Bryce to Zion - 5 Day Mountain Bike Trip

Mountain Biking Bryce National Park to Zion National Park - 5 Day Guided Trip

Our Bryce to Zion guided mountain bike tour has it all: two national parks, both single and doubletrack riding, beautiful camping and a lodge to boot for the final night. After four days of camping we'll arrive under Zion's 2,000-foot sandstone walls and spend the night at a lodge in Springdale, Utah.

We ride in, out and between each national park using backcountry mountain bike routes, which include the spectacular singletrack of the Virgin River Rim Trail. From the first day's hike through the hoodoos of Bryce Canyon to the final hike in the Zion Narrows, the unusual geology will continue to amaze you.

The riding varies from winding singletrack to a long mileage day on rolling dirt roads. After four days of camping we'll arrive under Zion's 2,000 foot sandstone walls and spend the night at a lodge in Springdale, Utah. Lodge stays are double occupancy, select single occupancy at checkout if desired.  Here we'll feast at our favorite restaurant, the Bit and Spur.

This is a terrific guided mountain bike trip that will take you up and over several large plateaus that form Southwest Utah's most distinct geological features. You can control the challenge, as the support van is never far away.

This can also be done as a family trip. Private trips also available.

Trip Details

RIDING TYPE | Intermediate

TRIP DURATION | 5-Days

SEASON | June - August

• Road Surface: Dirt roads, double tracks, some singletrack and some pavement.
• Overall Rating: Intermediate
• Technical Difficulty: Moderate; some obstacles and rocky washes.
• Physical Difficulty: Moderate to strenuous; some climbing and one or two long days.
• Altitude: 4,000 - 9,000 feet

See what our guided adventures are all about through TripOutside's personal epic journey with Western Spirit.

Itinerary

DAY 1

After loading up we will make our way to Bryce Canyon National Park. Bryce is known for its colorful and strangely eroded cliffs. We will ride into the park and over to Sunset Point for a hike down into the canyon. Here we will find ourselves surrounded by an array of fantastic shapes called hoodoos. After lunch we will ride out of the park on a series of dirt roads and ATV trails into the backcountry to our camp just above the Sevier River Valley on the Paunsaugunt Plateau.

TOTAL MILEAGE: 16 miles riding, 2-3 miles hiking

DAY 2

Today we’ll begin with a 1,200 foot climb to the top of the Sunset Cliffs. Far reaching views can be enjoyed in all directions from the summit. After a short rest stop in this breathtaking setting, we’ll begin a fun-filled 2,000 foot double-track descent that takes us to the small town of Hatch on the Sevier River. We’ll load up here into the van and shuttle the rest of the way across the plateau to our camp in the aspen trees. From our camp we’ll ride to Strawberry Point for a spectacular afternoon view.

TOTAL MILEAGE: 15 miles, 10 miles optional

DAY 3

We will ride on the spectacular Virgin River Rim Trail today. The trail contours through the trees along the edge of the plateau. The Pink Cliffs drop below us, stepping down to the Grey Cliffs of Zion in the distance. The trail is fairly wide with challenging climbs and swooping descents, and the route that it follows along the edge of the rim is brilliant. We will stop for a short hike to Cascade Falls, the underground outlet of Navajo Lake and the source of the Virgin River. This is the river that created the dramatic canyons of Zion. After our hike and lunch we will ride singletrack to camp. This afternoon's singletrack starts off by pedaling through a lava field and continues rolling along the banks of Navajo Lake - a great spot for an afternoon swim!

TOTAL MILEAGE: 16 miles, 10 miles optional

DAY 4

The trend downhill on today's ride will take us 5,200 feet down into Zion itself. We begin gliding through the aspen trees descending and descending and descending. At last we will cross the North Fork of the Virgin River and begin an ascent through Orderville Gulch. We pop out on the road, and after another mile or two we reach the red pavement of Zion, heralding the entrance of the park. Once inside the park, prepare for one of the most beautiful sections of road riding you will ever do. After a quick van ride through the tunnel, we will ride into Springdale and our well-deserved lodging. Lodge stays are double occupancy, select single occupancy at checkout if desired. Dinner tonight will be at one of our favorite restaurants, the Bit and Spur.

TOTAL MILEAGE: 48 miles (our support vehicle is always available)

DAY 5

On our last day we will do one of Zion’s classic hikes, the Zion Narrows. We will begin on our bikes, riding north through the park under the Great White Throne, the West Temple, and the Mountain of the Sun. The Zion Narrows is one of the Colorado Plateau’s most spectacular canyons. The Virgin River has cut down through the sandstone for almost a million years, creating an amazingly narrow canyon. In places, the river completely fills the canyon and in June and September this hike may not be possible due to high water levels, yet in the hot summer months when the water flow is lower, we can hike right through it. Either way, we have many incredible options. We’ll have lunch on the trail today and after our ride back down the canyon we’ll load up for the shuttle back to St. George.

TOTAL MILEAGE: 16 miles riding, 4-8 miles hiking

Why Book with Western Spirit

We love biking and traveling as much as you do! For over 30 years, we’ve been in the business of bike guiding and we’ve honed every little detail to give you the highest quality bike trip on the market. We’ve cherry-picked the best mountain bike trails and road rides so you can immerse yourself in the stunning landscape of the American West. We go the extra mile to make sure you have the most fun on your bike!

At Western Spirit, our staff is the heart of our company. Our guides love what they do, and are dedicated to providing you with a memorable vacation. Each of them has received extensive training in backcountry travel, cooking, natural history, and first aid, not to mention their cycling and mechanical skills. They are committed to helping people experience the outdoors and have a wealth of knowledge to share. Their attention to every detail leaves you free to enjoy the riding.

It’s our philosophy that everyone in our busy world needs to get outside more. We know it’s tough to squeeze it all in, but with Western Spirit we’re here to make it as easy as possible. Our friendly office staff is just a call away to help you find the perfect trip for you. We believe in getting away from it all, spending rejuvenating time in nature, and most of all, having a lot of fun!

Logistics

MEETING PLACE AND TIME

St. George, UT This tour will begin at 7:30 AM MST at the Holiday Inn St. George Convention Center 1808 South, Crosby Way, St. George, UT 84790. You will need to spend the night before in St. George because none of the shuttle services from Las Vegas or Salt Lake run early enough. See more details in “Lodging Before Your Trip”.

ENDING TIME

We will return back to the Holiday Inn in St. George between 3:00-4:00 PM on the last day. You will have time to catch a shuttle back to Las Vegas, but not to Salt Lake.

What's Included

The trip price includes food and drinks for the trip, guides, support vehicle, campsites, permits, and any entry fees into national parks and public lands.

• meals, snacks, water, electrolyte drinks, non-alcoholic drinks
• camp mugs, all kitchen and dining ware
• 1 cycling water bottle
• camp chairs
• dry bags to pack your gear
• solar showers
• sunscreen & bug spray
• bike stand and lube
• guides bring their own tools
• first aid kit with basic medications

Not Included

Rental fees (bikes and camping gear), alcoholic beverages, gratuities for your guides, and applicable sales tax. If you would like to bring alcoholic beverages we will store them for you at the appropriate temperature.

FAQs

How many people are on a trip?

Most of our permits allow us to take 13 guests and 2 guides, although many trips are smaller than our maximum allowed. Our Maze permit in Canyonlands National Park is more limited with only 7 guests and 2 guides to maintain the remote wilderness experience.

Can you accommodate my dietary restrictions?

Yes, no problem! We are happy to accommodate dietary restrictions, and we do it frequently. Our guides are masters at making sure everyone is satisfied. Please let us know when you fill out your forms so our guides can accommodate you and your needs. It is good to be specific (e.g., vegetarian but prefer tempeh over tofu) to help the guides with meal planning.

Do you rent bikes?

Yes - for mountain bikes, we use the Specialized Stumpjumper ST 29ers. For road bikes, we use the Specialized Diverge E5 Elite. All our rental bikes come with flat pedals, a helmet, and one water bottle cage. We provide the water bottle and all the bike repair gear.

If you’re renting a bike from us, you do not need to show up early. Please meet at the scheduled time and we will fit you to your rented bike then.

All Western Spirit rental bikes come with flat pedals. If you have clipless pedals (e.g., SPD, Crank Brothers, etc.), you’re welcome to bring them along with your shoes. We swap out pedals all the time!

Do you rent camping gear?

Yes! You can rent tents, sleeping bags, and sleeping pads from us. Sleeping bags are thoroughly washed between trips.

When camping, where do I go to the bathroom?

It’s not a glamorous topic, and we know this can be a subject of concern and embarrassment for some. We make it as easy and sanitary as possible! If we’re camping in designated campsites, we use the pit toilets available in the campgrounds. If we’re camping in the backcountry, we obey by the pack-it-in-pack-it-out rule. We set up a portable toilet lovingly called “the groover,” and put it in a private location with a stunning view. We provide a hand wash system for clean up.

Will I be able to take a shower?

We offer solar showers which are a nice way to rinse off and refresh yourself, but it is not enough water to take a full-fledge shower. The showers are not private, so please bring a swimsuit and your own towel. Showers are dependent on water resources, which may be restricted if it’s a hot desert trip. Some campsites have streams and lakes available for swimming. We also recommend wet-wipes to refresh after a fun day on the bike.

What if I'm traveling by myself?

Please join us! We get solo travelers all the time and going on a bike trip is a great way to meet like-minded people. Many of our guests end up as lifelong friends after a Western Spirit trip.