Bicycle Camping

Without a doubt, one of the fastest growing sports of the last decade is cycling. More people are enjoying Utah's diverse cycling opportunities than in any other state. It is a natural to create new camping opportunities by combining the best of Utah's exploding biking with the peace and serenity of Utah's spectacular scenery. Whether you prefer your tires fat and knobby or slick and skinny, you can find exciting camping options from Bear Lake to the Grand Staircase; from Dinosaur National Monument to Great Basin National Park.

Popular destinations

When you think of biking in Utah, the first place that comes to mind is Moab. Moab is at the hub of many biking adventures. Stay in any of the numerous accommodations and do day trips to such famed locales as the 10-mile Slickrock Trail, Klondike Bluffs, Bull Canyon, Porcupine Rim, and Poison Spider Mesa. Moab is also the preferred jumping-off point for Canyonlands and Arches national parks. Arches does not allow off-road biking but does have spectacular opportunities along its surface road system. More dedicated biker/campers should investigate the White Rim Trail in Canyonlands. This challenging route covers 100 miles of red rock scenery climbing from 1,500 feet below Island In The Sky Mesa to 1,000 feet above the Green and Colorado rivers - a two- to four-day trip. Trail of the Ancients, kicking off from Blanding, provides road riders a 150-mile ride and the beauty of scenery as diverse as Natural Bridges National Monument and the San Juan River. Henderson Lake Loop and Twisted Forest are among the popular trails near Brian Head (north of Cedar Breaks and south of Parowan), which hosts a winter ski resort that also opens up to mountain biking in the summer. Remember, there are specific regulations regarding national parks, forests, and monuments - understand them. Also, red rock biking means carrying your own water - lots of it.

Southern Utah isn't the only location for worthwhile riding. Sections of the Great Western Trail and Skyline Drive provide unequaled alpine bike camping in northern Utah and can be accessed from Ogden, Bountiful, and several points in Salt Lake City. A lesser-known but beautiful ride can be found starting at Pineview Reservoir and heading east on Hwy. 39 up the South Fork of the Ogden River to Causey Reservoir. The 60-mile ride offers camping and fishing, and could be augmented by a trip to the famed Trappist Monastery for some wonderful honey. Don't pass up a chance to cycle Utah's desert isle - Antelope Island. Divide your day between biking, bison, and bird watching at one of the most important migratory bird habitats in the world. So while you're staring at your bike and your backpack trying to make a choice, throw the saddlebags on the bike and do both!