Thunder Mountain Loop

Ran this 2/7/21 (though “ran” is generous. More like postholing through crusty snow for 16 miles). While I’m sure it’s a great MTB trail, it’s just meh as a hiking/running trail. Almost all the views are concentrated in the southwestern part of the loop - the rest is just wooded switchbacks. Just hike 3mi in and 3mi back out from the Thunder Mtn trailhead, you’ll see all the best rock formations.

One of the most iconic mountain bike loops in any national park area I have ridden. We started off on the paved trail from Red Canyon CG and headed through the equestrian area to the trailhead. From there it was a series of climbs and downhills to get to the peak of Thunder Mountain at over 8000 feet. The rest of the trail is relatively easy, undulating over some of the most scenic terrain you’ll see. The last 1.5 miles after the switchbacks is a downhill BLAST back down to UT 12 and the campgrounds. Awesome trail. Loved it!!

This is a fabulous trail no matter which way you head out. Our first time we left from the equestrian campground. The second time we drove down the hill. Either way is great as long as you leave a trailer at the other end so you can shuttle horses to or back.

Mountain Bikers - Start at Coyote Hollow Trail head parking and ride the loop clockwise for the best experience. Take the paved bike path back to parking. This is a pretty mellow ride if you are in decent biking shape and conditioned to ride some easy to moderate technical climbs and descents. There are maybe 3-4 spots where I got off to push around some rocks but then again I’m not the strongest tech climber but it’s doable if you pick the right line. Nothing dangerous or impossible. Definitely saw some unprepared people on the trail. Look out for equestrian riders !

Amazing trail very technical and fun definitely a workout in the most amazing views ever. Definitely Disney stole that for thunder mountain.. It's like being on a roller coaster

Awesome!!!

Great trail!

Start early beat the crowds. Thank me later.

I just want say that YET AGAIN, the All Trails app is wrong for this trail head. drive down to the entrance to the Dixie National Forest entrance (where the giant sign is as you hit where the rocks turn feom grey to red. there is a parking lot there. That is where the trail head is. you can't park at the campground unless ypu are camping there as the description tells you that is where they got on the trail and the directions on all trails bring you to the campground. so that being said, getting extremely frustrated with this app, now the directions are 50% wrong to trail heads, this is is an amazing, amazing hike and definaelty in my top 10 if not, top 5 ever and I have done alot of damn hikes. I didn't see a soul until the last mile when I was finishing the loop. 2 mountain bikers and two other hikers. Bring a shit load of water, and wear a sunhat, your gonna need it!

Simply amazing!

Everything starts here in this description by Disneyland designing their Thunder Mountain Rollercoaster after this trail! No wonder, lol! Here's the link https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2018/02/look-closer-big-thunder-mountain-railroad-at-disneyland-park/#:~:text=Located%20in%20the%20heart%20of,and%20references%20to%20Disney%20history.

Rode 25 years ago with my father and still amazing today!

Took the horses ups this beautiful trail and it was so peaceful. We passed a couple of bikers but they were all very pleasant. I would definitely trail ride there again.

Sketchy if you have trouble with heights—wish I’d done sneakers instead of a bike because the amazing views weren’t as impressive while I dealt with my wheels.

Excellent mountain bike trail. Beautiful views with some challenging, short climbs and switchbacks. This is probably too challenging for beginners. We started at Coyote Hollow.

We rode from the thunder mountain trailhead up the paved path, then to the equestrian camping and onto the trail. The first 1/2 from the equestrian spot is easy rolling ups and downs. The second 1/2 has a few punchy climbs, but is easy none the less. The second 1/2 also has a ton of chunky switchbacks and a very real amount of exposure. Definitely worth the ride, but maybe leave anyone who's not used to Utah chunk and downhill behind. I'm a heavyset dude. I drank 3 liters of water on this ride and I was taking my time with newer riders.

So this app says it’s a loop but it’s really not a loop for horses. However, we continued on the bike trail in order to make it a loop. It’s a gorgeous trail that has some very rocky parts. My daughter and I did it and absolutely loved it. The view is spectacular with shade on a good majority.

Fun trail, more climbing than downhill until the very end, but it’s super fun with beautiful views especially on the top and backside. Moderate to difficult ride, probably not a beginner trail. Early morning is the best time to ride of course, but good anytime of day unless it’s super hot. :) Bring a good amount of water, camera and be prepared for a good workout.

Riding out the Equestrian Campground this is a 9.4 mile, 4 hour ride to the Thunder Mountain Trailhead at the bottom of Red Canyon where our truck and trailer were waiting. Riding out from the campground we followed the road 1.2 miles to the Coyote Hollow Trailhead. There is plenty of room at the trailhead for trailers. I would stage trailers and drop off at the top and pick-up at the bottom of the trail. 3.6 miles from the Coyote Hollow trailhead are hitching posts and an outhouse (outhouse is missing it’s door). This first section winds through the trees with beautiful views of the surrounding mountains, the second half of the ride, after the hitching posts is what this trail is know for, breathtaking hoodoos and sandstone rock formations. It’s so beautiful, I felt like I was riding through a theme park ride or on another planet. It’s just unreal and I personally feel like there isn’t a better way to experience this trail than on horseback! Notes on the Coyote Hollow Equestrian Campground. The campground has three hitching posts and plenty of trees to secure a highline. The camp ground has water (non-pottable) for the horses. The water ran dry on our second day, apparently ranchers use the same well for their cattle so we had no notice that we wouldn’t have water for the horses. Our trailer has a tank which we were able to fill at the gas station just up the highway. This campground is first come first serve with no priority given to equestrians even though this is an equestrian campground. We arrived Wednesday and had our choice of the four campsites. There is some movement to set aside one or two sites for equestrian use like they have at other equestrian campgrounds in the Dixie National Forest, please contact or email https://www.fs.usda.gov/contactus/dixie/about-forest/contactus to let them know how important this campground is for equestrians.

One of the most beautiful trails I’ve ever ridden

Perhaps my fav in Utah!

One of the best trails!

This is a premier bike trail. Don't think of hiking it on a weekend or you'll get mowed down and make all the bikers mad. Golden Walls is the neighboring trail and is hiking only (it is more beautiful and photogenic). Thunder Mountain is a serious gig. I prefer the uphill portion to the down. The fast pace, steep descent, and hairpin turns are not for the faint of heart. I have hiked a lot, and I would say this is moderate/difficult. It's a workout.

Biked it.