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Bike Thunder Mountain Trail

Hatch, Utah

4.0/5
based on 1 reviews

Details

Distance

8 miles

Elevation Gain

1123 ft

Route Type

Point-to-Point

Description

Added by Chris Engelsman

Quite possibly the most beautiful trail you will ever mountain bike!

Thunder Mountain Trail is one that should be on every mountain bikers bucket list. It's located just outside of Bryce Canyon National Park and passes through hoodoos, classic Bryce Canyon topography and epic views to the west. 

For the first 2.5 miles, the trail meanders back and forth with little climbs and descents. At the 4 mile mark, you are rewarded with two Easter Isleesque hoodoos.  After that, the real fun starts with the downhill. The Thunder Mountain Trail winds down ridge lines between glowing red canyons. The last 1.5 miles are super fun and flowing and terminate in Utah's magnificent Red Canyon. 

Pro-tip, ride Thunder Mountain Trail in the evening when the sun is lower in the sky to provide insane light on the rocks!

Typically, Thunder Mountain Trail is ridden as a shuttle with 2,119 feet of descent and 1,123 feet of climbing.  Horseback riders also use the upper section of the trail, so keep an eye open on the service road, if you see horse trailers, you will most likely encounter them on the trail. 

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Features

Mountain Biking
Running
Hiking
Bathrooms
Dog Friendly
Easy Parking
Family Friendly
Forest
Scenic

Bike Thunder Mountain Trail Reviews

We chose to hike this trail. It’s an amazing and incredible hike, but there are definitely some things need to know if you choose to hike: 1- We logged this trail from end to end at 9 miles. 2- There are 2 separate places to start this trail, the upper and lower trailheads. Most of the bikers and horse riders started at the upper trailhead which is in Coyote Hollow campground. These two trailheads are about 8-10 miles apart. The campground is 2 miles from the main road. 3-Unless you want to hike an additional 10-12 miles back to your vehicle, you need at have someone pick you up. Our potential 8 mike hike turned into 15.5 miles and if not for a random ride, would have been closer to 20 miles round trip. Great if you can do it, not great if you can’t.

Leave No Trace

Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!

Nearby

Camp at Dave's Hollow Campground

Drive the Scenic Byway 12 in Utah

Bryce Canyon Scenic Drive

Winter Camping in Bryce Canyon National Park

Tower Bridge via Fairyland Loop

Wall Street Loop in Bryce Canyon