Zion · Moderate · Out and back

Zion Canyon from the visitor center to the Temple of Sinawava

Up Zion Canyon on the Pa'rus Trail and the car-free Scenic Drive to the Temple of Sinawava, between sandstone walls, and back.

Distance
16.5 mi (26.5 km)
Ascent
935 ft (285 m)
Riding time
About 2 h
Grade
Moderate
Bike
Any bike
Runs on
77% road, 19% cycle path

Line © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL), checked by Global Adventurer.

0 mi5 mi10 mi15 mi4,797 ft3,950 ft
Move along the height chart to see each point on the map.
Zion Canyon from the visitor center to the Temple of Sinawava
Vulturesong · CC0 · Wikimedia Commons

The ride

From the Zion Canyon Visitor Center the Pa'rus Trail follows the Virgin River north to Canyon Junction, crossing it on footbridges. From there the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive climbs gently up the canyon past the Court of the Patriarchs, Zion Lodge, the Grotto, Weeping Rock and Big Bend to the Temple of Sinawava. Come back the same way.

It is 26.5 km (16.5 miles) there and back with 285 m of climbing; allow about 2 hours of riding. The grade is Moderate. It is paved throughout and climbs steadily on the way up, with a stiff climb from Weeping Rock to the Grotto on the way back.

While the shuttle runs the drive is closed to private cars, but not to the buses: pull right off the road for a shuttle and never pass a moving one. There is no shuttle from 29 November to 25 December 2026, when cars may use the drive. No bikes in the Zion-Mount Carmel tunnel, and Class 1 e-bikes only. Entry costs $20 a person on a bike or $35 a car for seven days; from 2026 visitors who are not US residents, aged 16 and over, pay $100 more.

The visitor center car park has more than 350 spaces and fills early. Shuttle buses carry bikes on a front rack, but not e-bikes, if you want to ride only one way.

Route drawn by Global Adventurer along OpenStreetMap paths (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL), with figures worked out from it. Check the forecast and the ground on the day: paths change.

Good to know

  • The Pa'rus Trail is the only path in Zion open to bikes; the Scenic Drive is closed to private cars while the shuttle runs
  • Pull right off the road for shuttle buses and never pass a moving bus
  • No bikes in the Zion-Mount Carmel tunnel; Class 1 e-bikes only
  • Shuttles carry bikes on a front rack, but not e-bikes

Getting there

Start: Zion Canyon Visitor Center. 37.19993, -112.99051

Directions to the start

Places to stay nearby

Rooms in and around Zion: Booking.com → Expedia →

Affiliate links: if you book, Global Adventurer earns a small commission at no cost to you.

Paths and roads change, and surfaces vary with the weather. The line and figures come from OpenStreetMap and our own checks; ride to what you find, give way to walkers and horses, and carry what you need to mend a puncture.