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+ 139

The White Rim

Gravel Riding Trail

Hard
102.42 mi
7,391 ft
Pedal through the visually-stunning depths of Canyonlands National Park.

The White Rim Road, running through Canyonlands National Park, is one of Utah’s premier multi-day mountain bike rides. Granted, select badasses will choose to pedal the 102-mile distance (with 7,000 feet of climbing) in one day, but most riders choose to divide the route into 2-4 days.

While the entire White Rim Road is actually a jeep road and not a singletrack trail, most riders still choose a mountain bike as their weapon of choice. Between sandy sections and rough rock slabs, the forgiveness and traction of a mountain bike are much more comfortable and confidence-inspiring than opting for a skinny-tired gravel bike. However, adept bike handlers and diehard gravel riders could undoubtedly rip through the White Rim, and probably in a single day at that.

The goal of the trip isn't ripping rad singletrack, but rather total immersion in the stunningly-beautiful wilderness of Canyonlands. Around every corner, a new rock formation emerges—deep canyons, massive rock walls, towering spires, natural arches, and narrow slot canyons.

However you choose to divide the trip up, make sure you plan ahead. All travel on the White Rim requires a permit—even if you do it as a century ride. There are campgrounds spread throughout the route, but you must have specific permits and reservations for the sites you plan to use. Couple the difficulty of scoring permits with the limited access to water, and many people choose to book a paid tour instead of wrangling the logistics on their own.

Paid tours will already have permits, eliminating that challenge. They’ll also haul your gear, food, and water from one campsite to the next, allowing you to ride light and fast. Certain tour companies, like [Western Spirit]( will also prepare gourmet meals for you in the heart of the backcountry—a true treat! Sometimes, the added convenience of a guided tour is worth paying a little extra for.

Sources:


Written by Greg Heil
Created By
Strava Routes

Route and Elevation

4,000 ft4,500 ft5,000 ft5,500 ft6,000 ft0.0 mi10.0 mi20.0 mi30.0 mi40.0 mi50.0 mi60.0 mi70.0 mi80.0 mi90.0 mi100.0 mi

Segments

NameDistanceElev. Diff.Avg. Grade
Shafer Down2.16 mi-1,112 ft-9.7%
Murphy's1.05 mi433 ft7.7%
Thinair-Murphy's Climb0.29 mi220 ft14.1%
Murphy's final push0.26 mi230 ft16.6%
Murphy's to bottom of Horsethief32.94 mi-1,316 ft-0.7%
short stinger after black crack0.30 mi115 ft7.3%
Climb before Candlestick0.15 mi79 ft9.4%
Thinair-Hardscrable Climb1.20 mi377 ft5.9%
Hardscrabble to Obvious Overlook 1.10 mi381 ft6.6%
Hardscrabble Climb1.08 mi397 ft6.9%
Hardscrabble0.88 mi364 ft7.8%
Screamer to the River0.97 mi-407 ft-7.9%
Last 5 Miles5.16 mi72 ft0.3%
Mineral Bottom2.29 mi1,001 ft8.3%
Mineral Bottom Climb1.53 mi853 ft10.5%
Mineral Bottom climb to overlook1.47 mi807 ft10.4%