E-Bike Zion Canyon

Riding an e-bike up Zion Canyon is one of the most enjoyable ways to see the park, and it solves the canyon's biggest frustration: for most of the year the Scenic Drive is closed to private cars, and the shuttle only stops where it stops. On a bike you can pause at any bend in the road to watch the light on the Great White Throne, pull over for mule deer in the meadows, and reach the trailheads on your own schedule. Zion Outfitter sits right at the pedestrian entrance to the park at 7 Zion Park Boulevard in Springdale, a few minutes from the Zion Canyon Visitor Center, which is where the paved Pa'rus Trail begins. Its pedal-assist e-bikes are designed for the Pa'rus Trail and the Scenic Drive, the two routes where bikes are allowed in the canyon. Rentals include helmets and locks, and riders must be 14 or older, with under-18s accompanied by an adult. Standard cruiser bikes are also available for a lower price, and these can ride the shuttle's front racks to skip the climbs, though e-bikes cannot. The typical ride follows the Pa'rus Trail along the Virgin River to Canyon Junction, then climbs the Scenic Drive roughly eight miles to the Temple of Sinawava at the end of the road, with stops at the Court of the Patriarchs, Zion Lodge, The Grotto and Big Bend. The pedal assist makes the gentle uphill easy, and the ride back down is pure pleasure.

Rules of the road. When the shuttle is running, shuttles are the only motor vehicles allowed on the Scenic Drive, and cyclists must let them pass: pull to the side and stop with a foot on the ground, because drivers will only pass stopped bikes. Ride single file, obey the speed of traffic, and lock your bike at the racks at each shuttle stop when you hike. Bikes are not allowed on any trail except the Pa'rus, and not in the Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel.

Winter changes. This fall, the shuttle runs daily through November 28, then there is no service from November 29 to December 25, when private cars may drive the Scenic Drive. It runs again, shuttle-only, from December 26 to January 2. During the car weeks, riders share the road with traffic, so wear bright clothing and ride defensively. Winter riding can be cold, especially in the shaded upper canyon, and ice can linger in places, but the quiet season is also when the canyon is at its most peaceful. Check Zion Outfitter's opening hours before you go, as the shop's winter schedule varies, and reserve in busy holiday periods, when bikes on popular dates are first come, first served.

Making the most of it. Start early, ride to the end of the road first, walk the Riverside Walk, then drift back down, stopping at viewpoints and short trails such as the Emerald Pools or the Grotto. Allow a half day for a relaxed ride with stops, or a full day if you plan a hike. Families with teenagers love it, and couples find it a romantic way to see the canyon. Pack water, snacks and a layer, and return the bike an hour before closing.