Biking through Bryce Canyon National Park: A Complete Guide
Biking through Bryce Canyon National Park—and beyond—is an excellent way to experience this beautiful part of Utah.
By bringing in or renting a bike, you can skip the shuttle lines in the Bryce Amphitheatre area, easily move between Bryce Canyon City and the national park,
Whether you choose a traditional bike or an e-bike, I strongly believe that biking through parts of this beautiful park is an excellent addition to any vacation here.
In this comprehensive guide, you’ll learn everything you need to know about biking in Bryce Canyon National Park, from where you can ride, how to keep your bike safe in the park, if an e-bike rental is worth the price, and the best places locally to rent.
My kids biking on the Bryce Canyon National Park shared-use trail near the Lodge
Can you bike in Bryce Canyon National Park?
Yes, you can bike in Bryce Canyon National Park, but only in specific sections of the park.
There is an 18-mile multi-use path that runs from Red Canyon outside of the park, along the edge of Dixie National Forest, through Bryce Canyon City, and then into the national park’s Bryce Amphitheatre area.
The portion of this multi-use path, also called the shared-use path, that is inside the park is about 5 miles.
Utilizing the shared-use path, you can bike to the visitors center, the North Campground, the Sunset Campground, the Bryce Canyon Lodge, and many of the most popular overlooks like Sunset Point, Sunrise Point, and Inspiration Point.
Ultimately, it’s an excellent activity for anyone visiting the Utah Mighty 5 with kids or other visitors who want to see the park in a new way.
Free Bryce Canyon Shuttles v. Biking in Bryce Canyon
If you’re simply looking for a way to get around Bryce Canyon National Park, you need to weigh the pros and cons of using the shuttle system vs. biking the park.
Both the shuttle bus route and the multi-use path cover similar ground within the park, but one or the other might be more appealing depending on your budget, fitness level, and time outlay.
Bryce Canyon Shuttles Overview
If you just want to park and go, the shuttle is an easy, hassle free option for just about any park goer. It runs from Bryce Canyon City to Inspiration Point with 15 stops along the way.
The shuttle stops are clearly marked along the route, and the stops are typically covered benches. The buses run every 15-20 minutes, but only during peak season (typically between April and September, but check the official NPS site for exact dates each year).
You will still need to walk to areas between the shuttle stops, making this method less convenient for those who want to fully explore the Bryce Amphitheatre area of the park.
>> Learn more in my Bryce Canyon shuttle bus guide here. <<
Bryce Canyon Biking Overview
While riding a bike in Bryce Canyon National Park is more strenuous, it allows those who are relatively physically fit get a new perspective on the park.
Since the multi-use pathway winds its way through the beautiful trees of the park, you’ll feel more fully immersed in this place than if you’re watching it through the window of a bus.
You’ll have more flexibility to explore on your own schedule since you won’t have to wait around for the buses.
The multi-use path is open year round, though snowfall and ice does make it unsafe to use during the winter and early spring. Still, it can be an option to get around the park in some cases where the shuttles haven’t started up for the season.
Overall, the bike path is wide and easy to use with clear signage throughout. You won’t have to do much research ahead of time to determine where you can ride as the entire 18-mile route (both in and outside of the park) is essentially a point-to-point trail with no spur options.
There is some elevation, but it’s manageable for nearly all bike riders. If you’re concerned about those areas with elevation, an e-bike can smooth over those pain points for you.
There are areas to rent a bike both inside the park and in Bryce Canyon City, so you have options if you don’t have or are unable to bring your own bike.
Biking in Bryce Canyon Tips and Tricks
The path is easy to follow with ample signage.
One of the helpful signs along the Shared Use Path inside the park
As you make your way through the Bryce Amphitheatre area, you’ll notice that the multi-use path is very easy to follow, even in areas like the Lodge at Bryce Canyon where there are sidewalks and paths to cabins and parking lots.
The path is fully separated from the road nearby, making this a safe option for beginning bikers or families.
Once you’re on the path, it’s hard to get lost as it only goes in 2 directions: towards Inspiration Point or out towards Bryce Canyon City.
However, if you do get turned around on the path, there are printed maps of the multi-use trail posted at intervals.
You can also stop into the Lodge or the Historic Service Station along the way to ask for help.
If you need a break, there are benches along the trail.
While biking with my kids in Bryce Amphitheatre, they needed a quick snack break. This was incredibly easy to do thanks to the many benches you’ll find along the way that are just a step off of the path.
We were able to pause for a moment so they could get a granola bar and their water bottles, and we watched the shuttle buses and visitors drive by until we were ready to get back on our bikes.
There are a few areas of elevation on the trail.
Near the General Store at the North Campground and heading up to Inspiration Point, you’ll find two areas that the path gets relatively steep.
If you don’t bike often or if you’re biking with kids, you will find these sections challenging with a pedal bike.
Going up the hills were enough that my kids needed to get off of their bikes and walk them up, and going down scared my 8-year-old because he picked up too much speed. (We live in a very flat area of South Carolina, so biking in any kind of hilly situation is still a challenge!)
If you need to walk your bike at any point, that’s perfectly fine as the path is made for both bikers and walkers, and you’ll encounter other visitors moving along it in a variety of ways and speeds.
Use the path like a road.
Keep to the right unless you’re passing, then do so on the left.
To help you remember where to ride, the path has a yellow line in the middle just like a road on most of it.
There are also signs to help you evaluate the path with reminders to not pass in specific sections or to let you know a road crossing is coming up.
Pedestrians will also be using this path, so watch for them. We encountered several groups that didn’t seem to realize that it was a shared-use path (or just didn’t care) and would spread out all of the way across both lanes of the path.
We also saw parents pushing strollers and preschool aged kids using their scooters, so bikers should stay alert.
Use a bell.
The rental bikes, both e-bikes and pedal bikes, that you’ll get from inside the park and in Bryce Canyon City all come with a bell. If you’re bringing your own bike into the park, add a bell for safety.
When you approach another biker and want to pass, use your bell to let the other biker know where you are. Do the same when you’re overtaking a group of pedestrians who might not be able to hear you otherwise.
It’s also important to use the bell when turning a curve in case there are pedestrians or other bikers who cannot see you.
Wear a helmet.
The author and her children with their helmets on during a break in their Bryce Canyon bike riding
Even though you’re not riding in the road here and the multi-use path feels very safe, it’s still important to wear a helmet when biking in the park and beyond.
You’ll still have to cross roads, pass other bikers and pedestrians, and stop suddenly if an animal walks out in front of you.
Keep that brain safe and always wear a helmet!
The e-bike and pedal bike rentals will include a helmet, but bring your own if you're using a personal bike.
There are bike racks along the path.
Near the viewpoints, the Lodge, the visitors center, and the General Store, you’ll find bike racks where you can leave your bike while you explore that specific area of the park.
In the most popular areas, such as at Inspiration Point, there are several bike racks to accommodate the many bikers who visit via the multi-use path.
You’ll want to bring a bike lock, or use the one provided by the rental companies. I don’t think many people come to a national park to steal a bike, but I tend to lean on the side of cautiousness, especially when I’ve rented a bike or am using an expensive e-bike.
You can put your bikes on one of the shuttles if you get tired.
If you or your kids are done with biking, but you’re nowhere near the bike rental office, you can put your bikes on one of the free Bryce Canyon shuttles.
Each of the shuttles, which run during peak seasons, can hold up to 2 bikes on the front bike racks. Just let the driver know you’d like to take your bike before you board, and he or she will help you get it situated on the front of the bus.
Explore more of Bryce Canyon National Park and beyond!
Which is better for Bryce Canyon National Park: a traditional bike or e-bikes?
Unlike the elevation changes you’ll find while biking in Zion National Park, the multi-use path inside Bryce Canyon National Park is much flatter.
Other than 2 areas of elevation (near the General Store and then again near Inspiration Point), the path is nearly flat and easy enough to navigate even for kids.
While you can use either an e-bike or a pedal bike to get around the bike path in Bryce Canyon, you’ll want to weigh a few things to determine which type of bike you’ll want to bring or rent.
First, consider the cost. The e-bike rentals do cost more than the pedal bikes. If you’re looking for a 2-hour e-bike rental outside of the park, you can find those for around $40 before tax. A similar e-bike rental inside the park is about $60. A pedal bike rental for 2 hours from the rental station in the park is $25 before tax.
Next, consider where you’d like to bike. If you’re planning to spend your time exploring the Bryce Ampitheatre and rim of the canyon only, a pedal bike from the Historic Service Station inside the park will be more than enough for your needs. (More on the Historic Service Station and rental availability below.)
However, if you’d like to see the park as well as adventure to Bryce Canyon City and beyond, an e-bike is going to be your best bet. You’ll be able to cruise for longer distances in a shorter period of time with an e-bike.
Plus, those few areas of elevation inside of the park are going to be a breeze to navigate with the extra power you get from an e-bike.
Finally, you’ll need to determine who is going to be biking in your party. For a group of adults, you’ll be able to find both e-bikes and pedal bikes that will work well for adults.
For kids, you’ll need to do a bit more research. There aren’t any bike rentals that provide the tiniest bike sizes for kids who still need training wheels, though you will be able to rent bikes—both pedal bikes and e-bikes—with baby carriers or child seats.
The e-bikes are heavy for those in the pre-teen ages, so you’ll need to determine if your 11-13 year old will be able to appropriately handle the extra weight that comes with this option.
If your pre-teen doesn’t feel comfortable with an e-bike, you will be able to find pedal bike rentals for them (which would also fit smaller framed, petite adults).
Bryce Canyon National Park Bike Rentals Information
With our rented bikes from the Historic Service Station
If you’re ready to hit the bike path for some exploring, you’ll need to determine which bike rental is right for your family.
There are rental options inside and outside the park with both e-bike and pedal bike availability.
The rentals inside of the park are more expensive and have less options, but they are highly convenient for those families looking to explore Bryce Amphitheatre.
The only place to rent inside of the park is the Historic Service Station near the Lodge. Built in 1947, this former gas station now serves as the place where visitors can rent both pedal and e-bikes.
You can find both e-bikes and pedal bikes here. There are limited styles of e-bikes available, but many options for pedal bikes including a range of kids’ bikes.
This option is super convenient for visitors who want an easy way to explore Bryce Amphiteatre for a few hours.
For those who want to save money, head to one of the outfitters in Bryce Canyon City, where you’ll have a greater selection. However, be sure to factor in the extra time that it will take you to get into the park from the bike rentals here, which are about 5 miles from the far side of Bryce Ampitheather.
You can rent bikes from several places in town, including:
Rubys Inn (pedal and e-bikes)
Bryce Canyon EZ Riders (e-bikes only)
Outta Here eBikes (e-bikes only)
The e-bike rentals outside of the park have a wider range of e-bike styles and accessories, so this is where I’d recommend going if you want an e-bike, but have kids in tow.
If you’re interested in a guided e-bike tour for kids 12 and up, Bryce Wildlife Outfitters offers one that’s perfect for an overview of this area. This is the same outfitter that we used for our incredible ATV rental and self-guided tour of Dixie National Forest, and it comes highly recommended.
