Zone, which add technical terrain, slickrock sections, short climbs, and features like ladder bridges. These segments let more experienced riders explore fun and varied terrain beyond the main loops.

️ Terrain & Style

Cross-country focus: Riding at Three Peaks is more cross-country and mixed-terrain than pure downhill. You’ll pedal moderate climbs, cruise through rolling singletrack, and navigate slickrock, decomposed granite, and desert soil.

Scenic desert vibe: Expect panoramic views of granite outcroppings, juniper and pinion pine, and open high-desert terrain — all with the classic red/gray rock character of southern Utah.

Technical features: Ladder bridges and small technical sections add fun challenges without being overly extreme — ride-around options are common.

‍♀️ Ride Planning Tips

Versatile routes: You can piece together 5–15 mile rides (or longer) by linking Practice Loop, Race Loop, Three Peaks Loop, and connectors like Lost World or Outlaw.

Skill progression: Beginners can stick to Practice Loop and easy sections, while stronger riders can explore longer loops and technical connectors.

Multi-use area: Although the biking trails are non-motorized, Three Peaks Recreation Area also has OHV, equestrian, hiking, and disc-golf areas — so be mindful of shared spaces off the MTB trails.

Best time of year: Trail conditions are typically best spring through fall — winter may see snow/icy patches.