Monument Valley of the Gods Road & Gravel Tour
Please click here to jump to the Overview section with all tour details including pricing.
The Monument Valley of the Gods Tour is a mixed terrain road and gravel bike tour. This tour climbs and descends the Moki Dugway, rides through Bears Ears and the Natural Bridge National Monument, and cruises through the Valley of the Gods. Be awestruck as you stare out at Monument Valley and fall asleep to the sounds of the San Juan River by night.
The tour’s surfaces include graded gravel roads, sandy areas and pavement. Among the many highlights of this tour include Anasazi ruins, the Rio San Juan, Mexican Hat Rock, the Valley of the Gods, Monument Valley and the Moki Dugway.
We recommend a minimum of a 40 cc tire size.
Monument Valley of the Gods Road & Gravel Tour: Highlights
Monument Valley of the Gods Road & Gravel Tour: Dates
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 28 to May 2, 2024 (Book Now!) – TOUR A GO!
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!
Monument Valley of the Gods Road & Gravel Tour: Overview
Tour Length: 5-Days Cycling/4-Nights Lodging)
Meeting/Ending Town: Durango, Colorado
Total Miles: 225 miles (additional mileage options available)
Terrain: Approximately 51% paved/49% gravel
Ability Level: Upper Intermediate (3) 
to Advanced (3/4) 
Must have some gravel riding experience. This is not a first time/beginner level gravel tour.
Tour Cost: $2,795 per person. Add $395 per person to this Tour Cost for a private room each night of the tour (includes 4-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.
Tour Includes: 5-days of guide service, 4-nights lodging, all meals, park service fees, energy food, liquid refreshments, shuttles, and mechanical support. Alcoholic beverages, bike rental, and massage are additional.
Lodging for 4-Nights: (subject to change)
- Nights 1, 2, & 3: Desert Rose Resort & Cabins, Bluff, UT (elevation 4,325′)
- Night 4: San Juan Inn or Hat Rock Inn, Mexican Hat, UT (elevation 4,250′)
Meeting Hotel and Ending Hotel reservations and costs are NOT included unless specified otherwise. Guests are on-their-own to make reservations at the Meeting Hotel or Ending Hotel, or other nearby hotels.
Gravel 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 the Scott 2023 Addict 30 which is light, can handle rough terrain, fits chunky tires and has enough mounts to carry all the liquids and freeze-dried chicken curry you want. What's really important, though is what this bike allows you to do. Now, perhaps more than ever, the Addict Gravel 30 is your ticket to adventure when you need it most.
The Addict 30 features: Addict Gravel Disc HMF Carbon Gravel geometry, Shimano GRX 22 speed drivetrain, Shimano BR-RX400 hydraulic disc brakes, Schwalbe G-ONE Bite Performance 700x45C tires. Approx. Weight: 20.3 / 9.2 kg (without pedals)
☛ Learn more about our Rental Bikes and Equipment
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.
Ability Level: Can I Ride This Tour?
Definition of Ability Levels
= Intermediate (2/3) Rides and/or takes spin classes 1 to 3 times a week for a total of 50 or more miles.
= Upper Intermediate (3) Rides and/or takes spin classes 2 to 4 times a week for a total of 75 or more miles.
= Advanced (3/4) Rides and/or takes spin classes 3 to 5 times a week for a total of 100 or more miles. Has ridden multi-day tours and done a century ride.
= Expert (4) Rides 4 or more times per week totaling 150 or more miles. Rides E.F.I. with regularity. Has done numerous multi-day tours, century rides and races.
How Fit do I Have to Be? If one month prior to the tour, you can ride 2 to 3 times a week equaling a total of 75 or more miles a week, you'll do just fine. We like to jokingly say that "one is ready for a Lizard Head Cycling Tour when they are finished with tour" and this is true! The only way to simulate a week long bike tour is to go on a week long tour.
Our average rider age is 55 years. These are bike tours, not races so we take our time to stop, take pictures and see the sights. We have all day to reach our destination and most riders take "bumps" at some points. We offer reduced mileage options for each day. Of course if someone wants to ride E.F.I. (Every Freaking Inch), we love to show them all the extra climbs, loops and hidden canyons that can be included!
Do the Bump! Daily mileage options allow cyclists of varying abilities to enjoy this tour. One of our favorite options is to give cyclists a "bump" via the support vehicle, or a 10 to 20 mile lift down the road representing an hour of pedal time. After the bump the rider is "off the front" and riding at his or her own pace without feeling they are being left behind the group. They'll then have time to linger and take in the spectacular scenery. All cyclists come together in time for lunch. Afterwards, cyclists can take another bump and/or continue riding.
Seamless Mileage Options: Lizard Head Cycling Guides designs multiple mileage options for each tour – something we're well known for in our business. This technique is similar to heliskiing in that one does not ski everything, they ski the best. 🙂
Slow or Fast? Many cyclists who sign up for our tours have worried themselves silly about not being able to keep up, but then they're surprised to find that all the worrying was about nothing. They do just fine! Slow and Fast only exist relative to other cyclists. Speed does not matter as long as one is moving on the bike. As long as one is moving, they are truly going fast enough.
If you have questions about your ability to ride this tour, please contact our office via email or call us at 970.728.5891 - we'll more than happy to guide you!
Please also see this blog post for more information.
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.
Monument Valley of the Gods Road & Gravel 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.
Day 1: Hovenweep to Bluff
39 miles with up to 1,700 feet of climbing
After a morning shuttle from Durango, the ride today sets out from Hovenweep National Monument which near the Colorado/Utah border heading towards Bluff, Utah. This ancient location provides 360-degree views of the desert and mountains. The Anasazi Indians choose this powerful place to live and defend their families.
This cycling route mostly descends south onto Horse Canyon Drive, cruising down paved and gravel roads with huge views and seclusion. Finally, we turn off onto a scenic paved county road and ride into Bluff to end the day.
Day 2: Bluff to San Juan River to Bluff
35 or 46 miles with up to 2,540 feet of climbing
On day 2 we explore the redrock country that surrounds Bluff, Utah. our explorations include Petroglyphs near the San Juan River, quiet gravel roads and a true sense of adventure. The ride starts and then ends backat our lodging in Bluff. There are options to ride more miles or less miles depending on rider’s stamina and ability.
Day 3: Bluff to Mexican Hat through the Valley of the Gods
Standard 47-Miles with 3,900 feet of climbing
EFI: 61 miles with up to 4,400-feet of climbing
Day 3 serves up the Valley of the Gods. This is a striking ride through the redrock desert outside Bluff. The ride sets out to the famed Valley of the Gods Road and soon climbs the Moki Dugway, then descends down to Goosenecks State Park for one of the most sought after vistas in Southern Utah. We then ride past Mexican Hat Rock to the town of Mexican Hat where we spend a night by the banks of the San Juan River.
Day 3: Natural Bridges & Bears Ears National Monument
39 miles with up to 3,600 feet of climbing
On Day 3 we Day 3 has a morning shuttle up to Natural Bridges National Monument to begin our ride. We travel along the loop road, gazing out at the famed Natural Bridges. From there, we turn north and travel into Bears Ears National Monument on pristine gravel as we ride through the east and west Bears Ears on a stunning loop through sacred territory of spiritual significance to the Navajo people. Post ride we shuttle back down to Bluff for another wonderful night.
Day 4: Natural Bridges & Bears Ears National Monument
35 miles with up to 3,100 feet of climbing
On Day 4 we set out to explore Monument Valley itself. After a brief morning shuttle we ride into Arizona and the Navajo Nation. Be amazed as you gaze out at the world-famous spires and buttresses of Monument Valley, and then ride out to Artist’s Point.
Day 5: Mexican Hat to Artist’s Point & The View
36 miles with up to 3,200 feet of climbing
On the final day we shuttle up to Natural Bridges National Monument to begin our ride. We travel along the loop road, gazing out at the famed Natural Bridges. From there, we turn north and travel into Bears Ears National Monument on gravel as we ride through the east and west Bears Ears on a stunning loop through sacred territory of spiritual significance to the Navajo people. After lunch, a final shuttle back to Durango ends the tour.
Monument Valley of the Gods Road & Gravel Tour: Logistics & FAQs
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