By Nancy K
from Needham, MA
10/3/2017
5.0Our trip exceeded all of my expectations!
By Tricia
from Richmond, VA
9/6/2017
5.0The views took my breath away!
7/17/2017
5.0This trip exceeded my expectations in every way.
7/15/2017
5.0Magnificent sites so enhanced by Backroads
3/13/2017
5.0Far exceeded my expectations...such a fantastic trip!
3/13/2017
5.0Amazing trip with my kids.
2/16/2017
4.0Great trip in two iconic National Parks
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Casual Hotels
Accommodations may vary based on departure date. Any difference from what is listed below can be found by clicking on your desired date on the View Scheduled Dates or Private Dates tabs.
Cedar Breaks Lodge & Spa
Brian Head (1 night)
A mountainside hotel with views of pristine alpine forests. (pool, spa)
Lodge at Bryce Canyon
Bryce Canyon National Park (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 National Park (2 nights)
Guest rooms at this welcoming riverside lodge have balconies overlooking the stunning red cliffs of Zion. (pool)
This Trip Is Rated Levels 2-4
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.
Daily Route Options (drag to see full )
| Daily Route Options |
| 1 |
|
|
23 |
500 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 2 |
|
|
33* |
600 |
38* |
1600 |
46* |
1400 |
64 |
3700 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
55* |
3000 |
|
|
| 3 |
|
|
18* |
800 |
33 |
2500 |
|
|
|
|
| Bryce Canyon Hiking (3-7 Miles; 300-1,600' elevation gain) |
| 4 |
|
|
24* |
400 |
33* |
600 |
41* |
900 |
56* |
2200 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
68* |
2900 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
85* |
3700 |
| 5 |
Zion Canyon Hiking (2—5 Miles; 100–1,500' elevation gain) |
| 6 |
17 |
900 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Note:
* Includes shuttle.
Learn more about how we determine our activity level and fully support a range of abilities and interests.
Please note that our distance and elevation figures come from Ride with GPS. Other sources (such as Map My Ride and Garmin devices) may give differing elevation figures due to different GPS and mapping technologies. Readings from a Garmin or a smart phone are influenced by other factors such as air pressure.
Meals
All breakfasts, 6 lunches, 4 dinners
Available Bike Options
The key to a stellar day’s ride is a bike that’s perfectly in tune with your cycling style… Backroads has you covered with the best bike fleet in the world! Read on for your available bike options for this trip or view our full bike fleet in further detail.
Backroads Titanium Bikes (Included in your trip price)
Our custom-built titanium bikes are specially designed for you—and we offer different models for varied terrain so your bike is ideally suited to the region. Our custom-made bikes are included in your trip price.
Touring Bike (Included)
Road Bike (Included)
For trips departing before 4/15/18, please see available bike options here.
Specialized S-Works Roubaix & Ruby ($400 rental fee)
Ride like a pro with the new top-of-the-line S-Works bike featuring ultrasmooth Shimano Di2 electronic shifting. Faster and smoother than any other bike out there, this race-ready carbon machine delivers phenomenal acceleration and handling in an ultralight, ultrapowerful package—perfect for experienced riders. The Specialized S-Works Ruby is a light, agile speed machine precisely designed for women. You can upgrade to a Specialized S-Works Roubaix or Ruby on your trip.
Specialized S-Works Roubaix (Upgrade)
Specialized S-Works Ruby (Upgrade)
Co-Motion Torpedo Tandem ($400 rental fee)
Do you prefer to spin in tandem with your partner? You'll love the Co-Motion Periscope Torpedo tandem on your Backroads trip. You can upgrade to a Co-Motion Torpedo Tandem on your trip.
Co-Motion Torpedo Tandem (Upgrade)
Also Included
- Expertise and services of our experienced Trip Leaders
- Snacks and beverages between meals
- Additional guides and experts from the region on many trips
- Van shuttles to support a variety of route options
- Comprehensive Travel Planner with detailed pre-trip information
- Private guided tours at museums, historic sites, wineries and other select attractions as noted in the Travel Planner
- All gratuities at hotels and restaurants
- Special events, including wine tastings and other select attractions as mentioned in the Travel Planner
- On biking and multi-adventure trips, use of fully equipped Backroads titanium bike plus helmet and accessories
- Trailercycles, carriers, and kid-sized helmets for Family Trips
- Equipment and experienced guides for kayaking, rafting, snorkeling, sailing and canoeing as described
- Park and other entry fees
- Fares for trains, ferries and other modes of travel as listed in the Travel Planner
- Select coach transfers
- Baggage transfers and porterage
Get the Straight Talk about This Trip
We want to make sure you're on the right trip and that you have the best experience possible. Every Backroads trip is unique and this one is no exception.
Accommodations & Service Standards
Lodge at Bryce Canyon is a fairly rustic national park lodge that reflects its natural surroundings. While this historic hotel offers simpler accommodations than the typical Backroads property, it's been selected because of its unparalleled access to the best riding in the region. Please note that the guest rooms are basic and are not equipped with televisions or air-conditioning (nights are usually cool due to the high elevation).
Generally speaking, service in the national parks can seem laid-back when compared with the high standards of service found on other Backroads trips.
Traffic
While Backroads strives to find roadways that are quiet and off the beaten track, some routes on this trip follow heavily trafficked roads. Of course, you're always welcome to jump in the shuttle to avoid the busier sections of the route.
Interpretive Guides & Hiking without Your Leaders
The National Park Service has many regulations on hiking. In Zion National Park you will begin your hike with your leaders, who will hike with you as far as park service regulations allow. You will then explore the remainder of the trails on your own. In Bryce Canyon National Park, your leaders can hike with you but can't act as interpretive guides. Throughout the trip, your leaders will give an orientation to the area's flora, fauna and terrain before your hikes. Thank you for helping us cooperate with each park's regulations!
Why Travel with Backroads in Bryce and Zion
It's about Going beyond the Obvious
We've offered this classic Southwest biking trip for 37 years, and it's never stopped evolving: we're constantly out on the road fine-tuning the experience, retaining what's great and changing parts that, for whatever reason, are no longer as special. That's the value of traveling with Bryce and Zion veterans: we show you the best of the region, exploring fascinating routes that go far beyond the usual tourist landmarks.
Everyone at Their Own Pace
We design and support our Bryce and Zion trips to suit mixed abilities and varied interests—so you can set your own pace, then change things up as the day unfolds. And all guests are free to do the same, traveling together or apart, with no one cramping anyone else's style. Which sounds easy in theory, but it's hard to pull off. Here's more on how we do it.
More Leaders to Support You
On our Bryce and Zion trips we have an extra leader supporting you along the road—for a total of three, compared to the industry standard two. So we can be in more places at once, giving personal attention to guests traveling at their own pace. Here's more on our Trip Leaders.
Your Trip Will Run. Period.
Under our Book with Confidence policy, your Backroads trip will run even for one or two people (or a family of three or four), subject to a nominal extra fee. Or transfer to another trip, and we'll give you a credit. It's all part of our trademark commitment to treating guests with integrity, transparency and total accountability. Read all the details.
A Second Van When You Need It
Backroads is the only active travel company providing two support vans in Bryce and Zion—because we know it's essential to ensure a truly great travel experience. It doubles our ability to be there when you need us to offer hydration, lighten your load or give you a lift if it's time to take a break. Read more on why two vans make all the difference.
Signature Backroads Picnics
Guests rave about our picnic spreads. Enjoy a welcome break in a scenic spot, or a quick refuel stop if you don't want to lose momentum. And because we have two vans, one can host lunch while the other is out providing support along the route.
We've Set the Standard
For nearly four decades we've worked to earn and maintain our right to call Backroads the world's #1 active travel company. In pursuing that vision on behalf of our guests, we believe we've set the standard for our industry—captured in the Backroads Quality Guide, which clearly sets out the benchmarks of excellence, choice and support that we live by
The Value of Casual Hotels
In addition to the ideal balance of comfort and hospitality in our choice of lodgings, this trip featuring Casual Hotels includes nearly all of your meals, plus everything from cocktail receptions to the best snacks along the road. So there's rarely a need to reach for your wallet – we've got you covered.
The Best Leaders in Bryce and Zion
Backroads has the best-qualified people to lead your trip in Bryce and Zion, and our guests back that up, rating our Trip Leaders an average of 9.75 out of 10 for all-around quality of performance. Get the facts (and no fluff) on how we recruit and develop the very best people for your trip.
Great Bikes Included (or Upgrade)
Choose a Backroads Custom Titanium or Custom Electric Assist bike—both are included in your trip price. Maybe a Specialized carbon-fiber pro model is more your speed or go for double fun on a tandem. Our fleet is the best in active travel, so you don't have to roll the dice on this vital trip component. Learn why our titanium bikes are ideal for most riders. See the bike options for this trip.
Navigate Your Way in Bryce and Zion
Your ride comes equipped with a Garmin Edge Explore 1000, the best bike-touring GPS device on the market. This is a Backroads exclusive, and it's included with your bike in Bryce and Zion. If you prefer to bring your own device, we also have downloadable GPS files and of course, our good old paper directions are always available. Read more on why our navigation options are the best.
