E-Biking Utah’s National Parks

A Mighty 5 e-bike guide to rides in Zion and beyond

Written By Brian Higgins

Zion National Park | Zion Guru

“A man on foot, on horseback or on a bicycle will see more, feel more, enjoy more in one mile than the motorized tourists can in a hundred miles,” wrote Edward Abbey, writer, environmentalist and former park ranger at Arches National Park.

And while there are some wonderful scenic drives across the state of Utah, I’m inclined to agree with Mr. Abbey. There’s nothing like traveling the roads of Utah’s national parks without a windshield. It’s the feeling of immersing yourself in a landscape rather than simply observing it; the joy of movement mixed with the awe of unspoiled places. And on a recent ride led by guides from Zion Guru, the usual freedom of bike travel was enhanced by a new sort of freedom—the power to charge up any hill in my path with the pedal-assisting power of an e-bike.

On an ebike journey through Zion National Park, the towering walls of red rock are just as breathtaking as the destination.

Photo: Zion Guru

The Scenic Drive Like You’ve Never Seen It Before

To be clear, pedal-assisted e-biking is still biking. I still needed to put in some effort as our group climbed the steadily rolling hills from the town of Springdale into Zion National Park, and sore legs certainly snuck up on me the next morning. But the town was behind us in what felt like an instant. I barely had time to wave at my baristas at Deep Creek Coffee or the friendly staff at Red Cliffs Lodge Zion before we were traveling the multi-use Pa’rus Trail toward Zion Canyon Scenic Drive.

Home to iconic hikes like Angel’s Landing, The Narrows, and so many more, the Scenic Drive has some of the most astounding views in the park. And for more than one reason, they’re views best enjoyed on a bike. From March through November, the road is closed to cars and can only be accessed by bike or shuttle. Zion’s new all-electric fleet of buses also has slightly more restricted views than its old shuttles. So if you want to take in this slice of Zion from the road, bikes are the way to go.

As we followed the course of the Virgin River beneath the impossibly high canyon walls, our guides from Zion Guru made sure to point out landmarks like Angel’s Landing and Court of the Patriarchs. There were also some unexpected sights, like a climbing party high on the cliffs above, a pair of dots barely visible against the red rock.

Our turnaround point was the end of the Scenic Drive at the Temple of Sinawava, but for many of the other e-bikers around us, it was just the start of a new adventure. In Zion, nearly every e-bike has a slot to hold a walking stick—an essential piece of gear for The Narrows hike that begins at the Temple—along with straps for backpacks and other gear. With full-day rentals available for both e-bikes and Narrows gear at Zion Guru and other local outfitters, visitors can combine these two outings into one epic adventure.

Nearly every e-bike in Zion has a slot to hold a walking stick, an essential piece of gear for The Narrows hike, along with storage space for backpacks and other gear.

Photo: Zion Guru

Want the best view in the park? Start early. Most visitors are tied to the shuttle schedule, but on an e-bike, you can enter the canyon at sunrise.

Photo: Zion Guru

Zion Guru e-bikes take the "climb" out of the canyon, making the route accessible for everyone from toddlers in trailers to seasoned adventurers.

Photo: Zion Guru

E-Biking in Utah’s National Parks

Even if you’re a cycling purist, the fun of an e-bike is hard to deny, bringing an extra zip to every pedal and making you feel like you’re ready for the Tour de France on every Tour de Neighborhood. And with an added accessibility factor, e-bikes are an invitation for more people to explore Utah’s national parks with wide open views and wind in their faces.

E-bikes are permitted in all of Utah’s Mighty Five national parks, although the types of e-bikes allowed vary by park. Zion’s e-bike rules are unique. Because of its shared-use paths and busy roads, only Class 1 e-bikes (pedal-assist with no throttle, top speed of 20 m.p.h.) are permitted. A similar rule is in place on Bryce Canyon’s shared-use path, where e-bikes must be pedaled, although Class 2 bikes (pedal-assist with a throttle motor) are also allowed. Class 3 e-bikes have a throttle motor and can reach 28 mph, and as such, are the most heavily regulated.

When you rent an e-bike at the Historic Service Station in Bryce Canyon, some of the most scenic views in the park are just a few pedals away. The shared-use path stops at iconic vistas like Sunset Point and Inspiration Point, and if you’re up for a longer adventure, it meets up with the Red Canyon Bicycle Trail north of the park. From there, you can travel 12 miles to nearby Red Canyon.

Capitol Reef’s 7.9-mile Scenic Drive is another excellent place for road biking, with some of the most unique geologic features in Utah on display throughout the ride. Arches also allows cyclists along its main road, although the steepest section is right after the entrance, so consider taking a shuttle into the park.

That’s far from the only biking in Moab. The nearly 13-mile Moab Canyon Pathway connects downtown Moab to Arches and the road to both Dead Horse Point State Park and Canyonlands National Park. After a steep and steady climb (nearly 15 miles and over 2,000 feet), this road is marked by rolling hills and wide-open views; it’s a great ride if you can start in the park. And while singletrack mountain biking is prohibited, several companies offer single- and multi-day e-bike tours on the iconic White Rim Trail, a 100-mile dirt road that loops around the Island in the Sky mesa.

When you’re on two wheels, every scenic pull-off is yours for the taking. Stop where you want, stay as long as you like, and see the Mighty 5 on your own schedule.

Photo: Zion Guru

Rules for E-Biking in Utah’s National Parks

With great speed comes great responsibility. E-bikes may not feel the same, but as far as cars, buses and the National Park Service are concerned, they’re just like any other bike. Each park has its own unique requirements, but a few good rules of thumb are:

Always wear a helmet
E-bikes in Arches, Bryce, Capitol Reef, Canyonlands and Zion must stick to paved roads and multi-use paths (no singletrack mountain biking)
Stay aware of cars, park buses and other cyclists
Observe all stop signs, speed limits and other rules of the road
Dismount and walk your bike in pedestrian-only areas
Bring enough water for the adventure ahead
Park your bikes properly and lock them up (locks are usually included in rentals)

There’s another all-important rule in Zion: Cyclists must pull over and come to a complete stop when a park shuttle bus is passing. This rule keeps the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive open and enjoyable for everyone and is not up for interpretation, especially when it comes to phrases like “pull over” and “complete stop.” Fear not—you’ll be cruising again soon, with quick and easy starts, even on hills.

With 2,400 feet of elevation over 18 miles, those hills would have definitely changed the vibes of our ride without the pedal-assist to lend a hand. Even as a regular cyclist, I appreciated the opportunity to simply head out for a ride without having to worry too much about what would come my way. On an e-bike, I found that the focus was always on the park, not the challenge of the ride. And the more people safely and responsibly enjoying Utah parks this way, the merrier.

Biking Zion's Scenic Drive is always allowed. However, during peak season you’ll be sharing the road with the shuttle buses and must abide by safety rules.

Photo: Zion Guru

Things to Do in Zion National Park

Hiking

Zion is famous for its remarkable hiking trails. Take an adventurous scramble up to Angels Landing or a family hike on the Emerald Pools Trails, among others. Learn more about hiking in Zion.
Camping

End your day under Zion’s internationally certified dark skies at any campgrounds within or near the park. Dispersed, developed and RV campgrounds are all available, but make your reservation early; campgrounds fill quickly during peak travel months.
Canyoneering

Are you looking to add some adrenaline to your vacation? Explore Zion’s most popular canyoneering routes. Be sure to get the details about permits and local guide services beforehand.
Horseback Riding

Trot through pine forests and red rock views during a horseback riding tour through the park. Local guides offer rides for every experience level, and are available year-round in certain park regions.

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