The Virgin River Rim is an EPIC high elevation (9,100’) trail that offers unbelievable views of Zion National Park and of the headwaters of the Virgin River. Point-to-point the trail is 34 miles and can be done in a day with a shuttle or for the pain-seeking endurance junkies as an out and back. Most riders opt to ride sections of the trail from one of four main trailheads. My favorite section of this trail is the 11.5-mile loop that circumnavigates Navajo Lake. If you are a paddleboarder, be sure to pack it, as this high elevation lake makes the perfect après’ ride cool-off. Start the ride from the Navajo Lake trailhead, just west of the lake. Head a ¼ mile west to the Te-ah campground and begin your ride on the Virgin River Rim heading southeast. To make the loop, take a left on the Dike Trail around mile seven. This is a 1.5-mile connector trail that crosses the paved road and then leads to the east side of the lake.
For those looking to explore more miles, continue on the Virgin River Rim Trail, instead of looping back around the lake via the Dike Trail. From this intersection, it’s 2 miles to the trailhead at Cascade Falls. This combo would bring the mileage up to 15.5.
- Location – Dixie National Forest - Virgin River Rim – Navajo Lake Loop Trailhead
- Miles 11.5 miles - Navajo Lake Loop (counterclockwise) / 15.5 Loop + Cascade Falls
- Time – 1.5-2 hour
- Rating – Intermediate
- Trailhead Facilities – Restroom
