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Map of Cycle Utah: Bryce & Zion National Parks

Cycle through deserts, forests and canyons on a journey through Utah’s ever-changing landscapes

Combine cycling, stunning rugged landscapes and laidback Southwestern life and you get some of the best that Southern Utah has to offer. Ride winding roads through iconic Bryce Canyon and Zion National Parks, past red rock canyons, sandstone cliffs and through sprawling forests, or escape the crowds and enjoy the endless vistas of the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument and Snow Canyon State Park. With great weather and scenery, the cycling here is second to none. Off the bike you’ll find some of the country’s most fascinating history, friendly locals and authentic cuisine – this cycling adventure takes in the best of it all at a pace everyone can enjoy.

Start
Saint George, United States
Finish
Saint George, United States
Destinations
Style
Original
Theme
Cycling
Code
SSXU
Physical rating
Ages
Min 15
Group size
Min 1, Max 13

Why you'll love this trip

  • Discover the needle-like hoodoo pinnacles of Bryce Canyon National Park and the sheer red sandstone canyons of Zion National Park.

  • Cycle through Snow Canyon State Park viewing ancient lava flows and petrified sand dunes.

  • Challenge yourself to inspiring climbs and freewheeling descents past millions of years of geologic history in the multihued rock layers of the Colorado Plateau.

  • Enjoy the best of Southwestern culture, cuisine and history in the same lands Butch Cassidy once called home.

Is this trip right for you?

  • This trip deliberately involves a fair amount of driving – this is designed that you only cycle the very best places and none of the 'transit' legs in-between.

  • To complete this trip it is important that you are both confident and competent in riding a bicycle. While the cycling distances on this trip are relatively short, the terrain can sometimes be hilly so you’ll need a reasonable level of fitness to enjoy the trip – but remember, we will always have the support vehicle on hand if you need to take a break for an hour or a day.

  • For groups of less than six travellers we have a single leader that drives the support vehicle alongside the group. For larger groups we have a separate driver and the leader will cycle all routes.

  • As our riding is done mostly on sealed roads with the occasional gravel cycle path there are no technical cycling skills required – If you feel like doing all the riding but with less effort, you have the option of hiring an electric bike (e-bike) on this trip.

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USA_Utah_Zion
USA_Utah_Snow-Canyon_Cyclists
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USA_Utah_Dixie-State-Forest_Cyclists
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USA_Utah_Red-Canyon_Cyclists
USA_Utah_Zion-canyon_Cyclist

Itinerary
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Welcome to Saint George, the gateway to some of Utah’s finest parks and cycling trails. If you arrive early you might like to try one of the local hiking trails like the Red Reef Trail or just enjoy a relaxing morning exploring the local area. Your trip begins with a 3pm welcome meeting with your guide and fellow travellers. Afterwards, enjoy a warm-up ride around Saint George taking in iconic sites such as the beautiful architecture of the 1877 St. George Temple in town before venturing into the stunning Red Cliffs National Conservation Area and back. At only 23kms (14 miles) it’s a short ride but one that will give you a good taste of the amazing scenery that Utah has to offer. After the ride, you’re free to freshen up and head out to the vibrant downtown to enjoy dinner at one of the many restaurants.
Included Activities
  • 6 Days Included Bicycle Hire
  • Expert Cycling Leader/Guide & Vehicle Support
  • St George Guided Cycling
Optional Activities
  • St George Mormon Temple - Free
  • Brigham Young Winter Home Tour - Free
  • Red Reef Trail Hike - Free
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.
Special Information
Today’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.

After breakfast transfer by vehicle (approx.1.5hrs) to Cedar Breaks National Monument. Learn about the stunning half-mile deep amphitheater of red rock, sitting at an altitude of over 10,000 feet, before getting onto the bikes for a long but enjoyable day in the saddle. Start by enjoying a relaxed 30-mile descent through the conifer and aspen trees of the sprawling Dixie National Forest. After lunch, the road flattens out as you make your way east. Get a taste of what is to come as you ride the Canyon bike path, gently climbing through the Ponderosa pines and red sandstone hoodoos of Red Canyon – once a hideout of the notorious Butch Cassidy – before dropping down into the small town of Tropic, gateway to the stunning Bryce Canyon National Park. You have two nights here so feel free to unpack and relax.
Included Activities
  • Cedar Breaks National Monument
  • Dixie National Forest
  • Cedar Breaks to Tropic Guided & Vehicle-supported Cycling
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
Today’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.

Today is a long ride, but a classic, as you spend the entire day riding Scenic Byway 12, also known as ‘A Journey Through Time’. The day starts 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 – 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 it’s all downhill back into Escalante where you’ll board the vehicle and transfer (approx. 45 minutes) back to Tropic. Enjoy a hearty meal and drink in town tonight – you’ve earned it!
Included Activities
  • Head of the Rocks Overlook
  • Tropic to Escalante Guided & Vehicle-supported Cycling
  • Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
Today’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.

Today you ride through not one, but two iconic US National Parks. After a quick vehicle shuttle, begin your first ride, slowly climbing up through the surreal canyons and needle-like orange hoodoos of Bryce Canyon National Parks all the way to the end of the road at the famous Rainbow Point. Here you can enjoy the expansive panoramic vista of pink cliffs contrasted with the green bristlecone pines - the oldest living individual organisms on Earth. After taking in the view (and numerous photos) board the vehicle and shuttle (approx. 1.5 hrs) to Mt Carmel Junction for lunch. After lunch, jump back on the bikes and follow the road as it shadows Pine Creek all the way into the iconic Zion Canyon National Park. See the famous towering monoliths like The East Temple and Bridge Mountain looming above, touches of greenery contrasting the red sandstone and the fast-flowing Virgin River tumbling downwards all the way downhill to the end of the ride at Springdale. From here pack up the bikes and jump into the vehicle for the short transfer (approx. 30 mins) to your lodging in Hurricane.
Included Activities
  • Zion National Park
  • Bryce Canyon National Park
  • Zion National Park Guided & Vehicle-supported Cycling
  • Bryce Canyon National Park Guided & Vehicle-supported Cycling
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
Today’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.

Early this morning you’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 Utah’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 – for a good rest and even better view. Once you reach the end of the paved road it’s time to enjoy a freewheeling descent of the same road back down before enjoying a short hike out past sparkling waterfalls to the green-tinged Emerald Pools. From here it's a short shuttle (approx. 45 minutes) back to St George.
Included Activities
  • Zion National Park Guided & Vehicle-supported Cycling
  • Zion National Park - Emerald Pools hike
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
Today’s riding distance is approximately 30kms/19 miles, with one uphill/descent, with 400m/1310ft of overall elevation gain.

Depending on the time of year there may be an option to hike the Emerald Pools trail - your group leader will discuss this at the group meeting.

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 Guided & Vehicle-supported Cycling
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
Today’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.
Want to tailor this itinerary?

Meals

5 breakfasts

Transport

Bicycle (e-bike option available, subject to availability), Support Vehicle

Accommodation

Simple Hotel/Motel (5 nights)

Included activities

  • 6 Days Included Bicycle Hire
  • Expert Cycling Leader/Guide & Vehicle Support
  • St George Guided Cycling
  • Cedar Breaks National Monument
  • Dixie National Forest
  • Cedar Breaks to Tropic Guided & Vehicle-supported Cycling
  • Head of the Rocks Overlook
  • Tropic to Escalante Guided & Vehicle-supported Cycling
  • Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument
  • Zion National Park
  • Bryce Canyon National Park
  • Zion National Park Guided & Vehicle-supported Cycling
  • Bryce Canyon National Park Guided & Vehicle-supported Cycling
  • Zion National Park - Emerald Pools hike
  • Snow Canyon State Park Guided & Vehicle-supported Cycling

Dates & availability

Trip departures are unavailable.

There are currently no scheduled departures on our Cycle Utah: Bryce & Zion National Parks trip. If you are interested in other trips in the region visit one of the links below.

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Important notes

1. This trip starts with a welcome meeting at 3pm on Day 1 in Saint George.
2. This trip ends on Day 6 at 11am.
3. Due to strict US National Park permit restrictions we are unable to hike within Zion National Park.
4. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement applies to all nights of your trip and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
5. Bicycle hire is included in your trip price. Please advise your height at time of booking so we can organise a suitable sized bike.
6. The included bikes on this trip are a flat bar 'hybrid-style'. You have the option (at extra cost) of hiring an electric bike (e-bike) or a road bike on this trip - this must be requested at the time of booking.
7. Bike helmets are compulsory on this trip. We are unable to hire bike helmets locally so please ensure you bring your own bike helmet from home, or purchase one locally.
8. For groups of 6 or less clients we have a single leader that drives the support vehicle alongside the group. For larger groups, we have a separate driver and the leader will cycle all routes. Where the vehicle cannot travel directly with the cyclists (e.g. a cyclists-only path) your leader will assign a person from the group to act as a backmarker.
9. Accommodation is not included on day 6 of this trip. If you require additional accommodation (or want to reserve your room for the main part of the day) please contact the hotel directly.
10. Due to Covid-19 restrictions some of the local attractions may be temporarily closed, running reduced hours, or require booking ahead. Please check their websites for up-to-date opening hours.

Essential trip information

Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.

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