Capitol Reef NP to Zion NP

Arrival Day

Our meeting point for this trip is Hanksville, UT at the Whispering Sands Motel. The day before the trip starts you can pick up a cooler (if needed) from us to do your shopping for the week.

Day 1:

We will meet at the Whispering Sands Motel in Hanksville, UT to load all your gear for the week. Heading west out of town on UT-24 riders will enjoy a nice gradual warmup flanked by the Henry Mountains to the south and bits of the San Rafael Reef to the north. Following the Fremont River drainage, the road becomes more hilly as you get closer to Capitol Reef NP. Once in the park, take your time and really take in the beauty of this pinnacle and rock formation corridor. Exiting Capitol Reef NP to the west the landscape opens up but provides a diverse landscape of red cliffs and distant mountains. Arriving in Torrey, UT we will be camping at Sand Creek RV and Tent.Ride length is about 37 miles.

Day 2:

Day two we turn south onto UT-12 and begin a big climb up and over the mountains and down to Boulder. This is arguably the toughest effort of the trip, so settle in and enjoy the views of the expansive desert below. It’s truly one of the best vantage points to see for hundreds of miles in all directions. Once you crest the high point get ready for fast descent back down into the high desert and the quaint little town of Boulder, UT. Our camp is just outside of town in a dispersed site in Grand Staircase-Escalante NM. We’re close enough to town if you’d like to ride in and enjoy the infamous Hell’s Backbone Grill. Ride length is about 37 miles.

Day 3:

Day three your ride continues west on UT-12 out of Boulder. The ride starts very unassumingly for the first few miles before you reach what could be one of the highlights of entire ride…the knife edge entrance into Grand Staircase-Escalante NM. We won’t bother trying to describe how this section of road creates the feeling of hovering above the canyons below, just experience it for yourself. As you drop into carved sandstone we recommend a stop off at the Lower Calf Creek Falls trailhead to soak your feet. A climb up to the Head of the Rocks Overlook is your main effort today before a long gradual descent into Escalante, UT and tonight’s camp. Ride length is about 29 miles.

Day 4:

Heading west out of Escalante on day four and your longest mileage day, enjoy the nearly endless landscape changes (too many to list) on your way to Bryce Canyon NP. The final push up the hill to Bryce Canyon is challenging, but manageable before turning more west and to tonight’s camp. Camp is just a short ride into Bryce Canyon National Park – we recommend cruising over and checking it out.Ride length is about 51 miles.

Day 5:

Our final day’s ride begins with a shuttle to the small town of Orderville, UT to remove some speedy roadway from your day, but you’re also welcome to ride the whole thing if you more mileage. Today you’re climbing up to Zion National Park and the grand finale of brick red paved roads and stunningly steep red and white sandstone walls and formations. Just before the Zion Tunnel we’ll wait for everyone to shuttle your through (no bikes!) safely to continue your ride throughthe heart of Zion and down into Springdale, UT. *Please note, you will need to reserve lodging in Springdale, UT for the final night at your cost* Tomorrow we’ll shuttle you back to Hanksville in the morning. Ride length is about 30 miles.