Zion National Park: Navajo Lake Loop | Mountain Biking in Utah

Zion National Park: Navajo Lake Loop

Slice through aspen groves and alpine meadows, passing lava flows and wildflowers on this 10-mile non-technical singletrack loop around Navajo Lake.

Author:	Bicycling Magazine
Date:	18 Sep 2008 3:49:56 PM
Activity:	Mountain Biking ActivitySearchMountainBiking
State:	Utah (UT)
Distance:	9.8 mi (Change units)
Elevation:	Total Gain: 1185 ft Total Loss: 1177 ft Net Change: 7 ft
Difficulty:	3 / 10
USGS Topo Map:	Navajo Lake
Tags:	Utah, Duck Creek Village, Zion National Park
Rating:	Unrated Rate it

The loop around Navajo Lake is a great beginner route that offers big scenic payoffs along an easygoing singletrack without arduous climbs or gnarly technical sections. From the trailhead on the lake’s west corner, follow the dirt service road east. The trail immediately turns into hard-packed singletrack and cuts through a thick aspen grove. Continuing along Navajo’s eastern edge, ride through jagged lava flow rocks on a slow, gravelly doubletrack. The trail flattens, and then makes a short ascent to Navajo Lake Road. Cross the road and continue on the singletrack as it meanders and dips through coniferous forests. To the left, five connector trails (Dike, Spruce, Navajo, Lodge, and Te-ah) offer sustained intermediate climbs and access to the Virgin River Rim Trail’s 32-mile network. To head back to the trailhead, ignore the connector trails and bear right on Navajo Lake Road.

-Mapped by Heidi Sackreuter and Color Country Cycling

TO TRAILHEAD: From Las Vegas, head east on I-15 to Cedar City, Utah. Exit in Cedar City, take Highway 14 east. Turn right 0.5 mile after mile marker 25 at the Navajo Lake junction (Forest Service Road 30053). Follow dirt road west to end of lake; the trailhead is 0.25 mile east of Te-Ah campground.

Position Format:	Datum:

Tracks

Nav Lake Loop

Dist: 9.80 mi	Points: 445	Calories: none
Time: none	Speed: 0.0 mph	Pace: 0:00 / mi

Points of Interest

NLL001

Location: 37.531345°, -112.814398°
Southwest shore trailhead: Start riding north along dirt service road. Water and restrooms are available at nearby Te-ah Campground.

NLL002

Location: 37.532569°, -112.813164°
Go right @ Y-junction on dirt service road.

NLL003

Location: 37.532223°, -112.812507°
Go right @ Y-junction on dirt service road.

NLL004

Location: 37.529864°, -112.808877°
Trailhead parking lot: Continue heading east on trail @ sign in parking lot.

NLL005

Location: 37.528321°, -112.804686°
Go right @ T-junction. Meadows of pink penstamon, red Indian paintbrush, blue lupine and yellow asters provide beautiful backdrop for landscape pictures.

NLL006

Location: 37.526508°, -112.780240°
View of Navajo Lake and Spruces Campground (across the lake) @ 1.8 miles.

NLL007

Location: 37.525268°, -112.761164°
Stay left @ Y-junction. The spur trail to the right leads to a dike across the lake (which acts as a possible shortcut back to the trailhead). Note: you can't ride the dike, but you can walk across it.

NLL008

Location: 37.526088°, -112.750127°
Go right @ Y-junction, at the beginning of lava flow. Here, the trail winds through lava rock and boulders. Don't come into this corner too hot; the gravel surface is very slow. Bunches of white columbine grow in the volcanic soil. Underground lava tubes provide release of lake water into Kolob Valley, keeping Navajo Lake at a constant level and providing headwaters for the Virgin River in Zion National Park.

NLL009

Location: 37.517647°, -112.750027°
Here the trail intersects with the dirt entrance road to Navajo Lake. Cross the road and continue on trail directly on the other side.

NLL010

Location: 37.518304°, -112.764702°
Dike Connector Trail is to the left, the first of five connector trails that access the Virgin River Rim Trail.

NLL011

Location: 37.517754°, -112.773161°
Trail accesses Spruces Campground (restroom available) to the right. Continue heading west on the trail above the campground through pine trees. Taking Spruce Connector Trail to the left brings you to the Virgin River Rim Trail.