Zion National Park is truly a breathtaking testament to the beauty of nature. Famous for its iconic and challenging hikes like Angels Landing and The Narrows, this park draws adventurers worldwide. While these trails often steal the spotlight, one of Zion’s hidden gems—and one of my favorite activities—is biking through the canyon. This underrated adventure allows you to truly connect with Zion’s awe-inspiring beauty, gliding past towering cliffs and vibrant vistas in the peaceful embrace of nature.
Bikes
To bike through this stunning canyon, you’ll need access to a bike—but don’t worry if you’re traveling from out of town. Zion offers several bike rental options that cater to visitors just for this purpose. These rental shops provide a variety of bikes to suit different needs, including electric bikes for an extra boost, bikes with child attachments so even the youngest family members can join in on the adventure, and classic regular bikes. Living so close to Zion, I’ve always brought my own bike, but I can confidently say the park is incredibly user-friendly, making it easy for everyone to enjoy this unique experience.
Timing
I’ve had the chance to bike the canyon twice—once on Presidents Day in February and again on Memorial Day in May. Both times were an absolute blast, though the weather called for slightly different clothing choices. It’s definitely a doable and enjoyable activity no matter the season, as long as you’re prepared with the right gear.
I actually had plans to bike the canyon again in November, but unfortunately, I got sick with pneumonia and had to cancel. That said, the weather in November would have been just fine for it! If you’re biking during the park’s busy season, which runs from March to November, you’ll need to navigate around the shuttle system. During these months, private vehicles aren’t allowed in the canyon, so the shuttles are the only motorized traffic. Bikes must yield to them, and shuttles won’t pass you unless you come to a complete stop.
This is a bit tricky because the shuttles are silent electric vehicles, so it’s easy to miss when one is right behind you unless you’re constantly checking over your shoulder. It can be a bit frustrating if you’re cruising down a hill with great momentum and have to stop to let a shuttle pass. That’s one thing I appreciated about biking in February—no shuttles to worry about!
Still, even with the shuttles, biking the canyon is a great experience. It’s just a little more relaxed when you don’t have to think about them.
I’ve had the chance to bike the canyon twice—once on Presidents Day in February and again on Memorial Day in May. Both times were an absolute blast, though the weather called for slightly different clothing choices. It’s a doable and enjoyable activity no matter the season, as long as you’re prepared with the right gear.
I actually had plans to bike the canyon again in November, but unfortunately, I got sick with pneumonia and had to cancel. That said, the weather in November would have been just fine for it! If you’re biking during the park’s busy season, which runs from March to November, you’ll need to navigate around the shuttle system. During these months, private vehicles aren’t allowed in the canyon, so the shuttles are the only motorized traffic. Bikes must yield to them, and shuttles won’t pass you unless you come to a complete stop.
This is a bit tricky because the shuttles are silent electric vehicles, so it’s easy to miss when one is right behind you unless you’re constantly checking over your shoulder. It can be a bit frustrating if you’re working hard to pedal up a hill and building good momentum, only to have to stop and let a shuttle pass. That’s one thing I really appreciated about biking in February—no shuttles to worry about!
Still, even with the shuttles, biking the canyon is such a great experience. It’s just a little more relaxed when you don’t have to think about them.
Duration
You can tailor this activity to your pace and preferences. If you’re looking for an easier ride, you can use the shuttles to take your bike up to the top at Stop 9 and cruise down the canyon. You can also get off at any of the stops along the way, riding down from there, or do the opposite—ride up the canyon and use the shuttle for the trip back down. The shuttles are super bike-friendly, which is one of the reasons they’re there! They even have bike racks on the front, making it easy to plan your ride however you like.
When we rode the entire canyon without electric bikes, it took our group about 2.5 to 3 hours. Most of that time was spent riding uphill, as a significant portion of the canyon climb is a steady incline. The downhill ride, though, is a whole different story—smooth, fast, and exhilarating. It usually takes me only about 30 to 45 minutes to make it back down since you can pick up some great speed on those long stretches, with just one uphill section to tackle on the way.
Biking through Zion Canyon is a must-do experience that should definitely be on everyone’s bucket list. What makes it so much fun is how close you get to the towering red rock cliffs. You really feel like you’re surrounded by nature, taking in all the stunning views at your own pace. Plus, it’s a great way to get outside and move your body while exploring this incredible park. Whether you’re looking for adventure or just a fun way to enjoy Zion, biking the canyon is the perfect combination of both.
Biking through Zion Canyon is such an underrated activity in this amazing national park. It’s a unique way to experience the stunning scenery and truly immerse yourself in nature—and I absolutely love it. If you give it a try, I’m sure you’ll fall in love with it too!
Stay Safe and Start Exploring
I love biking the canyon!! It’s a must do activity for me!!