Zion Multisport 4-Day Tour
Placid St. George, Utah: gateway to Zion National Park. Red Navajo sandstone bluffs tower over the dry desert floor; massive, million-year-old peaks edge the sky. Curving walls of orange and gold slot canyons tempt the inquisitive; stunning arches and scenic bluffs beg to be photographed. Bicycle and hike among the skirts of the Pine Valley Mountains, the mesas of Snow Canyon State Park – and the meeting place of three natural wonders: the Mojave Desert and the Great Basin and Colorado Plateaus.
ZION HIKING UPDATE: In 2022, due to overcrowding at Angel’s Landing, Zion National Park implemented an advanced permitting lottery system to hike the “chains” to the Landing. Our standard hike is the same as it has always been. We ascend “Walter’s Wiggles” and take in the view from “Scouts Lookout” (next to the Landing). In 2023, due to changes in the permitting system, Bicycle Adventures can no longer guarantee Angels Landing permits for guests. If you are interested in doing the chain hike to Angels Landing, you can enter the public lottery for permits here, and our guide will accompany you. Contact Bicycle Adventures’ office for more information. NOTE: The chain hike is NOT recommended for anyone with a fear of heights or exposure!
National Parks on This Tour: Zion National Park
This tour is operated under special use permit/s with the Zion National Park and Snow Canyon State Park. Bicycle Adventures is an equal opportunity provider.
Itinerary
Day 01
Ride from Gunlock State Park to Snow Canyon. Enjoy a pool with a view at our Inn overlooking St. George, Utah.
Meals
– Lunch
– Dinner
Lodging
Inn on the Cliff
Distance
21 miles (or more – up to over 30 miles with options)
Elevation
· +1,161 ft / -1,530 ft (or more, with options)
Meet us in St. George, Utah. Easily accessible from Las Vegas, this quiet town was originally a cotton colony. We’ll head out to Gunlock State Park, a lovely reservoir set beside a road that’s part of the Old Spanish Trail. Ride from there to Snow Canyon, named after two early pioneers. No snow here! Jumbled black lava rock, towering red-and-white sandstone and crystal blue skies make for gorgeous vistas as you ride. Want more time on the bike? Ride up to the end of the canyon and continue cycling back into the town of St. George and tonight’s lodging at the Inn on the Cliff. Either way, we recommend allowing some time to enjoy the “pool with a view”!
Day 02
Cycle Zion National Park's Scenic Drive - "one of the world's most beautiful places to ride!"
Meals
– Breakfast
Lodging
Springhill Suites
Distance
32 miles (or less, or more)
Elevation
+1,943 ft / -1,613 ft (or less, or more)
After breakfast, shuttle to the tiny town of Virgin outside Zion National Park (~45-min) to begin cycling. Pedal through open range land flanked by fascinating geological features as you approach the Park. Bicycling magazine calls Zion “one of the world’s most beautiful places to ride.” The 13-mile round trip to the end of Zion Canyon Scenic Drive and back can take all afternoon as you stop to gaze up at the massive, multicolored heights. Spend as much time as you like here today exploring and taking photos! The Scenic Drive is limited to shuttles only, so you can enjoy almost traffic-free cycling in the valley. Lunch is on your own at the Park Lodge, and dinner is on your own in Springdale. Tonight and tomorrow, we stay at Springhill Suites in Springdale.
Day 03
Hike the "Narrows" - Virgin River's slot canyon.
Meals
– Breakfast
– Lunch
– Dinner
Lodging
Springhill Suites
Distance
Hike: 5.1 miles (or less).
Elevation
A “wet-hike” over flat, but uneven terrain.
Today, 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 hike through a rock-walled passageway less than 50 feet wide. We supply walking sticks and waders from a local outfitter for this unique and memorable experience.
Day 04
Hike up "Walter's Wiggles" to "Scouts Lookout" for a bird's-eye view of Zion. Watch for condors!
Meals
– Breakfast
– Lunch
Distance
Hike: 3.6 miles (or more)
Elevation
+1115 ft gain (or more)
Today we head to a panoramic vista point above the canyon walls from which you can gaze down upon the canyon from on-high and reflect once more upon the geologic wonder of Zion Canyon! Watch for endangered condors as you 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 see the link under Zion Hiking Update above about getting a special permit to do the “chain hike” to Angel’s Landing.)
*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.
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