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?

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.

• 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 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

• 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