Utah & Bryce/Zion...best route suggestions?

[msb]

I've got a pretty good idea of most of  the Northern part of our route down to Taos for Inzane in June already, but am looking for suggestions for the Southern part coming out of Idaho. We've never been to or  ridden in Utah and definitely want to see Zion or Bryce Canyon (... or both?), so the plan is to detour a bit on the way down enroute to Taos.  We don't mind taking an extra day or so to ride a more relaxed and scenic route through Utah, so would appreciate any ideas of roads to take or other interesting areas to ride through (or avoid?) that would get us to Zion and  then on to Taos. I've researched some routes on Maps, but would rather hear from those who have actual experience riding (or driving) that region. Any info at all would be appreciated....trying to break a 62 year affliction I've had with procrastination by getting this figured out early

Thx, Mike
 

[bill-jr]

Not in utah but 141 s of grand junction colorado into naturia sp? And then 90 into utah was amazing to me. 95 across utah, the bicentenial higheay way great 24 down to 12 will bring you right into bryce canyon . . I dont think theres a bad road in utah . . .moki dugway , trail of the ancients not for the faint of heart . . .zion and bryce are both amazing and very different from eachother ....163 but i think thats a road need to take  north into utah from arizona .? .

[NEHI]

   I have been all over that area of the country. If you have the time here is the route I would take. Enter Idaho north of Bonners Ferry south to Lewiston Then ( I don't know the Rt no.) go to Orofino to Kooskia then Grangeville , McCall to Banks Take Rt21 To Stanley (Beautiful area). South from Stanley to Twin Falls. Take Rt 93 To Wells Nevada. Take 80 east (stop and see the Bonnieville salt flats) to exit 84 Grantsville then take the back roads to Nephi from their Rt28 to Rt89 to Bryce and then south to Zion. If you have time I would go from Nephi to Mount Pleasant to Price UT (Rt 31 is one of my favorite roads). From Price Rt6 to Green river west on 70 one exit to Rt24 South (stop at Goblin Valley) to Hanksville. Take Rt 24 to Torrey then Rt12 to Bryce. I consider Rt12 to be my favorite road in america, as many others will agree.

[Skinhead]

Route 12 is spectacular.

[Oss]

Yup

[DirtyDan]

Southern Utah is the prettiest thing I’ve seen on the continent

Dan

[..]

Mokie Dugway is tough switchback, uphill dirt road if approached from the south.

This is worth pulling in to see Hite Overlook.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FQWvGupILvM

Four Corners is tourist crap and junk.

Zion is worth a day. Plenty of places for a bike to pull over where cars can't.

[..]

Of course there's the King of Kings to go see. The North Rim of the Grand Canyon. 

[NEHI]

     Britman is right,  Go to the north rim your so close. After you leave take Rt89 out of Jacob Lake to Page Then east to Taos! I'm jealous, but I will be out their in September.

[The emperor has no clothes]

Just to throw another curveball your way Mike. I think Arches is better than Bryce. But I'm sure lots would disagree. Maybe you guys could hit it on your way back. As far as routes go. As long as you can avoid the 15 as much as possible, I'm sure you guys will enjoy it. I would try to skirt around Salt Lake City if you can.

[baird4444]

yes some beautiful roads fore sure! So long as your in the neighborhood traveling
west to east, Plan on Durango to Montrose via The Million Dollar Highway...
then on to Gunnison then south on 114 over Cochetopa pass to 285 South...
    - Mike

[icandoitfaster]

Mike,
Arches and Page are a must. Google image "Antelope Canyon Upper and Lower" in Page and your decision will be made. It's staggeringly beautiful. Lets meet for coffee and I'll show you some incredible photos of all the big five parks, Grand Canyon and Antelope Canyon.
I tour that area during the month of July every second year. Best scenery ever!!!
cheers,
paul

[DirtyDan]

Mike,
Arches and Page are a must. Google image "Antelope Canyon Upper and Lower" in Page and your decision will be made. It's staggeringly beautiful. Lets meet for coffee and I'll show you some incredible photos of all the big five parks, Grand Canyon and Antelope Canyon.
I tour that area during the month of July every second year. Best scenery ever!!!
cheers,
paul

+1 on antelope canyon

Goblin valley is worth the trip

Dan

[NEHI]

      Also get a national parks pass at the first park you visit. They cost more money up front, but will save you money if you visit more than one park.

[Black Pearl's Captain]

Based on your request (an extra days ride) I made what I would suggest for you coming from Idaho. Assuming you're OK with blazing down I15 in interest of travel time...first stop Cedar City. I'm no big fan of Zion because I don't hike or sit on a shuttle for site seeing. It's a 2 hour pass thru for me if done.

The map won't allow me to route 14 southeast out of CC because it's a summer only (paved road). But take 14 SE (southeast) to 148 then head N to the north view overlook of Cedar Breaks NM. It's a mini Bryce Canyon and you drive right on the viewing edge. 143 NE to Panguitch, then onto Utah 12, as others said best riding road in Utah and the views aren't bad!

Hit Bryce which can be seen "quickly" if needed in 3 hours. Continue on 12 to Torrey and then 24 to Hanksville. This is where you need to decide Moab or Blanding. Moab has lots of nice Arch and Canyonland parks if you have the time.

You said a thru ride so I'll say Blanding. From Blanding YOU MUST ride to Mexican hat and up the Moki Dugway. It's a few miles of good dirt but RV's and Semi's can make the road and so can you. Turn around at the top of Moki and head to Bluff Utah.

From Bluff head either way to New Mexico. Mexican Water for a little treat of the Navajo lands or Montezuma Creek to follow the rock river bluff road.

A week can be spent riding Utah but this is a couple day crossing where you see lots of Utah rocks and roads!!

Enjoy, Raymond


https://goo.gl/maps/iiTnCCVVPZD2

[msb]

Wow, thank you all for the responses! Confirms what I've read, that one can spend a considerable amount of time riding within the borders of Utah. I'll have to see what our schedule looks like in terms of extra time... we'll be riding with another couple from BC. The idea, as Black Pearl's Captain mentions (thx for the map), is to do a "direct meandering" route on the way to Taos rather than a back and forth agenda stopping to go site-seeing and the such. Just want to experience the best of riding, no touristy stuff. Lots of info here which will help to accomplish that goal...may have an extra day on the way back as well to fit something in. Thanks again for all the advice...it's always a little more exciting when planning some riding in territories yet to be experienced

Paul...will give you a call

[Skinhead]

A parks pass is valid for I believe a week, the life time pass for seniors 62+ just went up to $80, used to be $20.

[Skinhead]

I took a great canyon road from SLC to I believe it was Provo, I'll have to check a map to confirm.

[jdp]

Man what ever you do you must go threw Zion, I took the loop threw all those parks and Zion was unbelievable, rt550 the south west corner of Colorado is crazy too they call it the million dollar hyway especially Ouray to silverton I believe, I live on the east coast between the two jungles Washington DC and Baltimore but I ride out west once a year and I’m addicted to the Rockies

[icandoitfaster]

Annual park pass was $80 last year......so worth the money.
paul

[fudgie]

We did 17 days out west last summer including a week or more in Utah. We hit the big 5. Of course it was a 105 everyday. Going again this summer with concentration on the 4 corners. Your a 2 days ride from Zion to Taos. Check the road/weather conditions at the North Rim of the Grand Canyon if you go. It could snow.
Sign up to get travel brochures of the places you want to go. The park pass is worth it. We saved over $100 using last yr.

[..]

Here's my video of the yaaaaawwwwwnnnnn Four Corners tourist crap.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q0LvJZJR-P0

[Oss]

Paul  that reminds me of the joke about the Polish firing range

A circle with shooters facing inward   (yeah I am part Polish)

When I finally escaped Gallup NM on my DDT-esque trip in 2014 to the GOTF, I rode to Flagstaff (where it had snowed overnite) then north to Page (had to get off 89 at a bridge out and go east a bit to take 20, a nice road with no traffic at all)
I opted to take the north road 89 not 89A so I could see Lake Powell
but 89A would have been better as Powell is down at least 30 feet

Then picked up 9 to go thru Zion and stayed overnite at St George
That was a long ass day.  The next day I got on 15 passing thru Vegas on my way to Beverly Hills  There was a bunch of nice motels but not cheap in Zion west town so I went the cheaper way maybe 60 a nite vs 150 or more.  



I like the loop idea you had for passing thru those national parks  well done

If you dont hike you dont see this, or her


This is just walking along the trail by the river

Had so much fun there that I returned in Oct. with Bonnie. We rented a corvette convertible and rode to Zion for 2 days of hiking and such. That was a bucket list trip riding 120 with the top down in the desert ! I lost that hat riding in the vette. lol