Bears Ears North Family Bike Trip
RIDING TYPE
Intermediate
DURATION
5 Days
SEASON
May - June
Bears Ears North Family Bike Trip: Ancient History & Alpine Vistas
An Extraordinary Journey Back in Time
Embark on an extraordinary Bears Ears North family bike trip with Western Spirit, your trusted guide to Utah family mountain bike vacations. This isn’t just a cycling tour; it’s a journey back in time, designed for families seeking a hassle-free, immersive Bears Ears family cycling tour through one of America’s most historically rich and visually stunning landscapes. Our guided trip offers the perfect blend of adventure, culture, and comfort, ensuring an unforgettable experience for all ages.Nestled in the remote Abajo Mountains, south of Canyonlands National Park’s Needles District, Bears Ears National Monument rises majestically from the desert floor. This region, once home to a thriving community of Ancestral Puebloans, offers a unique opportunity to explore preserved dwellings and immerse yourselves in prehistoric culture. Our Bears Ears National Monument family bike tour is E-Bike ready and features mellow roads and trails, making it accessible and enjoyable for families with younger kids and diverse cycling abilities.
Why Families Love the Bears Ears North Adventure
This guided family mountain bike trip provides a rare combination of high-alpine scenery and deep archaeological discovery:
E-Bike Ready Accessibility: Mellow roads and trails allow families of all abilities—and those utilizing E-MTBs—to enjoy the 10,000-foot vistas together.
Ancient Cultural Immersion: Visit the Edge of the Cedars Museum and hike to world-famous sites like House on Fire and Butler Wash.
Stunning Alpine-to-Desert Transitions: Experience the vastness of Elk Ridge and the lush forests of the Abajos as they give way to spectacular red rock canyons.
Stress-Free Backcountry Comfort: From gourmet camp meals to full mechanical support, we handle the logistics so you can focus on discovering Utah’s history together.
-DAY-BY-DAY
Itinerary
Your adventure begins in Moab, UT, before we transport to Blanding. We’ll immerse ourselves in history at the Edge of the Cedars Museum, the premier repository for Ancestral Puebloan artifacts.
Later, a pleasant ride leads to hikes at the remarkable Butler Wash Ruins and Mule Canyon, including the iconic House on Fire ruin—named for the “flaming” appearance of the rock ceiling in the morning light. We’ll set up a cozy camp under the expansive desert sky.
A gentle downhill ride takes us to even more Ancestral Puebloan ruins, offering a chance to explore a primitive canyon on foot.
This day promises breathtaking vistas and a rewarding climb, all while surrounded by the stunning landscapes of the Abajo Mountains. You’ll feel the history of the “Trail of the Ancients” beneath your tires.
Today, we’ll ride along Elk Ridge, experiencing the incredible vastness of this high-altitude plateau.
Highlights include “The Notch,” offering panoramic views of the surrounding desert, and passing by Duck Lake and the historic Gooseberry Ranger Station. The terrain is an enjoyable mix of hard-packed sediment and clay roads winding through Ponderosa pines.
Prepare for a thrilling day as we cycle deeper into the Abajo Mountains. This is a significant day of riding with rewarding climbs and exhilarating descents.
You’ll encounter stunning landmarks like Maverick Point Overlook, Skull and Crossbones Summit, and The Causeway—a spectacular ridge connecting the mountains to the plateau.
A fun downhill ride paralleling Johnson Creek brings us back toward Blanding. We’ll make a stop at the Blanding Visitor Center to celebrate our journey through the National Monument.
After a celebratory lunch, we’ll return to Moab, filled with memories of your incredible Bears Ears family bike trip.
-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 and clay. Some sandy sections.
Overall Rating
Intermediate
Technical Difficulty
Easy to moderate.
Physical Difficulty
Moderate, some strenuous climbing.
Altitude
4,000 - 10,000 feet
Biking Mileage
8-24 miles per day
Hiking Mileage
8-24 miles per day
–Travel Logistics
Getting there.
Moab, UT. Meets 7:30 AM MST at Aarchway Inn, 1551 North Riverview Drive, Moab, Utah.
Getting There
30 miles south of I-70 on Hwy 191.
Flying into SLC
rent car (~4hrs) or Moab Express 435-260-9289.
Flying into Grand Junction (GJT)
rent car (~2hrs) or Moab Express.
Flying into Moab (CNY)
Contour Airlines.
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.
Contact Moab Express at 435-260-9289 for shuttles
PACKING
Standard western spirit packing list
- Meals/camp gear provided
- Bring/rent bike & helmet, tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, cycling & camp clothing, personal items, 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
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