Soar through a paradise of red canyon walls and roaring rivers. Biking in Zion National Park is the best way to see these wonderful landscapes 🙌🏻. Leave the crowds behind, avoid the shuttles, and find out why you need to bike on your next trip to Zion!
It was on my fourth visit to Zion, that I finally decided to rent a bike and do the scenic drive. Immediately upon hitting the road, I questioned why I hadn’t done it every other time! It was such an exhilarating feeling 🤩 to be riding along the road with stunning red rocks rising up on other side of me. I truly couldn’t believe my eyes.
Now, I want you to have the same experience that I got to have in Zion. So, this post will cover everything you need to know about biking through Zion including when to go, what the ride is like, and where to rent a bike. I hope you have a fantastic trip!
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Biking in Zion Guide
Why Go Biking in Zion?
Biking is one of the best ways to see Zion. You will feel like you’re soaring as you cycle through the canyon walls with the sun shining above you. I’ve never felt so euphoric 🤗 as I have when I was on the bikes there.
One of the main reasons to bike is to have flexibility and not be subject to the shuttle schedule. 🚌 The scenic drive closes in the peak season, so you have to take the shuttle from stop to stop unless you bike. If you rent a bike, you can simply go from place to place as you feel and stop at things that interest you like hikes or overlooks!
Plus, it’s one of the best ways to truly take in the canyon. You’ll have the chance to feel as if you are immersed in the park and you will get to see everything up close and personal. There’s truly no better way to explore if you ask me.
Best Stops on the Scenic Drive:
- Court of the Patriarchs
- Emerald Pools Trail (3 mile hike)
- Big Bend
- Temple of Sinewa
- Riverside Walk (2 mile hike)
Scenic Drive Biking Details
So, the main area that people bike in Zion is the scenic drive. This is a wonderful bike ride that takes you to most of the best sights and hikes in the park ⭐️. You can bring your own bike or rent one in town nearby!
If you begin your ride from Springdale, you’ll have to walk through the Pedestrian entrance, then take the Pa’rus Trail until it hits the road. From there, you’ll take a left onto the scenic drive and begin your journey!
It took us about 5 hours to bike the entire road and hike both the Emerald Pools and Riverside Walk trail. So, if you don’t want to hike at all it can go a lot faster! Although, there is somewhat of an incline so just be prepared.
Quick Scenic Drive Bike Ride Details:
Distance: 7 miles one way, 14 round trip
Elevation: 960 Feet
Time Needed: 2 hours-8 hours (depending on if you take breaks and hike)
When Can You Bike The Scenic Drive?
Technically, you can bike the scenic drive at all times. However, the road is closed to private vehicles in the peak season. This means that you will only ever have to contend with other bikes, shuttles, and the few people lodging at the hotels.
Biking the road is best from mid-March to Late October when the road is closed to vehicles. 🚫🚙
All of that being said, the best time to bike would be when the temperatures are cooler and it’s not scorching hot outside. So, I recommend visiting and biking in the spring and early fall! 🌸🍁
Things to Know Before You Go
💵 Zion National Park costs $35 for a private vehicle which lasts 7 days for US residents. You can also use annual passes like America the Beautiful Pass for entry. You will still need to show a pass as you enter through the pedestrian entrance. Non-US residents will need to pay $150 per person over 16 or $250 for an Annual Parks Pass.
☀️ Weather changes quickly in Zion. Make sure that you stay updated and that you take the proper precautions. If there are signs of rain, then you may want to bring proper waterproof gear and stick to lower elevations.
⛺️ All campgrounds in Zion must be reserved in advance. You can find reservations on recreation.gov. The closest campground to the scenic drive and most hikes is the Watchman Campgound.
🦅 There is a lot of wildlife in Zion National Park. Make sure to respect the wildlife by keeping your distance, even as you bike. You can spot things like mule deer, bighorn sheep, Californian condors and spotted owls.
🦮 Pets are only allowed on the Pa’rus Trail. They are not permitted on any other hikes.
⚠️ The Scenic Loop Drive is closed to public vehicles from mid-March to late October. Which means this is the perfect time to bike the road!
🍃 Remember to follow the Leave No Trace Principles. As always, you want to leave nature looking better than you found it.
Renting Bikes
Luckily, there are a lot of bike outfitters near the park to choose from and many of them allow you to rent bikes 🚲 when you arrive. Most of the bike rentals are located in Springdale, which is just outside of Zion’s entrance.
You can choose from regular road bikes, bikes with children carriers, and eBikes! There are so many great options.
We rented our bikes from Greater Zion eBikes and we had a fantastic experience! It wasn’t originally part of our plans, but we picked up coffee that morning and the bike rentals were in the same building. We took that as a sign to go for it!
Bike Rentals in Zion:
Do You Need To Be Good At Biking?
Trust me from someone who is a very average biker, you do not have to be a strong biker to do this! Most of the drive has just a little bit of an incline and you have the option to rent eBikes, which give you that extra push to make the biking easier.
However, you still should be fit enough to go biking for a couple hours in the sunshine. ☀️ But, most people will be able to do this ride, especially if you choose to get an eBike. Just know your own limits and turn around if you think that you will struggle on the way back!
What to Pack for Biking in Zion
Most of the bike rentals will give you everything you need including bike locks and helmets 🪖. So, the most important thing to pack for your ride is plenty of water and sun protection.
If you plan on biking all day, then you will also want to bring food 🥪, because there’s really not options within the park. Plus, good sneakers that will not hurt your feet after a couple hours on the bike.
Packing List
Final Tips for Biking in Zion
Biking through Zion is an incredible experience, but it’s important to remember some safety tips. ⛑ First, stay in the bike line if you have to go through town at all and always pull over for the shuttles on the drive! Also, wear your helmet so that you protect your head. Otherwise, have a wonderful time out on the raod.
Let me know in the comments if you enjoyed this guide!
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We’ve only been to Zion once and if there’s a way like riding a bike where I can skip the shuttle service I’ll do it!
It’s funny too I said to myself I’ll never ride an e-bike blah blah and I tried one for the first time in Banff last year and it was so much fun!
Definitely renting an e-bike next time I’m in Zion.
Omg, I am a huge fan of e-bikes now! They just make biking so much easier