Mountain Biking in Flagstaff, Arizona

Fort Valley Trail System

Located 5 miles northwest of downtown off US-180, the Fort Valley system is Flagstaff's most accessible trail network and the best place for beginner and intermediate riders to start. The trails wind through open ponderosa pine forest on volcanic soil that drains well after rain.

Key Trails

• Fort Valley Trail (Beginner): A 4-mile loop with smooth singletrack, gentle grades, and wide sight lines. This is the trail to ride if you're new to mountain biking or getting used to riding at 7,000 feet. The volcanic cinder surface is forgiving and the turns are wide.
• Soldier's Trail (Intermediate): 3.5 miles of rolling singletrack with more varied terrain — small rock gardens, tighter turns, and a few short punchy climbs. A great step up from the Fort Valley loop.
• Heart Trail (Intermediate): Connects Fort Valley to the Schultz Creek area with 5 miles of flowy singletrack through mixed forest. Moderate climbing with rewarding descents. Popular as part of longer loop rides.

Trailhead access: Fort Valley Trailhead on US-180, 5 miles northwest of downtown. Free parking, no restrooms. The lot fills up on summer weekend mornings.

Mt. Elden & Schultz Creek Trails

The Schultz Creek and Mt. Elden trail system is the crown jewel of Flagstaff mountain biking. Located on the northeast side of town, these trails climb through dense forest with increasing technical challenge and deliver some of the best descents in Arizona.

Schultz Creek Trail (Intermediate)

The backbone of this system. Schultz Creek runs 4 miles from the Schultz Pass Trailhead down to the bottom of Schultz Creek, losing about 1,200 feet of elevation. Most riders shuttle or climb the forest road to the top and ride the trail as a descent — it's fast, flowy, and a blast. The trail follows the creek drainage through aspens and mixed conifers with bermed turns, small drops, and roots to keep things interesting.

Sunset Trail (Intermediate to Advanced)

A 6-mile traverse across the north face of Mt. Elden, Sunset Trail connects to Schultz Creek for one of the best loop rides in Flagstaff. The trail traverses rocky terrain with exposed roots, tight switchbacks, and a few short hike-a-bike sections. Combined with Schultz Creek and a road climb back up, the full loop is about 12 miles with 1,800 feet of climbing — the classic Flagstaff ride.

Rocky Ridge Trail (Advanced/Expert)

Not for the faint-hearted. Rocky Ridge climbs the south face of Mt. Elden through technical rock gardens, steep switchbacks, and exposed basalt ledges. The trail gains 1,800 feet over 3.5 miles and rewards you with panoramic views of the entire Flagstaff basin. Most advanced riders use it as a climb and descend via Schultz Creek or Sunset.

Trailhead access: Schultz Pass Trailhead — take US-89 north, turn left on Schultz Pass Road (FR 420). Free parking, vault toilet. The road is gravel and can be rough after heavy rain.

Lake Mary Road Trails

South of town along Lake Mary Road, you'll find a network of forest roads and singletrack that offer a more remote, backcountry feel compared to the in-town systems. The terrain is flatter and the riding is mellower, making this area ideal for longer endurance rides or riders who want solitude.

• Arizona Trail — Walnut Canyon Segment (Intermediate): A 12-mile section of the Arizona National Scenic Trail that's open to bikes. Rolling singletrack through open pine forest with moderate technical features. One of the longer continuous singletrack rides near Flagstaff.
• Forest Road Loops (Beginner): The web of forest roads south of Upper Lake Mary offers gentle gravel riding through meadows and forests. Great for beginners, families, or anyone who wants an easy spin in beautiful country. Bring a map — the road network is extensive and poorly signed.

Access: Lake Mary Road (FR 3) heads south from I-17 and the Flagstaff Mall area. Multiple pulloff trailheads along the road. No facilities.

FUTS — Flagstaff Urban Trail System

The Flagstaff Urban Trail System is a 50-plus-mile network of paved and soft-surface paths connecting parks, neighborhoods, the university, and open spaces across the city. While not mountain biking in the traditional sense, FUTS is invaluable for getting around town on a bike and connecting to trailheads without driving.

Key FUTS segments for cyclists:

• Route 66 Trail: Paved path paralleling old Route 66 through the heart of town — connects downtown to east Flagstaff.
• Sinclair Wash Trail: Paved greenway running through riparian forest along Sinclair Wash.
• Buffalo Park Trail: Soft-surface loop through open meadows with mountain views. Connects to Mt. Elden trailheads via the Elden Connector.

FUTS maps are available at bike shops and the Flagstaff Visitor Center downtown.

Bike Rentals & Shops

Flagstaff has a strong bike shop scene with several options for rentals, repairs, and local trail knowledge:

• Absolute Bikes (N. San Francisco St.) — The flagship Flagstaff bike shop. Rents hardtails ($50–65/day) and full-suspension bikes ($80–120/day). Excellent mechanical staff and the best source of current trail conditions. They also lead group rides.
• Flagstaff Bicycle Revolution (S. San Francisco St.) — Full-service shop with rentals and guided rides. Good selection of parts and accessories if you need to fix something mid-trip.
• Cosmic Cycles — Smaller shop with competitive rental rates and a loyal local following. Worth checking if the bigger shops are booked out.

Pro tip: Reserve your rental bike at least a few days ahead during summer weekends (June–August). Walk-in availability is hit or miss. All shops include a helmet, basic repair kit, and trail map with rentals.

Seasonal Conditions

Spring (April – May)

Trails begin drying out in April, but muddy conditions can persist into early May depending on snowpack. Riding on wet or muddy trails damages the tread — check local trail condition reports before heading out. When trails are dry, spring offers cool temperatures and uncrowded riding.

Summer (June – August)

Prime season. June is often the best month — dry trails, long days, and temperatures in the 70s and 80s. July and August bring the monsoon, with afternoon thunderstorms nearly every day. Plan morning rides and expect to be off the trail by early afternoon. Trails drain quickly on the volcanic soil, so morning-after riding is usually fine.

Fall (September – October)

The other prime window. Monsoons taper off, temperatures cool, and the aspen groves on the Schultz Creek and Sunset trails turn gold. Late September to mid-October is peak fall color and some of the best riding conditions all year. Daylight shortens, so start early.

Winter (November – March)

Higher-elevation trails (Schultz Creek, Sunset, Rocky Ridge) are typically snow-covered from November through March. Lower trails and FUTS segments may be rideable between storms, but expect ice, snow, and mud. Fat biking has a growing following in Flagstaff — some shops rent fat bikes for winter riding on packed snow.

Trail Etiquette

Flagstaff's trails are shared with hikers, runners, and equestrians. Good etiquette keeps trails open for everyone:

• Yield to hikers and horses. Slow down, announce yourself, and pass gently. Most hikers appreciate a friendly heads-up bell or voice call.
• Don't ride muddy trails. Wet trails are vulnerable to ruts and erosion. If your tires are leaving deep tracks, the trail is too wet. Find a lower-elevation option or hit the FUTS instead.
• Stay on designated trails. No cutting switchbacks, no creating new lines. Coconino National Forest trails are maintained by volunteers — respect their work.
• Control your speed. Especially on blind corners and shared-use trails. The Schultz Creek descent is fast, but there are hikers on it too.
• Pack out everything. No gel wrappers, no tubes, no excuses.

Recommendations by Skill Level

Beginner

Start with the Fort Valley Trail loop to get a feel for the terrain and altitude. Follow it with a FUTS ride through town to explore. If you're comfortable after that, try the lower section of Schultz Creek on a second day. The altitude (7,000 feet) will affect your endurance more than you expect — take it easy on day one.

Intermediate

The Schultz Creek–Sunset Trail loop is the must-do ride. Budget 2–3 hours for the full 12-mile loop with climbing. Add the Heart Trail connector for variety. For a mellower day, the Arizona Trail segment near Lake Mary offers long singletrack with less technical challenge.

Advanced / Expert

Rocky Ridge up, Sunset Trail across, Schultz Creek down — the full Mt. Elden experience. Add technical features by exploring side trails off Sunset. For endurance, string together the Fort Valley system, Heart Trail connector, and Schultz Creek for a 20+ mile day. And then reward yourself at one of Flagstaff's breweries — you've earned it.