Mountain Bike the Thunder Mountain Trail

Itinerary tips

• 1Arrange a shuttle drop-off at the top of the trail near the Bryce Canyon visitor center to enjoy an 8-mile point-to-point descent back to the Coyote Hollow trailhead.
• 2Carry extra water and electrolyte tablets as the dry, high-altitude air and technical climbs can lead to rapid dehydration.
• 3Plan for a 3 to 4-hour ride time to account for steep switchbacks and frequent stops for photos of the red rock hoodoos.
• 4Inspect your brake pads before starting, as the final descent features sustained, steep grades that require constant speed control.
• 5Park at the Thunder Mountain Trailhead on Highway 12 if you prefer to ride the paved Red Canyon path as a warm-up climb before the singletrack descent.
• 6Check for trail closures at the Red Canyon Visitor Center, as heavy rain can turn the clay-rich soil into impassable 'death mud'.