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Church Rocks

RECOMMENDED ROUTE
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
 4.1 (54)
  1. Areas
  2. UT
  3. …Southwestern Utah
  4. St. George
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“A great little run to practice your slick rock skills with great views. ”

Kevin Christopherson
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Map Key

5.3

Miles

8.5

KM

80%

Singletrack

3,370' 1,027 m

High

3,114' 949 m

Low

521' 159 m

Up

523' 159 m

Down

4%

Avg Grade (2°)

11%

Max Grade (6°)

This has been hidden from our maps to prevent overlap with existing trails, or because our research has found there is no legal access.

Dogs Unknown

E-Bikes Unknown

Overview

Church Rocks is a stand alone trail, but also part of the Prospector and Dino Cliffs trail network. It's mostly slick rock and so there are many ways to ride this trail. It's not always clearly marked, but if you take a different rout it's still fun. This route is my favorite after trying many different ways.

Description

This is a great loop with lots of slick rock, and can be linked with other trails for a longer ride. It's a little sandy and rocky making it the best local trail to ride after storms make other trails too muddy, but it's good anytime. You can ride it year round.

There is no sign marking the trailhead at Highland Park, but it's easy to find. Leaving Highland Park follow the paved road a short distance northeast as it wraps around the park until the pavement ends. Pass the large boulders blocking the end of the road, and ride on some old cement.

The singletrack starts just past the cement. After about a half mile, the singletrack turns into a doubletrack and passes east through a gate heading toward a large water tank. Before you reach the tank, take the old dirt road on your left (south). That road goes a short distance downhill to a large tunnel that takes you under the I-15 freeway.

A section of the trail upstream of the tunnel was recently washed away by a flash flood, but will be repaired. For now, simply hike-a-bike for about a hundred feet up the wash until you hit the singletack. Stay left at the first intersection. You'll be rewarded. There's fun short climbing and descending on classic Utah slick rock. Be sure to take time and enjoy the views. I prefer to ride this loop clockwise, but there are several alternate routes. It's all good.

This trail ties into the Dino Cliffs trail to the south and Prospector to the north. You can access Church Rocks from trailheads on both of these trails.

Contacts

Local Club: Trail Alliance of Southern Utah (TASU)

Land Manager: BLM Utah - St. George Field Office

Shared By:

Kevin Christopherson
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  4.1 from 54 votes

#1

in St. George

#386

Overall
  4.1 from 54 votes
5 Star
30%
4 Star
50%
3 Star
19%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
2%
Recommended Route Rankings

#1

in St. George

#41

in Utah

#386

Overall
184 Views Last Month
15,776 Since Jul 27, 2013
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
0%
0%
63%
15%
23%
0%
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Photos

Catching a little air off one of the small drops on Church Rocks!
Oct 31, 2016 near Washington, UT
Grapevine is a great trail system with plenty of scenic vistas.
May 10, 2017 near Washington, UT
A little rock arch serves as a natural frame for your awesome MTB photos!
May 10, 2017 near Washington, UT
Entering the tunnel from the downstream (south) side.
Aug 4, 2013 near Washington, UT
On top of Church Rocks near the fartherst most point before the cool drop back to the return section. I was going clock-wise on this day.
Mar 29, 2021 near Washington, UT
This is a back way up before the big climb up on Prospector.
Mar 29, 2021 near Washington, UT

1 Comment

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Current Trail Conditions

All Clear 84 days ago
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Check-Ins

Mar 28, 2024
Private User
Nov 11, 2023
Jacob Heimberger
Sep 16, 2023
Jaden Zohner
Apr 29, 2023
Jaci Inman
Oct 3, 2022
Holly Godsey
Beautiful after a light rain!
May 21, 2022
Dunte Hector
Surprisingly technical and difficult climbing, pretty much continuous. From rocks to deep sand with no warning. Super fun and great view. 3.5mi
Mar 18, 2022
Ryan Wolffe
The trails off of and near Highland Park parking are completely gone as new housing development going in.
Mar 26, 2021
Ted Siefkes
Started at Red Cliffs Preserve on Prospector to Church Rocks and back! 21mi — 2h 30m

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Stewarded by Trail Alliance of Southern Utah (TASU)
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