Bicycling

Zion National Park is a gorgeous destination for road biking, especially along Zion Canyon Scenic Drive and the paved 3½-mile Pa'rus Trail, which winds along the Virgin River in Zion Canyon, but keep in mind that mountain biking is not allowed in the park, and bicycles are not allowed on any unpaved trails.

Zion has taken steps to become much more bicycle-friendly, including having bike racks at some of the facilities and on the shuttle buses themselves. If you are renting bikes by the hour from a Springdale outfitter, you can load your bike on the bus, have the shuttle take you to the last stop (Temple of Sinawava), and take an easy one-way pedal back to Springdale. You cannot walk or ride your bicycle through the Zion–Mount Carmel tunnels; the only way to get your bike past this stretch of the highway is to transport it by motor vehicle. When you’re on the park road, shuttle buses and cars have the right of way. You’re expected to pull off to the side and let them pass.

Tours and Outfitters

Bicycles Unlimited. A trusted southern Utah biking resource, this shop rents bikes and sells parts and accessories and also offers maps and advice about great rides in the area. 90 S. 100 E, St. George, Utah, 84770. 435/673–4492; 888/673--4492; www.bicyclesunlimited.com. Mon.–Sat. 9–6.

Zion Cycles. This shop just outside the park rents bikes by the hour or longer, sells parts, and has a full-time mechanic on duty. You can pick up trail tips and other advice from the staff here. They also offer guided road-biking treks in the park and mountain-biking excursions elsewhere in southern Utah. 868 Zion Park Blvd., Springdale, Utah, 84767. 435/772–0400; www.zioncycles.com. Guided tours from $175; bike rentals from $40/day.