Meet us in St. George, Utah (public shuttle is available from the Las Vegas airport.) Begin riding just north of there, in Dixie National Forest’s Cedar Breaks National Monument — a huge amphitheater of amazing red and orange sandstone sculptures carved by the wind and rain. Pedal down a long, gradual hillside, descending through the aspens and pines of Dixie National Forest to the flat farmland around the town of Panguitch. Cycle past the vivid sandstone formations of Red Canyon on a paved bike path leading to Bryce Canyon National Park, where you’ll spend the next two nights at Bryce Canyon Grand Hotel or the Main Lodge at Ruby’s Inn.

Start off with a sunrise walk at Bryce Canyon. Statue-like hoodoos appear to glow from within as the sun’s rays creep down the canyon walls. After breakfast, cruise 13 miles downhill through Red Canyon before we shuttle (~1hr) to Zion National Park’s east side. Pedal past “beehive” formations and iconic Checkerboard Mesa and take a short hike to a canyon overlook for a “reveal” of what is to come. You have the whole afternoon to look for desert sheep and explore the nooks and crannies of this unique section of the park’s geology. Spend the night at Zion Mountain Ranch just a few miles from the park boundary.

Today we head into Zion Canyon for a hike to a panoramic vista point high above the canyon walls. Wind your way up “Walter’s Wiggles” to “Scouts Lookout.” People with an extreme fear of heights may prefer a more leisurely stroll to a beautiful waterfall. (On the other hand, folks with absolutely NO fear of heights can contact our office about getting a special permit to do the “chain hike” to Angel’s Landing.) Since the Park Service runs frequent free shuttle buses from our inn, through town, to the visitor center, and through Zion’s valley floor, you can customize your experience as well. Spend the next two nights at the Springhill Suites, or the Red Cliffs Lodge Zion.

Conditions permitting, we offer a river walk into the Virgin River’s Narrows – a stunningly gorgeous slot canyon with walls towering more than 1,000 feet high. The river covers the narrow canyon’s base wall-to-wall in places, so you’ll be wading in and out of ankle-to-waist-deep water as you navigate a rock-walled passageway. We supply walking sticks and waders.

Ride the virtually traffic-free Scenic Drive through Zion Canyon – no cars are allowed here! The cruise up and back to the end of the road along the valley floor can take much longer than the mileage may indicate as you stop to take photos, gaze up at the massive, multicolored cliffs, and contemplate the sparkling river. The tour ends after lunch back in Springdale with a one-hour shuttle back to St. George.

*Bicycle Adventures operates under special use permits while on Federal Lands managed by the National Forest Service (USDA), National Parks and Bureau of Land Management. In accordance with Federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) To file a complaint of discrimination: write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call (202) 720-5964 (voice and TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.