< Back to Search Results

Cycling Escalante and Capitol Reef National Parks

Road Cycling in Utah with Escape Adventures

Highlights

  • Explore beautiful desert scenery and high alpine forests
  • Van support available throughout the tour
  • Travel with the world's first carbon-neutral outfitter

Full Description

Experience what's been called the "most scenic road in America" on this cycling tour in the beautiful, untouched land of Escalante.

Central Utah has one of the largest stretches of true backcountry left in the nation. This area remained uncharted until the mid-1800s and still harbors many natural treasures yet to be discovered. From the alpine heights of Dixie National Forest to the slickrock canyons of Escalante National Monument, central Utah is a quiet paradise reserved for the few willing to venture this far.

Our road cycling trip goes eastward from Escalante, Utah through contrasting desert scenery and high alpine forests to Capitol Reef National Park. Named for the white sandstone dome that bears a striking resemblance to our nation's capitol building, this national park protects an immense uplift know as the Waterpocket Fold.

Long winding roads cut through a maze of canyons and an assembly of arches and monoliths make it seem as if this natural uplift was custom-made just for cyclists! Between rides, we relax in the quaint hamlets of Boulder and Escalante. Remote and sparsely populated, this biking trip is for anyone looking for a true backcountry experience. Our Escalante support vehicle will be fueled by vegetable oil.

Trip Amenities

The Escalante Cabins have running water and showers in a central bathhouse and a pay phone. Cell phone service is poor for most of this trip. The other Inns on this trip are often remote and appropriate to the locations in which we ride. They have been chosen for comfort, scenery, and proximity to our activities.

Meals

All meals on this trip are prepared by your guides, with the exception of the first night's dinner and breakfast at Ruby's Inn.

Rentals

Cannondale SystemSix Compact Drive $275 Camp Gear $90.

Includes:

  • Two guides
  • All meals starting with dinner on the first day through lunch on the last day
  • Support vehicle
  • Snacks
  • First-aid
  • Bike maintenance
  • Community gear
  • Souvenir shirt
  • Gratuities to local restaurants, hotels, transportation, and additional activities mentioned on this itinerary are paid by Escape Adventures. If you engage in an activity that is not part of this trip as outlined, then you are responsible for tipping.

Excludes:

  • Airfare to and from our departure point
  • Lodging before or after the tour
  • Rental bike
  • Gratuities to Escape Adventures guides

Day by Day Itinerary

Day 1: Orientation – Bryce Canyon

The evening begins with a pre-trip meeting at Ruby’s Inn, our hotel for the first night and meeting location. After a safety orientation, and introductions, a short evening ride takes us to the boundary of Bryce Canyon where we watch the sunset over Powell Point – the highest plateau in North America! Total Mileage | 8 miles Inn | Ruby’s Inn Total ascent: 306ft Total descent: 305ft

Day 2: Escalante to Bryce Canyon

The ranching communities of Tropic, Cannonville, and Henryville make up Bryce Valley, which lies just outside the east entrance of Bryce Canyon National Park. Our ride today is nothing short of spectacular as we cycle through the new Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument and the Dixie National Forest to Escalante! Total Mileage | 47 miles Cabins | Escalante Outfitters Total ascent: 2643ft Total descent: 4387ft

Day 3: Escalante to Boulder UT, The Burr Trail

Today’s ride takes us along one of the west's most scenic roads – The Hogback. This road, with panoramas of vast slickrock ""oceans"" and scenic canyons, was cut by the Escalante River over millions of years of erosion. Our ride along the Hogback passes above Calf Creek Falls – a canyon filled with petroglyphs, pictographs, and granaries left by the Anasazi Indians nearly 1000 years ago. We will have lunch along the Hogback then descend into Boulder. The tiny town of Boulder, Utah, was the last community in America to receive its mail by mule train. Boulder today still feels remote, and undiscovered! Our late afternoon ride takes us down the Burr Trail. The Burr Trail follows a wide valley beneath the towering white slickrock of Durffey Mesa, before dropping into the Gulch. From here, the road follows along the base of the aptly named Long Canyon, a narrow, sheer-sided drainage filled with colorful fallen rock. Following these spectacular sights, we will shuttle back to Boulder for an evening sunset and delicious dinner. Total Mileage | 25-45 miles Camp | Deer Creek or Boulder Town Total ascent: 4038ft Total descent: 3500ft

Day 4: Boulder to Torrey

This spectacular ride will take us high in the mountains of Boulder, Utah where views are amongst Utah’s finest! Along our ride, Escalante National Monument will unfold before your eyes! Our climb is followed by a descent into Torrey and into Capitol Reef National Park where we’ll camp for the night. Total Mileage | 36-48 miles Camp | Fruita, Capitol Reef Total ascent: 3231ft Total descent: 3220ft

Day 5: Relax – Capitol Reef National Park

Our ride today is fun and relaxing descent into Capitol Reef National Park. Capitol Reef is a grand and colorful geologic feature, as well as the spectacular eroded jumble of cliffs, domes, monoliths, twisting canyons and graceful arches. We will have all day to enjoy the park with opportunities to pick fresh fruit, ride the out and back ride to Egyptian Temple (20 total miles), and enjoy a cascading waterfall on the Fremont River. Total Mileage | 10-30 miles Camp | Fruita, Capitol Reef Total ascent: 1743ft Total descent: 1810ft

Day 6: Torrey to Fishlake

Our last day takes us up to beautiful Fish Lake. This lake is a large natural lake, 6 miles long and 1 mile wide, situated 8,800 feet up in the heavily forested Fishlake Mountains. The lake is a bit too cold for swimming, but it makes for a great lunch site and benediction to our inspiring adventure! We will shuttle the beautiful back roads to Panguitch arriving between 3-4 p.m. Total Mileage | 40 miles Total ascent: 4251ft Total descent: 2194ft

About The Operator:

Escape Adventures

Headquarters:

Las Vegas, Nevada

Specializing in western North America, Escape Adventures is a leader in first-class eco-friendly cycling and multi-sport adventure. In 2006, we became the world's first carbon neutral outfitter, bringing sustainable adventure to all the places we visit, from Alaska to Belize and beyond. By simply joining a tour with us, outdoor enthusiasts are now helping to preserve the beautiful backcountry areas they enjoy.

Whether cycling, hiking, climbing, or rafting, tour our guests claim that improving the environment has never been more fun. For example, by eating delicious organic menus prepared fresh on the trail, guests are supporting local and organic growers. They also do not contribute to pollution when riding in our brand new support vehicles powered by 100% renewable vegetable oil. And, by simply joining a tour and riding their bikes through some of the finest natural treasures of North America, guests are supporting the many efforts made by Escape Adventures to enhance and protect these areas.

With proven conviction for the land and people we serve, Escape Adventures maintains the highest standard of service in the industry. With over 16 years of experience and 50 destinations, we offer a wide variety of tours for a wide variety of active travelers. From road bikers to mountain bikers, from hikers to multi-sport enthusiasts, from first timers to accomplished athletes, Escape Adventures has just the adventure for you.

Escape Adventures is a proud partner of the Leave no Trace program, a national non-profit organization dedicated to promoting and inspiring responsible outdoor recreation through education, research and partnerships. Leave No Trace builds awareness, appreciation and respect for our wildlands.