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Outdoors

Moab Canyon Pathway Bike Ride

Ride a paved path, built on the old US 191 roadbed and kept apart from the four-lane highway, from the Colorado River bridge north of Moab through red rock canyon, past the entrance to Arches National Park and the Moab Brands mountain bike trails, up Moab Canyon to the junction with State Route 313. Only the middle 6.4 km (4 miles) has a noticeable grade.

For The Reps · Updated

bike ride scenery for Moab Canyon Pathway near Utah
Photo: Moab Canyon Pathway Trailhead-- Grand County, Utah (52946325205) by BLMUtah, Public domain. Via Wikimedia Commons.
Where
Utah, USA
Distance
About 14 km (8.5-9 miles) one way; the Arches entrance is 3.2 km (2 miles) from the start
Climb
About 160 m (525 ft) of climbing on the 10.5 km (6.5 miles) beyond the Arches entrance

The route

Moab Canyon Pathway: Colorado River bridge to State Route 313 and back.

The path starts at the pedestrian and bike bridge over the Colorado River on Highway 128, just north of Moab; the main trailhead parking is at the junction of Highways 128 and 191.

When to go

Rideable all year except on heavy-snow days. Spring (April to May) and autumn (mid-September to October) are the mild seasons; summer highs often pass 38°C (100°F).

Permits and fees

No permit for the path. If you ride into Arches National Park you pay the park entrance fee at the entrance station or the fee station at the visitor centre.

Before you go

  • Turn round at State Route 313 for a fast return, or carry on up Route 313, a road, for a hard 39 km (24 mile) climb to Dead Horse Point State Park or further to Canyonlands' Island in the Sky.
  • Inside Arches you may ride only on paved and unpaved roads, not trails. There are no bike lanes or paved shoulders, so ride early before traffic builds and ride single file.
  • Mountain bikers can use the path to reach the Moab Brands trail system, about 10 km (6 miles) from the start.
  • Carry plenty of water, especially from May to September.

What to bring

  • Helmet
  • Spare tube, tyre levers and a pump
  • Water and snacks
  • Front and rear lights
  • A layer for descents and stops

Getting ready for it

Time in the saddle matters more than speed.

If you have not ridden for a while, do two or three rides of an hour or two first so your legs and your seat are used to it.

Staying safe

  • Summer heat: temperatures above 38°C (100°F) are common from June to August and make hard exercise difficult.
  • Late-summer monsoon season brings violent storm cells that often cause flash floods.
  • Wear bright clothing and use lights wherever there is traffic.
  • Check your brakes and tyres before you leave.

Route details checked September 30, 2026 against discovermoab.com, moabtimes.com, utahmountainbiking.com, nps.gov and nps.gov. Rules and closures change, so check before you go.