On this cycling tour we use Moab, Utah as our basecamp. Each day we'll ride a different route into the national parks and red rock country that surround the Moab area. We cycle through Arches National Park, a fairyland of stone arches and rock monliths. And we'll also bike into Canyonlands National Park, including the less visited Needles district. You won't find vistas like this anywhere else in the world!
This Tour is part of our Utah 8 Parks trip. You may ride it as a 13 day adventure across southern Utah visiting 8 National Parks, or as a stand alone 5 day tour of Arches and Canyonlands.
Day |
Weekday |
Ride Day |
2018 Cycling Route |
Elevation Gain |
Miles |
1 |
Sunday |
... |
Check-in & Orientation |
--- |
--- |
2 |
Monday |
1 |
Arches National Park |
5,000' |
55 |
3 |
Tuesday |
2 |
Canyonlands National Park |
4,500' |
100 |
4 |
Wenesday |
3 |
Colorado River Ride |
2,000' |
64 |
5 |
Thursday |
4 |
La Sal Mountain Loop |
6,214' |
65 |
6 |
Friday |
5 |
Canyonlands - The Needles |
2,500' |
43-70 |
... |
. |
... |
... |
--- |
--- |
... |
. |
... |
Total |
20,200' |
356 |
We'll meet in Moab on Sunday and start cycling Monday morning. If you are flying into either Salt Lake City or Grand Junction, we suggest renting a car and driving to Moab. There is a shuttle service from Grand Junction. After checking into our hotel, you'll have the chance to get settled, check out the town, and set up your bike. At an early evening orientation we'll make introductions, provide an overview for the week, and hand out Route Slips.
Prepare to be amazed. You've never seen anything like it. We'll bike from our homebase in Moab up into Arches National Park. This is truly an amazing ride through a wonderland of red sandstone arches, fins and spires. The road through the park is quiet and punctuated by breathtaking scenic viewpoints, and we'll visit them all, including the world-famous Delicate Arch (pictured above). At lunch we'll take a short hike to an arch and the "Fins Garden" before riding back out of the park to Moab.
55 miles / 5,000 ft. elevation gain
Today we bike up onto the plateau overlooking Canyonlands National Park. It's an incredible 100 mile view that stares down on the red rock hoodoos and spires of the park. We'll also stop at Deadhorse Point State Park for a view of the Colorado River far below. Once again this park has views you will recognize from Ride Calendars and photographs. The bike ride starts with a big climb and ends with a big descent! For those of you with sore legs, after the ride we'll hit the famous Moab Brewery for some muscle soothing suds before hitting the hot tub.
100 miles / 4,500 ft. elevation gain
Today we'll cycle along the Colorado River between towering sandstone cliffs bordering both sides of the road. The bike route is an out and back that takes us through Castle Valley, a backdrop for numerous films and photographs. It's not a big climbing day, but it does roll up and down following the Colorado river the entire ride.
64 miles / 2,000 ft. elevation gain
Today "is" a big climbing day on the bike. We cycle up into the La Sal Mountains that rise above Moab for an incredible view of the Canyonlands from 9,000 feet. After cresting the summit you'll have a big descent back down to the Colorado river where you'll follow it back into Moab. Tonight we dine at the Sunset Grill. Situated on a cliff overlooking Moab, you'll enjoy wonderful canyon views of the setting sun to reward you for your effort.
65 miles / 6214 ft. elevation gain
After yesterday's challenging climb, today we'll start with a downhill, cycling into the Canyonlands Needles District. Along the way we'll pass by ancient Anasazi indian rock paintings before entering into the amazing needle rock formations in the lower end of the park. Visitors usually skip this section of Canyonlands since it requires a short drive from town to get here, so we are likley to have the roads mostly to ourselves. You'll ride through a bonanza of scenic thrills for a perfect finale to your week of cycling in red rock country.
43-70 miles / 2,500 ft. elevation gain
After the last day of cycling you may catch a shuttle to Grand Junction with Red Rock Express. Or you may return with us to Las Vegas. It is a 4 hour drive to Salt Lake City if you want to rent a car.
Lunch on ride days is always included. On this Tour 4 group dinners are included and riders are on their own for the remaining, with suggested seating times for those wishing to dine with others. A continental breakfast is always included of Greek yogurt, a selection of natural cereals, Bagels, cream cheese, etc. Hot breakfasts are on your own and require eating early in the Lodges.