
moderate
4 hours
Suitable for riders with basic cycling endurance; expect short climbs and technical sections requiring balance and quick bursts of power.
Float along cliff rims and slickrock ledges with a private guide on this four-hour Dead Horse Point mountain biking tour. Tailored for beginners but with optional technical features, it pairs coaching with sweeping views of the Colorado River and Canyonlands.
The ride begins before the sun burns off the cool desert morning. You clip in at the Moenkopi yurt parking area, tires whispering over packed sand and compacted slickrock as your guide sketches the route with a practiced hand. Within minutes the rim opens — sheer red cliffs slice the horizon and the Colorado River curls through Canyonlands below, daring you to follow its line.

Carry 1–2 liters in a hydration pack and top up at the guide station; desert heat depletes fluids faster than you expect.
Wide-brim hat for pre-ride, high-SPF sunscreen, and UV-blocking sunglasses are musts even on overcast days.
Run slightly lower tire pressure for traction on slickrock, but not so low you risk pinch flats—guides can help set pressure.
Plan short stops at overlooks — cameras and phones overheat quickly in direct sun, so power down between shots.
Dead Horse Point earned its name from 19th-century ranching practices when the narrow mesa was used as a natural corral; the point now frames the Colorado River where it enters Canyonlands.
Trails cross fragile desert crust and sensitive vegetation; stay on designated routes, avoid creating new lines, and pack out all trash to protect this arid ecosystem.
Keeps water accessible on continuous, exposed trail sections.
summer specific
Protects hands, improves grip, and cushions impacts on rough rock.
Reduces glare on slickrock and protects eyes from wind-driven dust.
Provides sun protection and a layer for cool mornings or windy ridge sections.
spring specific