The Best Gravel Cycling Route Near Bryce Canyon National Park: A Paunsaugunt Plateau Epic Gravel Adventure
- 2 days ago
- 4 min read
If you’re searching for the best gravel cycling route near Bryce Canyon National Park, this ride belongs at the top of your list.
Bryce Canyon National Park is famous for its dramatic hoodoos and sweeping overlooks—but what if you could experience that same beauty without the crowds?
Imagine this: Sunrise at Bryce Canyon…Then an afternoon riding champagne gravel through alpine forests, golden aspens, and remote canyon overlooks—completely alone.
Welcome to the Paunsaugunt Plateau, one of the most underrated gravel cycling destinations in Utah.
Why This Is One of the Best Gravel Routes in the U.S.
Just west of Bryce Canyon lies the vast Paunsaugunt Plateau inside Dixie National Forest—a high-elevation paradise sitting between 7,000 and 9,400 feet.
This elevation creates ideal conditions for gravel biking:
Cool summer temperatures
Prime fall foliage (late September through October)
Smooth, fast-rolling “champagne gravel”
Endless forest roads with epic views and zero crowds
On our ride, we didn’t see a single other person all day.
If you’re planning a gravel cycling trip in Utah, this is exactly the kind of hidden gem you’re hoping to find.
Getting to the Ride (From Kanab)
We started from our cyclist-friendly base in Kanab at the Zion Adventure Home at Kanab—an ideal location for riders looking to explore both Bryce Canyon and the surrounding gravel network.
Drive toward Bryce Canyon and once through Red Canyon, turn south on a paved road toward Tropic Reservoir.
Pro tip: Don’t start riding too early—keep going. The best starting point is:
East Fork Dispersed Campsite number 5 (about 1.5 miles past the reservoir)
From here, the real magic begins.
Champagne Gravel, Aspen Forests, and Endless Views
From the first pedal stroke, this route delivers.
The road surface?Perfect champagne gravel—smooth, fast, and nearly effortless to ride.
The scenery? Ridiculous.
Rolling pink hills reminiscent of Bryce Canyon
Hidden hoodoos scattered across the landscape
Dense forests exploding with golden aspens and fiery red fall colors
Within the first mile, you’ll likely stop more than once just to take it all in.
As the climb continues, the road narrows and winds deeper into the canyons—arguably the best part of the ride. There’s something special about a narrow, quiet gravel road cutting through alpine terrain.
The Climb to a Private Bryce Canyon Overlook
This gravel route starts around 8,000 feet and climbs gradually:
~1,000 feet of elevation gain
Over ~8 miles
Never overly steep, just steady and rewarding
Wide open expanses through open meadows
A far cry from the red rock cliffs Southern Utah is known for
Alton Amphitheater - Epic Overview
At the top, you’re rewarded with something truly rare:
A west-facing overlook into the Alton Amphitheater—a landscape that rivals Bryce Canyon itself.
But here’s the difference:
No guardrails
No crowds
No noise
Just you, your bike, and one of the most epic gravel cycling views in Utah.
We spent nearly 30 minutes exploring the rim, walking along the edge, and discovering a massive hidden arch tucked into the cliffs—something you’d never expect to find out here.
You can walk right out onto the cliffs, even over the top of the arch. However, I don't recommend walking on the cliff. The rocks along the cliff are like ball bearings and will slide right out from under you - a fall would be the end!
Route Options: Smooth Return or Rugged Adventure
From the overlook, you’ve got two return options:
Option 1: The Perfect Out-and-Back
I recommend heading back the way you came on buttery-smooth gravel—fast, flowing, and incredibly fun. From the start, you extend your trip and ride to other overlooks on champagne gravel.
Option 2: Continue the Loop
Take a left onto a rougher double track along the canyon edge, though your views are blocked by trees.
More technical
Rockier terrain
Still manageable, but slower
We tried this route and even had a mechanical, which cut our ride short, but it turned into part of the adventure. Somehow, a rock hit a valve stem and broke it off; the tire was not damaged. Honestly, the smoother main route offers the best combination of ride quality and scenery.
More Epic Views and Open Meadows
After fixing the tire. We eventually made our way back to the smooth main road and made the short descent back to our truck.
However, even here, the views did not disappoint. The valley through the center of the Paunsaugunt Plateau is incredible with huge open meadows and rolling hills with a mix of conifers and golden aspen.
Podunk Guard Station:
One of the more interesting things about the valley is the small ranger cabin that is available for rent. The cabin is called Podunk Guard Station and can be rented by calling the ranger station of the Dixie National Forest at 436-676-9300. The cabin is set in an ideal valley that looks as if it came right from a postcard.
A Gravel Cycling Playground with Endless Routes
The beauty of the Paunsaugunt Plateau is that this isn’t just one ride—it’s an entire network of gravel routes waiting to be explored.
Every overlook feels like a destination ride.
And the gravel? Consistently some of the best you’ll find anywhere in the country.
Though I had a huge loop planned for us to ride, I think the flat tire worked in our favor. We were able to see some of the best scenery in central Utah without overdoing it and making us too tired for the other rides we had planned for the rest of the week. I have explored this area extensively using my Polaris RZR UTV and it doesn't really matter which overlook you ride to. All of the overlooks are spectacular, and the gravel is top-notch.
Bonus: Ride from Kanab for a True Gravel Epic
Believe it or not, even though this area is about an hour and a half from Kanab by car you can access the Paunsaugunt Plateau on your bike quicker than driving. I have ridden from our vacation rental in Kanab, up Johnson Canyon to Skutumpah Road, then up Broad Hollow Road to Crawford Pass and the above overlook. Johnson Canyon is a 5 Star road cycling route. Skutumpah is more blah as it is a long ride through Penon and Juniper trees. The climb up Broad Hollow to Crawford Pass is 2,000 plus feet. You could make it a day trip. Visit the national park with your family, then ride back to Kanab via Crawford Pass.
You can follow our route by using this strava link.
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