Bears Ears South Family Bike Trip
RIDING TYPE
Intermediate
DURATION
4 Days
SEASON
April - May / September - October
Bears Ears South Family Adventure: Ancient Secrets & Desert Trails
Why Families Love Our Bears Ears South Adventure
Imagine your family discovering ancient secrets and exploring breathtaking landscapes, all from the seat of a bike! Our Bears Ears South Family Bike Trip is crafted to be the ultimate kid-friendly cycling adventure, perfect for beginner riders and families eager to explore Utah’s hidden gems.
At Western Spirit, we handle the logistics so you can focus on the memories. This isn’t just a vacation; it’s an immersive family bike tour in Utah through the heart of Bears Ears National Monument, a place where history comes alive. We blend gentle Bears Ears cycling trails with exciting, guided hikes to incredible ancient dwellings. Plus, our tour is E-Bike Ready, making those scenic climbs a breeze for parents and older kids alike!
Why Choose the Bears Ears South Adventure?
This guided family mountain bike trip offers a rare combination of prehistoric culture and spectacular backcountry cycling:
Introductory-Friendly Biking: Ride the smooth, hard-packed dirt roads of Cedar Mesa, ideal for those building confidence on off-road terrain.
Moon House Dwelling Exploration: Take an intermediate hike into a hidden canyon to witness one of the most well-preserved 13th-century cliff dwellings in the Southwest.
The Iconic Moki Dugway: Experience the thrill of descending the Moki Dugway, a series of dramatic switchbacks with bird’s-eye views of Monument Valley.
Fully Supported Basecamp: Relax in a comfortable fixed camp under some of the darkest, star-filled skies in the world while we handle the cooking and mechanical support.
-DAY-BY-DAY
Itinerary
We’ll kick off our adventure in Moab before heading south to Cedar Mesa. Our first stop is the fascinating Edge of the Cedars State Park Museum to learn about ancient cultures.
Then, it’s time to hop on our bikes for a scenic ride to Sheiks Flat, followed by a fun walk to the Yellow House Dwelling. We’ll set up our comfortable base camp, ready for the adventures to come!
Today’s ride takes us to the incredible Moon House dwelling. Get ready for an exciting intermediate hike (with some scrambling!) into a hidden canyon to explore this ancient, multi-room cliff dwelling from 1200 A.D.
Your kids will love imagining life here centuries ago! After lunch with a view, we’ll finish our ride back to camp.
Another day, another amazing discovery! We’ll bike to a spectacular cliff dwelling, dramatically perched high above a deep canyon of red and white Cedar Mesa Sandstone.
Retrace the steps of the people who called this breathtaking place home over 800 years ago. After exploring, we’ll ride back to camp where you can unwind and enjoy the magic of stargazing under the vast desert sky.
For those with extra energy, there’s an “extra credit” ride to Muley Point for sweeping views of the San Juan River and Monument Valley—perfect for family photos!
After a final delicious lunch, we’ll enjoy the scenic descent of the Moki Dugway, an unforgettable gravel road winding down the mesa face, before heading back to Moab.
-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
10-24 miles per day (optional extensions can bring the longest day's riding to 24 miles.
Hiking Mileage
10-24 miles per day (optional extensions can bring the longest day's riding to 24 miles.
–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 (~4hrs) or Moab Express 435-260-9289.
Flying into Grand Junction (GJT)
rent a car (~2hrs) 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 & 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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