Ride Utah’s Favorite Trails on the Nebo Loop Scenic Byway

Mountain Biker Speeding along Lower Payson Canyon Trails (UT) [1]

Fall is the perfect time to tune-up your bike and ride deep into the heart of Utah among the serene alpine heights of the Uintah National Forest. The Payson Canyon Trails on the Nebo Loop Scenic Byway offer a multitude of mountain biking trails, ranging from intermediate to advanced skill levels, with some great areas for beginners.  Traffic on the trails slows down after Labor Day weekend, about the same time that Utah's best fall colors begin to appear along the trails. 

Mountain Biker Taking a Break on the Blackhawk Trail (UT) [2]

For a “must ride classic,” try the Bennie Creek Cutoff Downhill Trail.  This eight-mile, downhill romp is perfect for intermediate riders, with a few rock and root tricks to challenge advanced riders. If you want to lengthen your ride, combine this trail with a portion of the Blackhawk Loop Trail, a favorite among local Utah mountain bikers.  At 8000 feet, the Blackhawk Loop Trail will take you on a twisting, narrow single-track ride through mountain meadows offering some grand views of Utah Valley 3000 feet below and forests dense with golden aspens, red maples, and lush green pines.  At 18 miles long and with three elevation changes of 800 feet, the complete trail requires physically strong riders with good intermediate skills. Don’t let that deter you—less ambitious riders can walk the tricky parts or connect with other trails in the area to shorten the loop. Both Lizard Lake trails offer challenging “log-hopping” courses for advanced riders. The trailhead for the three and a half mile downhill ride is located next to a parking lot on the Nebo Loop Scenic Byway and circles around to connect to another point further north on the byway. The lower portion of the downhill ride connects to a short loop around Lizard Lake. These are just a few of the many trails you can explore along the Nebo Loop Scenic Byway.

Mountain Bikers in the Autumn Foliage (UT) [3]

For a change of pace along the trails, park your bike and hike to Devil’s Kitchen or stop at a roadside pullout for a quick picture of the dazzling fall foliage. Most of these trails remain open into peak fall foliage season, the middle and end of October. Plan now to visit the Nebo Loop Scenic Byway in the Uintah National Forest for a colorful mountain biking adventure!