Bicycling

Bicycles are allowed in Capitol Reef National park, although they are restricted to maintained roads that are also open to cars. Bicycles may not travel off road, in washes, on closed roads, on hiking trails, or on backcountry routes. Those on bicycles who are planning overnight trips must camp in one of the three designated park campgrounds or on adjacent BLM or USFS lands. The park offers a few suggested bicycle tours: **The Scenic Drive and Spur Roads tour** is an easy-to-moderate route with some hills. It can be up to 28.8 miles depending on where bicyclists turn around. Bikers start at the visitor center and will pass Grand Wash, Capitol Gorge, Pleasant Creek and the South Draw Road, depending on how far they go. This ride is best completed in the early morning or early evening, when traffic on the main road is reduced. **The Cathedral Valley Loop** is a strenuous, 57.6-mile trail with some steep sections. Surfaces include dirt, sand, bentonite clay, and some rocky areas. Bicyclists will also have to ford the Fremont River. Cathedral Valley is one of the most remote areas of the park, and summer temps can soar to over 100 degrees, so this ride is best completed in the spring or fall. There are steep hills and switchbacks, as well as wash crossings, which can be muddy when the wash is flowing. The river ford is usually 1 to 1.5-feet deep. There is a primitive campground in Cathedral Valley located halfway through the loop. **South Draw Road** is a strenuous trip, with very steep hills. It's 5 miles to the park boundary from the beginning and 10.7 miles to State Road 12. Bikers will cross a variety of dirt, sand, and rocky surfaces. This ride is not recommended in the winter or spring due to deep snow at higher elevations, which make the route impassable. The route starts at 8,500 feet on Boulder Mountain and ends at 5,500 feet. Finally, the **Boulder Mountain/Hwy. 12 - Burr Trail Road/Notom - Bullfrog Road/Utah Hwy. 24 loop** is a very strenuous, 124-mile route with steep climbs. The route visits the Waterpocket district of the park, and takes bikers over the high country on the west flank of Boulder Mountain at 9,600 feet. You'll also ride through the Circle Cliffs, across the Waterpocket Fold on the Burr Trail Road, and up the Strike Valley along the Notom/Bullfrog Road. The primitive Cedar Mesa Campground is located about 11 miles north of the Burr Trail Road junction on the Notom/Bullfrog Road.