Where to Ride This Fall: Our Favorite Southwest MTB Destinations

Summer may seem like the optimal time to ride, but with this year’s oppressive heat and unpredictable fire season, we can’t wait for fall. With fall come cooler temperatures, fewer riders on the trail, and access to terrain and landscapes that would simply be too miserable to ride during the peak summer months. If you feel like you haven’t gotten your fill of riding this summer, it’s time to plan a fall MTB road trip. Need help finding out where to ride? Continue reading below. 

Moab, Utah: The essential slickrock pilgrimage

Moab is the benchmark for iconic desert riding, but it’s brutally hot during the summer. Fall brings more manageable temperatures that allow riders to explore the surrounding desert on two wheels. Riding Moab means navigating sandstone slabs and more than 120 miles of singletrack trail with massive canyon and mesa views. There’s something for every skill level, from the approachable trails at Moab Brands to the technical terrain of the Whole Enchilada.

Some of Our Favorite Moab Rides 

• Moab Brand Trails: The approachable introduction, with options for beginners through advanced riders
• Navajo Rocks: A scenic intermediate choice with classic Moab terrain
• Captain Ahab/Hymasa: A technical showcase for confident riders
• The Whole Enchilada: The bucket-list epic, when upper sections remain open and conditions cooperate
• Dead Horse Point: Moderate-to-intermediate riding with exceptional canyon views

Cortez, Colorado: Fast laps at Phil’s World

This fall, trade Colorado’s alpine peaks for desert riding in the southwest corner of the state. While the mountains are a gamble in the fall, southwest Colorado’s desert riding often remains accessible as temperatures start to drop. Cortez is home to singletrack that flows through pinyon-and-juniper-covered mesas, playful rollers, fun natural features, and less sustained climbing than other Colorado destinations. The highlight of Cortez is Phil’s World, just outside of town. Phil’s World combines classic singletrack, slickrock sections, and playful features perfect for beginner and intermediate riders. 

Some of Our Favorite Cortez Rides

• Trust Loop: An approachable option for riders getting familiar with the system
• Lemonhead: Flowing intermediate singletrack mixed with rock ledges and open views
• Ledges Loop: A more technical extension with challenging rock features
• Rib Cage: Phil’s World’s signature roller-coaster descent

Gallup and the Zuni Mountains, New Mexico

New Mexico is an often-overlooked adventure destination in the Southwest. If you’re looking to venture off the beaten path and travel to one of the country’s most culturally unique destinations, the Land of Enchantment is hard to beat. Gallup combines sunny high-desert riding with forested options at higher elevations. That variety gives riders room to adapt the day around temperature, wind, and trail conditions. With a laid-back MTB community, nearby red-rock desert riding, and forested singletrack in the Zuni Mountains, Gallup has everything you need for a classic mountain bike trip. The area’s High Desert Trail System offers more than 20 miles of accessible high-desert riding. 

Some of Our Favorite Gallup Rides

• High Desert Trail System: More than 20 miles of high-desert singletrack close to town
• Hilso Trail System: A useful starting point for exploring the forested Zuni Mountains
• Quaking Aspen: Aspen-lined singletrack connecting the Hilso area to Sheetrock Tank
• Y2K: A mellow cruise through rolling hills with a few short climbs

Sedona, Arizona: Technical red-rock riding

Sedona’s exposed trails can be brutal in the summer, but by mid-fall, cooler temperatures make its red-rock terrain much more inviting. The area combines technical climbs and descents with an interconnected trail system that supports everything from quick laps to full-day adventures. Sedona mileage can be deceptive: constant line choices, ledges, and rocky transitions can make a relatively short route feel like a substantial ride. Start with the rolling terrain and major views of Llama or Aerie, step up to the technical ledges of Mescal, or connect Girdner and Scorpion into a longer, more demanding day.

Some of Our Favorite Sedona Rides

• Aerie: A scenic and relatively approachable introduction to Sedona
• Llama: Rolling terrain with views of Bell Rock and Courthouse Butte
• Mescal: Technical ledges and classic Sedona character
• Girdner: A longer trail that can be incorporated into several routes
• Scorpion: A more demanding option for experienced riders

Follow the Season South

Each of these destinations offers a different version of Southwest riding, but together they make one hell of a fall road trip. Start with Moab’s sandstone, continue through the high-desert terrain of Cortez and Gallup, and finish beneath Sedona’s red-rock towers. Before heading out, check current trail conditions, inspect your bike, and pack the tools and repair supplies needed to handle problems away from the trailhead. Keep a compact FIX multi-tool close, point the vehicle south, and follow the good dirt.