Dinosaurland Mountain Biking

Dinosaurland in eastern Utah is just being discovered as a mountain bike paradise. The area offers a great variety of single- and double-track trails crossing bare sandstone, desert canyons, alpine meadows and forests. And when summer temperatures are sizzling in southern Utah, Uinta Mountain trails are cool and refreshing. Best of all, there are no crowds - you often have the trails all to yourself.

Drive toward Vernal on US-40, just as you pass mile marker 138 turn right (south) onto the paved McCoy Flats road. The trail starts directly across the paved road from the corral.

1.5 miles. Begins at main trailhead.

Easy trail that bypasses the east end of the Milk and Cookies loop.

2.5 mile section. Within loop of Retail Sale trail.

Advanced and technical though short. The trail forks off on the northern end where Retail Sale and Milk and Cookies are combined. Total altitude climb is around 800 feet.

6.9 miles. Loops off Milk and Cookies from the main trailhead. Climbs to an overlook of the city. Altitude change of 1000 vertical feet.

4 miles. Technical single track loop that forks off of Retail Sale and returns back to Milk and Cookies.

Begins at the main trailhead. Connects to Fire Sale, Milk and Cookies, More Hoes, and Slippery When Wet.

8.3 mile loop ride.

Combined with Jackalope for the uphill. The trail climbs 650 feet. The last two miles are undulating single track on the Retail Sale trail.

5.5 mile lariat ride.

Advanced and technical with moderate climbing.

Head north on Highway 191 from Vernal's Main Street--approximately 11.3 miles. Turn right (east) on a paved road and drive for 2.3 miles. The trailhead is on the south side of the road.

6.6 mile trail.

One of the most popular trails in Vernal. Challenging climbs, beautiful scenery, technical moves, flowing downhill. One of the most picturesque and challenging routes available within the area.

2.9 mile trail.

Join with other trails to increase miles. Scenic and challenging desert single track trail.

Bike Dinosaurland and you'll discover spectacular scenery as you peddle around Flaming Gorge Reservoir, along the Green River, into the Uinta Mountains or around Dinosaur National Monument. You'll also find fascinating geology as you ride through fissures and outcroppings where fossil-bearing rock is exposed - including the Morrison formation, which has yielded a rich trove of dinosaur bones.

This is also a historic area offering rock art and artifacts from ancient American Indians, pioneer-era cabins and hideaways used by notorious outlaws like Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.

One of the most scenic bike trails in this area follows the Red Canyon rim overlooking Flaming Gorge Reservoir. The rim is about 1,700 feet above the reservoir and views are incredible, with the canyon's red walls offset by greet pine trees and the lake's deep, blue water. The trail starts at the Red Canyon Visitor Center and offers a 9-mile ride, most of which is on singletrack. It's suitable for novice riders, although optional spurs can be worked in to increase the challenge.

Dowd Mountain offers a trail of intermediate-difficulty that blends fun single and double-track, outstanding scenery and the chance to see wildlife. This trail leads to a breathtaking overlook above Flaming Gorge. It is well-marked and maintained.

The Outlaw Trail follows routes Butch Cassidy and others used while hiding out in remote Browns Park. The single-track trail follows the Green River for about 5 miles, offering scenic views at every turn. Wildlife is abundant in this area; riders often see deer, moose, otter, beaver, osprey, hawks, eagles and other birds and animals. The trail is suitable for intermediate-level riders.