Bears Ears South 4-Day Introductory Cultural Bike Tour
RIDING TYPE
Introductory
DURATION
4 Days
SEASON
April - May / September - October
Bears Ears South 4-Day Introductory Cultural Bike Tour
Bears Ears South: Introductory Cycling & Ancient History
Discover the magic of Bears Ears National Monument on our Bears Ears South bike trip, an ideal adventure for beginner riders eager to explore stunning landscapes and ancient history. At Western Spirit, we believe everyone deserves to experience the wonder of public lands, and this supported tour makes getting outside and enjoying Utah’s unique beauty effortless. We handle everything, so you can focus on the ride, the incredible cultural sites, and the joy of discovery. This isn’t just a bike tour; it’s a journey into the heart of Ancestral Puebloan history, perfectly blending gentle Bears Ears cycling trails with captivating hikes to well-preserved cliff dwellings. If you’re a beginner mountain biker looking for a supported bike tour that combines physical activity with deep cultural immersion, our Bears Ears South trip is your perfect match.
Introductory Riding, Cultural Immersion & Fully Supported Basecamp
This Guided Bears Ears Cultural Heritage Bike Tour is tailored for beginner cyclists and history enthusiasts, featuring:
Introductory Biking Focus: The cycling component is rated Introductory and primarily uses dirt roads (hard packed sediment), perfect for those building confidence.
Profound Cultural Immersion: Hike to incredible, well-preserved Ancestral Puebloan cliff dwellings like the iconic Moon House (Intermediate hike required).
Spectacular Scenery: Cycle across Cedar Mesa and witness breathtaking panoramic views of the San Juan River, Monument Valley, and the Valley of the Gods.
Fully Supported Basecamp: Your basecamp remains set up for the duration, minimizing daily packing and maximizing relaxation time for this supported bike tour.
-DAY-BY-DAY
Itinerary
We meet in Moab before heading south to Cedar Mesa. Our adventure begins at the Edge of the Cedars State Park Museum.
After lunch, we’ll hit the dirt roads near Cyclone Flat, riding to Sheiks Flat and walking to the Yellow House Dwelling.
We then ride to the comfortable campsite that will be our base camp for the duration of the trip.
Today’s ride takes us to the trailhead for the iconic Moon House dwelling.
After lunch, we’ll embark on an intermediate hike with some scrambling to explore this remarkable 800-year-old multi-room cliff dwelling.
We return to camp with minds full of ancient mysteries.
We bike to a large cliff dwelling, dramatically situated on a rock peninsula overlooking a deeply carved canyon.
After exploring this incredible site, we’ll retrace our ride back to camp, ready for an evening of stargazing and listening to the sounds of the desert.
Conclude your cycling with an optional “extra credit” ride to Muley Point, offering breathtaking panoramic views of the San Juan River, Monument Valley, and the Valley of the Gods.
After a final lunch, we descend the scenic Moki Dugway before shuttling back to Moab, carrying memories of an incredible Bears Ears cultural heritage bike tour.
-TRIP NOTES
The fine print
Itineraries are subject to change due to weather, road conditions, rider safety and other factors which may affect the logistics of the adventure.
Road Surface
Dirt roads. Hard packed sediment. Sandy sections and some short steep, rocky sections.
Overall Rating
Biking is introductory, hiking is intermediate due to some scrambling.
Technical Difficulty
Easy to moderate.
Physical Difficulty
Moderate, some strenuous climbing.
Altitude
4,100 - 6,500 feet
Biking Mileage
13–25 miles per day
Hiking Mileage
13–25 miles per day
–Travel Logistics
Getting there.
Moab, UT. Meets at 7:30 AM MST at the Aarchway Inn, 1551 North Riverview Drive, Moab, Utah. Spend the night before in Moab.
Driving
30 miles south of I-70 on Highway 191.
Flying into Salt Lake City (SLC)
rent a car (~4 hrs) or Moab Express 435-260-9289.
Flying into Grand Junction (GJT)
rent a car (~2 hrs) or Moab Express shuttle.
Flying into Moab (CNY)
Contour Airlines, contourairlines.com, 1 (888) 332-6686.
Lodging Before Your Trip
Aarchway Inn
Where the trip meets (10% off for WS guests) Use Hyperlink above or mention your a Western Spirit guest over the phone for discount.
PACKING
What we provide
- Meals, snacks, water, electrolyte drinks, non-alcoholic drinks
- Camp mugs, all kitchen and dining ware
- 1 cycling water bottle
- Camp chairs
- Solar showers
- Sunscreen & bug spray
- Bike stand and lube
- Guides bring their own tools
- First aid kit with basic medications
Bringing or renting
- Bike (rentals come with flat pedals)
- Helmet
- Tent
- Sleeping bag
- Sleeping pad. Cycling clothing
- Camp clothing
- Personal items
- And optional gear per standard Western Spirit packing list (rain gear
- Warm layers
- Sunglasses
- Tipping cash 10-20%)
Bring or rent
Bringing or renting
- Bike (rentals come with flat pedals)
- Helmet (gratis w
- Rental bike)
- Tent
- Sleeping bag
- Sleeping pad
Cycling clothing
- Cycling shoes
- 3-5 pair cycling shorts
- 3-5 cycling shirts
- Long sleeve cycling shirt
- Long sleeve cotton shirt or solar sleeves
- Cycling socks
- Windbreaker
- Tights or leg warmers
- 2 pair cycling gloves
- Rain jacket & rain pants (Gore-Tex or similar)
- Warm layer
- Sunglasses
Camp clothing
- Camp shorts/shirts
- Warm socks
- Long underwear
- 2 pair warm long pants
- Fleece/sweater
- Pile or down jacket
- Warm gloves and hat
- Brimmed hat
- Bathing suit
- Hiking shoes
- Sandals
- Rain gear
Personal
- Toiletries
- Medication
- Towel
- Biodegradable soap
- Wet-wipes
- Flashlight/headlamp
- Sunglasses
- Optional day bag
- Stuff sacks
- Cash for tipping (10-20% of trip price)
Optional
- Camera
- Binoculars
- Favorite beverages
- Books
- Maps
- Portable USB charger
Need more information about our bike trips?
Check out what a bike trip is all about by visiting our camping page, FAQ page, what to bring page or be the first to know about new trips, last minute trip openings and future discounts by subscribing to our newsletter.
Need even more details? Send us a message or call and talk to one of our trip specialists at (435) 259-8732.
Need more information about our bike trips? Check out what a bike trip is all about by visiting our camping page, FAQ page, what to bring page or be the first to know about new trips, last minute trip openings and future discounts by subscribing to our newsletter.
Need even more details? Send us a message or call and talk to one of our trip specialists at (435) 259-8732
Gallery
-A DAY WITH-
Western Spirit
Three chapters to every day on the trail. We sweat the details so you can simply ride, eat well, and look up.
Wake to cowboy coffee on the rim, fresh fruit, pancakes and granola. Unforgettable sunrises over the canyon — every single morning.
Learn More ↗
From the Rainbow Rim Trail to the White Rim Road in Canyonlands, our guides put you on the right line for breathtaking Grand Canyon views.
Learn More ↗
We pick camps for a reason. Rivers, lakes, sunset vistas — and a chef-prepared meal under one of the darkest skies in the lower 48.
Learn More ↗-More Trips Like This
Adventures cut from the same cloth.
View all bike trips
4 Days · Biking is introductory, hiking is intermediate due to some scrambling.
JOIN THE JOURNEY
Ready for your next
adventure?
Ready to explore breathtaking trails and create unforgettable memories? Join our community of passionate cyclists and be the first to discover bike tours across stunning destinations!
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
