Riding the scenic drive, and two rules that shape it
Cycling Zion Canyon is one of the best things you can do in the park, and two park rules decide how the day has to work. Neither is obvious from a booking page.
- Guided half day
- From around $189
- E-bike tour
- From around $225 per person
- E-bikes on the shuttle
- Not allowed
- Hiking on a bike tour
- Not permitted
The best thing about it is the closed road
During shuttle season the Zion Canyon scenic drive is closed to private vehicles. What is left is a smooth paved road through the middle of the canyon carrying nothing but shuttles and bicycles.
That is an unusually good ride. It is gently graded, about eight miles each way, and you stop wherever you like instead of waiting for a bus. Riders routinely describe it as the moment Zion stopped feeling crowded.
Two park rules shape how the day works, and neither tends to appear on a booking page until after you have paid.
Two limits worth knowing before you book
E-bikes are not allowed on the shuttle. And you cannot hike on a bike tour.
No e-bikes on the shuttle
Regular bicycles are permitted, at a maximum of three per shuttle, first come. E-bikes are not permitted at all.
So an e-bike day is an out and back under your own power, both directions, with no option to shortcut either leg. That is fine, and it is exactly what the motor is for, but it should be a decision rather than a surprise. On a regular bike you can sometimes ride up and shuttle back, if one of the three slots is free, which in season it often is not.
No hiking on a bike tour
One Springdale operator states it plainly: the park prohibits biking tour participants from hiking its trails on a biking tour.
You cannot bolt a hike onto a ride. If you want both, book them as separate trips on separate days, or ride independently and hike on your own time. This catches out people who assumed a bike tour would stop for a walk to the Emerald Pools.
If you would rather rent than book a tour, Zion Cycles publishes rates for the whole fleet, and a day on a rented bike costs less than three hours on a guided one. The wider picture of what may and may not be guided inside the park is on the outfitter directory, and the full shuttle rules are on the shuttle page.
What a guided ride costs
Published starting rates from two Springdale operators at the time of writing. Each sets its own and they change with season and group size, so confirm when you book.
| Trip | From | Time out | Included |
|---|---|---|---|
| Guided e-bike tour | $225pp | 3 to 3.5 hr | E-bike, helmet, lock. 10 to 16 miles round trip, maximum five riders. Solo riders pay a higher rate. |
| Half day guided ride | $189 | 4 hr | Guide, hybrid bike, helmet. Youth rate around $125. E-bike upgrade around $25. |
| Full day guided ride | $295 | 8 hr | As above plus lunch. Youth rate around $175. East side options on request. |
| Self guided rental | Ask | Half or full day | Springdale shops rent both types. See gear rental. |
One detail worth asking about: at least one operator lets you keep the bike for the rest of the day at no extra cost if you book a morning tour. That turns a three hour guided ride into a full day of independent riding, and it is the best value on this page.
Guided, or just rent one
Book a guide
ContextYou want the canyon explained as you ride it, you are nervous on a road you do not know, you are riding with mixed abilities, or you simply want the logistics handled.
Guided groups are small, and a guide sets a pace that keeps a group together rather than strung out over two miles.
Rent and ride
FreedomThe route is a single paved road with no navigation to speak of. If you are a confident rider, renting is considerably cheaper and you stop where you want for as long as you want.
Remember the shuttle rule either way. On an e-bike you are riding both directions regardless.
Either way, ride early. The road is quietest and coolest in the first two hours, and in summer the afternoon is genuinely unpleasant. See the best time to visit for how the seasons compare.
Common questions about cycling in Zion
Can I take an e-bike on the Zion shuttle?
No. E-bikes are not permitted on the shuttle at all. Regular bicycles are, at a maximum of three per shuttle, so plan an e-bike day as an out and back under your own power.
Can we stop for a hike during a bike tour?
No. The park prohibits biking tour participants from hiking its trails on a biking tour. Book a hike as a separate trip, or ride independently and hike on your own time.
How much is a guided Zion e-bike tour?
Around $225 per person for a three to three and a half hour e-bike tour, or from about $189 for a half day guided ride on a hybrid bike with an e-bike upgrade available. Rates vary by operator, season and group size.
How far is the ride?
The scenic drive is roughly eight miles each way. Guided e-bike tours typically cover 10 to 16 miles round trip depending on how far up the canyon you go.
Is it hard?
The scenic drive is gently graded and paved, which makes it manageable for most reasonably fit riders even without a motor. Heat is a bigger factor than gradient, so ride early in summer.
Can I ride in winter?
Yes, and you can also drive the scenic drive outside shuttle season, which changes the character of the ride because there is traffic. The road is quietest for cycling during shuttle season.
Do I need a park pass?
Yes. Park entry is not included in any tour or rental price.
Ride the canyon with the road to yourself
Compare the Springdale operators running guided rides and renting bikes.
Also useful: the shuttle rules, every guided trip, and when to come.
On an e-bike you ride both directions. It cannot go on the shuttle.
Compare outfitters