Mill Creek Canyon Wilderness Study Area is a 9,780-acre wilderness study area located approximately two miles east of Moab, Utah, in Grand County. This region is characterized by steep and rugged terrain, featuring impressive sandstone walls, deep canyon systems, and perennial streams that contrast with the pinyon-juniper and blackbrush vegetation at higher elevations. Elevations in Mill Creek Canyon Wilderness Study Area range from approximately 4,800 feet to about 7,300 feet, offering diverse landscapes for several sports like mountain biking, hiking,…
62
Routes
4.6
(57)
Average rating
2645
People visited

5.0
(2)
145
riders
29.9km
02:01
230m
1,210m
Hard mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary. Some portions of the route may require you to push your bike.

5.0
(1)
94
riders
19.5km
01:27
150m
820m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Advanced riding skills necessary.

5.0
(8)
485
riders
13.9km
01:16
180m
180m
Hard mountain bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Advanced riding skills necessary. Some portions of the route may require you to push your bike.

5.0
(6)
344
riders
61.3km
05:55
1,440m
1,440m
Hard mountain bike ride. Very good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary. Some portions of the route may require you to push your bike.
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16.9km
04:44
320m
360m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

11.9km
03:15
200m
130m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.3
(3)
112
hikers
2.51km
00:43
50m
50m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

12.9km
03:42
300m
300m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
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4.5
(2)
163
riders
65.9km
03:21
410m
410m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

109
riders
103km
05:45
1,810m
1,810m
Hard road ride. Very good fitness required. Some segments of this route may be unpaved and difficult to ride.

3.0
(1)
40
riders
39.1km
01:51
230m
230m
Easy road ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

27
riders
39.6km
01:49
360m
360m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.
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5.0
(1)
16
runners
20.8km
02:37
500m
500m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Some sure footedness required.

1
runners
13.0km
01:38
210m
200m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

1
runners
13.9km
01:44
200m
200m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Some sure footedness required.

54
runners
17.1km
01:51
260m
260m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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13
riders
18.1km
01:04
90m
90m
Easy bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

13
riders
60.8km
03:44
560m
560m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. You may need to push your bike for some segments of this route.

4.7
(7)
121
riders
42.3km
02:56
380m
380m
Hard bike ride. Good fitness required. You may need to push your bike for some segments of this route.

26
riders
102km
07:06
1,790m
1,790m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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Mill Creek Canyon Wilderness Study Area offers a range of outdoor activities including Mountain biking, Hiking, Jogging, Touring cycling, and Road cycling. The area features diverse landscapes with options for various skill levels. For detailed information on routes, consult the Mill Creek Canyon Wilderness Study Area region page.
Popular hiking options include the Mill Creek Canyon Waterfall trail, an easy 1.6-mile [2.6 km] route to a 30-foot cascade. Another path is the 8.0-mile [12.9 km] Cliffhandle Arch and Otho Natural Bridge route, exploring notable rock formations. More hiking routes can be found in the Hiking in Mill Creek Canyon Wilderness Study Area guide.
Mountain biking is an allowed activity within the WSA, including access via the Mill Creek Canyon jeep trail. The broader Mill Creek Canyon area has specific regulations for mountain biking on its trails. For more information on routes, refer to the MTB Trails in Mill Creek Canyon Wilderness Study Area guide.
The area is characterized by towering sandstone walls, deep canyon systems, and perennial streams. Notable geological features include distinctive 'fins,' Cliffhandle Arch, and Otho Natural Bridge. Ancient rock art panels also add to the area's unique character.
Yes, the Mill Creek Canyon Waterfall trail is an easy 1.6-mile [2.6 km] route suitable for families, leading to a waterfall and swimming hole. Backcountry camping is permitted at least half a mile from the road and 200 feet from trails. Consult the Family-friendly hikes in Mill Creek Canyon Wilderness Study Area guide for more options.
Elevations in Mill Creek Canyon Wilderness Study Area range from approximately 4,800 feet [1,463 meters] at the mouth of Mill Creek Canyon to about 7,300 feet [2,225 meters] near Wilson Mesa. This varied topography contributes to the diverse landscapes found within the area.
Komoot offers several guides for the area, including MTB Trails, Hiking, Running Trails, and Cycling. There are also guides for specific interests like Waterfall hikes and Family-friendly hikes.
The Mill Creek Canyon Wilderness Study Area has been visited by more than 15,000 komoot users. Routes in the area have an average rating of 4.63 out of 5 stars, based on over 500 ratings. This indicates a high level of satisfaction among visitors.
Mill Creek Canyon Wilderness Study Area is located approximately 2 miles [3.2 km] east of Moab, Utah, in Grand County. Its proximity to Moab makes it a convenient destination for outdoor enthusiasts seeking diverse landscapes and recreational opportunities.
For general inquiries regarding the Mill Creek Canyon Wilderness Study Area, contact the U.S. Bureau of Land Management at +1-435-259-2100. More information can be found on their official website.
Yes, in the broader Mill Creek Canyon area, mountain biking regulations vary by day. On even-numbered days, bikes are allowed on Big Water, Little Water, and Great Western trails. On odd-numbered days, bikes are not permitted on the upper sections of these trails, but the Pipeline Trail always allows bikes.
While not explicitly detailed for the WSA, the presence of jeep trails and roads, along with mountain biking access, suggests that touring cyclists can utilize these routes. The main Mill Creek Canyon road is also open to fat bikes, especially when groomed for cross-country skiing in winter.

