Bar M / Moab Brands
The chill Moab day: desert loops with views into Arches, no shuttle logistics, trails for every level. Lazy EZ for beginners, Killer B when you want to push it.
Trail beta
Park at the Bar M gravel lot off Hwy 191 about 8 miles north of the river (vault toilet, pavilion, free). Easiest Bar M Loop is ridden counter-clockwise starting south on Gas Line Connector toward Rusty Spur. Follow the black 'Bar M Loop' signs. Beginners should stick to Bar M, Rusty Spur, and Lazy-EZ; intermediates add North 40 and the Circle O / Rockin A slickrock loops on the east side. Killer B drop to old 191 is a good optional finish but commits you to a road pedal back.
When to go
Rideable March through November. Lower elevation and well-drained slickrock make Bar M one of the earliest trails to open each spring and a reliable shoulder-season option when higher trails are still muddy. E-bikes are permitted on the Moab Brands system starting March 1 (rare for BLM trails in Moab). Summer rides require dawn starts due to full sun exposure.