Handlebar view on the easy campground loops. Photos and trail review by Bruce on...
Handlebar view on the easy campground loops. Photos and trail review by Bruce on October 28, 2015. Updated May 2017.
Horsethief Campground Trails
Wrangler and Rowdy Loops, and a bit of the Chisholm Trail

The Horsethief Campground lies just off Highway 313 (the route to Dead Horse Point ) around 11 miles from US 191. Along the southern border of the camping area are two short and easy mountain bike loops, Wrangler and Rowdy. Also passing near the campground and connecting to these loops is the Chisholm Trail -- which connects across Highway 313 to the Mustang Loop and the other Horsethief Area trails and to Big Lonely of the Navajo Rocks Loop in the north -- and the Rodeo trail.

These trails are great for beginners. On Wrangler in particular, the trail is firm, flat and smooth with plenty of clearance. This loop is the superb for small kids. At an altitude of around 5800 feet, the riding season is April through November.
Looking east on the southern limb of the easier Wrangler Loop.
Looking east on the southern limb of the easier Wrangler Loop.
On the far east side of the Rowdy loop, were riding north (toward the campground...
On the far east side of the Rowdy loop, we're riding north (toward the campground) on slickrock. To continue the loop, we'll fork left at the sign.
There are three access points to the loop trails from the campground, but these should be reserved for campers. Riders who are coming in for the day should start from small Chisholm trailhead parking spot (on your left shortly after turning off the highway toward the campground) and take Chisholm south then west to the campground trials. You can also use the Highway 313 (Chisholm) trailhead and ride one mile to the loops.
Access for non-campers via the Chisholm Trail
Starting southbound on Chisholm from the mountain bike parking lot.
Starting southbound on Chisholm from the mountain bike parking lot.
The Chisholm Trail passes by Horsethief Campground, with an alternate path that goes through the campground. The West Horsethief (Chisholm) trailhead is on the road to the campground, on the left 1/10th mile after turning off 313.

From the trailhead parking, pedal south (away from the gravel road) 0.1 mile. When you reach the trail sign on slickrock, turn right (west) downhill and follow the green stripes another 0.1 mile to the Rowdy/ Rodeo fork. 

If you're staying in the campground, there are spurs from the camping loops to Rowdy and Wrangler. (You can also get on northbound Chisholm by pedaling out the main campground entry road and straight across to singletrack. This connector trail joins Chisholm in around 100 feet. See the Chisholm Trail page for details on other rides using Chisholm.)

In the campground, Rowdy starts at the far southeastern corner of the east campi...
In the campground, Rowdy starts at the far southeastern corner of the east camping loop
Were in the north end of the parking area of the trailhead on Highway 313, looki...
We're in the north end of the parking area of the trailhead on Highway 313, looking east. To get to the campground trails, we'll turn around and cross the road.
If you're starting from the main Chisholm (Horsethief Area) trailhead on the east side of Highway 313, you'll ride 1.1 miles to reach the loops. Start by crossing the road heading west.
The trail has a barely perceptible downslope as it winds toward the campground. The track will alternate between dirt and slickrock. In slickrock areas, the trail is marked with pale green stripes on the rock.

You'll reach a fork after 0.9 miles, with a trail sign bolted to slickrock. Here the campground spur veers left downhill (easy to ride past, because once you reach the sign you've gone 20 feet past the trail fork). After another 1/10th mile, you'll reach the Rowdy Loop.

On slickrock areas, the trail is marked with pale green stripes.
On slickrock areas, the trail is marked with pale green stripes.
Wrangler Loop
View south where the spur to Wrangler leaves the far end of the western camping ...
View south where the spur to Wrangler leaves the far end of the western camping loop.
The Wrangler Loop is the easiest trail in the area, suitable for true beginners and kids. It's 0.7 miles around the loop with virtually no elevation change.

There are two spurs that connect Wrangler to the campground roads. One is at the far west end of the western camping loop -- and at the far west end of Wrangler. The other is at the far northern edge of the Wrangler Loop, connecting to southwestern corner of the east camping loop.

The riding surface is mostly hardpacked dirt. The trees are juniper with an occasional pinion pine. Shrubs are sage, Brigham Tea, and bitterbrush.
Riding east (clockwise) on the northern half of the Wrangler loop. The trail goe...
Riding east (clockwise) on the northern half of the Wrangler loop. The trail goes past the rock outcrop, not over it.
Looking west on the southern side of the loop as the trail crosses a slickrock a...
Looking west on the southern side of the loop as the trail crosses a slickrock area.
On the slickrock spots, the trail is marked with pale blue paint stripes. The slickrock areas are smooth and flat. There's nothing tricky here.
At the eastern end of the Wrangler loop, a spur takes you through a metal gate to the Rowdy Loop.
The trail passes through a gentle slope on the southern side of the loop.
The trail passes through a gentle slope on the southern side of the loop.
Rowdy Loop
Looking south (toward the Rowdy Loop from the eastern end of the Wrangler loop) ...
Looking south (toward the Rowdy Loop from the eastern end of the Wrangler loop) as we pass through the gate between the two trail loops.
The Rowdy Loop has a couple of ledges and a bit of gentle rolling dirt path, so it's a tiny bit more difficult than Wrangler. But it's still a very easy 0.5 miles.
The southern side of the Rowdy Loop is the easiest. There are two sets of ledges on the northern side -- easy for experienced intermediates, but enough to make kids and beginners nervous. Riding the loop counterclockwise puts these ledges on the downhill.
Westbound (riding counterclockwise) on the northern side of Rowdy, were approach...
Westbound (riding counterclockwise) on the northern side of Rowdy, we're approaching a one-foot drop.
View west on the southern side of the Rowdy Loop as we pass over slickrock. The ...
View west on the southern side of the Rowdy Loop as we pass over slickrock. The trail is marked with pinkish-orange stripes.
The riding surface alternates between slickrock and hardpack dirt. There's plenty of room for newbies to bobble around.
The eastern loop connects to the campground roads only through Wrangler or via the Chisholm trail spur. (The eastern side of Rowdy shares 100 feet of trail with the spur from Chisholm.) Chisholm would be your connector from the campground to Rodeo , Mustang and the main Horsethief Area trails , or to Navajo Rocks via northbound Chisholm.
Were heading clockwise on northern Rowdy. This is one of two spots that make me ...
We're heading clockwise on northern Rowdy. This is one of two spots that make me recommend you go counterclockwise. This short bumpy climb is very do-able by intermediates but will make beginners get off the bike to walk. Going counterclockwise puts it on the downhill.
Rolling east (counterclockwise) on the southern side of Rowdy.
Rolling east (counterclockwise) on the southern side of Rowdy.
At the far east end of Rowdy, the southern side of the loop connects to Chisholm and Rodeo at a 4-way intersection. If you're going counterclockwise, fork right to continue the loop. Then after 100 feet, fork right again for Rowdy north, or keep straight to continue to the campground.

Riding the campground trails...

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Ride from Highway 313 (Chisholm):
0.0   Left from parking, cross road
        N38 34.859 W109 47.868
1.0   Keep R (L = Rowdy return)
        N38 35.014 W109 48.518
        100 feet, then L (R = to CG, E loop)
        N38 35.023 W109 48.567
1.2   R through gate N38 34.969 W109 48.739
        20 feet, then keep R on Wrangler
1.3   Keep L (R = to CG, SW E loop)
        N38 35.017 W109 48.811
1.6   Keep L (R = to CG, W loop)
        N38 34.939 W109 49.026
2.0   Finish Wrangler, fork R
        N38 34.975 W109 48.743
        through gate to Rowdy, keep R
2.3   R on Chisholm 
        N38 35.014 W109 48.518
3.2   Back at highway parking
Aerial view of the Horsethief Campground area.
Aerial view of the Horsethief Campground area.
Getting there:
From I-70 and Crescent Junction, drive south on US-191 for 20 miles (about 9 miles north of the Colorado River if you're driving out from Moab) to Highway 313. Drive uphill 11 miles.
Horsethief Campground Road Trailhead:  Turn left on gravel road at the campground sign 11.8 miles from Highway 191. After 0.1 miles, turn left into the fenced parking area. Pedal south on Chisholm 0.1 miles, then fork right and go another 0.1 miles to Rowdy.
From the Campground:  Use the campground connectors ONLY if you're camping. The CG entry is 0.3 miles down the gravel road, on the left. From your camp spot, pedal around either campground loop. You'll find a marked trail entry at the far end of either the eastern or western camping loops, and at the southwest corner of the eastern loop.
Highway 313 Horsethief Area (Chisholm) Trailhead:  At mile 12.5, spot the trailhead kiosk on the left side of the road. Turn into parking. Start the ride to the campground loops by taking the Chisholm singletrack westbound across the road.

Riding resources:
Printable one-page ride summary
GPS track files (right-click and select "Save Target as..."):
    GPX multi-track, area trails
    Campground Loops
    CG loops from 313 (Chisholm) trailhead
    Horsethief Tour from Getaway (14 miles)
Topo map for printing:   View Horsethief Area Trails topo
Lodging, camping, shops:   Link to Moab area resources

Bathrooms: Horsethief Campground Water: Horsethief Campground Camping: Developed campground, nightly fee