Canyonlands White Rim Trail 4-Day Bike Tour
RIDING TYPE
Intermediate
DURATION
4 Days
SEASON
March - April / September - October
Canyonlands White Rim Trail 4-Day Bike Tour
The White Rim: Classic Moab Biking & Canyonlands Grandeur
The White Rim Trail is THE classic Moab mountain bike trip. With jaw-dropping views, slot canyon hikes, and ancient ruins, this guided trip is your ticket to get off the grid and into the vast open spaces of Canyonlands National Park. The White Rim Sandstone encircles the Island in the Sky, and mountain biking this route is the ultimate way to experience the unique beauty of Canyonlands. Our fully supported trip offers ample opportunities to explore slot canyons and Ancestral Puebloan ruins, while learning how to travel responsibly through this wild landscape. This journey is an exciting experience for all levels of riders; the short technical sections can be easily walked by beginners while providing a fun challenge for the more experienced. Western Spirit Cycling is an authorized concessioner in Canyonlands National Park.
Intermediate Riding, Icon Views & Archaeological Hikes
This White Rim Trail adventure is designed for Intermediate riders but is accessible to all, featuring:
Iconic Geology: Ride past Musselman Arch, the Totem Pole, and Upheaval Dome, with views into the Maze and Needles Districts.
Accessible Challenge: Moderate Technical Difficulty with short, navigable rocky sections and rewarding climbs.
Archaeological Access: The scenic Holeman Canyon hike (Day 3).
Trail Surface: Mostly well-maintained four-wheel drive jeep roads featuring packed sediment, sand, and sections of slickrock.
-DAY-BY-DAY
Itinerary
We shuttle from our shop in Moab to the Island in the Sky District of Canyonlands National Park.
We begin our ride with a dramatic descent of the Shafer Trail switchbacks, dropping 1,200 feet in three miles to the White Rim layer.
Points of interest include the Colorado River Overlook, Musselman Arch, and Little Bridge Canyon (prime Bighorn Sheep habitat).
The route continues rolling gently to our camp at Airport Tower with views of the La Sal and Abajo mountains.
As we approach Monument Basin, we ride past the spectacular 300-foot tall sandstone pillar, The Totem Pole.
A gentle climb takes us to Junction Butte, marking the confluence of the Green and Colorado rivers.
An optional 1.5-mile side trip to White Crack offers fantastic views of both river canyons and the Needles District.
We finish the day descending to the base of Murphy Hogback, where a steep 400-foot climb brings us to the high point of the trip and camp.
We begin the day with a fun but technical descent off the Hogback down to the White Rim layer.
Points of interest include Candlestick Tower and Holeman Canyon, where we may take a short hike. Hiking into this canyon is narrow and requires maneuvering.
We stop at Black Crack for lunch, enjoying incredible views of the Green River below.
We then descend along the rim of the sheer canyon to Potato Bottom, where the White Rim layer meets the Green River, and camp under cottonwoods.
A hearty breakfast prepares us for the major 800-foot climb up Hardscrabble Hill (1 mile) and then the final ascent of Mineral Canyon switchbacks (2 miles).
Along the way, we pass Upheaval Dome (a massive geological anomaly).
Our journey concludes with the strenuous 800-foot climb out of Mineral Canyon. After a final lunch at the viewpoint, we shuttle 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
Four wheel drive jeep roads: packed sediment, sand and slickrock.
Overall Rating
Intermediate
Technical Difficulty
Moderate, some steep climbs and rocky sections.
Physical Difficulty
Moderate.
Altitude
4,000 - 6,000 feet
Biking Mileage
14-27 Miles
Hiking Mileage
14-27 Miles
–Travel Logistics
Getting there.
Moab, UT. Meets at 8:00 AM MST at the Aarchway Inn, 1551 N Riverview Dr, Moab, UT 84532, (435) 259-2599. Meet the group at the Northern dirt lot.
Driving
30 miles south of I-70 on Highway 191.
Flying into Salt Lake City (SLC)
rent a car (~4 hrs) or contact Moab Express 435-260-9289.
Flying into Grand Junction, CO (GJT)
rent a car (~2 hrs) or Moab Express shuttle.
Flying into Moab (CNY)
Contour Airlines, contourairlines.com, 1 (888) 332-6686.
Taxi Service
Moab Taxi 435-210-4297; 435-259-Taxi.
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.
Moab Taxi: 435-210-4297
435-259
Taxi: 435-259-8294
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
- Dry bags to pack your gear
- Solar showers
- Sunscreen & bug spray
- Bike stand and lube
- Guides bring their own tools
- First aid kit with basic medications
How to pack
- Given a dry bag at check-in for gear (not accessible during the day)
- Riding pack needed to carry 2-3 liters of water, rain gear, food
Bring or rent
Bringing or renting
- Bike (rentals come with flat pedals)
- Helmet
- Tent
- Sleeping bag
- Sleeping pad
Cycling clothing
- Cycling shoes
- 3-5 pair cycling shorts/shirts
- Long sleeve cycling shirt
- Cycling socks
- Windbreaker
- Tights/leg warmers
- 2 pair cycling gloves
- Rain jacket & pants
- Warm layer
- Sunglasses
Camp clothing
- Camp shorts/shirts
- Warm socks
- Long underwear
- 2 pair warm pants
- Fleece/down jacket
- Warm gloves/hat
- Brimmed hat
- Bathing suit
- Hiking shoes
- Sandals
- Rain gear
Personal
- Toiletries
- Medication
- Towel
- Biodegradable soap
- Wet-wipes
- Flashlight/headlamp
- Stuff sacks
- Cash for tipping (10-20%)
Optional
- Camera
- Binoculars
- Beverages
- Books
- Maps
- 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.
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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.
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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.
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4 Days · Biking is introductory, hiking is intermediate due to some scrambling.
4 Days · Biking is introductory, hiking is intermediate due to some scrambling.
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