Where to Ride Your Bike at the Grand Canyon

Roads, trails, and greenways with bucket-list views over the Grand Canyon.

Jesse Weber

Images

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Rainbow seen from Pima Point

by Michael Quinn, NPS, cropped from original

Creative Commons: Attribution
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Grand Canyon view from Rainbow Rim

by Deborah Lee Soltesz

Licence Free

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Aspens and wildflowers along the trail

by Deborah Lee Soltesz

Licence Free

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One of many views from Rainbow Rim

by Deborah Lee Soltesz

Licence Free

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Description

The Grand Canyon is an indisputable bucket-list destination for hiking and backpacking, but it's not so well known for wheeled recreation. While it’s true that no trails for bicycles exist within the canyon, that’s no reason to leave your bike at home when visiting this national park. Certain roads and trails along the canyon rim are open to bikes, providing riding opportunities like nowhere else on Earth. At more than 7,000 feet elevation on the rim, you’ll breathe in thin air and gaze over the immense gorge unfolding below. Road rides, paved paths, and dirt singletrack all exist at the Grand Canyon... you just have to know where to go.

Here are the best places to ride a bike, both inside and outside Grand Canyon National Park. The list contains something for all types of riders: mountain biking, road cycling, and leisurely rides on greenway paths. If you are debating whether or not to bring your bike to the Grand Canyon, let these ride descriptions decide for you. Even if you don’t have one, you can rent beginner-friendly bikes near the South Rim visitor center.

Adventures

Hermit Road Greenway

Cycle along the rim of the Grand Canyon on a paved path that’s closed to cars.

Bridle Path

Shady path on the North Rim that is open to pets and bikes.

Arizona Trail: Grand Canyon to Utah, Day 1

Along the Arizona Trail between Grand Canyon and the Utah state line you’ll discover outstanding singletrack, phenomenal views, and beautiful forests and meadows that seldom see human visitors.

Village Bicycle Loop

A beginner-friendly bike tour of the South Rim with campground access, restrooms, and drinking water available.

Tusayan Greenway

A developed Greenway Trail connecting the town of Tusayan to the South Rim Visitor Center.