Why Mountain Bikers Love Colorado’s Kokopelli Trails

If you have ever pedaled Mesa County’s red-rock rims over the Colorado River, then you have an idea of why riders call the Kokopelli Trails in Fruita, the crown jewel of the Western Slope.

Imagine a singletrack maze of flowy canyon loops or legendary bikepack adventures. Keep scrolling to find out why mountain bikers visit Fruita, Colorado, with one thing on their mind: Kokopelli.

Western Colorado's Kokopelli Trail System

People come to Fruita, Colorado, from all over the state and all over the country. They come ready to ride “Kokopelli,” but which one? Kokopelli refers to both the big multi-day trail to Moab, but it’s also the name of the famous MTB loops just outside the city.

• The longer ride is Kokopelli’s Trail. It’s 142-145 miles point-to-point from Loma, Colorado, to Moab, Utah. This trail was created by COPMOBA and the BLM. Elevation along the way starts above 4000 feet near Fruita, climbing to 8,500 feet in the alpine pass of the La Sal Mountains. The trail includes singletrack, dirt roads, and rugged 4x4 sections.
• To ride Kokopelli without leaving the state, you want the Kokopelli Loops. That’s the singletrack trail system that hugs the canyon rims above the Colorado River. These loops stretch 3 to 20 miles with elevation from 4,500 to 5,500 feet. So the trail is the epic 145-mile adventure, and the loops are Fruita’s go-to playground for daily rides (see a larger version of the map here).

Five Reasons Fruita's Trails are Colorado's Crown Jewel

• Variety on the State Line: Find Flowy berms (18 Road), technical sandstone benches (Horsethief, Rustler’s), and day-long point-to-point adventures (Kokopelli Trail) mean something for every skill level. Explore further with BML here.
• Postcard Views: Get out on the loops and you will find panoramas of Ruby/Horsethief Canyons and the Colorado River, perfect for sharing.
• Colorado History: Kokopelli is a big reason multi-day mountain bike bikepacking is as popular as it is today. The big trail opened in 1989, thanks to COPMOBA with BLM/USFS cooperation. These teams created an incredible experience with few equals in our state.
• Community: Local shops, volunteers, and BLM management help maintain the trails and nurture the local mountain-bike culture, which helps turn up the economic impact.
• Accessibility: The main trailheads sit just minutes off I-70 near Loma, with plenty of parking and clear signage, so you can be on the dirt in no time.

Read More: From Orchards to Epic MTB: Fruita, Colorado's Trail Network