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Utah 5 Parks

8 Days • 7 Nights • 424 Mi • 30,000' • $4,095

Where else but in southern Utah can you create a bicycle tour through 5 National Parks and Scenic Byways in 8 days! Starting in Zion National Park in southern Utah, on this fall cycling vacation we'll bike from Zion National Park to the red rock hoodoos of Bryce National Park, then onward to Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument, Capitol Reef National Park, Lake Powell and the little known Burr Trail.

Day	Weekday	Utah 5 Parks: 2023 Route	Elevation Gain	Miles
22	Sunday	Check-in & Orientation	---	---
		Zion Canyon Scenic Drive	1,500'	23
23	Monday	Zion to Bryce	6,500'	63
24	Tuesday	Bryce Canyon Scenic Drive	2,800'	40
25	Wednesday	Bryce to Grand Staircase Escalante	2,500'	50
26	Thursday	Escalante to Capitol Reef	6,841'	67
27	Friday	Capitol Reef Scenic Drive	2,300'	50
28	Saturday	Capitol Reef to Lake Powell	3,000'	80
29	Sunday	Burr Trail	4,850'	55
		Shuttle Back to Zion	---	---
...	.	Total	30,000'	424

Cycling Utah Map - Zion, Bryce, Grand Staircase

Cycling Utah Map - Capitol Reef, Lake Powell, Burr Trail

Day 1: Utah 5 Parks - Zion National Park

For this National Park cycling tour we meet in Springdale, Utah, gateway to Zion National Park. We suggest you Fly into Las Vegas or St George on Saturday or Sunday, so you will be ready to go Monday morning. It is a 45 minute drive to Zion Park from St George. If you are driving you can meet us at the first night's Hotel in Zion and leave your car there for the week.

After arriving at our hotel for the first night, the Majestic View Lodge, just outside Zion National Park, we'll have a brief orientation, set up bikes and still have time for a short 23 mile bike ride down Zion Canyon Scenic Drive. You'll also have time for a hike in the Park. Dinner is on your own with lots of choices within walking distance.

23 miles / 1,500 ft. elevation gain

Day 2 - Zion to Bryce Canyon National Park

After a short shuttle through the Zion tunnel to the east entrance of the park, we meander through open meadows and Red Rock scenery, past sleepy towns and eventually meet up with Scenic Byway 12. Cycling through the Red Rocks of Red Canyon on a gently sloping bike path, we'll ride toward Bryce National Park and it's historic lodge, our hotel for the evening. Take a stroll to the Park rim and watch the patterns of light flow across the Hoodoos in the setting sun! We spend the next two nights at Bryce National Park.

63 miles / 6,000 ft. elevation gain

Utah 5 Parks Day 3: Bryce National Park Scenic Byway

Today we start the morning with a short 90 minute hike into the Hoodoos of Bryce Canyon. It's a must see and a good warmup before we get on the bike. We then bike along the Bryce Canyon Scenic Rim Drive, where we top out at over 9,000' at Rainbow Point. Stop at all the pullouts along the way for views into the canyon and its famous hoodoos. If you prefer to explore the Park instead of a ride now is your chance.

40 miles / 2,800 ft. elevation gain

Utah Day 4 - Bryce to Grand Staircase Escalante

Today we cycle into the Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument on our way to Escalante. Make sure to stop at Escalante Outfitters & Coffee House to relax on the porch sipping your favorite post ride beverage.

50 miles / 2,500 ft. elevation gain

Utah Day 5 - Grand Staircase to Capitol Reef

Today we climb! The highlight of today's bike ride is a 14 mile, 4,000 foot ascent straight up Boulder Mountain. Continuing along Scenic Byway 12, we'll bike through forests of fir, giving way to aspen, as we climb toward the 9,600' summit. Here we are rewarded with fantastic views of the Grand Staircase from above, and a 10 mile descent on the other side!

But first we have to scale the canyon wall of Hells Backbone, a canyon road like no other. Prepare to be amazed! Riders always name today's route as one of their most scenic rides on a bike. We leave Escalante cycling on Scenic Byway 12 toward Capitol Reef National Monument and it's amazing Canyon Country. This is one of Utah's most scenic rides, with panoramas of vast slickrock and scenic canyons cut by the Escalante River.

We spend the next 2 nights at the Red Sands Inn, so unpack your luggage and enjoy the epic views.

67 miles / 6,841 ft. elevation gain

Day 6 - Capitol Reef National Park Scenic Drive

Welcome to some of the darkest and most beautiul night skies in the United States! Capitol Reef National Park is a hidden treasure filled with cliffs, canyons, domes and bridges. It is an undiscovered gem. The Waterpocket Fold defines the Park. it is a nearly 100-mile long warp in the Earth's crust.

Bike into Capitol Reef through a canyon of geological wonder with it's white domes of Navajo Sandstone and cliff layers visible back to the Permian and Cretaceous periods. Today we cycle through these timeless reefs along the National Park's Scenic Byway.

After the ride, we take an optional hike to a free standing Arch on the slickrock domes of the Park. We'll also view a 1,000 year old wall of petroglyphs left behind by the Anasazi Indians. Rest up, because tomorrow is an Epic day.

50 miles / 2,300 ft. elevation gain

Day 7 - Capitol Reef National Park to Lake Powell

Today's 80 mile bike ride marks the longest ride of the tour. But don't worry, the first 35 miles is a gradual downhill. We start by cycling through the incredible narrow canyons of Capitol Reef National Park on our way out into the vast expanse of Canyon Country.

After a brief ride through the badlands between the park and Hanksville, we'll cast out into 100 mile vistas along the Trail of the Ancients Scenic Byway. We then cycle through red rock country, on our way to Lake Powell National Rec Area which borders Utah and Arizona. We'll be staying at Defiance House Lodge, which overlooks spectacular Lake Powell, arguably the most unique lake in the world.

80 miles / 3,000 ft. elevation gain

Day 8 - Cycling Utah 5 Parks - Burr Trail

Today we will be cycling the Burr Trail, a serpentine road that snakes through sheer canyon walls as it slowly climbs from Lake Powell up to Scenic Byway 12. Along the way there are fantastic views of the Waterpocket Fold, Boulder Mountain, Capitol Reef, and a gripping ride up the switchbacks of Burr Canyon.

You have an option today. Those feeling strong after the long ride yesterday may start out from Lake Powell for a 55 mile ride. Those a little leg weary may shuttle to the far boundary of Capitol Reef for a 35 mile ride into Boulder. Either way, both rides require a short, very scenic shuttle over a 16 mile section of dirt road. The ride through Long Canyon will leave you breathless.

You just completed an Epic 5 National Park Tour!

55 miles / 4,300 ft. elevation gain

Return Shuttle to Zion & St George

After cycling the Burr Trail, we shuttle back to Springdale and Zion National Park. If you left a car at the hotel it will be waiting for you. If you are flying, then you will travel on to St George, where you may stay overnight or catch a shuttle back to Las Vegas with St. George Shuttle.

Meals:

Lunch on ride days is always included. On this Tour 1 group dinner is included and riders are on their own for the remaining, with suggested seating times for those wishing to dine with others. A continental breakfast is always included of Greek yogurt, a selection of natural cereals, Bagels, cream cheese, etc. Hot breakfasts are on your own and require eating early in the Lodges.

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