Hard · 3–5 hours
Gooseberry Mesa — The Big Loop
The full circumnavigation. 12–14 miles of slickrock domes, drop-ins, and the famous Hidden Canyon overlook.
On Two Wheels
Little Creek Mesa
Gooseberry's wilder, more technical cousin — flowy slickrock with optional rock rollers and serious nav skill required.
Photo: BLM Utah / Leslie Kehmeier · Public Domain
- Difficulty
- Hard
- Duration
- 4–6 hours
- From the lodge
- ~30 min
- Type
- MTB · expert slickrock + tech
Little Creek Mesa is what happens when locals get tired of seeing tourists at Gooseberry. Same slickrock geology, more technical features, completely cairn-only navigation, and a 360° view from the rim that takes in Hurricane Valley, Zion, and Gooseberry simultaneously.
This is expert terrain. The 13.5-mile big loop has optional rock rollers (small drop-ins) you can session if you want, plus extended slickrock domes that reward technique without forcing it. There's no signage — you follow painted dots and cairns, and the route requires real attention. Get a guide for your first time here unless you're already comfortable navigating slickrock by feature.
Wild Mesa MTB Tours specializes in Little Creek and runs guided trips with pickup from the property. Worth it — the ride is one of the great underground mountain bike experiences in the country, and a guide turns it from frustrating into transcendent.
Before you go
- Cairn-only navigation — get a guide your first time or you'll get lost
- Some optional features have hard consequences — know your limits
- No water or shade on the mesa — bring 3L+ per person
- Cell service is spotty — share your route before going
Pair it with
← Back to all experiences 
Easy–Moderate · 1.5–2 hours
Gooseberry Mesa — White Trail
The gateway ride. Painted white dots across a 5,200-ft slickrock mesa to a 360° view of Zion.
Hard · 3–4 hours
Thunder Mountain Trail (Red Canyon)
The most cinematic mountain bike ride in Utah. Hand-built berms through orange hoodoos at 8,200 ft.
Ready for your little creek mesa day?
Book your cabin and discover the area at your own pace. The trails start at the door.