Grand Staircase Region
Route: Cottonwood Canyon
7.5' Maps: Lower Coyote Springs, Horse Flat, Butler Valley, Slick Rock Bench
Distance: About 40 miles from Highway 89 to Kodachrome Basin State Park (an additional 6 miles to Cannonville); some steep climbs
Description: Access the Cockscomb and lower Cottonwood Canyon from Highway 89 or Highway 12. This is a well traveled road; the ride is easier if you start at Kodachrome Basin and go south.
Attractions: Interesting geologic formations and shady cottonwood groves.
Route: Johnson Canyon / Skutumpah
7.5' Maps: Skutumpah Creek, Deer Springs Point, Deer Range Point, Bull Valley Gorge, Cannonville
Distance: Approximately 65 miles from Highway 89 to Cannonville / Highway 12; some steep climbs
Description: The Johnson Canyon Road, 11 miles east of Kanab on Highway 89, provides access to the canyons and terraces of the Grand Staircase. Many rides of varying lengths can be made from Johnson Canyon and Skutumpah roads.
Route: Sand Gulch / Paria Breaks
7.5' Maps: Eight-Mile Pass, Five-Mile Pass, and Five-Mile Valley
Distance: About 12 miles R/T; no steep elevation changes
Description: This route follows a road that offers a “back way” into the Paria Movie Set. For mountain bike riders, this is great because traffic is low. The route can be accessed from Highway 89. The ride starts at the corral, 1 mile west of the Movie Set turnoff. The corral area has plenty of space to park and unload bikes. The route follows the road out of the corral heading west for about 1.25 miles and then makes a sharp turn back to the east, ending at the Paria Movie Set. You must cross a wide wash to access the movie set.
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Kaiparowits Plateau Region
Route: Cedar Wash Loop
7.5' Maps: Dave Canyon
Distance: About 20 miles round trip; fairly level
Description: From Escalante, ride east on Highway 12 to the Hole-in-the-Rock Road and follow the signs to Cedar Wash Road, which returns into town
Attractions: Views of the Straight Cliffs and access (short hikes) to two natural arches.
Route: Nipple Loop
7.5' Maps: Nipple Butte, Tibet Bench
Distance: About 26 miles; some steep climbs
Description: This route leaves Big Water and heads north along Nipple Creek Wash to Nipple Butte (about 14 miles one way). From Nipple Butte a loop can be made down Tibbet Canyon (about 12 miles)
Attractions: Views of Smoky Mountain, the lower Kaiparowits Plateau, and Lake Powell
Route: Smoky Mountain / Smoky Hollow Loop
7.5' Maps: Smoky Hollow, Sit Down Bench
Distance: About 31 miles; strenuous
Description: From Big Water, ride east on the Warm Creek Road into Glen Canyon National Recreation Area to the intersection with the Smoky Mountain / Smoky Hollow Roads (approximately 16 miles one way). Continue north up Warm Creek / Smoky Hollow to the Smoky Mountain Road and return south on this road to Glen Canyon National Recreation Area
Attractions: Outstanding canyons and views of Lake Powell
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Escalante Canyons Region
Route: Fifty-Mile Bench
7.5' Maps: Big Hollow Wash, Blackburn Canyon, and Sooner Bench
Distance: About 27 miles round trip; strenuous elevation gain of 2,300 feet
Description: Begin from Hole-in-the-Rock Road at Willow Tank, 34.2 miles south of Highway 12. This route heads up Willow Tank slide to Fifty-Mile Bench, south along the bench, and descends Sooner Slide to Hole-in-the-Rock Road. Return north to Willow Tank. This route follows the Straight Cliffs high above the desert floor
Attractions: Views of the Escalante River Canyons, Henry Mountains, and Glen Canyon country
Route: Egypt
7.5' Maps: Egypt
Distance: About 10 miles one way; 300-foot elevation gain
Description: Begin from Hole-in-the-Rock Road 16.5 miles south of Highway 12. Ride east, crossing Twenty-Five Mile Wash, to the Egypt trailhead. Please note that mountain bikes are not allowed on the Egypt trail
Attractions: Outstanding views of the Escalante River canyons.
Route: Wolverine / Circle Cliffs Loop
7.5' Maps: Lamp Stand, Pioneer Mesa, Wagon Box, Bitter Creek Divide
Distance: About 43 miles round trip; fairly level
Description: This tour leaves Burr Trail 19 miles east of Boulder. Ride south on the Wolverine Canyon road, which loops back to the Burr Trail after 29 miles. Complete the loop by riding west on the Burr Trail 14 miles
Attractions: Spectacular views of the Circle Cliffs, the Wolverine Petrified Wood Natural Area, Little Death Hollow, and historic uranium mines; good camp sites
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All vehicles and bicycles must stay on roads.
Driving off road is prohibited. 43CFR 8341.1 (c)
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