Utah Mountains & National Parks
If you are going to ride one Utah bike tour in your lifetime, this is the one.
Our 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?
Tour Dates
2023
- July 16 – 2 *Confirmed
- July 30 – August 5
- *Confirmed
- September 10 – 16 *Tour opened
- September 17 – 23 *Private
- September 24 – 30
- October 1 – 7 *Tour opened
- October 8 – 14
- October 15 – 21
2023 Utah EPIC: 14-Days
1st week: Redrock Canyons (RCT) +
2nd week: Boulder, Bryce & Zion (BBZ) or Utah Mtns & Natl Parks (UM&NP)
- May 7 – 20 (RCT +BBZ)
- September 3 – 16 (RCT +BBZ)
- September 24 – October 7 (RCT +UM&NP)
Tour Details
- Duration: 7-days
- Ride Type: Road
- Level: Intermediate / Advanced
- Total Miles: Standard 250-350 miles; E.F.I 533 miles
- Daily Mileage: 36 – 75
- Price: $3,095
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 Byway 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 (this short list includes Glacier National Park’s Going-to-the-Sun-Road). The lodging on our Utah Mountains tour is spectacular!
Although the Utah bike tour is well-suited for Intermediate to Advanced cyclists, there is plenty of challenge for those who seek it. For example the 25-mile hors-categorie climb from Panguitch to Cedar Breaks that we rank near the top of our favorite ascents. We have concluded that the strange town name of Panguitch must mean that it is the climb of pain and anguish. All the while on the Utah bike tour we take time to explore Utah’s hidden waterfalls, slot canyons and secluded side roads.
In the summer this Utah bike tour stays cool with a peak elevation of 10,200-feet (Cedar Breaks National Monument). There are a number of great swimming hole opportunities and for the finale the route descends nearly 10,000-feet to Zion National Park. The lodging and food on this tour are among our favorite locations.
Is it too Hot in Utah in the Summer?
Not at all! Utah is hardly the flat desert many believe it to be, it has mountains and our Utah Mountains bike tour rides along at elevations from 6,500-feet up to 10,000-feet. With every 1,000-feet of elevation the temperature is 4 to 5 degrees cooler. So the heat is moderated (like it is in Colorado) due to Utah’s significant elevation. For example Moab sits at 4,500-feet and is usually 15 to 20 degrees warmer than the Utah Mountains tour region.
Additionally in July and August this region of Utah receives afternoon rainfall on almost a daily basis. One would not expect this in a “desert”, but Utah topography creates cloud cover that is great for bike riding because it cools the atmosphere. And finally on warm weeks, we depart early in the morning to ride when it is still cool.
Tour Itinerary
Starting & Ending Town: St. George, UT. Fly in and out of Las Vegas, NV. Shuttle service available through the St. George Shuttle.
DAY 1 – Fish Lake to Red River Ranch
DAY 2 – Boulder Mountain Ride: Torrey to Boulder, Utah
DAY 3 – Long Canyon Loop & Calf Creek Waterfall
DAY 4 – Boulder, Utah to Bryce Canyon National Park
DAY 5 – Bryce Canyon to Red Canyon to Zion National Park
DAY 6 – Layover in Springdale, Utah
DAY 7 – Springdale, Utah to Virgin River Narrows into Zion National Park; Sunrise ride!
Mid-afternoon (Saturday), transfer back to our meeting hotel in St. George where you can choose to spend a night, or shuttle back to Las Vegas.
* Request the full itinerary via the contact form below.
Highlights
- The Fish Lake Mountains & Utah’s Scenic Byway 72 – expansive views of the desert 3,000′ below
- Red River Ranch’s relaxing oasis with a flowing river and 12 bison on site!
- Views of: Capital Reef National Monument, Waterpocket Fold, & Henry Mtns
- Ascent of Boulder Mountain
- Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument
- Utah’s Scenic Highway 12 – we ride the full 124 miles of this world class cycling route
- Stay at our favorite lodge, the Boulder Mountain Lodge
- Hike to the desert oasis, Calf Creek Falls & swimming hole
- Dinner at the award-winning Hell’s Backbone Grill
- Bryce Canyon National Park
- Night hike under the stars (seasonal in the fall)
- Cycling from Bryce through Red Canyon & into Zion
- Zion National Park – optional hiking: Angel’s Landing, The Narrows through the Virgin River, Weeping Rock, & more.
- Kolob Canyon – this optional ride offers 5k’ climbs & tremendous views of Zion from above
Inclusions
- 7-days of guide service
- Mechanical support
- Support vehicle
- 6-nights of lodging
- All meals: 7-breakfasts, 7-lunches, 6-dinners
- Entrance fees
- Energy food, snacks, and non-alcoholic refreshments
Our trip through the Utah Mountains and National Parks exceeded our expectations. The thoughtful planning, routes, accommodations, and food were amazing. But most of all, I’d like to offer the most sincere compliments to our guides, Chuck and Steve. They went above and beyond each day, often working late into the night. They handled difficult situations with diplomacy and grace, and adjusted details to the group whenever necessary. Both were extremely impressive! I look forward to another trip with you — hopefully next year! Thank you!
– Katherine
