By Emily HastingsUpdated November 2026
Riders looking for bike trails in Salt Lake City, Utah usually want one thing from a guide or map: enough route detail to plan a real day out without guessing at distances, climbs, or where the pavement ends. This list compares five printed and paper-style references that cover the Wasatch Front, the Uinta range, and the trail network around the city. The selection criteria were coverage of the Salt Lake City area, clarity of elevation and terrain information, usefulness for planning rides rather than just looking at scenery, and how well each title suits a specific type of rider. This is a research-based comparison built from product specifications and owner feedback patterns, not a field test.
Our top picks at a glance
- 1
TOP CHOICEBest overallMountain biking Utah's Wasatch & Uinta MountainsView on Amazon - 2
TOP CHOICEBest for road ridersRoad Biking™ UtahView on Amazon - 3
TOP CHOICEBest for statewide planningUtah Map (National Geographic Guide Map)View on Amazon - 4
Best for trail-and-hike overlapSALT LAKE CITY HIKING GUIDE 2025–2026View on Amazon - 5
Best budget pick for local ridesEasy Day Hikes Salt Lake City 2026-2027View on Amazon
Our Top Picks
Quick Comparison
| Product | Best for | Key feature |
|---|---|---|
| Mountain biking Utah’s Wasatch & Uinta Mountains | Off-road riders targeting the Wasatch and Uinta ranges | Mountain-focused route descriptions |
| Road Biking™ Utah | Road cyclists exploring routes beyond the city | Statewide road ride descriptions |
| Utah Map (National Geographic Guide Map) | Riders who need a statewide reference map | Large-format regional map |
| SALT LAKE CITY HIKING GUIDE 2025–2026 | Riders who also hike and want trail overlap | Local trail and nature escape listings |
| Easy Day Hikes Salt Lake City 2026-2027 | Beginners and casual riders wanting short outings | Short, practical outing descriptions |
Mountain biking Utah’s Wasatch & Uinta Mountains
Mountain biking Utah's Wasatch & Uinta Mountains: A definitive guide
Best for: Off-road riders who want the widest mountain coverage for the Salt Lake City area
This guide suits riders who plan to leave the pavement and head into the Wasatch Front and the Uinta Mountains. Its focus on mountain terrain makes it more useful for singletrack and backcountry climbs than for paved commuting or casual loops.
Key specs
- Subject: mountain biking in the Wasatch and Uinta ranges
- Format: guidebook
- Scope: multi-area mountain routes across northern Utah
Pros
- Strong focus on off-road terrain near the Salt Lake City corridor
- Useful for planning multi-hour rides with real climbing
- Covers ranges that many general maps treat only briefly
Cons
- Less useful for pure road riders or urban commuters
- Route detail varies by trail, so you may still need a current map for conditions
Bottom line: The best starting point for riders who plan to ride dirt in the mountains above Salt Lake City.
Road Biking™ Utah
Road Biking™ Utah (Road Biking Series)
Best for: Road cyclists who want scenic statewide rides from a Salt Lake City base
This title is aimed at road riders who want organized route descriptions rather than trail guidance. It works well for a weekend road trip from the city or for planning longer rides into surrounding valleys and canyons.
Key specs
- Subject: road cycling routes across Utah
- Series: Road Biking Series
- Format: guidebook
Pros
- Clear focus on paved routes, which matches most road bike setups
- Good for ideas beyond the immediate city limits
- Consistent series format makes routes easy to compare
Cons
- Not a trail guide, so it will not help with singletrack or gravel planning
- Statewide scope means less depth on Salt Lake City neighborhoods
Bottom line: Pick this if your riding is mostly on pavement and you want route ideas for day trips.
Utah Map (National Geographic Guide Map)
Utah Map (National Geographic Guide Map)
Best for: Riders who need a statewide reference for planning routes and getting oriented
A folded or large-format regional map is useful as a backup and for big-picture route planning. Pair it with a trail-specific guide, because a statewide map shows roads and landmarks but not trail conditions or ride difficulty.
Key specs
- Format: National Geographic guide map
- Coverage: statewide Utah
Pros
- Good overview of how Salt Lake City connects to other regions
- Useful as an offline backup when signal is weak
- Easy to spread out for trip planning
Cons
- Scale is too coarse for detailed trail navigation
- Does not describe ride difficulty or elevation gain in depth
Bottom line: A useful reference map to carry alongside a more detailed local guide.
SALT LAKE CITY HIKING GUIDE 2025–2026
SALT LAKE CITY HIKING GUIDE 2025–2026: Discover Scenic Trails, Hidden Gems and Nature Escapes in the Heart of Utah (Trek the World: Essential Hiking Guide Series)
Best for: Riders who also hike and want to know where trails overlap with local nature spots
Many multi-use trails around Salt Lake City are shared with hikers, so a hiking guide can help riders understand trail character, access points, and popular destinations. It is less focused on bike-specific details, so treat it as a complement to a cycling guide.
Key specs
- Subject: hiking trails in and around Salt Lake City
- Series: Trek the World Essential Hiking Guide
- Edition: 2025–2026
Pros
- Strong local focus on the Salt Lake City area
- Useful for identifying shared-use trails and scenic destinations
- Recent edition year for current trail names
Cons
- Written for hikers, so bike-specific guidance is limited
- Trail difficulty ratings may not match cycling experience
Bottom line: Good for riders who split time between biking and hiking near the city.
Easy Day Hikes Salt Lake City 2026-2027
Easy Day Hikes Salt Lake City 2026-2027: A Practical Guide to Waterfalls, Alpine Lakes, Scenic Trails, and Canyon Adventures Across Utah's Wasatch Front
Best for: Beginners and casual riders who want short outings close to town
This guide emphasizes short, practical outings with waterfalls, lakes, and canyon scenery. Those short routes can translate well to easy rides or to combined bike-and-hike days, especially for riders still building endurance.
Key specs
- Subject: short day outings around Salt Lake City and the Wasatch Front
- Edition: 2026–2027
Pros
- Short outing focus suits beginners and families
- Covers waterfalls, lakes, and canyon routes near the city
- Current edition year for recent route information
Cons
- Hiking-oriented, so bike access rules must be checked separately
- Limited coverage of longer or technical mountain bike routes
Bottom line: A low-commitment choice for riders who want easy local outings and scenic stops.
Buying Guide
Route type and riding style
Decide first whether you ride mostly pavement, dirt, or a mix. Road-focused titles and mountain-focused titles cover very different terrain, and a guide built for one will often leave gaps for the other.
Good picks for this: Road Biking™ Utah, Mountain biking Utah’s Wasatch & Uinta Mountains
Coverage area
Check whether the guide focuses on Salt Lake City and its immediate trail network or on the whole state. Local guides give more route detail per mile, while statewide references are better for trip planning.
Good picks for this: Utah Map (National Geographic Guide Map), SALT LAKE CITY HIKING GUIDE 2025–2026
Elevation and difficulty information
Look for explicit notes on climbing, surface type, and technical difficulty. Gain figures matter more than total distance when planning mountain rides around Salt Lake City, where the foothills rise quickly.
Good picks for this: Mountain biking Utah’s Wasatch & Uinta Mountains
Edition year
Trail names, access rules, and seasonal closures change. Choose the most recent edition you can find, and confirm current conditions with land managers before you ride.
Good picks for this: Easy Day Hikes Salt Lake City 2026-2027, SALT LAKE CITY HIKING GUIDE 2025–2026
Format: book or map
A guidebook gives narrative route descriptions, while a folding map gives spatial context. Many riders carry both: a book for planning and a map as an offline backup.
Good picks for this: Utah Map (National Geographic Guide Map), Road Biking™ Utah
Shared-use trails
Many trails near Salt Lake City are used by hikers and riders alike. A guide that describes trail character and etiquette helps you plan rides that stay considerate of other users.
Good picks for this: SALT LAKE CITY HIKING GUIDE 2025–2026, Easy Day Hikes Salt Lake City 2026-2027
Carrying and durability
Printed guides and maps can get wet, torn, or crushed in a pack. Use a waterproof bag or a plastic sleeve for maps on rides, and store guides out of direct sun to prevent fading.
Good picks for this: Utah Map (National Geographic Guide Map), Mountain biking Utah’s Wasatch & Uinta Mountains
FAQ
Are these guides enough to plan bike trails in Salt Lake City by themselves?
They are a strong starting point, but no printed guide replaces current trail information. Check land manager websites or local bike shops for closures and seasonal conditions before you ride.
Which guide is best if I only ride on pavement?
Road Biking™ Utah is the most directly relevant title for road riders. A statewide map can supplement it for planning longer routes.
Do I need a map if I already have a GPS app?
A paper map is useful as an offline backup when batteries drain or signal drops in canyons. Many riders carry one even when they navigate with a phone.
Are hiking guides useful for mountain bikers?
Yes, especially for shared-use trails. Hiking guides describe trail character and access, but they do not usually give bike-specific difficulty ratings, so verify those separately.
How often should I check for updated editions?
Check whenever you plan a new season of riding. Trail access and names change, so a guide more than a few years old should be cross-checked against current sources.
Can beginners use these guides?
Yes. Easy Day Hikes Salt Lake City 2026-2027 focuses on short outings that suit newer riders, while the mountain guide is better once you have more experience.
Should I ride alone using a guide?
Riding with a partner and carrying water, a repair kit, and a charged phone is a sensible baseline. Consult a local bike shop or guide service for advice on higher-altitude or technical routes.
Conclusion
For most riders, the right choice depends on the surface you ride. Mountain biking Utah’s Wasatch & Uinta Mountains suits off-road riders, Road Biking™ Utah suits road cyclists, and the Utah Map works well as a statewide reference. Hikers who also ride may prefer the Salt Lake City hiking guide, and beginners who want short outings should look at Easy Day Hikes Salt Lake City 2026-2027. Pairing a trail-focused guide with a current map gives the most reliable planning setup.
Sources
- Background on national trail systems, land access, and visitor safety information in the western United States (nps.gov)
- Topographic and terrain reference data useful for understanding elevation and slope on mountain routes (usgs.gov)
- Federal guidance on bicycle facilities and shared-use path design standards (fhwa.dot.gov)
Related reading
- Salt Lake City Bike Trails: 7 Best Routes Compared (2026)
- City of Houston Bike Trails: 6 Routes, Distances and Where to Ride
- 5 Best Bike Trails Park City Guides and Maps for Every Rider (2026)
- Top 8 Mountain Bike Trails Sedonas: Routes for Every Skill Level
- Top 8 Mountain Bike Trails Sedona Arizonas for Every Skill Level
- Top 8 Bike Trails in Marylands for Every Riding Level
About Emily Hastings
Emily puts together our bike touring & bikepacking guides, digging through specifications, manufacturer details and owner reviews so you don't have to.
