Moab & The Back of Beyond Tour, Lizard Head Cycling Guides
   
107 Aurum St, Box 855, Ophir, CO 81426 970.728.5891 info@LizardHeadCyclingGuides.com

Moab & The Back of Beyond

Please click here to jump to the Overview section with all tour details including pricing.

Moab & The Back of Beyond Tour: Highlights

The Best of the West in Our Backyard!

Moab’s Back of Beyond Bike Tour delves into the heart of redrock canyon country in Southeastern Utah and Southwestern Colorado. This Utah bike tour is located in Lizard Head Cycling Guides’ backyard. Join us for our local knowledge to discover the nooks and crannies that make this region world famous. Lizard Head Cycling will share its favorite rides, lodges and dining in redrock canyon country.

Highlights of this tour includes spending the first two nights at the spectacular Gateway Canyons Resort, pedaling beneath 700-ft redrock sandstone walls along the Dolores and Colorado Rivers, riding through the supernatural landscapes of canyon country, and climbing the scenic La Sal Mountain Loop above Moab.

4-Day and 6-Day Versions!

Join Lizard Head Cycling for 4-days or 6-days on the Moab’s Back of Beyond Bike Tour. See tour dates below for potential departures.

“You Have Arrived at the Remote Outpost of the Resistance”
Lizard Head Cycling Guides is a proud member of the Grand Staircase-Escalante Partners in support of their commitment to education, stewardship and restoration of the full National Monument.

The Dolores River Canyon in Colorado

The Dolores River Canyon in Colorado

High above Castle Valley, Utah

High above Castle Valley, Utah

The remarkable Unaweep Canyon

Arches National Park

Arches National Park

Celebrate the Day!

Exceptional Lodging!

The 6-day Moab & The Back of Beyond bike tour includes six nights of lodging that includes two nights at the spectacular Gateway Canyons Resort.

VIEW PHOTOS of the Moab & The Back of Beyond Tour.

Enjoy the views minus the bustle… Minimal vehicular traffic makes these routes are a true pleasure.

Super-Natural-Geology The pure geography on this region leaves one awe-struck.  Although located in a desert region, the Moab & The Back of Beyond Tour meanders along two of the great rivers of the southwest: the Colorado and Dolores rivers.  Additionally the Moab & The Back of Beyond Tour boasts views of multiple mountain ranges including: the La Sals, Abajos, Henry and San Juan Mountains.

It is difficult to mention just a few because the Redrock desert and canyon country of Southeastern Utah and Southwestern Colorado are full of highlights…

  • Arches National Park is home to more than 2,000 natural sandstone arches including awe-inspiring pinnacles, massive fins and giant balancing rocks. Author Edward Abbey captured its beauty working as a seasonal park ranger in the 1950s in his 1968 memoir Desert Solitaire, a true classic read for Utah’s  red rock desert and canyon country. Arches is an optional ride for cyclists while in Moab.
  • The Devils Garden Trail in the furthest reach of Arches National Park boasts some of the park’s largest arches, or more scientifically speaking, largest series of rock fins broken from the earth through erosion. Strong red rock formations they are, but they are not immortal. The Wall Arch recently collapsed in 2008.
  • Dead Horse Point State Park (Day 2) is named so for its history as corral grounds for wild mustangs roaming the high mesas where the mesa edges which drop to deep canyons made it feasible for cowboys to pen the animals. Dead Horse Point is one of the world’s most photographed panoramas.
  • The Manti-La Sal National Forest (Day 3 & 4) is home to the La Sal Mountains and is part of the southern most Rocky Mountains. En route across the Colorado Plateau from Santa Fe, N.M. to Los Angeles, Calif., the Spaniards named this cluster of 11,000 and 12,000-foot peaks the Sierra La Sal or “Salt Mountains”.  Mount Peale is the highest point in the range reaching 12,721 feet.
  • The Paradox Valley (Day 5) reaches 25 miles long and five miles wide; vast is a more than apt adjective to describe this valley located on Colorado’s western edge abutting the Utah border.  The Paradox Valley is lined with 1,000-foot high red cliffs and home to range lands and sage with the exception of the more lush environs in the town of Paradox. The paradox: the Dolores River runs across the valley, not through it as nature would intend.
  • “Most Beautiful miles ever Ridden”: Dropping out of the San Juan Mountains, the Dolores River runs to the confluence of the Colorado River near the Colorado-Utah border.  The 35-mile Dolores River Canyon section of Day 5’s ride is considered by previous guests of Lizard Head Cycling as one of the “most beautiful” rides they have ever done.

Moab & The Back of Beyond Tour: Testimonials

Read what previous guests on our Moab & The Back of Beyond Tour have been saying…

I just wanted to say I had a great time on our trip, I loved everything; the ride lengths and challenging climbs, spectacular views, great variety of accommodations, guides, food, and sag support; a perfect balance of attention for a perfect, carefree vacation, that my friends I will be talking about for many years. Again, Thanks! I’ll seriously consider your tour company in the future. – Gary

I wanted to let you know what an amazing time we had on our tour with LHCG. This was my second tour with your company and I hope to be back for more! The tour route was exactly as ‘advertised’… spectacular scenery and low traveled roads. We didn’t encounter any difficulties with traffic or poor road surfaces. It was really dream riding… safe, tough and fun! – Susan

Thanks so much for a really spectacular tour. Meals, lodging, communication, routes, guides, snacks, rental bike, COVID management all exceeded expectations. – Glenn

I am missing the days spent outside, the breath taking views, and the time spent getting to know this wonderful group of people. Thank you all for making my first bike trip such an amazing experience. – Jocelyn

Read This Trip Report: The Back of Beyond Bike Tour Trip Report

It was an outstanding trip with great scenery, wonderful camaraderie, and fantastic behind-scene support by Lizard Head. Based on this trip, I would definitely try another Lizard Head adventure, and certainly another cycle tour in USA southwest. The stark canyon geography, and sparsely traveled roads are a real treasure. Hopefully we can all enjoy another bike trip together real soon. – Doug

Thanks for a great week of cycling! Leslie and Emily were terrific and the group was a lot of fun. It was great to see very different people come together to form a tight group by the end of the week. – Leslie

Moab & The Back of Beyond Tour: Dates

Any of the Moab & The Back of Beyond tour dates can run at the same time as either a 4-Day or a 6-Day tour. 

Potential tour dates are listed below and not all tour dates will run. Lock in your preferred tour date early as unopened tour dates will be closed. Please see the Spring/Autumn Tour Calendar and the Summer Tour Calendar for confirmed departures. Any unopened date can be a Custom Week (9 riders required). Please contact us via email or call 970.728.5891

To easily register for a particular tour, please click the Book Now! link after the tour date listed below. This will select the tour name and the appropriate date on the registration form.

2024 Tour Dates

  • April 14 to 19, 2024 – SOLD OUT
  • April 21 to 26, 2024 (Book Now!) – TOUR OPENED
  • April 28 to May 3, 2024 (Book Now!)

Tour Status Notes: NO STATUS = Date Set, no riders have signed up. TOUR OPENED = Tour Opened, rider minimums not met. TOUR A GO! = Tour is Go, rider minimums met. SOLD OUT = Tour Full, rider maximums met.

Why Should you Sign-Up Now and OPEN a Tour Date?
This is the proverbial chicken and the egg conundrum! We need our cyclists to first commit to the date that works for them so that we can commit to that date.

For starters, when you OPEN a date you get to pick your preferred departure date, and there is no penalty if the tour does not run. Once you pick your tour date, Lizard Head closes nearby dates and funnels all additional riders to your chosen date until the tour meets its 6 rider minimum.

BONUS: As an added bonus, we can also hold a spot for you on another tour date of your choosing. There is no fee to switch to another tour date.

In conclusion, if you want a tour to run, we need you to sign up and not wait for others to do the same! Waiting for others may mean that a tour date takes longer or does not confirm. Just Do It! Once a few riders jump into the proverbial waters, others will follow!

Moab & The Back of Beyond Tour: Overview

This tour is offered with a 6-Day or a 4-Day itinerary. The 4-Day itinerary is the same first four days as the full 6-Day tour. See details below.

Reptile Rewards

Tour Length: 6-Days/6-Nights | 4-Days/3-Nights

Meeting & Ending Town: Grand Junction, Colorado – Grand Junction Regional Airport (GJT). NOTE: For both the 4 & 6 Day riders, the Moab airport is a available as an alternative post tour airport for cyclists.

Take The Train! An option for getting back to Denver after the tour ends is to take a scenic train ride on the Rockies to the Red Rocks Classic onboard the Rocky Mountaineer.

Total Miles: 200-360 miles over 6 days of riding -or- 150-200 miles over 4 days of riding. (Can I keep up on this tour?)

Ability Levels: Intermediate (2/3) to Upper Intermediate (3) to Advanced (3/4)

Although the Moab & The Back of Beyond Tour is among Lizard Head Cycling’s “easier” tours, don’t be mistaken, this tour offers  BIG challenge options for the advanced cyclist. To assist intermediate cyclists the standard itinerary on this tour provides shuttles to the top of major climbs. But if one seeks climbing, this tour has it. For example Day 2’s EFI ride options serve up 102-miles with over 5,000-feet of climbing while Days 3 & 5 also have well offer 5,000-feet of climbing. As a result it is a good tour for couples and friends with varying abilities.

6-Day Tour Cost: $3,520 per person for 6 nights lodging with shared accommodations with 2-nights at the amazing Gateway Canyons Resort. Add $750 per person to this Tour Cost for a private room each night of the tour (includes 6-Nights).

4-Day Tour Cost: $2,350 per person with shared accommodations. Includes 3-nights lodging with 2-nights at the amazing Gateway Canyons Resort. Add $590 per person to this Tour Cost for a private room each night of the tour (includes 3-Nights).

Tour Discounts: Please see our Reptile Rewards & Tour Discounts page to learn more about Reptile Rewards, Tour Discounts, and Group Discounts. Tour discounts are not stackable with any other discounts or promotions – only the highest valued discount is provided. Please note that for discounts to apply the tour minimum must be met.

6-Day Tour Includes: 6-Days guide service, 6-Nights lodging, all meals (except 2 dinners & 2-breakfasts), in-tour shuttles, entrance fees, daily lunch en route, energy food, liquid refreshments, and mechanical support. Alcoholic beverages, bike rental, and massage (if available) are additional.
NOTE: If you would like to mountain bike on the layover day at Gateway, please let us know when you register.

4-Day Tour Includes: 4-Days guide service, 3-Nights lodging, most meals (2 dinners, 4 lunches, 3 breakfasts), entrance fees, daily lunch en route, energy food, liquid refreshments, and mechanical support. Alcoholic beverages, bike rental, and massage therapy (when available) are additional.
NOTE: If you would like to mountain bike on the layover day at Gateway, please let us know when you register.
4-day Logistical NOTE: After Day 4’s ride, 4-day riders have a choice. They can add a 4th night of lodging or shuttle back to Grand Junction.

Non-Riding Spouses & Partners on Tour: If a non-riding spouse or partner would like to join you on tour and they have their own transportation, they can stay in your room for the cost of the tour's single room supplement. Please note that non-riders cannot check into hotels prior to guide arrival as the guides need to manage the check-in process. Checking in a large group can be challenging and take longer than normal, so non-riders need to hang back and be patient. Non-riding spouses and partners are welcome to join the Lizard Head meal plan which includes breakfasts and dinners for $75 per day. Note: Lunches are not included for non-riders driving their own vehicles due to the inherent variability of both lunch timing and locations. It is best for non-riders to plan to explore each day.

Lodging for 6-Day Tour Includes 6-Nights:

NOTE #1: Due to lodging availability, the Moab BoB trip is at times run in reverse (counter-clockwise). Please contact us to confirm direction if making plans that are contingent upon your lodging.
NOTE #2: Lodging for the 4-Day tour is the first 3-Nights of the 6-Day tour.

Despite the name, the stay at CampV is in luxury cabins and not a campground.

Road Bike Rentals

NOTE: The make, model, and specifications of rental bikes may differ from what is described below. Please contact us if you have any specific needs for a rental bike or have any questions about rental bikes.

Lizard Head Cycling Guides is proud to rent Scott Bikes. The Scott Addict 10 Disc was designed from the ground up with those longer days in mind. With geometry that is less focused on racing and more on enduring, the Addict 10 will be your go to when you’re looking to put the miles in.

The Scott Addict 10 Disc features: Carbon Frame and Fork, Shimano Ultegra 2x11 Drivetrain, 34x32 Compact Gearing, 30mm Tires, and Hydraulic Disc Brakes. Approx. Weight: 16.89 lbs / 7.66 kg (without pedals)

Learn more about our Rental Bikes and Equipment

Road E-Bike Rentals: Click Here for more information on our Road E-Bike Rentals including pricing. Please note that E-Bikes are not available for certain tours including those that involve camping. Please contact us for more information before registering for a tour. NOTE: E-Bikes are great, but our tours are designed to be ridden without motorized assistance. We offer "bumps" along the road so that everyone can stay together.

Tandems and Recumbents: Lizard Head Cycling Guides happily accommodates both tandem and recumbent bikes on our tours.

If you have any further questions, please read more on our Rental Bikes FAQ page. You can also email us at info@lizardheadcyclingguides.com or call us at 970.728.5891

Meals On Tour

Lizard Head Cycling Guides provides most meals on all tours (unless otherwise noted) including breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Guides will prepare a daily lunch en route for nearly every tour, both road and off-road, as well as provide nutritious snacks at periodic aid stations during the day.

Most of our road tours utilize local restaurants for all meals and occasionally guides may prepare a dinner or two during a tour. Due to the nature of being "off the grid", most of our off-road tours feature guide prepared meals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. FUN NOTE: When guides prepare a meal in camp and the guests sit around and watch, this is called "Guide TV". :)

We also pride ourselves on being able to cater to specific dietary requests and needs, so rest assured that you will be able to get the nutrition that works best for you during your tour. Gluten Free, Dairy Free, Vegan, or a someone who loves it all – we will keep you well fed during the tour!

Lunches: Lizard Head Cycling Guides prepares healthy lunches to keep you going. We will serve you fresh organic fruits and veggies, salads, hummus, sandwich fixings, nuts, gourmet cheeses and, of course, plenty of salty/sweet snacks such as chips and cookies.

Dinners: On our road tours, Lizard Head Cycling sources our favorite restaurants in each town that we visit. Our guides focus on establishments that offer fresh and local ingredients and guests choose whatever they desire to eat off the menu including: appetizer, salad, entrée, and of course, dessert... yum! :) Also, while on tour if a guest wants to dine early before the group and go to bed, this is fine. We understand that on some days sleep is the most important post-ride element.

Overall Route Map

Below is an example of the daily routes for this tour and are subject to change based on season, available accommodations, road closures, and other factors. The actual routes will be made available to registered participants before their tour, so please view these routes as a general outline as to what to expect.

Moab & The Back of Beyond Tour: Itinerary*

*PLEASE NOTE: Tour itineraries are subject to change and modification based on the group, available accommodations, road construction, road closures, and other unforeseen circumstances including weather, wildfires, flooding, hurricanes, landslides and/or other acts of nature. Also, the distances and elevation profiles shown below may not reflect the actual distances and elevations while on tour as these are provided here to give an idea as to the anticipated mileage and terrain. Please view this itinerary, the distances, and elevation profiles as a general outline as to what to expect while on this tour.

*** The 4-Day itinerary is the first 4 days of the 6-Day tour.  Shown Below.***

NOTE: Due to lodging availability, the Moab & The Back of Beyond tour can be run in reverse. The rides remain the same. We indicate above when a departure date is in reverse.

Day 1: Colorado National Monument and Unaweep Canyon
Morning Ride – Colorado National Monument: 23-miles with up to 2,750 feet of climbing
Afternoon Ride – Unaweep Canyon to Gateway (Standard): 10 or 18-miles with 2,800-feet of descending!
Afternoon Ride – Unaweep Canyon to Gateway (EFI): 38 miles with up to 2,775 feet of climbing

After a morning meeting at the meeting hotel and a quick shuttle from Grand Junction, we begin our tour with a ride start near Fruita, Colorado and into Colorado National Monument. The 23-mile route along Rim Rock Drive in Colorado National Monument follows the redrock rim nearly 2,000 feet up a series of canyons above the Rio Colorado.

After the morning tour through Colorado National Monument and a short shuttle cyclists ride along scenic byway Highway 141 into the stunning confines of Unaweep Canyon – a geologically unique canyon that cuts across the Uncompahgre Plateau. Although smaller in scale, the experience of riding in Unaweep Canyon is akin to riding a bike through the Grand Canyon. The splendid resort of Gateway Canyons Resort in Gateway, Colorado awaits us for dinner and lodging this evening.

Colorado National Monument Elevation Profile: 27 mi +2610 ft / -2370 ft

Unaweep Canyon Elevation Profile: 43 mi +2775 ft / -2860 ft

Day 2: Layover in Gateway – Unaweep Canyon Out & Back
Standard: 15 or 30 miles with up to 2,370 feet of climbing
E.F.I.: 47 miles with up to 3,160 feet of climbing

With a layover day at the Gateway Canyons Resort, there are three options offered this morning. The first is to enjoy the pools and car museum at Gateway Resort.  The second is to pedal 30-miles round-trip up and down Highway-141 through magnificent Unaweep Canyon to Gateway Canyon Resort’s Stables. In the spring and after rain storms there are multiple waterfalls on the west side of the canyon. Look for a waterfall near milepost 122 and then again near milepost 132 at Fall Creek.

The third option for E.F.I. riders is to Reach the Summit by riding a 7-miles past the stables to the Unaweep Divide to extend the ride which makes for a 47-mile round trip road ride.

After the morning ride on this layover day make certain to visit the amazing auto museum in the afternoon or to lay pool side at one of the two pool complexes. Gateway Canyons Resort is simply one of the most beautiful, luxurious, and relaxing resorts in the Western US.

Standard Elevation Profile: 30 mi +2370 ft / -2365 ft

E.F.I. Elevation Profile: 47 mi +3160 ft / -3160 ft

Day 3: Gateway to CampV Luxury Cabins at Vancorum
44-miles with up to 2,340 feet of climbing

We consider the first 25-miles of Day’s 3 ride to be the most beautiful section of road on all of our tours. The route follows the dazzling scenery of Highway 141 southward. The first 25-miles from Gateway Canyons resort are beneath 1,500-foot Redrock Canyon walls and alongside the Rio Dolores. Many of our guests have called this section the “most beautiful ride” they have ever enjoyed.

YouTube – Lizard Head Cycling Guides: Dolores River Canyon (PT 1)

Views of the Hanging Flume are visible from Highway 141. The flume is an engineering feat of over 100 years ago and also one of the world’s most extraordinary monuments to human greed and folly. Its purpose was to deliver water to a placer gold mine. Construction started in 1889 and a million board feet of lumber was used. The mine went bankrupt in the early 1890s. Today travelers are awe struck at the lengths gone into the creation of this means to convey water.

YouTube – Lizard Head Cycling Guides: Dolores River Canyon (PT 2)

The road riding is high above the Dolores River and tight against vertical sandstone walls. It is quite simply one of the most stunning roads in the country. We finish our ride near Naturita, Colorado and check into our luxury cabins at CampV.

Elevation Profile: 49 mi +2340 ft / -1505 ft

Day 4: The Beautiful Confluence Ride 
Standard, 27 miles with up to 1,790 feet of climbing
E.F.I.: 40 miles with up to 3,645 feet of climbing

Starting from CampV, we ride back north on Highway 141 and end the first segment with an aid station at the San Miguel River Preserve. From here we shuttle (or ride gravel if you are interested) onto a gravel road to the Hanging Flume at the confluence of the Rio Dolores & Rio San Miguel. This is a magical spot deep within the canyons where we will have lunch, there is swimming and bird watching. Afterwards continue riding gravel or there is a quick shuttle to Bedrock, Colorado.

From Bedrock we pedal back to our luxury cabins at CampV.

Elevation Profile – Standard and EFI Routes

Day 5: CampV to Paradox Pass and Onward to Moab

After breakfast, we ride out into wide open Paradox Valley.  The Paradox Valley runs northwest-southeast and measures about 3 to 5 miles wide and 25 miles long. It lies along the extreme western edge of Colorado,  The La Sal Mountain Range of Utah rises in the northwest. Our route pedals the Paradox Valley on its way from Naturita to the Utah state line, crossing the Dolores River Bridge near the small unincorporated town of Bedrock. Elevations on this ride range valley floor range from about 5,000 feet at the Dolores River to nearly 6,000 feet at the southeast end. Steep parallel sandstone and shale walls bound the valley to the northeast and southwest.

After reaching the border of Utah near the end of Paradox Valley, we load shuttle to Moab for a two night stay. In Moab guests can engage in many activities offered in the Moab region. If you ever wanted to go adventuring, you can on-your-own choose from the multitude of adventure options Moab offers. If you ever wanted to go hot air ballooning, bungee jumping, mountain biking, rafting, jeeping, side by side driving on Slickrock, sky diving, hot air ballooning, rock climbing, tandem base jumping and more, Moab is your place! Check out the Moab Utah Vacation Planning Website for a comprehensive list of area activities.

Day 6: Castle Valley to Bull Canyon Overlook
Standard: 22 miles with up to 2,290 feet of climbing
E.F.I.: 32 miles with up to 4,530 feet of climbing

The ride in the desert-canyon tour turns massif (mountain) country, if just for one day, as today offers its riders a stunning ride from the desert realms of Castle Valley to the low alpine scrub forests just below the mighty La Sal mountains. A shorter 22 mile route cuts out the first 10 miles of the route. Upon reaching the top, the view from Bull Canyon Overlook is simply awe inspiring. Make sure to check out the fossilized therapod dinosaur tracks where it seemingly appears as if they “walked off” the cliff into the canyon below.

On the return trip the descent that follows back into the stupendous scenery of Castle Valley is simply breathtaking as we drop nearly 4,400 feet to end the ride and then shuttle back to Grand Junction which concludes our tour.

Elevation Profile: 32 miles +4,530 feet / -4,530 feet

Moab & The Back of Beyond Tour: Logistics & FAQs

Bike Shipping

Lizard Head Cycling recommends shipping with BikeFlights.com. Bikes can be shipped either to our partner bike shop in each meeting town for professional assembly or directly to the meeting hotel for self-assembly. Bike boxes can generally be left at the meeting hotel during the tour. Bikes shipped across the continental US should be shipped 8 days prior to your tour.

Tour Support: A 15-passenger van and trailer that carries luggage, food and equipment supports Lizard Head Cycling’s tours. Cyclists keep a day bag that is accessible within the support vehicle.

The vehicle will sag and then pass riders to set up aid stations every 20 to 25 miles. This allows cyclists to linger at the back and then take a ten-mile, fifteen-mile or whatever mile “bump” forward to catch-up or get ahead of the group. Energy food, drink mixes, and fresh fruit are available throughout each stage.

It is not uncommon for cyclists on Lizard Head Cycling’s tours to ride their first century with us. Many are surprised by their ability to pedal the majority of miles offered. We have all day to reach the destination. If you have any questions about your ability to ride with us, please contact us today (970.728.5891 or Info@LizardHeadCyclingGuides.com).

How the Shuttle Works: Our Moab & The Back of Beyond Tour offers cyclists a challenge while at the same providing easily accessible mileage options for riders of varying fitness levels and desires.  Lizard Head Cycling’s tour leaders offer advice and provide cyclists with profiles of each stage.  Cyclists customize their experience by reducing overall mileage and choosing to avoid or focus on climbing the big hills of any given day.

The system works through a support vehicle that jumps ahead rather then sags to set up aid stations.  This allows cyclists to linger at the back and then take a 10-mile, 15-mile or whatever mile “bump” forward to catch-up or get ahead of the group.  Many cyclists on Lizard Head Cycling’s tours ride their first century with us and are surprised by their ability to pedal most of the miles offered.

If you have any questions about your ability to ride with us, please call us today (970.728.5891).

The Daily Schedule: Cyclists ride their own pace. Lizard Head Cycling does its best to support riders in their varying desires and efforts. Cyclists can either use our tours to simply support their tour experience or to engage in a guided experience along the route.

Q-sheets with directions, profiles and locations of aid stations are given out for each stage.

Weather and the Moab & The Back of Beyond Tour: The bike touring experience is really about one’s attitude. In 2010, three of the Redrock Canyons Tours were run in near record heat, near record cold and “perfect weather.”  The tours that were run under extreme conditions ended up being exceptionally memorable.  It is the “war stories” that are told around the Thanksgiving table five years down the road. Bonding often occurs through adversity creating life long friendships. The weather will do what is does.

“There is no bad weather, just bad clothing.” — Old Norwegian saying

Spring Weather Synopsis: Spring in red rock and canyon country begins in earnest during the month of March with bright warm days and cool to cold nights.  By April daytime highs reach the upper 70s with lows in the 40s and 50s.  In May, temperatures reach the mid to upper 80s and by the end of the month even low 90s. As the summer solstice approaches in June long days translate into temperatures that are regularly in the upper 80s to mid 90s with nighttime lows in 60s.  Early morning roll-outs in June make for memorable sunrises with early afternoon arrivals at the hotels. Through the middle of May spring snow storms can still effect the high mountains above Redrock Canyon Country.  The mountains rise 7,000 feet above the desert and as a result the effect of late season storms on sensible weather down in the canyons usually results in 8 to 12 hours of unsettled weather such as wind and thunderstorms.  Spring is generally a windier and drier season then fall in the desert.

Fall Weather Synopsis: Temperatures in early September are no longer as hot as mid-summer, but can still feel quite warm with afternoon highs reaching as high as the low to mid-90s.  By the end of September temperatures are averaging in the mid to low 80s.  By the end of October temperatures are usually in the upper 60s to low 70s. (Great weather for long rides).  October sunlight is radiant as the slanted post autumnal equinox sun rays sustain brilliant light even at mid-day.  In mid-October, the Cottonwood trees along the rivers burn yellow against the azure desert skies. As for the threat of fall rain, from mid-September through October, low pressure systems will occasionally spin through the high mountains 6,000 to 8,000 feet above canyon country dusting the high peaks with the first snows of the coming season.  These weather systems translates into about 8 to 10 hours of unsettled weather down in Canyon Country.  Weather events in the desert can best be described as brief and intense in nature.

General Tour & Cancellation Policies

Please take a moment to familiarize yourself with all of our tour and cancellation policies, which can be found by clicking here.

Travel Insurance

If you have not already, now would be a great time to consider adding travel insurance to your tour. You are welcome to use any travel insurance company you would like. We recommend Generali/Trip Mate.

Generally, if contracting COVID causes clients to cancel or interrupt their tour, trip insurance companies would treat it as any other illness as long as it is contracted after the insurance was purchased. Please check your individual plan documentation for details. Please note that quarantine is usually only covered if clients are actually sick with COVID. If a state requires quarantine upon arrival because of standardized state law, coverage is generally not covered. Again, check your individual plan documentation for details.

American Guests - use this link: http://www.generalitravelinsurance.com/get-a-quote.html?partner=LIZA0855

  • The Premium Plan is the only plan which offers Pre-Existing coverage so long as the plan is purchased prior to Final Payment.
  • The Premium Plan is the only plan that offers an optional Cancel For Any Reason - the policy must be purchased within 24 hours of initial trip deposit, the full trip cost must be insured, and if they cancel for Any Reason, it must be 48 hours prior to departure, and the reimbursement for an Any Reason claim is 60% of pre-paid, insured, non-refundable trip cost.
  • Customer Service can be reached at 1-800-874-2442 for coverage questions and policy modifications or to purchase by phone. Agency Code: LIZA0855

Canadian Guests - use this link: https://tripmate.catravelins.ca/?utm_source=lizardhead

 
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