United StatesUtah Canyonlands NP
Canyonlands NP Bike Climb - PJAMM Cycling

5.3
PDI
36.6 mi
DISTANCE
2,077 ft
GAINED
0 %
AVG. GRADE
FULL CLIMB STATS
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Page Contributor(s): Bruce Hamilton, La Quinta, CA, USA; Stacy Topping, Tacoma, WA, USA.

INTRO

This 36.6 mile bike climb is located in UT, USA. The average gradient is 0% and there is a total elevation gain of 2,077 ft, finishing at 6,285 ft.

Use the profile tool, route map, and weather forecast to conquer this cycling climb.

PLAN YOUR ROUTE

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See more details and tools regarding this climb's grade via our interactive Profile Tool.
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ROUTE MAP

MEMBER RATING

Difficulty: Moderate
3
Road
3
Traffic
5
Scenery

CURRENT WEATHER

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Mar 25, 2024
Best time to ride is NOT May. Late March/April, along with mid Sept-October.
Aug 7, 2023
difficulty: Moderate
scenery: 5
traffic: 3
road: 3
Aug 7, 2023
scenery: 5
traffic: 3
road: 3
Aug 1, 2023 Rough road from Deadhorse Point road to the Canyonlands visitor center then much better to both ends. Not much shoulder but good roads and curteous, slow drivers. The climb back up from upheaval dome is the hardest - not steep, just a moderate grind. Amazing views and scenery all along the route. Water only available at the visitor's center - inside faucet is the coldest. FYI : little gnats were really bad but some bug spray on your shorts and shirt helps to keep them away.
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CLIMB SUMMARY

Cycling Canyonlands National Park - bike parked in front of NPS sign for Canyonlands National Park

Canyonlands National Park, Island in the Sky District

36 mile ride through a national treasure.

One of five national parks in Utah, Canyonlands National Park (official website) is the United States’ 30th national park, established in 1964, consisting of 337,598 acres.  This climb and gorgeous national park are located near Moab National Park and Arches National Park, which are other extraordinary cycling venues.  This particular cycling jewel is relatively little-known and not as popular or crowded as some of the other national parks with “just” 739,449 visitors in 2018.  

Cycling Canyonlands National Park - photo collage, PJAMM Cycling logo in corner, views of rock formations, vistas, plateaus, and cyclists throughout Canyonlands National Park

Canyonlands, one of five Utah National Parks.

Canyonlands National Park is made up of four Districts:  

  1. Island in the Sky

Cycling Canyonlands National Park - panoramic view of canyons and plateaus and red rock formations at Green River Overlook

View from Green River Overlook

Photo:  Neal Herbert, nps.gov

“The Island in the Sky mesa rests on sheer sandstone cliffs over 1,000 feet (304 m) above the surrounding terrain. Every overlook offers a different perspective on Canyonlands' spectacular landscape. Island in the Sky is the easiest area of Canyonlands to visit in a short period of time, offering many pullouts with spectacular views along the paved scenic drive. Hiking trails or four-wheel-drive roads can take you into the backcountry for a few hours or many days” (nps.gov)

 

  1. Needles District:  


Cycling Canyonlands National Park - Elephant Canyon, Needles District

Elephant Canyon, Needles District

Photo: Neal Herbert, nps.gov

“The Needles forms the southeast corner of Canyonlands and was named for the colorful spires of Cedar Mesa Sandstone that dominate the area. Hiking trails offer many opportunities for long day hikes and overnight trips. Foot trails and four-wheel-drive roads lead to such features as Tower Ruin, Confluence Overlook, Elephant Hill, the Joint Trail, and Chesler Park” (nps.gov).

  1.  Maze District:

Cycling Canyonlands National Park - Chocolate Drops, Maze District

Chocolate Drops, Maze District

Photo:  Mike Hill; nps.gov

“The Maze is the least accessible district of Canyonlands. Due to the district's remoteness and the difficulty of roads and trails, travel to the Maze requires more time. Visitors must be prepared for self-sufficiency and the proper equipment or gear for self-rescue. Rarely do visitors spend less than three days in the Maze, and the area can easily absorb a week-long trip.

The Orange Cliffs Unit of Glen Canyon National Recreation Area shares Canyonlands' western boundary and is administered under the same backcountry management plan and permit/reservation system. While some regulations differ, the information here should assist Orange Cliffs visitors in planning trips” (nps.gov).

  1.  Rivers District:

Cycling Canyonlands National Park - Big Drops in Cataract Canyon

Big Drops in Cataract Canyon

Photo:  Neal Herbert; nps.gov

“The Colorado and Green rivers wind through the heart of Canyonlands, cutting through layered sandstone to form two deep canyons. In stark contrast to the hot, sunny desert above, the river corridors are remarkably green, shady, and full of life.

Both rivers are calm upstream of the confluence, ideal for canoes, kayaks and other shallow water craft. Below the Confluence, the combined flow of both rivers spills down Cataract Canyon with remarkable speed and power, creating a world-class stretch of white water” (nps.gov).

ISLAND IN THE SKY RIDE

We stayed in Moab and this was the closest District to that town, so this is the one we did in our four days of Moab (two days in Arches and one in day Castle Valley).

Cycling Canyonlands National Park - photo collage, PJAMM Cycling logo in corner, Sky visitor center

Begin climb at the Island in the Sky Visitor Center.

THE NECK

Cycling Canyonlands National Park - photo collage, PJAMM Cycling logo in corner, The Neck Viewpoint, bike parked in front of informational sign at viewpoint

The Neck Viewpoint

One-half mile after the Visitor Center

SHAFER VIEWPOINT

Cycling Canyonlands National Park - photo collage, PJAMM Cycling logo in corner, aerial views of road snaking along canyonside, bike parked at overlook at sunset

Mile 1.

Cycling Shafer Trail, Canyonlands National Park - bike sitting atop flat rock plateau overlooking brown canyons and blue mountains far in the distance

Cycling Shafer Trail -- one of the most epic bike rides in the US

Ride 5.3 miles gaining 1,436’ to 5,823’ at 5.1% average grade.

First half of the climb is at 9%.

Cycling Shafer Trail, Canyonlands National Park - photo collage, PJAMM Cycling logo in corner, bike parked at various locations on roadside overlooking steep and sudden drop down into canyon, bike parked on flat roadway before climb's beginning, bike parked against large NPS sign for Canyonlands National Park, aerial drone view looking down into the canyon with switchback roads carved into canyonside

The finish of this climb is about one mile before the visitor center.

Ride down 5.3 miles to the start, turn around and ride back up.

Cycling Shafer Trail, Canyonlands National Park - PJAMM Cycling logo in corner, bike parked along roadside overlooking sheer drop into canyon, switchback below with van traveling down an extremely narrow dirt roadway, bike laying down in center of red dirt roadway

I did this trail on my Roubaix with 28mm road tires without any difficulty . . .

That is, other than the 9% first 2.5 miles in 100+ degrees.

Cycling Shafer Trail, Canyonlands National Park - gorgeous views of canyons and red and brown striated carved canyon sides

One of the most epic and unique bike climbs in the US.

MESA ARCH

Cycling Canyonlands National Park - photo collage, PJAMM Cycling logo in corner, signs for Mesa Arch Trailhead

Mile 6.

Cycling Canyonlands National Park - views along Mesa Arch Trail, bike parked under natural stone archway, photo collage, PJAMM cycling logo in corner

0.7 mile round trip hike.

AllTrails writes of this hike “Mesa Arch Trail is a 0.7 mile heavily trafficked loop trail located near Moab, Utah that features beautiful wild flowers and is good for all skill levels. The trail is primarily used for hiking, walking, and nature trips and is accessible year-round” (AllTrails)

UPHEAVAL DOME

Cycling Canyonlands National Park - cyclist riding along roadway on the descent of Upheaval Dome Road

Halfway down the descent of Upheaval Dome Road.

Descend 4.9 miles and then climb back to the junction at 1.6% gaining 490’ to 6,117’.

Cycling Canyonlands National Park - photo collage, PJAMM Cycling logo in corner, panoramic red mountain and canyon views and informational signs

Mile 22.5 of our route.

GREEN VALLEY OVERLOOK

Cycling Canyonlands National Park - photo collage, PJAMM Cycling logo in corner, views and informational signs at Green River Overlook

Mile 29 of our route.

Descend 1.4 miles and then climb back to the junction at 1.5%.

 

Weather data from US Climate Data’s website.

Average high temperatures exceed 90° degrees during the summer months.  There is little rainfall in this area and the temperatures in May and late September into October are ideal.

How to get around in Canyonlands National Park:  Unlike the larger and more popular national parks, there is no public transportation in Canyonlands.  So -- you’ve got to use your own vehicle or your bicycle to get from point to point in this canyon wonderland.