Glacier to Zion: A Grand Tour of Western National Parks - Lizard Head Cycling Guides
   
107 Aurum St, Box 855, Ophir, CO 81426 970.728.5891 info@LizardHeadCyclingGuides.com

Glacier to Zion: A Grand Tour of Western National Parks

Please click here to jump to Pricing within the Overview section that includes all tour details.

Glacier to Zion: A Grand Tour of Western National Parks

Join Lizard Head Cycling Guides on a two-week Grand Tour through six amazing western national parks.

Glacier to Zion: 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 Winter/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

2027 Tour Dates

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 we can commit to that date.

When you OPEN a date, you get to pick your preferred departure 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 the rider minimum. Don't wait. Just do it!

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.

NOTE: In anticipation and encouragement of future tour sign-ups prior to reaching the tour minimum, the Lizard Head Cycling website may be updated to show TOUR A GO prior to actual tour confirmation. Even if the website says that the tour is a GO, please wait for your official Email Confirmation before booking non-refundable travel reservations.

Glacier to Zion: Overview

Reptile Rewards

Tour Length: 14-Days Total/12-Days Cycling/13-Nights Lodging

Meeting Town/Airport: Whitefish, Montana/Glacier Park International Airport (FCA), or Missoula International Airport (MSO). Guests are responsible for securing their own ground transportation to the meeting hotel in Whitefish from either airport.

Ending Town/Airport: St. George, Utah/St. George Regional Airport (SGU), or Las Vegas, Nevada/Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) – if choosing to depart from Las Vegas, guests are responsible for securing their own ground transportation from St. George to Las Vegas. A shuttle service is available through the St. George Shuttle Service.

Total Miles: 350 to 465 miles (numerous mileage options exist )

Ability Level: Intermediate (2/3) , Upper Intermediate (3) , Advanced (3/4) , Expert (4)

Tour Cost: $8,250 per person. Deposit is $1,500 per person. Add $1,250 per person to this Tour Cost for a private room each night of the tour (includes 13-Nights). Please see our Reptile Rewards & Tour Discounts page for more information on Group Discounts. Please note that for discounts to apply the tour minimum must be met.

Early-Early Bird Discount! - Register for a 6-Day or longer 2027 road bike tour before August 31, 2026 and take $300 off. Applies to road bike tours and new registrations only. Please make sure to mention this offer when you register.
Excludes Private Tours and Self-Guided tours. Tour discounts cannot be combined nor are they stackable with any other discounts or promotions.

Tour Includes: Includes guide service, 13-nights of lodging, all meals (except for four breakfasts, three lunches, and four dinners), energy food, liquid refreshments, forest service fees, in-tour shuttles, and mechanical support. Alcoholic beverages, bike rental, and massage (if available) are additional.

Lodging for 13-Nights: (subject to change and availability)

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.

Road Bike Rentals

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

Road E-Bike Rentals

Click Here for more information on our Road E-Bike Rentals, including pricing. E-Bike rental availability is limited, so please reserve early. Although E-Bikes are great, our tours were originally designed to be ridden without motorized assistance. We keep our cyclists together with a variety of techniques, including staggered starts and "bumps" along the road.

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

☛ Learn more about our Rental Bikes and Equipment

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 guides preparing 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 someone who loves it all – we will keep you well-fed during the tour!

Lunches: Lizard Head Cycling Guides prepare 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 the tour" and this is true! The only way to simulate a week-long bike tour is to go on a week-long bike 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 point. 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. Afterward, 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.

Questions? 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 will be more than happy to guide you!

Please also see this blog post for more information.

Glacier to Zion: 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 of what to expect while on this tour.

Day 1: Hungry Horse to Lake McDonald
38 miles with up to 2,000 feet of climbing

The first day of this grand tour starts with a leisurely scenic ride from Hungry Horse, Montana to the Apgar Picnic Area for an early lunch. After lunch is an out-and-back ride to the Apgar Mountains with a return to our lodging in Apgar Village. Enjoy a stroll along the rocky beaches on the southern shore of Lake McDonald with magnificent views of the high peaks of Glacier National Park in the far distance.

Day 2: Glacier National Park
48 miles with up to 4,000 feet of climbing

Beginning at daybreak, we begin a 18-mile ascent (at only a 4 to 6% grade) of The Going-to-the-Sun Road to the summit of Logan Pass (6,646-feet). Due to the daily road closure, cyclists must reach Logan Pass by noon. But don’t worry as you can go as slow as you want as there will be plenty of time! The ascent follows McDonald Creek through old growth forests to emerge above tree line, with 360-degree views of alpine tundra and mountains. The Going-to-the-Sun Road is simply one of the best cycling climbs in North America.

Put your KOM (King of the Mountain) dreams aside, as you will be stopping plenty to take in the views. A crescendo of scenery mirrors the gradual climb, revealing alpine peaks, rushing streams and glimpses of Birdwoman Falls, cascading over 500 feet below a snow-covered glacial cirque. After 16-miles tracing the contours of the rugged and exposed terrain, the ride tops out at 6,646 feet at Logan Pass. At this point one is surrounded by a majestic arrangement of mountains in all directions and views to the east side of the continental divide.

Savor the descent from Logan Pass as we fly beneath the bergschrunds and moraines of the surrounding glaciated peaks. Continue all the way down to the emerald colored Upper and Lower Saint Mary Lakes to end in St. Mary, Montana.

Day 3: St. Mary to Glacier Park Lodge
30 miles with up to 3,300 feet of climbing

While today’s route is not long, it is a challenge! Soon after starting from St. Mary’s there is a formidable climb along Divide Mountain. However, one can opt to bump this climb to reduce the distance by 7-miles and remove nearly 1,400-feet of climbing. Taking a right at Kiowa, the riding winds around Looking Glass Hill with spectacular views in all directions. Our short day ends at the historic Glacier Park Lodge which was built in 1913 by the Glacier Park Company, a subsidiary of the Great Northern Railway. The hotel is a classic structure of the National Park system with a lobby supported by colossal 40-foot tall Douglas fir pillars.

Day 4: Transfer Day – East Glacier Park to West Yellowstone

Our first transfer day of this grand tour is a 360 mile drive down the mighty state of Montana from East Glacier Park to West Yellowstone. We will plan stops along the way at points of interest, to stretch the legs, and to grab a bite to eat. We will arrive in West Yellowstone late afternoon to check into our lodging, walk the town, and rest up before our journey into Yellowstone National Park the following day.

Day 5: Yellowstone National Park
30 miles with up to 1,200 feet of climbing

From our lodging in West Yellowstone we ride to the West Entrance of Yellowstone National Park. Once enteting the park make sure to keep a look out for the commonly sighted bison and elk, often right in the middle of the road! Also keep a keen eye for the more elusive grizzly bear, or perhaps even some wolves! This is wild and rugged terrain where wildlife abounds amid the beauty of Mother Nature and her geothermal wonders. We also urge you to stop at the many pullouts to take in the wonders along the way as we explore the Lower Geyser Basin.

We end the day at Old Faithful and marvel in its magnificence and also take in many other geothermal features that dot the Upper Geyser Basin. Tonight we stay at the iconic Old Faithful Inn – the largest log hotel structure in the world and possibly, even the largest log structure in the world.

Day 6: Old Faithful to Lake Yellowstone
37 miles with up to 2,500 feet of climbing

Starting from Old Faithful, today’s route will take us over the Continental Divide and then along the western shores of Yellowstone Lake, one of the largest high-altitude lakes in North America. Yellowstone Lake is centered over the Yellowstone Caldera which is the largest ancient super-volcano on the North American continent. Our lodging destination for this evening is another national park classic at the Lake Yellowstone Hotel which sits on the shores of Yellowstone Lake and offers tremendous views.

Day 7: Lake Yellowstone to Jackson Lake
Standard: 44 miles with up to 2,000 feet of climbing
E.F.I.: 63 miles with up to 3,000 feet of climbing

Two ride options are offered today – the Standard option involves a short shuttle south from Lake Yellowstone Hotel to start from West Thumb, and the E.F.I. (Every Freaking Inch) option starts earlier from Lake Yellowstone Hotel for those wanting to ride more miles and take in more views along Yellowstone Lake as the sun slowly rises to the East. Both ride options cross the Continental Divide once again and then exit the Yellowstone southern entrance and just a few miles more we find ourselves entering Grand Teton National Park. Riding along the eastern shore of Jackson Lake we end the day at Jackson Lake Lodge which provides perhaps some of the most spectacular views of the Teton Range within the park.

Day 8: Grand Teton National Park
24 miles with up to 700 feet of climbing

Words cannot accurately describe the incredible beauty of Grand Teton National Park as one simply needs to experience it first hand and there is no better way than by cycling though this amazing park. The route meanders along Jackson Lake and Jenny Lake offering epic views of Mt. Moran as one of the park’s most impressive peaks within the Teton Range. The riding ends at the Craig Thomas Discovery and Visitor Center with lunch followed by a post-ride shuttle to our lodging in Lava Hot Springs, Idaho for an evening to relax in the area’s hot springs.

Day 9: Transfer Day – Lava Hot Springs to Torrey

This will be the second transfer day of this grand tour and once again it is a 360 mile drive from Idaho and into Utah. Once again we will plan stops along the way at points of interest, to stretch the legs, and to grab a bite to eat. We will arrive in Torrey, Utah late afternoon to check into our lodging, relax, and have another fine dinner before our journey into Capital Reef National Park the following morning.

Day 10: Capital Reef National Park & Boulder Mountain
Segment #1: 21 miles with up to 700 feet of climbing
Segment #2: 23 miles with up to 1,440 feet of climbing

Segment #1 – Capitol Reef National Park: From Torrey, we descend through a Redrock amphitheater into the Fremont River Canyon where it cuts through the main geologic feature of the National Park, the Waterpocket Fold. Once we reach Behunin Cabin we will turn around for a quick pedal towards the Park’s Visitor Center and then to a picnic area for lunch. After lunch we will load up and shuttle to our second ride of the day.

Segment #2 – Boulder Mountain: Departing from the Larb Overlook we climb over rolling terrain until we reach the summit of Boulder Mountain at 9,600 feet. From there, we will fly down 14-miles to the oasis of Boulder, Utah. After settling in for our 2-night stay, guests can unwind and then we dine at the award-winning Hell’s Backbone Grill where gracious owners and wonderful hosts, Jenn and Blake, treat our groups to a truly delicious and eclectic offering of fine dining choices.

Day 11: Layover Day – Burr Trail/Long Canyon
34 miles with up to 2,800 feet of climbing

Along the Burr Trail riders will be amazed as they glide past the 400-foot tall Wingate sandstone walls of Long Canyon to a dazzling view across the high desert canyonlands of southern Utah. This ride is truly a hidden gem and it offers Lizard Head guests the chance to get off the beaten track and explore a truly wild landscape.

After today’s ride we will have some free time to enjoy the comfortable accommodations at the Boulder Mountain Lodge. Dinner is at the Hell’s Backbone Grill again tonight, where the welcoming staff will already feel like old friends!

Day 12: Boulder to Bryce Canyon National Park
79 miles with up to 6,000 feet of climbing
Lower Mileage Options Are Available

From Boulder we head southwest towards Bryce Canyon National Park along Utah State Highway 12 – arguably one of the best cycling roads in the Beehive state, and perhaps the country. It twists and turns and climbs and dives among the ridges, mesas, and valleys of the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, a 1.9 million acre spectacle of multi-hued cliffs and terraces, with distances that defy human perspective.

There are multiple mileage options available for today of between 30 to 79 miles from Boulder, Utah to Bryce Canyon. One can do multiple “bumps” to cherry pick the best sections to ride, or one can go the full distance and experience the entire route.

Day 13: Bryce Canyon National Park & Zion National Park
Segment #1: 27 miles with up to 1,600 feet of climbing
Segment #2: 5 miles with up to 200 feet of climbing

Segment #1 – Bryce Canyon National Park: Departing the Lodge we ride to Rainbow Point, the top of Bryce Canyon National Park for a spectacular early morning view. From the top of the park we ride back through the entire park and at the end we shuttle to Segment #2. NOTE: The shuttle skips an extended section of road that can be quite busy. Still, there are options to ride portions of this road, including the beautiful section from Mt. Carmel Junction to Zion for those interested in adding mileage.

Segment #2 – Zion National Park: This segment is all about the view! Jaw dropping sights await including: Checkerboard Mesa, 2,000-foot high sandstone walls, the Zion Tunnel, and deep canyons. The riding starts after passage through the tunnel and down the switchbacks into the town of Springdale, Utah.

Day 14: Virgin River Narrows
16 miles with up to 1,100 feet of climbing

In the morning we will ride a flat 7 miles on a park road closed to private vehicles as bikes rule here. Upon entering Zion, the riding experience is sublime with canyon walls towering over 2,000-feet above the road and early morning sunlight dancing along the tops of the white rock peaks… it is gorgeous! Upon reaching the end of the ride, there will be options to hike around Zion canyon. Another option instead of the riding or hiking is to relax in the quaint downtown of Springdale.

In the mid-afternoon, we shuttle guests to St. George where the tour ends. Choose to spend a night in St. George, or take the shuttle back to Las Vegas. If you would like to extend your stay in Zion National Park, you are welcome to do so, but all reservations are on-your-own to make in advance.

Glacier to Zion: 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.

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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