The Upper Porcupine Singletrack Trailhead in Utah delivers technical desert riding, sweeping canyon views, and some of the most rewarding mountain bike terrain near Moab.
The Upper Porcupine Singletrack Trailhead sits within the web of trails that has made Moab, Utah a pilgrimage destination for mountain bikers worldwide. The surrounding terrain is classic canyon country: layers of Entrada and Navajo sandstone sculpted by wind and water into fins, benches, and open slickrock faces that grip knobby tires with surprising tenacity.
Riders setting out from here encounter a mix of smooth hardpack, loose-over-firm corners, and exposed ridgeline stretches with views deep into the canyon below. The trail system connects naturally to the Eagle Eye and Lower Porcupine Singletrack Trailhead a few kilometers south, allowing riders to link sections into longer point-to-point adventures. Those seeking an epic descent can plan routes toward the Navette-Porcupine Rim Trailhead, where canyon-rim singletrack draws advanced riders from across the country.
The atmosphere here is unhurried and genuinely wild. Juniper and pinyon dot the trailsides, ravens circle overhead, and the distant snow-capped La Sal Mountains form a striking backdrop on clear days. For riders who want to experience Moab beyond the well-worn classics, the Upper Porcupine Singletrack Trailhead offers terrain that is technical, scenic, and deeply satisfying.
Visit in spring or fall when temperatures sit between 55 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit, making the exposed redrock sections far more comfortable to ride.
Carry at least three liters of water per person; there are no water sources on the trail and desert heat can be deceptive even on overcast days.
Bring a tubeless repair kit and a spare tube, as sharp sandstone edges are hard on tires throughout this trail system.
Start early in the morning to secure a parking spot at the trailhead and to finish technical sections before afternoon sun bakes the exposed rock.
Pair your ride with a stop at the nearby Eagle Eye and Lower Porcupine Singletrack Trailhead to extend your day on connected singletrack without backtracking.
Reach Moab’s Raptor Route with a trailhead bike shuttle
Reach Moab’s Raptor Route trail network by mountain bike shuttle
Ride Moab's advanced 18-mile downhill trail combination
Two shuttle lifts across Moab's Eagle Eye, Hawks Glide, LPS and Porcupine Rim
Access Moab's advanced LPS and Porcupine Rim trails by shuttle
Tackle four Moab trails with private line-choice coaching