Gooseberry Mesa
Scenic landmarks
A slickrock and singletrack mountain biking mesa near Hurricane at 5,200 feet, and the first BLM trail in Washington County built for mountain bikes.
Why riders come
Gooseberry Mesa combines slickrock obstacles with singletrack across a set of interconnecting loops, bisected by a rugged jeep road. It is technical riding rather than fast riding — the mesa is famous for the kind of trail where line choice matters more than fitness.
The Bureau of Land Management dedicated it in October 1999 as its first official mountain bike trail in Washington County, and the system earned National Recreation Trail status in 2006.
The view
The Point, at the end of the mesa, gives a 360-degree panorama: Zion National Park, Smithsonian Butte, the Virgin terraces, the Pine Valley Mountains and the St. George basin. It is worth the ride out even at walking pace.
Getting there
The mesa sits between Hurricane and Zion at about 5,200 feet. From State Route 59, turn onto the Smithsonian Butte National Backcountry Byway, and 2.8 miles along turn northwest for a further 3.3 miles to the Gooseberry trailhead. The access road is dirt.
Practical
The elevation makes it rideable in summer when the valley floor is not, and cold in winter when the valley is fine. There is no water on the mesa.
Worth reading alongside this: mountain biking around St. George.
Frequently asked questions
Is Gooseberry Mesa only for mountain bikers?
No, though bikes are the main use. The trails are open to hikers, and the viewpoint at the Point is reachable on foot.
How high is Gooseberry Mesa?
About 5,200 feet, roughly 2,500 feet above St. George, which is why it stays rideable through the hottest months.