Deals

Cycle Utah: Bryce & Zion National Parks

Wander across Utah's constantly shifting landscapes, canyons, woodlands, and deserts

Inclusions

Meals
  • 5 breakfasts
Transport
  • Bicycle (e-bike option available, subject to availability), Support Vehicle
Accommodation
  • Simple Hotel/Motel (5 nights)
Included activities
  • Dixie National Forest
  • Cedar Breaks National Monument
  • Head of the Rocks Overlook
  • Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument
  • Bryce Canyon National Park Cycling
  • Zion National Park Cycling
  • Snow Canyon State Park Cycling

Gallery

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LOCATION

Itinerary

Day 1: Saint George

The best getaway to some of Utah's best parks and bike trails is Saint George. If you arrive early, you might choose to explore the neighbourhood on a leisurely morning or try one of the nearby hiking routes, including the Red Reef Trail. Your journey gets underway with a welcoming gathering with your guide and other travellers at 3 PM. After that, take a warm-up ride around Saint George, stopping to see famous landmarks like the 1877 St. George Temple's exquisite architecture, before continuing on to the breathtaking Red Cliffs National Conservation Area and returning. It's a short rideā€”only 23 kilometres (14 miles)ā€”but it will give you a decent flavour of Utah's breathtaking surroundings.After the trip, you are free to change and go out to one of the numerous restaurants in the lively downtown.
Optional Activities
  • Brigham Young Winter Home Tour - Free
  • St George Mormon Temple - Free
  • Red Reef Trail Hike - Free
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.
Special Information
Todayā€™s riding distance is approximately 23 kms/14 miles, uphill for the first 4 miles then most downhill, with 250 m/820 ft of overall elevation gain.

Day 2: Tropic

After breakfast, drive (about 1.5 hours) to Cedar Breaks National Monument. Before hopping on the bikes for a long but delightful day in the saddle, learn about the spectacular half-mile deep amphitheatre of red rock, lying at an elevation of nearly 10,000 feet. A leisurely 30-mile descent through the vast Dixie National Forest's conifer and aspen forests should be enjoyed first. As you continue east after lunch, the road becomes more level. Ride the Canyon bike route to get a taste of what's to come. It gradually climbs past Red Canyon's Ponderosa pines and red sandstone hoodoos, which were originally Butch Cassidy's hideout. From there, it descends into the little hamlet of Tropic, which serves as the entrance to the breathtaking Bryce Canyon National Park. You have two nights here so feel free to unpack and relax.
Included Activities
  • Dixie National Forest
  • Cedar Breaks National Monument
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
Todayā€™s riding distance is approximately 100kms/65 miles, downhill for the first 30 miles then a long but gentle uphill to Bryce, with 610 m/2000 ft of overall elevation gain.

Day 3: Tropic & Escalante Canyons

This day might be hectic but yet again it's a classic, as you spend the entire day riding Scenic Byway 12, also known as ā€˜A Journey Through Timeā€™. The day gets started with a gentle downhill to the edge of the multihued Kodachrome Basin State Park then a long climb up towards Powell Point Vista and the towering Canaan Peak ā€“ the views certainly make the climb worthwhile and the support vehicle is always on hand if you need it. After a well-earned rest begin the freewheeling 20-mile descent all the way to the town of Escalante, before one last climb up to the Head of the Rocks Overlook for expansive views of the colourful slickrocks. From here itā€™s all downhill back into Escalante where youā€™ll board the vehicle and transfer (approx. 45 minutes) back to Tropic. Enjoy a hearty meal and drink in town tonight ā€“ youā€™ve earned it!
Included Activities
  • Head of the Rocks Overlook
  • Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
Todayā€™s riding distance is approximately 95kms/59 miles, downhill for the first 10kms/6 miles then a long 23km/14-mile uphill section immediately followed by a 30km/19 mile downhill, with 870m/2850 ft of overall elevation gain

Day 4: Bryce Canyon & Zion National Park

Today, your trip takes you through two renowned US National Parks. After a brief car transfer, set off on your first ride, carefully ascending through the bizarre canyons and orange hoodoos that resemble needles in Bryce Canyon National Parks until you reach the road's conclusion at the renowned Rainbow Point. The oldest living species on Earth, the bristlecone pines, may be seen in this vast panoramic view of pink cliffs and greenery. After admiring the scenery and taking many photographs, get in the car and drive for around 1.5 hours to Mt. Carmel Junction, where you may have lunch. Get back on the bikes after lunch and ride down the path that follows Pine Creek all the way into the well-known Zion Canyon National Park.
Included Activities
  • Bryce Canyon National Park Cycling
  • Zion National Park Cycling
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
Todayā€™s morning ride distance is approximately 33kms/20 miles, mostly gently uphill with 675m/2200 ft of overall elevation gain.

The afternoon ride is approximately 39kms/24 miles, with one climb/descent, with 400m/1310 ft of overall elevation gain.

Day 5: Zion National Park

This morning youā€™ll drive back to Springdale then enjoy an epic ride up the virtually car-free Floor of the Valley Road beneath the towering red rock cliffs of Zion Canyon. This is Utahā€™s canyonlands at their finest as you cycle up steep-sided cliffs and past the megaliths such as the Mountain of the Sun, Mount Majestic, and The Great White Throne. Be sure to stop off at the scenic Court of the Patriarchs Viewpoint along the way ā€“ for a good rest and even better view. Once you reach the end of the paved road itā€™s time to enjoy a freewheeling descent of the same road then shuttle (approx. 45 minutes) back to St George.
Included Activities
  • Zion National Park Cycling
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
The route travelled today, which is around 30 km (19 mi), includes one uphill and one downhill with a total elevation gain of 400 m (1310 ft).

Your group leader will discuss the possibility of hiking the Emerald Pools trek at the group meeting depending on the time of year.

Day 6: St George & Snow Canyon State Park

Your last ride follows a familiar start as you start by retracing your tyre tracks from Day 1 then turn north, climbing upwards on an early morning cycle through the lesser-visited Snow Canyon State Park. The terrain here is a vast contrast to the last few days, yet equally compelling, as vertiginous cliffs give way to petrified sand dunes, ancient lava flows and red Navajo sandstone. Savour the final long descent back down into Saint George with ample time to freshen up before it is time to say goodbye to your riding companions as the trip comes to an end.
Included Activities
  • Snow Canyon State Park Cycling
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
Todayā€™s riding distance is approximately 39kms/24 miles, with one uphill/descent, with 630m/2070ft of overall elevation gain.

The trip finishes at 11am today.
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