If you are going to ride one route across Utah in your lifetime, this is the one.
The Utah Mountains bike tour is a point-to-point bike tour across Utah featuring the rugged backbone of the state. Who knew there were so many mountains in a state known for its deserts and canyons? The route meanders through three National Parks (Capitol Reef, Bryce and Zion), two National Monuments and one state park. Over the course of the tour we ride all 124-miles of Utah’s incomparable Scenic By-Way 12 and two stretches of road that rank up there with the most scenic in North America: The Hogback on Scenic By-Way-12 and the descent into Zion National Park
Road bike
7 days
563 km / 350 mi
$ 3,465.-
Three National Parks: Capital Reef, Bryce Canyon and Zion NP
All 124-miles of Utah’s incomparable scenic By-Way 12 and the descent into Zion National Park
The Hogback on Scenic By-Way-12
Cedar Breaks National Monument
The deposit for this tour is $950.-pp.
Gallery
Details
Type
Road bike
Duration
7 days
Level
Easy = untrained, normal physical condition Moderate = regular cyclist, good condition Challenging = experienced, well trained
Moderate
Support
Guided = with cycling guide(s) - support van Self Guided = individual - directions+maps
Guided
Daily distance
60-80 km / 37-50 mi
Total distance
563 km / 350 mi
Lodging
Deluxe = 4-5 star hotel or excellent B&B Basic = 1-2 star hotel/motel or B&B Camping = tent, sports hall or campus
Deluxe, full board
Luggage transport
Daily luggage transfers
Bicycle
Rental
Dates
23 Apr 2023 - 29 Apr 2023 07 May 2023 - 13 May 2023 14 May 2023 - 20 May 2023 21 May 2023 - 27 May 2023 04 Jun 2023 - 10 Jun 2023 11 Jun 2023 - 17 Jun 2023 27 Aug 2023 - 02 Sep 2023 10 Sep 2023 - 16 Sep 2023 17 Sep 2023 - 23 Sep 2023 24 Sep 2023 - 30 Sep 2023
More start dates: Oct. 1 and 15
Start date Sep.17 is fully booked
Start date Sept. 10 only need two more riders to be confirmed.
Start
St George
Finish
St George
Transfer
Las Vegas- St George for addional fee
Airport at start
Las Vegas McCarran It. Airport LAS
Airport at finish
Las Vegas McCarran It. Airport LAS
Prices *Please note the prices are subject to change depending availability*
Price per person / please note the prices are subject to change depending availability
Scott CR-1 carbon road bikes equipped with Shimano 105 components and geared for mountain climbing (the lowest rear gear is 32 tooth). 49cm, 52cm, 54cm 56cm, 58cm & 61cm bikes are available. Bike rental cost is $275- for the length of a tour.
$ 275.-
Optional
E mountain bike
$ 375.-
Optional
Single supplement
If you travel alone a single supplement is charged. With some group tours you can avoid a single supplement by sharing a room with another rider.
$ 595.-
Itinerary
Included / Not Included – lodging
Day 1: Fish Lake to Torrey
Standard, 41 miles with up to 1400 feet of climbing
Your Utah Mountains & National Parks Tour begins with a back country bike ride from Fish Lake, a high alpine lake located in the Fishlake/Southern Wasatch Plateau region of south-central Utah, where riders are treated to quiet Scenic Byway 72 with little traffic. Numerous viewpoints provide expansive views of the desert 3,000-feet below. This ride is one of Utah’s hidden gems.
From Fish Lake, descend to tonight’s accommodations at the relaxing oasis, Red River Ranch. The Fremont River flows through the ranch, twelve bison live on site, giant cottonwood trees shade the buildings and the ranch sits beneath towering red rock cliffs.
Day 2: Boulder Mountain Ride - Torrey to Boulder
Standard, 46 miles with up to 2900 feet of climbing
95 miles with up to 6,505 feet of climbing
Today’s 1st destination is Capitol Reef National Park. From our lodging in Torrey, we descend through a Redrock amphitheater to the Fremont River canyon where it cuts through the main geologic feature of the National Park, the Waterpocket Fold. The Fold is a wrinkle in the earth’s surface that extends for nearly 100 miles, creating a dramatic landscape of rugged cliffs and canyons, natural bridges, arches, and distinct formations in the heart of red rock country. This warp in the Earth’s crust is a classic monocline: a steep fold on one side of otherwise horizontal geological layers and it is about 7,000 feet higher in the west than on the east.
In the park we ride past ancient pictographs and depending on the season, enjoy fruit from the park service’s historic fruit trees. After lunch, for the second destination of the day, we shuttle or ride back to Torrey for the ascent of Boulder Mountain! Brace yourself – it can be a soul crushing 3,000-foot ascent to Boulder Mountains’s life-affirming 9,300-summit!
All in all, the 36-mile route from Torrey to Boulder climbs the Aquarius Plateau (a.k.a. Boulder Mountain) with spectacular views far below of Capitol Reef National Park, the Waterpocket Fold and the Henry Mountains. This is what Utah’s famed canyon country is all about. From the top of Boulder Mountain, fly 15-miles down to the oasis of Boulder, Utah.
Settle in tonight for a two-night’s stay in Boulder.
Day 3: Long Canyon Loop & Calf Creek Waterfall
Long Canyon Out & Back, 35 miles with up to 3,330 feet of climbing
Calf Creek Out & Back, 22 miles with up to 2,385 feet of climbing
On this day you will explore the extraordinary backcountry of the Grand-Staircase Escalante National Monument from our base camp at the Boulder Mtn Lodge.
Choose from a variety of activities, including swimming, canyoneering, hiking and more bike riding. Or just hang out at the lodge and enjoy a quiet day reading, soaking in the hot tub or even a massage.
The planned ride for today is a 37 mile out and back to the intimate confines of Long Canyon, a desert gem. The 400-foot tall canyon walls wingate sandstone tower above you. You can also walk into a hidden slot canyon that’s just off the quiet road. Even though this route is relatively short, be prepared for nearly 3,400 feet of climbing.
After Long Canyon, ride 12.5 miles to the Calf Creek Recreation Area. Change into your hiking boots here. In this enchanting desert oasis with lush vegetation and beaver ponds, you will arrive at the year-round 126 foot cascading waterfall of Lower Calf Creek after a 2.5 mile walk. We will spend a few hours searching Indian ruins and petroglyphs, then observe birds, deer and (if we are lucky) perhaps a mountain lion. Enjoy lunch in the shade beneath the waterfall.
After the 5 mile walking round-trip to the Calf Creek waterfall, you can call it a day or challenge yourself with the 12.5 mile return ride back up Boulder. Upon returning to the resort, take a walk around the adjacent bird sanctuary or enjoy a nap under a large cottonwood tree. We simply love the Boulder Mountain Lodge!
Tonight once again dine at Hell’s Backbone Grill. The gracious owners, Jenn and Blake, are wonderful hosts and their restaurant has received numerous praise, including the New York Times Story.
Day 4: Boulder, Utah to Bryce National Park
40 to 73 miles with between 2,750 and 5,760 feet of climbing
Today the Utah Mountains & National Parks Tour continues west on Utah State Highway 12. This is arguably one of the best cycling roads in the state, maybe the country. It twists and turns and climbs and dives across rough desert and high plateau topography. Today’s ride to Bryce National Park offers 73 miles & 5,760-feet of climbing that will likely turn your legs to mush.
The highlight of Highway 12 is the ridge of Hell’s Backbone – an exposed piece of highway dropping hundreds of feet on either side. Highway 12 traces the northern edge of the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, a 1.9 million acre spectacle of multi-hued cliffs and terraces, with distances that defy human perspective. Highway 12 is sure to please.
Tonight’s lodging is outside Bryce Canyon National Park and later on, we will take an exhilarating night hike under the stars inside the park.
Day 5: Bryce Canyon National Park to Cedar Breaks National Monument to Zion National Park
Standard, 57 to 73 miles
Segment #1: 32 or 48-miles
Segment #2 15 or 25-miles
Today offers a two-segment ride from the high point of Bryce Canyon National Park through the spectacular Red Canyon and then into Zion National Park.
On segment #1 we ride to Sunrise Point, the top of Bryce Canyon National Park, for a spectacular early morning view. From the top of the park we ride mostly down through the park and onto the Red Canyon Bike Trail, a marvelous bike path which descend 7-miles to the Red Canyon visitor center. NOTE: This first segment’s mileage can be reduced by 16-miles with a shuttle to the top of the park.
From the Red Canyon Visitor center we shuttle to Segment #2. NOTE: The shuttle is 22-miles long along a road that can be a bit busy. If riders wish to ride this section, they can do so.
Segment #2 offers 15 or 25-miles with 1,400-feet of climbing and 2,700-feet of descending. The ride starts from Mt. Caramel Junction and proceeds into the west entrance of Zion National Park. Jaw dropping sights await including: Checkerboard Mesa, 2,000-foot high sandstone walls, the Zion Tunnel, deep canyons and the switchbacks into the town of Springdale, Utah!
Day 6: Layover in Springdale, Utah
Hiking Options in Zion National Park
Optional Ride, Kolob Canyon Out & Back, 75 miles with up to 6,500 feet of climbing
With a layover day in Springdale, optional on-your-own unguided hiking in Zion National Park certainly beckons and we highly recommend you take advantage of it as Zion offers some of the most scenic hiking of all the national parks. Take the free Zion Canyon Shuttle from Springdale into the park for hiking and then back again when you are finished. The shuttle runs every 10-15 minutes throughout the day, so you will have plenty of time to enjoy your hike.
Some of the trails we recommend in Zion National Park are Angel’s Landing, The Narrows through the Virgin River and Weeping Rock… among many others!
An optional on-your-own out and back 75 mile route from Springdale to Kolob Canyon and back can also be ridden. This route offers tremendous views of Zion from above through a diverse landscape.
Day 7: Springdale, Utah to Virgin River Narrows
Zion Sunrise Ride, 16 miles with up to 1090 feet of climbing
On our final day of the tour, we breakfast early and then embark on an early morning sunrise ride into Zion National Park.
First we will ride a flat 7 miles on a park road closed to private vehicles as bikes rule here. Upon entering Zion, the riding experience is sublime with canyon walls towering over 2,000-feet above the road and early morning sunlight dancing along the tops of the white rock peaks… it is gorgeous! Upon reaching the end of the ride, there will be more options to hike around Zion canyon. Another option instead of the riding or hiking is to relax in the quaint downtown of Springdale.
In the mid-afternoon (Saturday), you can take the shuttle back to our meeting hotel in St. George. Choose to spend a night in St. George, or take the shuttle back to Las Vegas.
If you would like to extend your stay in Zion National Park, you are welcome to do so, but all reservations are on-your-own to make in advance. We will even transport your bike back to the shop and have it shipped for you, if you brought your own wheels.
For elevation profile and travel information see the PDF files below.
*Tour itineraries are subject to change and modification based on the group, available accommodations and other unforeseen circumstances including weather, wildfires, flooding, hurricanes, landslides and/or other acts of nature. Please view this itinerary as an outline as to what to expect on this tour.
Included:
The lodging on our Utah Mountains tour is spectacular!
All meals included.
Guide service.
Entrance fees .
Shuttles and mechanical support.(during the tour)
Not included:
Night before and after the tour not included. (meeting and ending hotel)
Bike rental. Be sure to bring your own helmet. We have a very limited supply and will only pack them if special arrangements are made ahead of time.
Flights to and from the trip.
Gratuity guides.
Alcoholic beverages
Lodging
Red River Ranch, or Torrey Schoolhouse B&B or Broken Spur Inn
Boulder Mountain Lodge or Boulder Mountain Guest Ranch
Bryce Canyon Lodge Cabins or ruby’s Inn
Cliffrose Lodge
Please note: The first three nights of the Utah Mountains tour stays at two of our favorite lodges, the Boulder Mtn Lodge and Red River Ranch. On very limited occurrences at these first two lodges single room supplement guests will have a private room with separate entrance, but may have to share a bath with one other guest. This infrequent arrangement is due to the room variations at these boutique lodges. Although we could stay in standard hotels that offer basic private rooms and private baths for everyone, we feel the lodging experience at both these highly regarded lodges offers an overall improvement to our tour experience.
NOTE:
Meeting Hotel and Ending Hotel reservations and costs are NOT included. Guests are on-their-own to make reservations at the Meeting Hotel or Ending Hotel, or other nearby hotels
Optional:
Shuttle from Las Vegas to St. George: NV. Shuttle service available through the St. George Shuttle, +1 435.628.8320. The St. George shuttle service delivers passengers to their shuttle base which is about a mile from the Courtyard Marriott meeting hotel. Before arriving at the shuttle base passengers should call the Courtyard Marriott and ask for their shuttle vehicle to pick them up at the St. George Shuttle base.
NOTE #1 : There is a time zone change between Vegas and St. George where you lose an hour.
NOTE #2 : There are now also a limited number of flights into and out of St. George, Utah.
Post Tour Logistics:
The Utah Mountains tour ends in St. George, Utah on Day 7. The tour operator coordinates a 12:30pm Saturday return shuttle from Zion National Park back to the St. George Shuttle base (435.628.8320) and/or meeting hotel in St. George, Utah (1.15 hour). Cyclists wishing to continue onto Las Vegas (1.5 hrs from St. George) on Day 7 should make their own shuttle reservation with St. George shuttle. A 2:30 pm or later shuttle reservation from the St. George Shuttle base to Vegas is recommended.
NOTE: When shuttling to Vegas there is a time zone change where you gain an hour! So if one depart St. George at 3pm, one arrives at 3:30pm Vegas time. As a result, same day return flight reservations can be made at 5pm or later.
NOTE: If cyclists wish to stay an extra day in Zion, we suggest they stay another night (Saturday) and take one of the regular shuttles between Zion and St. George on Sunday.
Map & Routes
Map
Satellite
Bicycle
Scott CR-1 carbon road bikes equipped with Shimano 105 components and geared for mountain climbing (the lowest rear gear is 32 tooth). 49cm, 52cm, 54cm 56cm, 58cm & 61cm bikes are available. Bike rental cost is $275- for the length of a tour.
Be sure to bring your own helmet. We have a very limited supply and will only pack them if special arrangements are made ahead of time.
With this form you can ask us for more information about this tour. We will respond as soon as possible. Please also check your spam or junk box.
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