Utah: Bryce Canyon & Zion National Parks

VBT offers a shuttle from the St. George airport to the Red Mountain Resort, departing the airport at 11:30 a.m. and arriving at the hotel at noon.

Please meet the shuttle at the airport’s main terminal/pick up area. Your shuttle will display a St. George Shuttle logo and the driver will be holding a VBT sign. The shuttle will depart promptly at 11:30 a.m. You may plan to have lunch upon arrival at the Red Mountain Resort. If you are arriving after this shuttle departs or your flight is delayed, you can take the complimentary shuttle provided by the Red Mountain Resort until 6:00 p.m. Call the resort at 800.407.3002 to arrange this. If you arrive after 6:00 p.m., you must arrange a taxi service at your own expense. Travel time is approximately 30 minutes.

Upon arrival, enjoy lunch on the terrace of the Canyon Breeze Restaurant or perhaps purchase a salad or sandwich from the Canyon Cafe and dine on the spacious grounds. As your room will likely not be ready until late afternoon, a place for you to change into your cycling clothes will be made available.

After settling in, meet your trip leaders at 2:00 p.m. for a safety and bike-fitting session. Your Bryce Canyon and Zion bike tour begins with a warm-up ride into Snow Canyon State Park. Your stunning route traces the paved Whiptail Trail on a slight ascent, passing the region’s famed red-rock and white Navajo sandstone into an otherworldly landscape of ancient lava flows and soaring cliffs. There’ll be time to explore by foot if you wish. Reach a scenic overlook near the highest point, then return as you came or enjoy a longer loop. Tonight, get to know your fellow travelers and learn about the upcoming week during a casual reception hosted by your trip leaders, followed by a delicious welcome dinner sourced from local ingredients.

Today’s Ride Choices

Afternoon Warm-up St. George to Snow Canyon Out and Back — 7 miles | Warm-up St. George Out to Snow Canyon Loop — 17 miles

What to Expect: Ride from the hotel to Snow Canyon State Park on the paved Whiptail Trail, taking in spectacular views as you ascend into the park. You may stop if you’d like and explore the park by foot. After approximately six miles, you have the choice to return to the hotel by retracing your path along the Whiptail Trail through Snow Canyon or taking a longer loop ride on the bike path along Highway 18.

Cumulative Distance Range: 7 – 17 miles

Included Meals: Dinner

After breakfast, you shuttle to Cedar Breaks National Monument, where you may start today’s ride with a total of a 34-mile gentle descent to the town of Panguitch. One of Utah’s most historic settlements, this classic frontier town is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Enjoy an included lunch here, then cycle to Bryce Canyon.

Your route today passes the dramatic contours of Utah’s wilderness, a breathtaking tableau of an Old West desert. An optional, moderate ride from Panguitch Lake to Panguitch may be offered if weather conditions allow for the more intrepid cyclists. The main ride leaves Panguitch and enters into the Dixie National Forest, stopping at the Red Canyon Visitor Center. Then continue on the Red Canyon Bicycle Trail, pedaling past low shrub, red earth, towering walls, and majestic ponderosa pines. The colors of the earth here are spellbinding: red-rust, deep orange, and ghostly striations of white. Pause to marvel at some of the most inspiring vistas you’ll ever see, from massive buttes to spindly hoodoos. A highlight of your ride is the Red Canyon Arch, a spectacular natural formation etched into the sandstone.

At ride’s end, you arrive in Bryce Canyon City, known as Ruby’s Inn until a name change in 2007. The town has been built on tourism since its founding in 1916 by Reuben C. “Ruby” Syrett. It remains a tiny settlement today, with a population of just a couple hundred. Dinner here is on your own.

Today’s Ride Choices

Afternoon Cedar Breaks to Panguitch — 34 miles | Panguitch to Bryce Canyon — 22 miles

What to Expect: After lunch in Panguitch, you ride to Bryce Canyon City. The first portion of the ride from Panguitch is on Highway 89 and Highway 12; you ride on the road’s shoulder with passing traffic. If you prefer to avoid highway cycling, you can shuttle in the support vehicle (approximately 10 miles) with your trip leaders to the start of the Red Canyon Bicycle Trail. The bike trails ascends through the buttes and hoodoos. After reaching the highest point of today’s ride near Coyote Hollow Trailhead, enjoy the gentle descent to the hotel. Along the bike path you see the Red Canyon Arch. Please note: The optional ride this afternoon is rated moderate because it is steep and has a narrow shoulder.

Cumulative Distance Range: 22 – 56 miles

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

The natural spectacle of Bryce Canyon National Park is yours to explore today. Pack a lunch that you can enjoy along the bike route, stop at the Bruce Canyon Lodge for a take-out lunch to enjoy rim-side, or plan to have lunch back at the hotel.

After breakfast, you get an early start on the Bryce Canyon Shared Use Path. At the entrance to the park, you stop at the visitor center. Its exhibits provide a preview of the geological wonder about to unfold before you.

Your route leads you into the park, passing stunning rock formations and stands of ponderosa pine. When the path was completed, it provided leisurely outdoor access from Bryce Canyon City to Inspiration Point, your first destination. Though Inspiration Point lies at 8,100 feet, the bike trail never exceeds a grade of 6%, making for an easy-to-moderate ride. Once you arrive, you gaze upon a spectacular canvas of finger-like hoodoos standing in a natural amphitheater, the Boat Mesa stretching out behind.

You may return to the hotel the way you came, or our longer option follows the Bryce Canyon Scenic Drive. This magnificent route runs the entire length of the park, 18 miles. You pause along the way to take in remarkable views of the Natural Bridge, an 85-foot-long arch eroded away over millennia, and the sweeping expanse of Agua Canyon, home to the majestic condor. The culmination of your ride is Rainbow Point, at 9,100 feet, from where you can gaze across the entire park.

This afternoon, your trip leaders are happy to help you plan some hiking in Bryce. After a full and rewarding day, gather together for an included dinner at a local restaurant.

Today’s Ride Choices

Morning Bryce Canyon National Park — 10 – 41 miles

What to Expect: Today’s ride starts at the hotel and offers numerous opportunities to stop and take in the magnificent vistas of Bryce Canyon National Park. The first portion of the ride is on the Bryce Canyon Shared Use Path. There’ll be time to stop at the Visitor Center before following the path to Inspiration Point. After, you may choose to return to the hotel or continue to ride on Bryce Canyon Scenic Drive. You share the road with cars on this portion of the ride. The ride, with a steady ascent with never more than a 6% grade, ends at the highest point in the park, at Rainbow and Yovimpa Points.

Cumulative Distance Range: 10 – 41 miles

Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

This morning you shuttle to Springdale, gateway to Zion National Park and your home for the next two nights. After a pre-ordered lunch beside the Virgin River, you enter Zion National Park by bike, following the Pa’rus Trail as it winds into the canyon. At trail’s end, you meet the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive, car-free except for park service shuttles. Ride past magnificent sandstone monoliths throughout your ride, in one of the most scenic regions of the American West. There’ll be many opportunities to stop and take in more breathtaking panoramas. Your destination is the spectacular Temple of Sinawava, an incredible vertical wall and amphitheater 3,000 feet deep. After time to admire its splendor, you ride back to the hotel.

After a refreshing break, take in the beauty of the Virgin River and dramatic vistas from another angle as you travel back to Springdale by bike or by shuttle. Don’t miss the opportunity to discover Springdale at your leisure this afternoon.

Tonight, you have ample choices for dinner on your own.

Today’s Ride Choices

Morning Zion Canyon Scenic Drive — 16 miles

What to Expect: Ride from your hotel along the Pa’rus Trail to the Zion Scenic Drive. You can continue up the Zion Scenic Drive if you like, taking in panoramic views along the way

Cumulative Distance Range: 16 miles

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Leave the bikes behind today to explore Zion National Park by foot. Your trip leaders will help you choose a trail that suits you. Perhaps walk the Emerald Pools Trail, a series of short trails along a lush river whose waters form several scenic pools. The Scout Lookout Trail leads to spectacular views of Zion. And the West Rim Trail features a dramatic zig-zag up a soaring rock wall. No matter your choice, the scenery is sure to inspire you. Plan for lunch on your own.

If you prefer a restful day, relax at the hotel pool or indulge in a spa treatment, explore Springdale or browse the Zion National Park Visitor Center. Alternately, uncover the past of the region at the Zion Human History Museum. This evening, celebrate your week during a farewell dinner at a local restaurant.

Today’s Ride Choices

Non-biking Day Hike in Zion National Park and explore Springdale at your leisure —

What to Expect: Take a break from your bike to enjoy hiking in Zion or spend time in Springdale. Spend the day at your own pace.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

This morning choose between an early ride with your leaders or a self-guided hike; both options depart from the hotel. The ride is an out and back and follows Route 9 southwest through the charming town of Springdale to the small village of Rockville. Here you cross the Virgin River on a historic bridge passing orchards and farms before stopping for a creekside snack. Should you wish to enjoy one last hike, the Watchman Trail ascends through a canyon to a plateau with views of Zion National Park and Springdale. Return to your hotel in time for a quick shower before your departure.

VBT has made arrangements for two shuttle options from the hotel back to the St. George airport, one arriving at 10:30 a.m. and one arriving at 1:30 p.m. If you need to take the 10:30 a.m. shuttle to the airport, you will not have time to do the morning ride.

Today’s Ride Choices

Morning Springdale to Rockville — 13 miles

What to Expect: Choose between an early ride with your leaders or a self-guided hike today.

Cumulative Distance Range: 13 miles

Included Meals: Breakfast