Thunder Mountain

Review: Thunder Mountain Trail - one of the few trails in Bryce Canyon National Park open to mountain biking - starts at 8,000 ft. elevation where it follows a wooded forest path for the first 1.5 miles. From there, you'll climb a series of steep switchbacks to a 8,300 ft. ridge overlooking Red Canyon to the north, Wilson Peak to the southeast, and the Sevier River Valley to the west. This trail rewards riders with amazing red rock Hudoo views and varied terrain. Parts of the trail can be challenging but, in general, it's not a difficult trail to ride, uncertain riders can always walk sections of the trail. One 100 yard section of Bryce Canyon's Thunder Mountain trail is only 5 feet wide; sheer 40 feet drop on both sides of the trail encourages riders to keep their balance and eyes directly on the path in front of them; unfortunate given the amazing 360 degree vistas. This Ridge is not for those know to suffer from vertigo. Once past the ridge, you'll descend around 1,000 ft. elevation on some fairly steep switchbacks. This is probably the most technical section of the trail - hairpin turns and 20 degree slopes are sure to get your adrenaline flowing. Assuming you survive the switchbacks, the final section is a fast rolling decent that is sure to put a smile on your face. At a total distance of 8.8 miles, Thunder Mountain isn't a very long ride; however, the breathtaking views will leave you speechless and wanting for another run. The trail is well maintained and marked; no worries of getting lost. During peak park season the trail can get a lot of bike traffic. Overall, I rate Bryce Canyon's Thunder Mountain bike trail 5 out of 5 stars. This truly unique area makes this destination worth the drive.

Review: Amazing scenery and a fun downhill to boot!

Review: This has to be one of my favorite rides. Not technically or aerobically demanding, but a lot of fun and the scenery is some of the most surreal you'll ever ride through. I did this in 2013 and there was absolutely no place to rent a bike with the exception of the Best Western at Ruby's Inn near the entrance to Bryce. These bikes were beat up old schwinn "mountain" bikes. Hardly any brakes, horrible tires, and gears that didn't work. But regardless of of our gear this was truly a remarkable ride!

Review: This is a scenery ride no doubt. The actual riding is terrible. It's up and down the whole way until the last 2 miles. Half the trail tread is horse crap. The trail needs some serious maintenance due to the erosion and postholes caused by equestrians. Also, if you are allergic to bees, stay away in May. Blooming manzanita bushes attract them in droves!

I would never ride this trail again and I can easily see this trail falling off the list of Utah destination rides within the next 5 to 10 years.

Review: This is an absolutely stunning ride! You will climb, you will descend, you will see the most stunning scenery of your life! Prepare to work - at 8,200 ft your lungs will burn. I'm an East Coast rider and took this trail in reverse of the norm - Thunder Mountain Trail head to Coyote. The switchback/uphills at the beginning were brutal, but the downhills were fantastic. Seriously, every turn is scenic heaven and the technicalitly of the entire ride makes it 8 miles of bliss.

Review: Fun single track. Dusty and lots of loose rock. Lots of climbing.

Review: This is a great trail but would be so much better if they could figure out a way to cut out the bike trail/fire road section and make it all singletrack. You'd have a hard time finding a more scenic ride. Bring a camera.

Similar Trail: Cassidy Trail

Review: I had high expectations but was a bit disappointed. It is a really scenic trail but I had mistakenly thought that after an initial uphill it was a downhill blast all the way which it wasn't - it was up and down all the way except for the last couple of miles which were super fast. More of a scenery ride than a rider's ride I think.

Review: Stunningly scenic. Techy in areas. A bunch of ups and downs with high level switch backs. Only negative is the trail is shared with horses. Horses seem to be use it predominantly and they inevitably create loose soil and rocks. All in all... well worth a journey to ride it.

Similar Trail: I've not ridden a trail that compares.

Review: I enjoyed the scenery, but found that the trail was at times very loose with tight switchbacks, could use some serious trail maintenance.

Similar Trail: Hyperventilation, Fernie, B.C.