Best Utah Cycling Tours & Vacations 2022/23

Gear up for a cycling adventure of a lifetime in Utah’s wild, wild west.

Where else can you cycle through immense canyons, explore kaleidoscopic sandstone labyrinths and marvel at the world's largest concentration of natural arches – all in one trip? Utah is as wild as US national parks get, and one of the best ways to experience it is from two wheels. Not only will you get to explore sections of Zion National Park, Bryce Canyon and other national parks that are only accessible by bike, but you’ll also discover amazing hiking trails, fascinating history and the warmth of Southwestern hospitality along the way. Going at a steady pace with your local leader by your side, a Utah cycling tour will challenge you just enough to get your adrenaline fix while soaking up all the beauty the state has to offer.

Our Utah cycling tours

Cycle Utah: Bryce & Zion National Parks

6 Days From 1726

Explore Southern Utah on a 6-day cycling adventure with Intrepid Travel from Saint...

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Highlights of cycling in Utah

People scrambling on rocks in Bryce Canyon, Utah

Discover Bryce Canyon

As you zip along winding roads and slowly climb through otherworldly chasms, it's easy to lose yourself in the sheer beauty of Bryce Canyon. Littered with needle-like hoodoos rock spires, a collection of natural amphitheatres and vibrant red, orange and pink cliffs that pop against the green bristlecone pines – the oldest living individual organisms on Earth – Bryce Canyon is a desert-like playground waiting to be explored. If you thought the views couldn't get any better, just wait until you watch the kaleidoscope of colours shifting against the setting sun.

Explore Zion National Park

From the intricate labyrinths of slot canyons to the sweeping sandstone cliffs to the lush gardens along the Virgin River, Zion National Park boasts some of the best landscapes in the United States. Swapping the wheels for a pair of hiking boots allows you to explore at a slower pace. Whether you want to wade in shallow river passages through soaring canyon walls in the iconic Narrows or tackle Angel's Landing, the park's most thrilling hike with exposed ridges, steep drops and jaw-dropping views across the canyon, hiking in Zion has a little something for everyone.

Visit Temple Square

You can't travel to Salt Lake City and not visit Temple Square. Located in the downtown area and spanning a mighty 10 acres, this impressive landmark stands out in the best way with a commanding structure, elegant architecture and gorgeous surrounding gardens. The temple has played a key role in the city's history and acts as the headquarters for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. A walk through this iconic spot will give you a greater understanding of Mormon religion and history, and some gorgeous views to boot.

Jacob Hamlin Arch in Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument

Discover Grand Staircase Escalante

Where else can immerse yourself in 260 million years of geological history? Nestled between Grand Canyon and Bryce Canyon, Grand Staircase is brimming with a series of rocky plateaus that look a bit like steps, lunar-like deserts, hidden waterfalls and smooth, wave-like slot canyons. Your eyes will be occupied for the whole journey as you freewheel the 20-mile descent down to Escalante before climbing up to the Head of the Rocks Overlook where you'll be treated to soul-stirring views of the colourful slick rocks.

Hike in Arches National Park

Jam-packed with wonderfully eroded sandstone cliffs and natural rock formations in all shapes and sizes, Arches National Park has the world's largest concentration of natural sandstone arches and your feet (and eyes) will be kept busy as you weave uphill beneath striking coloured rocks before hopping off to explore on foot. One of the most famous arches you don't want to miss is Delicate Arch, a 54-foot freestanding formation that’s as beautiful as it is impressive. For the ultimate view, head up to Delicate Arch for sunset to watch an explosion of colour dance across the sky as the sun dips below the horizon.

Travellers admiring the views at Dead Horse Point

Ride to Dead Horse Point

After zipping along the aptly named Intrepid Trail and the Great Pyramid Trail, you'll reach Dead Horse Point. If you're wondering about the name, cowboys in the early 19th century supposedly herded wild mustangs on the edge of this mesa and took the best ones with them, trapping the rest without food and water to perish. Legend has it you can still see and hear them roaming the area. Despite the eerie story, gazing out at Canyonlands' seemingly endless sculpted pinnacles, dramatic buttes and eye-popping curves of the Colorado River 2,000 feet below makes every drip of sweat worth it.

Utah cycling tour reviews

Utah FAQs

Do I need a COVID-19 vaccine to join a trip in Utah?

Everyone traveling on an Intrepid trip must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as a condition of carriage. 

All travelers are required to produce:

Proof of COVID-19 vaccination
All children aged 5 to 17 years old must provide proof of vaccination (if eligible), proof of recovery or a negative COVID-19 test.
If you are unable to be vaccinated for medical reasons, you may apply for an exemption. Exemptions will be assessed on a case-by-case basis. To apply, you must provide a medical certificate from a medical professional.

In all cases, you must be fully inoculated. This means you must receive the full dosage of the COVID-19 vaccine and allow enough time for immunity to take effect. Each COVID-19 vaccine has different dosages and timeframes for inoculation, so please check the relevant medical advice associated with your vaccine.

Learn more about Intrepid's COVID-19 proof of vaccination policy

Where is Utah?

Utah is situated in the Western region of the United States. Utah is surrounded by a number of states including Wyoming, New Mexico, Idaho, Arizona, and Colorado to the east, and Nevada to the west.

How to get to Utah

Getting to Utah is relatively easy with a number of different transportation options available. These include flying into one of their seven commercial airports such as Salt Lake City International Airport and Provo Municipal Airport, embarking on a road trip from one of the neighboring states, or catching public transport in the form of a bus or a train with several routes taking you to various destinations within the state.

How far is Utah from California?

How far Utah is from California largely depends on the way you're traveling, whether that's by plane, car, or via public transport. If you were to drive from California to Utah it would take you roughly 12 hours (that's one hell of a road trip) as it's approximately 487 miles. If flying is more your thing, then the flight time between LAX and SLC will take you just under 2 hours and is a relatively cheap option.

Getting around Utah

Getting around Utah is also relatively easy due to the number of different transportation options available. If you're driving into the state then it remains easy to drive around the state with all major highways easy to navigate and maintained regularly. You can also fly between popular destinations within the state as there are seven different commercial airports that offer services to take you from Salt Lake City to Cedar City, and from St. George Regional Airport near Zion National Park to Provo. Utah also has an excellent and reliable public transportation system in the form of bus and train networks that offer routes to popular destinations and regions within the state.

What’s the weather like in Utah?

Utah's climate is very similar to that of neighboring states such as Nevada in that it has a very dry, semi-arid, and desert climate. This means that summers can get very hot although there is little chance of humidity as Utah is considered one of the driest states in America. Despite the dry, desert-like climate, Utah still experiences four very distinct seasons with temperatures in Winter averaging between 32°F and 59°F.

What to pack for Utah

What to pack for Utah depends on what time of the year you're traveling in but regardless of the season, there are some items you should always pack. Some of these items include sensible and comfortable walking shoes (most likely you'll be doing a lot of hiking during your time in Utah), a sun hat or cap, and some sunscreen (especially in summer). If you're traveling in winter, be sure to pack trousers, sweaters, waterproof jackets, and thick coats to keep yourself warm.

When’s the best time to visit Utah?

The best time to visit Utah largely depends on what you want to get out of your vacation and what kind of activities you want to participate in while you're there. When it comes to the weather, the best time to visit Utah is between April and mid-June (before temperatures get too high) or from August to mid-October as the state is filled with the beautiful fall colors of orange, red, and brown. If you're planning on trekking through some of the state's national parks, then traveling during summer is advised against (unless you undertake extra planning) as temperatures can exceed 100°F.

What is the internet access like in Utah?

If you stick to the popular cities of Utah such as Salt Lake City, then your internet coverage shouldn't be affected. However, if you're planning on spending time in one of the state's many national parks then you could experience some disruptions. Most national parks have reception areas or tourist hubs where WiFi access is available but if you're hiking through the park or you've stopped at a high-altitude viewpoint then your service is likely to be weak and unreliable.