Biking Down Zions National Park



Zions National Park is one of the most spectacular parks in the world.  Every year over 3 million people visit the park.  Zions National Park has many family friendly hikes as well as some extreme activities.  One of the best ways to view this amazing canyon is by riding down the canyon road on a bike.  In 1997 the park established a bus system that carries passengers up the canyon.   These buses also have bike racks on the front of the bus so you can take your bikes with you.  Each bus is equipted to carry three bikes.  There are nine stops along the bus route, and you can stop at any of them.  The most beautiful and safe area to ride down from is from the Pa'rus Trail bus stop.  The trail from here is off the main road, fully paved and very easy.  Even little kids with little biking experence will enjoy this paved trail.   Bikers travel under and over bridges and have some of the most amazing canyon views.





If you are looking for a longer ride you could start at Zions lodge and bike down from there.  This ride is for more experienced riders, ones who have an understanding of riding with traffic.  There is some traffic from the Zions Lodge, and you will need riders who understand staying out of the center of the road.  Buses do not pass bike riders, you will have to pull over and come to a complete stop for them to pass.  The ride from the Zions Lodge bus stop is beautiful, and you get views you won't get from the bus. 



Near Court of the Patriarchs




For the most amazing views, put your bikes on the bus and take shuttle bus all the way to the Temple of Sinawava.   Lock up your bikes at the top and take the short paved hike to the top of Temple of Sinawava.  The views are amazing and you won't regret taking this short very easy hike.  You may even want to pack some water shoes and let the kids play in the sand and water at the end of the hike. Stopping here and letting the kids play is a great way to break up the bike ride back down the canyon.  While traveling down from the top of Zions, you will have amazing views of the canyon.  Your views are completely unobstructed as you travel down on a bike. 

TIPS & TRICKS

• Review road safty BEFORE you travel down.  Make sure your kids understand what "Stay to the right" or "There's a car" means before you are on the road.
• Take water packs and make sure you drink.  It can get really hot on the road.
• Don't rush your trip.  Plan to spend time stopping and viewing the canyon.  Don't rush down the canyon.  If you are in a rush, take the bus.
• If your children get tired, don't push them too hard.  Just stop at the nearest bus stop and go back to the bottom or start back up again at Pa'rus Trail. 
• It is better not to ride in the heat of the day.  Bike early morning or in the afternoon. 
• If you want to go on one of the many hikes, don't forget a bike lock that can lock all the bikes up.  Many of the hike trail heads have metal bike racks. 
• You can take snacks or a picnic and make a stop at one of the areas and take a break.

























St George Bear Claw Poppy Trail

St George has the best trail for both kids and adults!  Bear Claw Poppy is so much fun and is like a huge BMX track.  Great for beginners kids to adults.  The trail offers marked signes to direct riders to easy or more difficult trails.   The easy and more difficutlt trails all intercect and travel in the same direction.   If you have a little kids who don't want a crazy ride then they can just stay on the easy(green sign) trails.

You can ride Bear Claw Poppy as a out and back.  Start at the most south west trail head and bike up as far as you want to go and then return.  You can avoid much of the advanced trail by just doing an out and back.  You can also be dropped off at the top of trail on the North west side and ride back to the trail head.  This way there are many large advanced drop off and jumps.

To get to the upper trail head: I-15 to Dixie Drive, South on Canyon View Drive.

Past the Green Vally Resort.

The road turns into a dirt road.  At the yeld sign turn right and go down the hill.
This area is used a lot by dirt bikes and 4 wheelers.
Once at the bottom you will see a main dirt road that travels south and up a big hill.

Follow dirt road up the hill to the gate and big parking lot.  If you have a driver you can drop bikers off here and the driver can meet you at the other end.  Bike up the dirt road to the trail head

You will see a gate you have to lift your bikes over. 

Right past the gate is the Bearclaw Poppy sign.

Now the FUN begins!  The first part of the trail has both easy and more difficult.



Once at the bottom follow the trail South.




You can go as slow or as fast as you want.  All trails end up at the same area.



Map of Bearclaw Poppy.  It is located at most South West end of the trail.

Bearclaw Poppy Trail Head

Entrance to Bearclaw Poppy Parking

Turn on Navajo Dr. to get to the parking area.