Bikepacking adventure Utah: With gravel bikes and luggage through the most beautiful national parks

MYBIKE tips for a fortnight of bikepacking adventures in Utah's national parks

Planning

The route largely follows the US Bike Route 70, the so-called Western Express. Further information and detailed maps can be found at the Adventure Cycling Association.
General information is available from Visit Utah.

Stages

Start: Cedar City
Stage 1: ➜ Duck Creek Campground, 47 km/1,090 m elevation gain
Stage 2: ➜ Bryce Canyon Village, 73 km/432 m elevation gain
Stage 3: ➜ Escalante Petrified Forest State Park, 76 km/519 m elevation gain
Stage4: ➜ Boulder, 49 km/764 m elevation gain
Stage 5: ➜ Torrey, 67 km/1,130 metres in altitude
Stage 6: ➜ Capitol Reef Fruita Campground, 15 km/100 metres in altitude
Stage 7: ➜ Goblin State Park, 114 km/547 metres in altitude
Stage 8: ➜ Hite Marina Campground (officially closed!), 134 km/802 m elevation gain
Stage 9: ➜ Natural Bridges National Monument, 80 km/1,133 metres elevation gain
Stage 10: ➜ Mexican Hat, 81 km/564 metres in altitude ➜ Monument Valley, 40 km/596 metres in altitude
Stage 11: ➜ Bluff, 78 km/711 metres in altitude
Stage 12: ➜ Canyonlands Glamping, 100 km/1,178 metres in altitude
Stage 13: ➜ Moab, 60 km/415 metres in altitude

The bikepacking tour to follow

The GPX track for the bikepacking adventure in the national parks in Utah is available here for free download or in the MYBIKE Collection "Bikepacking adventures in Utah " on komoot.

Arrival

Since 2022, Eurowings Discovery has been offering direct flights from Frankfurt to Salt Lake City during the travel season (April to October). Taking bikes costs 250 euros per bike/one way.

The starting point of the tour, Cedar City, can be reached from Salt Lake City with the "Salt Lake City Express" intercity bus. Bicycles are transported in the hold or trailer. Pre-booking is required! Cost per bike: $10/one way.

Attention! Buses are often delayed and it is uncertain in advance which vehicle (regular bus or high-capacity vehicle) will be used.

Tip for travelling by bus: Protect the wheels in sensitive areas with cardboard and wrap them in cellophane film. This can prevent damage to the bike and is easier to transport than in large boxes.

Information for touring cyclists in Utah

The best time to cycle is in June and/or September. The route runs at an altitude of between 1000 and 3000 metres throughout. The altitude should not be underestimated. It is advisable to acclimatise locally for one to two days after arrival. Short-term changes in the weather or heavy rainfall can lead to flash floods, turning gorges into raging rivers and making roads impassable in a very short space of time. The very strong sunlight at this altitude should also be taken into account. The route offers very little to no shade. It is advisable to set off very early in order to have completed a large part of the day's stage before the rapidly rising temperatures.

The route leads through rural areas with little to no infrastructure. Petrol stations with a small integrated supermarket are often the only way to stock up on provisions. As a rule, petrol stations are open daily from 7 am to 8 pm.

Tip: Take a valve adapter for car valves with you. This makes it easy to refuel with air at any petrol station.

Traffic: Take care on some sections of the route!

There is heavy car traffic on the route from Cedar City via Duck Creek to Bryce Canyon. Even on the last stage, increased attentiveness is required to reach your destination safely: The section of motorway between Monticello and Moab is a major traffic artery for tourists, locals and delivery traffic. Only a narrow hard shoulder is available to cyclists here. On most of the route, you often have the roads to yourself. Car and truck drivers are generally considerate.

Accommodation for bikepackers in Utah

Camping in state parks and national parks is an absolute recommendation. You camp in the midst of unique landscapes and nature. Many state campgrounds in Utah, especially within the parks, do not have showers. However, there is always drinking water and every pitch has a table, benches and a fire pit.

Tip: It is necessary to book in good time for the peak holiday period as there are only a few places available. You can find more information under the two links.

• State parks
• National parks

Alternatively, there are commercial and fully equipped campsites and hotels adjacent to the national parks.

Sights and useful tips for bikepacking

Bryce Canyon National Park

• Cycling is prohibited on the hiking trails. Free shuttle bus service through the park.
• Tip: A tarmac cycle path runs through the entire park.

Capitol Reef National Park

• Tip: Buy a slice of home-baked apple pie at the Gifford Homestead and enjoy it in the neighbouring garden.

Goblin State Park

• Tip: Enjoying the sunset at the Goblin Overlook.

Glen Canyon National Recreation Area

• Attention! No supply option (carry sufficient drinking water and provisions!)

Natural Bridges National Monument

• Tip: Drinking water dispenser at the entrance to the Visitor Centre.
• First supply option after 150 km coming from Hanksville.

Monument Valley National Monument Navajo Tribal Park

• The only passable sandy path through the park, the Loop Drive, is unpaved and very sandy.
• Bicycles are prohibited here!
• Tip: Gouldings Grocery Store near the campsite. Well-stocked supermarket, but no beer or alcoholic drinks are available here or anywhere else in the Navajo region.
• The park tours offered with a special bus and guide are not cheap, but are recommended.

Canyonlands National Park

• Tip: Glamping Canyonlands - Camping de luxe right at the gates of the park

Arches National Park

• Note: A reservation is required for visits by car or bus. Cyclists are exempt from this requirement. A tarmac cycle path leads from Moab directly to the park entrance.
• Tip: Most of the most beautiful viewpoints in the park can only be reached on foot. Make sure you have hiking boots with you.

The best catering tips along the route

• Escalante River: Kiva Koffee House - Cafe built into the rocks with very good coffee and cake and panoramic views.
• Boulder: Burr Trail Grill - American cuisine, modern and wildly interpreted.
• Bluff: Twin Rocks Café - Traditional Navajo dishes and the tastiest fry bread in America!