Whether you live in St. George or are just visiting, it’s the perfect place to get out bikes with your kids. There are miles of family-friendly mountain bike trails, a world-class bike park, and paved bike path. Not to mention the weather is great!
Since our family lives in snowy Salt Lake City, we head to St. George to ride our bikes several times each winter. Here are some of our go-to rides when we’re in town.
Snake Hollow Bike Park
The relatively new Snake Hollow Bike Park is uh-may-zing! Spread over 80 acres, the park includes multiple pump tracks, jump lines, downhill flow trails, and skills practice areas.
There is something for everybody–from the balance bike crew to folks who are ready for the BIG jumps. Parents and kids a like will have fun spending hours here.
It also connects into the Pioneer Parkway and Sand Hollow bike paths, and is close to other bike routes, so you pedal here from wherever you might be staying in town.
More Info: https://www.sgcity.org/parkstrailsandcemetery/cityparks/snakehollow
Bearclaw Poppy
The Bearclaw Poppy trail is right on the edge of town, and tons of fun for the whole family. We’ve done this 3.5-mile trail (one-way) with our son on a front-mounted bike seat, on his balance bike, and now, with him on his mountain bike. No matter your setup or the age of your kids, they’ll have a blast on this trail.
The climbing is relatively easy, especially if you have a tow rope to help haul younger kids up. The descent is fast and rolling–it feels almost like a pump track.
If your kids are younger stick to the loop at the south end of the system. If they are older and looking for some technical challenges, continue to the out-and-back section at the northern end of the trail. Here you’ll find drops and steep terrain. (There are alternate lines, so you don’t have to do anything too crazy if you don’t want to).
On the loop section of Bearclaw Poppy, there’s a climbing trail and a downhill trail; make sure you take the correct line (they are signed) so you don’t end up impeding the flow of traffic.
We recommend you start at the Bloomington Trailhead. The riding is easiest from here, and there is plenty of parking and restrooms (outhouse).
More Info: https://www.blm.gov/visit/bearclaw-poppy-trail-system
JEM Trail
This is my personal favorite place to ride as a family near St. George. The trail is just outside the town of Hurricane, and provides fantastic views of Zion.
The southern (top) end of the trail is a bit more challenging, but the south end is appropriate for *most* kids and families. Most of the trail is fast and flow-y but there are some technical sections to practice on as well.
This trail is a bit tougher and more remote than Bearclaw Poppy, so master that one first. Once you’re ready for some real trail riding, JEM is a fantastic option.
We usually park at the lower Jem trailhead and do an out and back from there. This will mean you climb on the way out and get downhill (mostly) on the way back.
Another good option if you have a couple vehicles and your kids aren’t strong climbers, is to shuttle the trail from south to north. This will make for a predominately downhill, ripping ride.
More Info: https://www.trailforks.com/trails/jem/
Gooseberry Mesa
Gooseberry Mesa isn’t a quick outing, it’s about a 30 minute drive from St. George, but if you want a DESTINATION outing, this is it.
Most of Gooseberry Mesa is extremely technical and not that family-friendly (though super fun for mom and dad and older kids). That said, the Practice Trail can be a TON of fun for anyone.
We’ve come up here multiple times to stay in the yurts, and my son loves it. He’ll spend HOURS playing on the slickrock, sessioning the same lines over and over. If you want your kids to have FUN on their bike, this is a good place to do it.
More Info: Gooseberry Mesa With Kids
Bike Paths
Want to stick to pavement? Well, you’re in luck because St. George has tons of miles of interconnected bike path.
The path thru Snow Canyon is particularly scenic and makes for a great weekend outing. Kids will have fun climbing on rocks, so bring good shoes, and a picnic too.
More Info:
- St. George Urban Trail Map: https://www.sgcity.org/pdf/parkstrailsandcemetery/citytrails/trailsmappdf/trailsmap.pdf
- Snow Canyon Path: https://www.utahmountainbiking.com/trails/snowloop.htm