Biking

Although bikes are forbidden on almost all trails, and cross-country biking is prohibited within the national park boundaries, Zion is among the West's most bike-friendly national parks. The bike-friendly Pa'rus Trail runs a little under 2 miles along the Virgin River, from the south park entrance and South Campground to Zion Canyon Scenic Drive, crossing the river and several creeks, and providing good views of the Watchman, West Temple, the Sentinel, and other lower-canyon formations. The trail is paved and open to bicyclists, pedestrians, pets on leashes, and those with strollers or wheelchairs, but is closed to cars.

From early April through late October, the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive, beyond its intersection with the Zion-Mt. Carmel Highway, is closed to private motor vehicles, with the exception of motorists who have reservations at Zion Lodge. However, the road is open to hikers and bicyclists, as well as shuttle buses. Bicyclists should pull to the right road shoulder and stop to allow shuttle buses to pass.

Bicycles can also be ridden on other park roads, but not through the Zion-Mt. Carmel Tunnel. Although mountain bikes are prohibited on the trails of Zion National Park (except the Pa'rus Trail), just outside the park -- mostly on Bureau of Land Management and state-owned property -- are numerous rugged jeep trails that are great for mountain biking, plus more than 100 miles of slickrock cross-country trails and single-track trails. Gooseberry Mesa, above the community of Springdale, is generally considered the best mountain-biking destination in the area, but there are also good trails on nearby Grafton Mesa.

Talk with the knowledgeable staff at Zion Cycles about the best trails for your interests and abilities. This full-service bike shop offers maps, a full range of bikes and accessories, repairs, and rentals ($38-$50 for a full day, $28-$40 for a half-day).

For guided mountain or road bike trips, contact Zion Adventure Company. A guided hike and road bike trip into the park costs $139 for a half-day and $179 for a full day, per person for two people, with lower per-person rates for larger groups. Guided mountain biking trips outside the park start at $10 per person. Zion Rock & Mountain Guides also offers guided mountain bike excursions outside the national park at similar rates.

Bikers Beware -- If you have a bike rack on the rear bumper of your car, keep the bike tires far from the exhaust pipe; one bike shop worker told us he did a good business replacing exhaust-cooked bike tires.