Bryce & Zion Biking
Utah's Red-Rock Canyons
Riders love a challenge. Long climbs. Rugged descents. Switchbacks. And a whole lot of downhill. And with every worthwhile challenge comes a reward. Yours will be paid in the form of breathtaking canyons and incredible rock formations. See the setting sun change the landscape before your eyes. Marvel at how wind and water can produce such strange, beautiful places. But most of all, just enjoy it. The long rides, warm dry air, brilliant sun and staggering natural grandeur around every corner. And when you return home, the challenge becomes finding routes that can live up to these.
- Jaw-dropping Cedar Breaks National Monument, a lesser-known red-rock gem
- Rides past whimsically shaped rock formations and Navajo sandstone cliffs
- Hike amid the hoodoos and spires of Queen's Garden in Bryce
- Spin past intriguing Checkerboard Mesa, sculpted and etched by weathering and erosion
- Angels Landing, with views of Zion's soaring rock faces and yawning canyon abyss
The Day-to-Day Itinerary
Days 1-2 Awe-inspiring Cedar Breaks National Monument, a lesser-known red-rock gem, with stone towers, canyons, columns and arches
After descending into meadows encircled by quaking aspen and ponderosa pine, spin across the high desert to Bryce Canyon, where visibility on a clear day can exceed 100 miles.
Day 3 The whimsically shaped hoodoos and spires of Bryce Canyon
Explore the otherworldly wonderland of the park on such aptly named trails as Sunrise, Queen's Garden and Inspiration
Grab your camera and a seat on the canyon rim to watch the sun set - the dance of light and color over the mystical monoliths is an unforgettable performance.
Day 4 Ride past extraordinary rock formations, sculpted and etched by weathering and erosion
The route to Zion National Park begins along a bike path through Red Canyon, brimming with crimson colored pinnacles, spires and hoodoos
Approaching Mount Carmel, watch for the impressive white sandstone Elkhart Cliffs.
Days 5-6 Angels Landing, with views of Zion's soaring rock faces and yawning canyon abyss - at nearly 2,000 feet above the valley, it's quite a climb!
The exhilarating river hike through the Narrows, where waterfalls and hanging gardens cascade down the canyon walls, is not to be missed
Take in the red and pink cliffs from the saddle as you bike along the car-free Zion Canyon Scenic Drive.
- Premiere Inns: These lodgings possess both elegance and authentic regional flair.
- Casual Inns: These lodgings are comfortable and appropriate to the area with such characteristics as authenticity, scenic settings and proximity to our activities.
- Deluxe Family Camping: We set up the tents (and take them down), handle every camp chore and perform culinary magic.
Other Trips You Might Like:
Crater Lake Biking Arizona Biking Glacier BikingOther National Park Trips
Look at what other guests are saying about this trip!
What can I say?!?! This trip was the BEST!! It was awesome, amazing, seamlessly run, super challenging, and all around unbelievable. Every time I sign up for another Backroads trip (this was my 4th) I question how one trip can outdo my previous trip and once again, it happened. Time to start planning my next trip!- New York, NY More about this Trip All Guest Reviews
For 32 years, Backroads has been perfecting the art of active travel. We are the tour experts. To see all our biking tours click here. For our selection of award-winning walking and hiking tours click here. For our selection of award-winning multisport tours click here.
Bryce & Zion Biking
Casual Inns
Cedar Breaks Lodge
Brian Head (1 night) A mountainside hotel with views of pristine alpine forests and flower-filled meadows. (pool, spa)
The Lodge at Bryce Canyon
Bryce Canyon (2 nights) Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, this simple park lodge is mere steps from the canyon's edge.
Desert Pearl Inn
Zion (2 nights) Every private balcony at this welcoming riverside lodge offers views of Zion's stunning red cliffs.
Bryce & Zion Biking
Routes For All Abilities
Every Backroads trip is designed to appeal to a wide variety of interests and fitness levels. We know your pace may vary from one day to the next-and your traveling companion's may differ somewhat from yours. So we present a range of mileage options, and each day you decide exactly what and how much you want to do.
| Activity Level | Average Time | Biking Average | Walking Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2-3 hours | 10-20 miles | 2-5 miles |
| 2 | 2-4 hours | 21-30 miles | 5-7 miles |
| 3 | 3-5 hours | 31-40 miles | 7-9 miles |
| 4 | 4-6 hours | 41-55 miles | 9-11 miles |
| 5 | 5-7+ hours | 56-75+ miles | 11-13+ miles |
Daily Mileage Options & Cumulative Elevation Gain
Day 1
- Start of Trip
Day 2
- Levels 3 to 5
3 Route Options Available
- Biking 37, 45, 64 miles
- 1000 - 2400 feet elevation gain
Day 3
- Levels 1 to 3
3 Route Options Available
- Biking 33 miles
- 1000 feet elevation gain
- Hiking 3.4, 7 miles
- 500 - 800 feet elevation gain
Day 4
- Levels 2 to 5
3 Route Options Available
- Biking 28, 49, 62 miles
- 300 - 1000 feet elevation gain
Day 5
- Levels 1 to 3
4 Route Options Available
- Hiking 2, 4, 5, 8 miles
- 500 - 2200 feet elevation gain
Day 6
- Level 1
1 Route Option Available
- Biking 19 miles
- 500 feet elevation gain